Hello fellow Comic-Con fans.
It has been over a month since our favorite convention ended, but it will always stay in our memories. One of my favorite parts of attending Comic-Con with my press badge is the chance to interview the cast and creators of upcoming movies or TV series. Comic-Con also provides an excellent platform for independent and smaller production companies to shine and avoid being overshadowed by the major studios. One such independent company is Legion M; it is the world’s first entertainment studio that “allows fans to invest in and be part of the creation of new movies, television shows, virtual reality, and other pieces of entertainment content.”
I had the chance to be part of the press room for the graphic novel and upcoming movie “Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls“. I was first introduced to the incredible story of Robert Smalls years ago. His story is quite remarkable, from his beginnings to his rise from slavery to a prolific part of history. “Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls” which occurred during the United States Civil War, is a story of resilience, determination, and the sheer will to fight and be defiant.
Meeting one of Robert Small’s descendants, Michael Boulware Moore, in the press room was also incredible. Robert shared insights into what it was like knowing that legacy, carrying that history and legend in his bloodline. I am glad to know that. Along with the graphic novel, a movie is in development. Unfortunately, I don’t know much about the film because they are still very hush-hush about it. Who is writing it? Who is directing? Any casting details? The one thing I did find out is that the wonderful, prolific, and incredible actor, director, producer, and writer Bill Duke is involved in the project. When I heard that Bill Duke was involved, I was ecstatic. I was hoping he would be at Comic Con, but unfortunately, he was unable to make the trip.
I’m glad Robert Smalls’ story is gaining more recognition. It will be portrayed on a much larger scale. His story should be celebrated. He was an incredible man, and his story is quite unbelievable, yet also adventurous and inspiring at the same time. It’s also wonderful to see artists of color highlighted and praised for their fantastic talent. Michael mentioned in the press room that he was happy to see and hold the graphic novel since he had been involved in its creation for years. Finally seeing it come to life was amazing, mainly because it’s about his family. He is the great-great-grandson of Robert Smalls, so having something tangible in his hands is truly a special moment. He also said that Rob Edwards, the writer of the graphic novel, put great integrity into the work and stayed true to who Robert Smalls was. Michael said it was great to have the graphic novel available to a new generation so they can learn about the incredible Robert Smalls. That’s a fantastic thing because more people need to know about this extraordinary man.
When I asked Michael who his dream cast for the movie would be, he really couldn’t give me an answer because, unfortunately, everything is still in the development stage—no word on when a film will be released. I think one person or actor who would have been amazing, like Robert Smalls, would have been the wonderful Chadwick Boseman. Boseman had that integrity, talent, and sheer presence onscreen that would have brought Robert to life beautifully.
Michael made a very telling comment about how the world views history, especially Black history. He said that growing up, Robert Smalls and his legacy, or his life, were largely forgotten, which is unfortunate because many remarkable people of color have stories that have also been lost. I am glad that Robert Smalls’s story is finally getting its recognition—not only in a graphic novel but also with a movie in the works. People who don’t know who he is should learn about him. I am thrilled and proud to have been part of that effort. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the panel due to a prior commitment, but I bet it was fantastic. I also love that if you visit the Legion M website right now, Defiant is the first thing you see. Plus, I really like the poster; it’s a clear homage to Shaft and Richard Roundtree and that groundbreaking movie.
Michael again highlighted the incredible accomplishments Robert achieved. He was one of the first African Americans to command a naval vessel, a remarkable achievement that was unheard of during the Civil War. He also founded the Republican Party in South Carolina, the party of freedom at that time. Michael explained how Robert arrived at a perfect moment in U.S. history, helping to steer the country back from the Civil War. One story Michael shared was about what happened when Robert returned from his adventures. It sounded like a remarkable story, and you should hear how Michael tells it. I can’t wait to see that on the big screen, imagining how it would play out.
I also had the chance to sit down with the wonderful Paul Scanlan, one of the founders of Legion M. It’s always a pleasure to see him, especially since WormholeRiders News Agency was the very first news outlets to interview Legion M when it launched.
I interviewed Paul and Jeff Annison at Silicon Valley Comic Con (renamed SiliCon, it was cancelled after the 2022 convention) a few years back, so reconnecting was great. Paul mentioned that their goal with the graphic novel is to raise awareness of Robert Smalls and get his name into the cultural conversation.
Paul emphasized that it’s essential for him and his team to highlight Robert Smalls because he’s not widely known, but he deserves recognition. Paul said they want to correct this injustice by introducing the world to Robert Smalls. It’s exciting to hear that the novel is doing well and is being used in schools. He also mentioned that there’s a teacher’s guide to help educate students about Robert Smalls. We need more initiatives like that.
Paul pointed out that, given today’s political climate, it’s great that the novel remains unbiased and that both sides of the spectrum have come to embrace Robert Smalls. And, of course, Legion M itself maintains no political leanings, which is reassuring in today’s age. Paul also shared more about the film—they’re involving the writers and want their director to be part of the screenplay development. They aim for the divisions to collaborate, which I think is fantastic because it ensures everyone is on the same page.
I hope this article and the accompanying videos will provide you with a better understanding of who Robert Smalls was. I encourage you to find the graphic novel and read about this remarkable man yourself. I am very excited about the movie currently in development and look forward to seeing where it goes. It’s also exciting to see Robert Smalls finally recognized as part of history.
Once again, I want to thank Legion M for always being such an incredible production company and for giving fans like us the chance to be part of such an important story. In the future, it’s always a pleasure to see Paul at conventions. I especially want to thank the creators of the graphic novel and everyone involved in this fantastic project including Gary Miereanu for inviting WormholeRiders News Agency to the Defiant Press Room. I wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors, given the phenomenal story they have and included the original promotional video below for your enjoyment.
Thanks to Kenn for video and image embedding for my feature article and many thanks to you for visiting WormholeRiders News Agency. I will be back reporting in the future with new information about the OverPower Press Room during my Team WHR adventures at San Diego Comic-Con 2025!
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Until next time,
Regards,