Protagonist Comics
Protagonist Comics is a project we’ve been working on for the last two months. It’s a collaboration with the talented artist Julie Royce. She takes the stories and turns them into these delightful comics. While her interests have never really included soccer history, we’d like to think we’re rubbing off on her. We’re working on a first series of six to be released over the coming months, so keep an eye on this space.
Protagonist#1
At the turn of the last century, the San Fransisco soccer scene was exploding. Fueled by a massive wave of immigrant labor, clubs were full of talented, veteran players and the level of play in the local leagues couldn’t be higher. In this setting, the Vampire Association Football Club emerged as a dominate force and, unlike the other clubs in the Bay Area, VAFC was full of moneyed individuals - lawyers, bankers, and merchants. Their period of dominance was short-lived, however, and the team quickly faded into the mists of history. For the more detailed history of this club, check out this great article by Joshua Duder.
Protagonist #2
Too often, history hides the truth. The narrative blurs the lived reality and many heroes disappear in the mist of the past. Gil Heron’s story is one of Black excellence of the highest level. Born into an era that refused to tolerate his success, simply because the color of his skin, he dominated the Chicago soccer scene in a way never seen before. And then, at his greatest level of success, he signed with Glasgow Celtic and became the first Black player to play in the Scottish league, yet his story is largely forgotten by American soccer fans. “The Black Arrow” should be celebrated as a superhero before his time!