Interview: Deacon of The Coalition

When I first reached out to the vigilante Deacon in an ad in the back pages of The Daily Planet, I had no idea how he would respond to my request for an interview. After we exchanged a few emails and agreed on a meeting place, I found out just how concerned the members of Gotham's underground vigilante sect are with protecting their secret identities and avoiding potential traps setup by elements of Gotham's organized crime, or sadists like the Scarecrow. As I entered the fog-filled alley he recommended as our meeting place, I was violently grabbed from behind and my shirt was quickly forced over my head,  I was instantly lifted into the air and the sensation of rapid movement ensued--making me dizzy beyond belief. When the sensation stopped, and gathered myself, I was in a darkened room and a bright light shone into my face. From what I could gather in my semi-groggy state, our interview would take place in the security of a dusty basement at some unknown location. I was terrified, and although the witty answers and playful personality from the man known as Deacon alleviated my concerns a bit, there is no question there was an air of mystery that blanketed the entire encounter. The following is what transpired:

0. What is The Coalition?

Do you want the made for TV answer or do you want to know what I think? 

Well, on paper, we’re a group of heroes who operate pretty much in the same vein as the JLA but instead of saving the multiverse and the such, we tend to do things on more of a street level. I’m not saying that we can’t assist with cosmic level threats but you’ve already got way too many boy-scout groups doing that and not paying attention to what’s going on in our own locale.

1.  How was it you came to be a member of The Coalition? 

It’s a funny story actually. I had just moved from Baltimore to Gotham to get a fresh start since my name had basically been dragged through the mud there by government officials looking to make a name for themselves. The very first night I go out on a patrol and I end up fighting these four idiots that were trying to burn down this building full of RDX, Ether, etc. Just when the fight got a little too crazy, Enforcer, Just Cause, Force and this guy named Exotherm came in for an assist. We all worked together to stop the bad guys but little did we know Exotherm was one of them as well. After a fast but brutal battle, the building ended up getting split down the middle and collapsed, Just Cause went after Exotherm, Exotherm was nowhere to be found, so it was Force, Enforcer, and myself left with the clean up. That was our first meeting. A later encounter with Mobius at S.T.A.R. Lab’s Gotham facility solidified our alliance.

2. What made you and rest of The Coalition settle in Gotham? 

Well, I never thought to ask Enforcer or Force why they ended up in Gotham but I ended up in Gotham because I was actually traveling along the East coast trying build a life for myself in several cities. Needless to say none of the other cities worked out since I ended up here in Gotham.

3. Do you consider yourself a Hero or a Vigilante who operates outside the law?

Well, of course all heroes operate outside the law so technically we’re all vigilantes. Now, the real question is whether or not I’m a boy-scout like Superman, no offense to the big guy. Anyway, I tend to piss off law enforcement alot because they see me as some new slack-jawed-wanna-be who threw on some tights and is trying to play hero. That is not the case. I’ve been doing this since I was 17 years old. I’m far from a wanna-be fella. Wow, some personal insecurities came out right there. Hahaha…. my bad.

4. What other powers do you possess? 

I’m pretty strong. Not super-strong, but I’m pretty tough. In the past, I’ve been known to lift a fire truck up over my head. I mean, I was pretty sore afterwards, but I can do it. I’m also pretty nimble. You give me just about anything, whether it be the small end of a broomstick, a tight rope, or on the head of a statue. If I can at least get my toe on it, I can keep my balance on it. Some of this has do with my ability to manipulate matter. I don’t really have full control over this particular ability just yet. The most I can do is cushion some super powered blows, cling to just about any surface, a little gliding or mid-air directional change. All of this aids in my agility and my reaction time. I also have limited precognitive abilities as well. I’ve managed to develop that enough to where I can see most attacks coming in a sort of slow motion playback and dodge them. I can even dodge gunfire if I’m far enough away.

5. Why did you feel it necessary to leave your home to start your hero career? 

Now, I’m actually from the South and down there, people with special abilities aren’t revered as much as they are up here. It’s definitely been a mind blowing experience getting cheers from everyday folk when I’m swinging through the city. Of course, the police don’t really like me that much because I they claim that I hide behind my mask. Hahahaha, like I’m the only guy who wears a mask! It’s actually sorta funny when you think about it.

6. Criminals in Gotham like The Joker and Scarecrow have ended the lives of more than a few heroes, does this concern you?

No, it doesn’t. Lets just say that usually when I fight someone that isn’t super-human, I pull my punches. When it comes to them, I won’t be doing that as much. Take what you want out of that.

7. What bad guys are you anxious to lock up? 

As of right now, Mobius. Not that I’m looking to get him locked up or anything like that, but I don’t think this guy is really a bad guy. At first I did, but there was a situation that happened that enlightened me to the true depth of his motives. I hope I can get to this guy one day.

8. The public is enamored with superheroes, How was it you gained your super-abilities? Were you born with them, are you a mutant? are you former Delta Force? did you drink a secret potion?

It all has to do with the government kidnapping mutants or humans with the a latent mutant genome and breeding them together to breed an enhanced form of super mutant. I know my mother and my father were part of this program, but that’s about all I know. I’m still trying to find out more details on this because my mother was killed as a result of her involvement with this program. I don’t really like talking about this to anyone because it’s still sort of a sore spot in my life. Sorry if I can’t give you more info on this.

9. What's the ultimate goal of the Coalition?

Basically to keep the streets safe. The JLA tend to handle all that galaxy-saving, other-worldly stuff. We need to be here in the city making sure nothing is going on down here.

10. Do you ever worry about your Secret Identity being discovered? 

Yes I do. I’ve done alot to keep my identity secret and that has also played a part in me changing cities every few years. I’ve tried my best to guard it. By doing so, I’m helping to prevent any harm that may come to those that I’m close with. The last thing I need is someone learning who I am and having the stuff hit the fan. Not one of my most pleasant thoughts.

11. How does a person manage balancing a "real life" with that of a superhero?

Well for me it’s pretty easy. I’m pretty gifted when it comes to things like computers and technological stuff. So I find a way to make a living doing that because the hours aren‘t as demanding as having a regular 9 to 5 since I’m able to do what a normal person considers two days work, in a two hours. 

12. What motivated Deacon to lead the life of a super-powered hero?

Well, I’m sort of ashamed to say that I originally started off looking for revenge. A man that was very close to me said he understood why I was doing what I was doing. He himself had lost his mother in a violent crime. He eventually helped me understand that I could do more with my abilities then serve myself. When I saw how much of a difference I could make in peoples’ lives just by trying to be there at just the right time, I changed my tune.

13. You've obviously done your research of Gotham's underworld, what major threats to the public are located here?

I don’t think this interview would be long enough to go over all of that. For whatever reason, whack-jobs keep pouring out of the woodwork in this city. It’s like someone is intentionally making all of these crazies to keep Gotham in a constant state of fear! It’s gotta stop somewhere.

14. You've obviously come to Gotham to put away some of the criminals here. Are there any criminal organizations the public needs to be on the lookout for?

Hmmmm….. The Falcone family seems to be the biggest source of alot of corruption in this city but they hide their ties so well that it’s hard to indicted them on anything. I guess that’s where heroes usually step in and pick up the slack that the police are more than willing to pass off.

15. Many critics have said that masked superheroes shouldn't have Police Powers, what’s your response? 

They’re right. We shouldn’t. The minute you start letting the government tell you who the bad guys are, is the day this country needs to Coup. We have to remain above that stuff so that we don’t turn into super-powered enforcers for the Feds. 

16. You're considered one of the new generation of individuals with super abilities who have recently appeared, many critics label individuals like you as dangerously undisciplined, care to comment? 

In some cases they’re right. Alot of people go out there, with these powers unchecked and they end up causing more harm than good. When my abilities first manifested, I ended up hurting some individuals unintentionally. I decided that before I try anything else and before I hurt anybody that doesn’t deserved to be hurt, let me gain a handle on my powers. Let me see what I’m capable of. I spent a lot of times in the woods where I grew up jumping and swinging from trees to hone my agility and I actually used trees as sort of a barometer to see how strong I really was. I’m willing to bet that some of those trees I punched or kicked down are still laying around in that forest.

17. What's your opinion on the numerous unsanctioned super-powered vigilantes? Particularly those who take the law into their hands with lethal force?

Well, I’m personally against using lethal force even though I could see why some bad guys would be better off in the dirt, but that’s not our choice to make. Even though we take the law in our own hands as heroes, we have to draw the line somewhere. So, if I see any heroes killing on my watch, then get your ass ready for a fight!

18. Who's you're biggest villian nemesis, and why? 

I’ve had multiple run-ins with Mobius, the robotic guy I mentioned before. I know why he’s doing what he’s doing and I’ve tried my best to appeal to his better side but the only way this guy is going down is if I shove my fist down his sock.

19. How can civilians reach out to The Coalition? 

If you’re asking if we have something like a “Bat Signal” then no, we don’t. We’re usually roaming the streets so if you’re in trouble, don’t be afraid to call out for help.

20. Do you find it challenging to maintain a normal life in addition to being a hero? 

Sometimes it’s a little hard and sometimes it isn’t. It just depends on if the rent is due or not, you know what I mean?

21. What superhero legends inspired you to don a mask?

No one in real life. I actually used to read the “Amazing Wall-Crawler” and “The Merc With a Mouth” comics a lot when I was a kid. Some of my inspiration comes from them.

23. Known villians like The Joker and Scarecrow have known hideouts in Gotham, do you feel it's your duty to address threats like these?

Oh yeah! They’re gonna feel like I stay next door to them with the amount of times I’m gonna drop in on them. Best believe that!

24. What's your relationship with popular Gotham heroes like Batman and Robin? What about Nightwing?

I actually don’t have much of a relationship with these guys. I’ve run into these guys one or two times since I’ve been here. Batman is all like “you don’t have what it takes to be a hero” or “you’re going to get yourself killed” the past few times I’ve run into him. I don’t think he particularly likes me operating in his city.

25.  Do you work alongside the Gotham Police? 

As long as I’m not there when they pick up the villain that I left for them (whose been freshly beaten) then we’ll remain on good terms.