“Dr. Mike Connors was a brilliant scientist who wanted to help the world. He was ambitious. Maybe a little too ambitious as he began to take his experiments into dangerous territory. One fateful night there was a massive explosion in Dr. Connor’s lab. Not only did Connors survive the blast but it had given him superhuman strength. Unfortunately he also lost his eyesight. Undeterred, the good doctor designed a sophisticated pair of goggles that allowed him to see in the dark. Unable to continue as a scientist, Connors decided to help the world by becoming a superhero. And that is how The Spectator became guardian against the forces of evil.”

“Dude, you’re six years old. How do you know all tha?” “I love superheroes” my nephew replied. Jeremiah was a great kid and we were best buds. Every time he’d visit we’d hang out for hours. I also grew up loving superheroes and now I  was able to relive a happy part of my childhood. Whenever Jeremiah would come down for a visit he was always ready for some superhero adventures with his favourite uncle.  I was exhausted after his visits as he had boundless energy but I loved every minute of it.

Jeremiah was always fascinated by the upstairs bedroom at my house. It was cold up there in winter and hot during the summer. But for whatever reason Jeremiah was bound and determined to go upstairs. I’m not sure why but as we walked up the stairs I blurted out something about the bedroom being The Spectator’s secret hideout. It was an innocent, off-the-cuff remark that I thought would be forgotten. But now whenever he visits Jeremiahwas determined to go upstairs hoping to catch a glimpse of The Spectator. I’d always tell him that he was off on an adventure but one day he’d get to meet his hero. How was I gonna pull that off without disappointing that sweet little boy?

When my nephew visited he’d skip past my Dad and I and head upstairs in hopes of catching a glimpse of The Spectator. I tried to distract him by talking about other heroes but he’d always come back to his favourite crimefighter. I started to suspect that he wasn’t buying the excuses I was making up about The Spectator’s many absences. So I bought myself some time by leaving little signs that The Spectator had been here and we just missed him. This seemed to work for a while but Jeremiah wanted the real deal.  It was a harmless little fib I had told about a superhero living upstairs. But if Jeremiah found out it wasn’t true he’d be devastated. 

One night while I was watching TV with my dad and nephew the screen suddenly went black. When the picture returned we were greeted by a sinister and familiar looking face. “Good evening Azura City. My name is Mr. Peach. I am one of the world’s richest men and I want to turn your city into a massive resort. I’m not looking to negotiate. I’ve paid off many of your top officials and if necessary, I will take your city by force.  With The Mango Mob at my beck and call, nobody will be able to stop my latest deal real estate deal.”

I immediately jumped off the couch and ran upstairs. Jeremiah probably thought I was going to contact The Spectator. Maybe I should just level with the kid and tell him that I made the whole thing up. But we had such a special bond and he’d really be upset if he knew that Id been lying to him this entire time. I looked at some of the superhero attire that had been strewn about the room. What do I do? I could hear Jeremiah stomping up the stairs and so I was forced to make a bold decision in that moment. I was going to have to become The Spectator.

“Hey! Where did Uncle Buddy go?” My Dad shouted. “Don’t worry Grampa, he went upstairs to talk to The Spectator.” “Who?” “The Spectator. You know that superhero that lives upstairs” Jeremiah responded. “There’s no superher....Oh no! C’mon Jeremiah, we’re going for a drive!” “To see The Spectator?” “I sure hope not” my Dad mumbled under his breath. “What was that Grampa?” “Uh, I said I hope so. Let’s go find Uncle Buddy first.” "Cool! We're going on a real life adventure just like Batman and Robin!" Jeremiah giggled.

The Mango Mob began attacking businesses and offices destroying everything in sight. The people of Azura City fled the scene as the mob stormed through the downtown core. Mr. Peach then made an announcement through a bullhorn. “It’s only a matter of time before my followers ransack your city.  Surrender now and maybe I’ll let you work at one my resorts!” He snorted. “Never!” “Who said that? Show yourself!” "I'm right here!" I bellowed.

“HEAR NO EVIL!

SPEAK NO EVIL! 
SEE NO EVIL!”

That was The Spectator’s catchphrase. It was kinda cool shouting it out loud actually. Now came the hard part, I had to battle do battle with these bad dudes. I didn’t know how to fight. At least I looked good . I was wearing The Spectator’s trademark bowler hat, crimson cape, and jet black attire. I felt as though I was The Spectator. Well, except I was wearing a tight black sweater and yoga pants that were staring to give me a wedgie. Other than that, I thought I looked kinda cool. BANG!!! I could hear the mob charging towards me. Unfortunately I couldn’t see a thing as I was wearing a pair of sunglasses and not high-powered goggles. Oh, who was I trying to kid? I was nothing more than a glorified Spectator cosplayer. 

As the mob converged on me I began to blindly kick nd punch at the air. I’m sure I looked ridiculous. I couldn’t see a darn thing with these ridiculous sunglasses. Some of my assailants began chuckling at my futile effort to defend myself. I was so uncoordinated that I accidentally knocked myself out. Moments before that embarrassing incident I could’ve sworn I saw a man clad in black doing battle with the mob. “Could it be him?” I wondered before I hit the ground.