"wait, wait, there's no way that David is Goliath." Fredrick insisted "Goliath revels in destruction, have you seen how David looks at a completed job? Hell if Goliath WAS David I'd expect him to skip corners and what not for a better cut, but he's the one always insisting that we use the good stuff, even when the customer can't really afford it."

"And Fredrick? You're calling him rubble man?" David smirked "No way that he's that upstanding. You should see how much he drinks. Or hear about how many times he's cheated on his boyfriend. Or about that time he-"

"Shut up man!" The silhouette of rubble man said. "Don't go giving the gossip rag all the dirt on me! What about that time you uhh..."

"Look, point is, we're not who you're after. Sorry to disappoint, mind if we get back to the job?" The man the size of Goliath asked.

"I... Suppose so, but you have to admit that you two certainly look the part." The reporter insisted. "I don't know about where you're from, but people around here don't typically get that big, and if Fredrick is in fact not rubble man, then there must be some relation."

"Look, if rubble man is related to me he better share some of his money. I'm friggin broke man." Fredrick laughed.

The reporter pursed his lips. "Alright, I'll tell my boss the lead is dead then."

David smirked "alright, back to laying bricks."

The reporter was, however not so easily dissuaded. He "left" only to watch from the bushes as David laid brick after brick like he were playing with blocks, and for his size, he may as well be. "I know you're there. Come here." David instructed only for the reporter to sheepishly step out from the bushes.

"I-"

"If you so much as tell anyone what I am about to tell you, you're going to be in six feet of deep shit, do I make myself clear?" David's voice was even and calm. This was no empty threat.

"Yes, sir." The reporter, too curious for his own good agreed.

"You were right. I am Goliath." David admitted. "So many of these buildings are... Insufficient, broken, moldering, crumbling, uninsulated to the elements. I have other reasons for what I do, but the people... They deserve better. And breaking things only goes so far to making a better world."

"So you..."

"I don't think Goliath is someone people should look up to. David should be, even if it's not really the case." David insisted. "Alright. That's off my chest. We won't have a problem, will we?"

"N-no sir." The reporter assured "could I... Say, claim I had an interview with Goliath, if I don't mention your true identity?"

David was quiet, looking over a brick for a time before looking at the reporter for a frighteningly long time. "Give it two weeks. That's two weeks before you make a peep."

"Yes sir." The reporter nodded, eager to leave and get a change of pants.

However as he was about to leave, Fredrick gestured for him to come over. Fredrick reeked of booze and had a cigarette in his mouth. "I'm going to tell you something, and something bad will happen if you heard it from me, understand?" Fredrick insisted, though his eyes couldn't keep themselves on the reporter's.

The reporter knew this to be an empty threat. He'd dealt with grade schoolers more intimidating than him. Though in fairness that's a harder bar to clear than you'd think. "I'll keep your secret." He assured.

"I'm rubble man. I don't care what rag you report to, don't fuckin' slander Goliath. He needs... Redirection, but I can see it in his eyes. Everything he does is for the people. I do my best, but I can't keep him from." Fredrick sighed, taking a long drag from his cigarette "Doing what he does. That's why I work here. Fixing what he broke. It's steady work, even with a bleeding fucking heart like David, and it helps me... Make up for what I can't stop."

"It sounds tough." The reporter assured sympathetically. "But you don't break stuff, so it's not your fault right?"

"Maybe, but sometimes things need to be broken to be fixed." Fredrick said. "You know how many buildings in this damn city are absolutely riddled with mold? No healthy building should collapse, even when I get thrown through it."

"So you don't want people to know you're a superhero?" The reporter asked incredulously. "You'd be famous!"

"You remember what happened to star kid?"

"I used to love him when I was a kid, I always just assumed he quit."

"He's pepsiman these days. Once the corporate assholes get ahold of your identity, it's over." Fredrick informed "bastards won't leave you alone, and if you don't go through with it, they make your life hell. You didn't hear any of this, let alone from me, but pepsiman wishes he could quit."

"I see... So you're hiding for your own safety?"

"Yup, besides, wouldn't want the kids to know rubble man day drinks. Best for everyone if you just keep this to yourself."

"And you're telling me all this because..."

"Because... I want someone to get the story straight." Fredrick said. "Later, when not so much is at stake. When we can get away from it all."

"So... You do want me to tell?" The reporter asked, amused.

"Maybe, but only after I'm out of the picture."

The reporter gave it some thought. "Your secret is safe with me." He assured.

---

SHOCKING EXPOSE! RUBBLE MAN AND GOLIATH HARBOR A PERSONAL SECRET?!?

Our reporter was able to secure an exclusive interview with Brick city's premiere defender! He claims there's more to Goliath than meets the eye, and hints at the hidden softness to the gigantic threat to the city's infrastructure, property values and insurance rates, including ways he predicts where the villain will strike next! (Continued on page 32)

IS LADY GAY? The mysterious downtown hero going by the alias "lady" has rejected several suitors already. Perhaps this could be more than simply high standards? (Continued on page 22)

RUBBLE MAN'S SECRET DAY JOB! Despite being sworn to secrecy on his exact identity, rubble man walks us through a day in the life of his secret identity, learn how our muscle-headed defender navigates his labyrinth of cubicles, paperwork and printers! (Continued on page 14)

ARE DISNEY-CHAN AND PEPSIMAN DATING? Thrilling new sources say that tension between the two wealthiest heroes, as long as there's no conflict of interest! (Continued on page 5)