This is Brandon in 2D pencil illustration form (an illustration of Brandon, a character in Jack's Tales and a character in real-life). The 3D Brandon, the actual Brandon, the Brandon in color, has longer hair, a thinner face, and unlike in Jack's Tales, often is spotted with a lacrosse stick in tow. Like the 2D Brandon in Jack's Tales, the 3D Brandon is loyal to his buddy, Jack.

This illustration shows the 2D Brandon protecting his buddy when Xavier, the son of an opposing soccer team's head coach, attempts to humiliate Jack after a big loss.

The image of Jeff Thompson, the league's best scorer, tapping in the winning goal torments Jack the next day in school. Sensing that Jack is weakened, Xavier takes a poll in front of the class when their teacher steps out to help a classmate with her locker. He wants to know who in the class thinks the Tornadoes should dump their goalie. Now, this is despite that Jack hadn't allowed a goal all season until Jeff's shot. Unfortunately, Jeff's shot put the Cyclone's in the Championship while placing the Tornadoes, despite their undefeated season, officially in the books.

I hope this funny scene is one of many that draw reluctant readers into these stories. I want readers to remember how Brandon protects Jack while his confidence is injured. I hope that readers see that what Jack had accomplished as a soccer goalie was his own and real, despite this one goal. It's something that Brandon knew he had to protect until his buddy got better.

From my page at: https://www.facebook.com/jackstales