Synopsis

Superpowers don’t always solve your super problems.

The hardest part about being a superhero isn’t the punches, the powers, or even the secret identity. It’s getting back up when everything tells you to stay down.

Josh Jacobs, Jr. wasn’t looking for trouble—he’s had enough of that already. New town, new school, and after what happened at his last one, he’s keeping his head down. But when he steps in to stop a bully, something awakens inside him. A power. A force unlike anything he’s ever felt.

Just as Josh starts to get a handle on his new abilities, the town is attacked by a monster from his nightmares—a shadowy villain that knows all of Josh’s fears.

Can Kid Comet find the courage to defeat his nemesis and save Rockvale?

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Excerpt

Josh couldn’t believe what he saw in the antique store window. Something colorful under all that dust. He cupped his hands around his eyes and pressed his face closer to the glass to get a better look. Was that a red head fin? A yellow and blue helmet? A silver and red laser sword?!

Unbelievable. There was no mistaking it. That was a Mega-Go-Go Robot action figure! In his own grandpa’s antique store!

No. Way.

He wondered if Grandpa had any idea what it was. It was more than likely just another piece of junk to him, a mere toy. Little did he know it was one of the rarest toys in the history of toys, based on a series of old Japanese super sentai movies that featured a guy in a poorly painted rubber and cardboard robot suit defending Tokyo from an invading army of giant irradiated lizard monsters from outer space.

Mega-Go-Go Robot had been a cult hit, as obscure as cult hits got, and Josh doubted Grandpa knew what it was or where it came from, let alone what it was worth.

Josh stood back, shook his head and smiled. Maybe coming to town hadn’t been such a bad idea after all. Of course, he’d never admit that to his mom. She’d nagged him nonstop to come with her, saying he’d been moping around too much, reading too many comic books. As if that were even possible.

“Dad would’ve never made us move here,” Josh had grumbled under his breath. He hadn’t meant for her to hear, but the look of pain on her face made him feel guilty. He stopped protesting and got in the car.

“Go say hi to Grandpa at his shop,” his Mom said. “You’ve hardly seen him since we got to town.” Before he could answer she left him and started walking toward the salon where she had a hair appointment.

Rockvale had a standard small town layout. There was a central square with a park and big white gazebo where they held all the town events. A roundabout encircled the park, with two-story shops all around the perimeter. Along four diverging roads, the shops continued for a few blocks, thinning out as they got farther from the central square.

Josh knew the way to Grandpa’s antique shop. He walked past the hardware store, an office supply place, a flower shop, and a handful of boutiques selling assorted varieties of old lady clothes and old man hats and canes. In general, Rockvale left him utterly unimpressed, the small town charm absent to him. The only saving grace was the sweet smell of baked goods wafting through the air from the Bun & Bakery. That place smelled downright heavenly.

Staring at the Mega Go-Go Robot, Josh’s heart started beating faster. What a find! He entered the shop and glanced around, trying to figure out how he could get into the window display. He spied an old globe, a rusty metal Christmas ornament, and a lamp that was fashioned to look like a lady’s leg. They all confirmed what he had always thought – the store was little more than a collection of dusty old relics.

“Grandpa?” Josh called out.

About the Author

Christopher Bodmann has always been captivated by the power of storytelling. He believes stories exist to inspire, drive action, and ignite passion. This conviction fuels his writing, with the hope that his words will one day inspire something extraordinary. For Christopher, the ultimate fulfillment comes from knowing that his stories have given young readers confidence and belief in themselves.

Christopher is dedicated to crafting fun, engaging stories with relatable characters. He uses fantasy elements to address real-world issues that middle-grade readers might face, aiming to create a meaningful connection with his audience. He is particularly passionate about encouraging middle-grade boys to become avid readers by incorporating “gateway” topics that resonate with their interests, while also ensuring his content appeals to all audiences.

Christopher resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his loving wife and their five wonderful children.

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