Marc “The Merc” Leone met Peter A. DeLuca, aka AKAPAD, years after their time at rival South Jersey comic shops—Marc at Legends, and Peter at the thriving Hall of Heroes, which expanded to four malls and a pizza shop, outlasting Legends. Their paths crossed again in 2012, sparked by the release of the Watchmen movie, a film fans were told for decades was impossible. This landmark event united comic enthusiasts, including Marc and Peter. After working at Diamond, the world’s largest comic distributor, Marc encountered Peter while browsing the action figure aisle at a New Jersey Toys R’ Us, where he was manager. From that chance meeting, a lasting friendship was forged.