Hero
As Anthony is reborn, strange creatures from another Universe threaten the Earth.
The Next Generation - Next--->
Synopsis
As Anthony’s ceremonial spaceshift drifts through space following his apparent death, a nearby star unexpectedly goes supernova. The resulting surge of exotic radiation interacts with Anthony’s cybernetic systems and the residual energy of the Matrix of Leadership, rejuvenating his damaged body and restoring his consciousness. Awakening alone in space and realizing he has been reborn, Anthony pilots the shipback toward Earth.
Upon his return, the Zapbots are stunned beyond belief—but overjoyed—to discover that their creator, leader, and friend is alive once more. As Anthony reacclimates to life after death, he reunites with the Zapbots and reconnects with friends and family, carefully bringing them up to speed on his extraordinary experiences and the growing dangers beyond Earth.
Meanwhile, in the far reaches of the universe, the defeated remnants of the Junkicons attempt a desperate act of survival. In their reckless experimentation, they rupture an ancient seal containing a rift between space and time. The breach unleashes three powerful, sentient entities composed of living stellar fire: the Sun Monsters. The release instantly annihilates the Junkicons, and the Sun Monsters set their sights on Earth.
While the Zapbots are initially occupied responding to a terrorist crisis, the Sun Monsters arrive on Earth and begin absorbing humans, converting them into fire-based creatures under their control. Through direct combat, the Zapbots discover that their ‘‘Ice Ray’’ weapons can temporarily reverse the transformation and restore humans to normal. However, the situation quickly escalates—the Sun Monsters are converting humans faster than the Zapbots can counteract the spread.
The conflict intensifies during a major battle at sea, forcing the activation of the Zapbot city-structure Duplaflex to assist in evacuation and containment efforts. Despite this intervention, the original three Sun Monsters escape and converge on a nearby nuclear power facility, seeking to amplify their energy and trigger planetary devastation.
Anthony pursues the Sun Monsters alone, confronting them at the nuclear site. There, he witnesses them merge into a single, vastly more powerful being. Overmatched and unable to halt the impending catastrophe through conventional means, Anthony turns to the Matrix of Leadership as a last resort. Channeling its full power, he successfully disrupts the Sun Monster’s energy structure, forcing the entity to separate and flee.
The Sun Monsters are ultimately driven out of Earth’s atmosphere and hurled into Earth’s sun, ending the immediate threat. Although the planet is saved, the aftermath leaves lasting consequences: humanity edges closer to awareness of the Zapbots, global tensions rise, and Anthony realizes that his resurrection marks the beginning of far greater conflicts yet to come.
Featured characters
| Zapbots | Junkicons | Humans | Enemies | Planets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Quotes
"Ever dance with the devil in the pale moon light!"
- — Terrorist when confronting Anthony.
Notes
Versions
- First Version: 1985?
- Second Version: 1994
- Third Version: 2021
Production notes
- This was originally called 'Zapbots The Movie' as if this was going to be my only story. Oh how I wish I had foresight in 1984.
- In the Classic Saga (1984?), this was the first story to be written, don't ask me why I don't remember. The only thing I know is it came from a dream I had.
- In the original story I rescued a girl... ewwww... get rid of that rubbish in the rewrite (1994).
- This is the first appearance of Pliers and Roberta. In the comics, Pliers was one of the original characters created.
- Third pass to provide extra details and upgrades happened in 2021.
Continuity notes
Real-life references
- Cleveland Ohio, oh yeah... a city I still have mixed feelings with.
Continuity and plotting errors
Other trivia
- Realizing in 2021 that the Sun Monsters may have been me subconsciously recreated Kremzeek.
