Graffiti: Heroes and Villains

***Graffiti: Heroes and Villains*** (otherwise known as ***Graffiti: Heroes and Villains – A YouTube Superhero Fan Film*** or simply ***Graffiti 3***) is a 2017 American superhero film / fan film produced by Ragin Productions and distributed through YouTube. The film is the sequel to 2013’s *Graffiti: Dreams & Knightmares* and 2015's *Graffiti: Welcome to Foxworth Enterprises,* and the third installment of the *Graffiti* film series. It is an adaptation of the *Heroes and Villains* arc, and the film was released on August 5, 2017.

Written and directed by David Ragin, the film stars himself as Dylan Johnson / Graffiti, Ariel Ragin as Melrose Hawthorne, DK Williams as Josh Boom / Eclipse, Cortez Andre as Switchblade, Demonte Thompson as Brandon Williams / Millennium Man, Johnny Doc$ as Jerome Briggs, Miniece Ragin as Evangeline Carter / Evamore, Linise Washington as Elsa Divine / the Elementress, Reggie Johnson as Max Taylor / Frostbite, Robbie Johnson as Jake Taylor / Heatstroke, and Jovante Gray as Jonathan Maxwell.

Originally set for a release in 2016, the film was released on August 5, 2017.

## Synopsis

Taking place roughly a year and a half after the events of *Graffiti: Welcome to Foxworth Enterprises*, superhuman existence is no longer a secret and they have been, more or less, accepted into society. Dylan Johnson is still trying to adjust to life after losing his abilities, while at the same time acting as the legend the world has made "Graffiti" out to be. However, when an event is triggered, leading to the deaths of thousands of people, the lines between heroes and villains are blurred and sides are taken as a manhunt is commenced to track down the cause of the destruction.

### Plot

Max Taylor, Jake Taylor and Danny Jones are sent on a mission by Melrose Hawthorne to locate Graffiti, who has gone missing. They are immediately teleported away and are attacked by three clones of Dylan Johnson, seemingly evil or under some form of mind control. The mission is revealed to be a training exercise created and monitored by Melrose and instructed by the real Dylan. Josh Boom comes by to inspect the house to make sure that they aren't destroying his home during the training. During their conversation, Dylan laments losing his powers, choosing to keep this a secret from the kids, and expresses his determination to find Foxworth and bring him down for good, before being teleported away by Josh to his class. A guilt-ridden Melrose, who was telepathically watching the entire exchange, calls NSA member Jonathan Maxwell and the two discuss Maxwell's concerns with the superhuman population. Knowing well that Melrose is incapable of keeping control of every superhumans' actions, Maxwell openly chastises Melrose's defense of superhumans. Melrose tries to convince Maxwell that Switchblade's actions don't reflect those of other superhumans, but he abruptly hangs up on her. Elsewhere, a young superhuman named Elsa Divine is attacked by two deployed SWAT soldiers and is soon backed up by Josh to defend herself. They are victorious, and Josh returns to the base to inform the team's tactician Jerome Briggs of the successful mission, though Jerome openly berates him for his time as a member of Foxworth Enterprises. Immediately following an interview with YouTuber David Bradley, Melrose and Dylan are informed of a highly publicized fight between Brandon Williams and Switchblade in Millennium City. Brandon subdues Switchblade, but an enraged Switchblade causes a massive explosion that destroys the city, killing over 300,000 of its citizens.

Three months later, the city is still in ruins, and the event pushes the government to extensively investigate the cause of the explosion, and dispatch more SWAT soldiers, feeling that the event is superhuman related. By order of Maxwell, many of the soldiers are discretely given orders to locate specific superhumans and Terminate on Sight (T.O.S.). Two soldiers storm Dylan and Melrose's childhood home, where Dylan has been hiding out. During the scuffle, Dylan is shot, but is rescued by Max and Jake, sent by Josh to extract Dylan, and safely bring him to their base. Maxwell contacts Josh, initially looking for Melrose, and warns him that he has acquired proof that Switchblade and Brandon's fight caused the destruction of Millennium City. He holds Melrose personally responsible for the many deaths and threatens to reach out to the government to ensure that superhumans are punished for their crimes. Meanwhile, Brandon and Elsa are contacted by Maxwell to discuss the explosion, and the two agree to partner with Maxwell to find Switchblade and avenge Millennium City. Immediately following the meeting, Dylan confronts the two and a fight breaks out, with Brandon wounding Dylan, unintentionally hinting to Maxwell that his powers are gone. He tells Dylan that he plans to finish what Foxworth started before Melrose uses Josh to teleport him back to base. She heals his injuries, but angrily scolds him for attempting to go after Maxwell without his powers and potentially ruining her plan to learn as much as she can about his intentions. Josh begins to feel guilty about sparing Switchblade's life and leaves, determined to kill Switchblade and redeem himself, despite it being against Melrose's orders. Dylan tells Melrose that Josh left to go after Switchblade for revenge, and with the loss of Josh, Jerome speculates that it may be time to consider their "last resort".

Josh returns to Evangeline Carter's house to ask for her help in tracking down Switchblade, and Evangeline agrees to kill Switchblade herself if Josh brings him to her. Back at the house, Jerome reveals that he secretly studied superhumans at his college and speculated whether it would be possible to acquire superhuman powers. Through this, he discovered the origins of superhuman abilities and theorizes that it would be possible to bring back Dylan's powers. However, during the process, they are immediately hacked and confronted by Maxwell, who informs them that he has dispatched SWAT soldiers to attack and kill superhumans. Melrose and Jerome are only able to move about half of the desired energy to Dylan before a SWAT soldier makes it into the house. Melrose projects a telepathic field to hold the soldier, and Jerome quickly shoots him. Before the rest of the SWAT invade the house, and the other areas, Melrose sends out a mass telepathic message to all the superhumans in the world to protect themselves from the oncoming SWAT and goes to fight the SWAT attacking their base, with Jerome backing her up in the war. Dylan takes a leap of faith into battle and immediately discovers that he has regained his teleportation abilities. The three fend off waves of SWAT soldiers, through Jerome's is fatally shot during the assault.

Brandon contacts Melrose and informs her that he successfully fought off the SWAT soldiers and Switchblade, though he escaped. Melrose instructs Dylan to find Switchblade, and Brandon is approached by Josh to infuse his sword with enough energy to kill Switchblade. Dylan teleports to Switchblade's old, abandoned school and confronts him. Switchblade refuses to leave with Dylan, resulting in a fight that spans across different cities and, at one point, a different country. Ending up on bridge, Dylan and Switchblade's fight comes to a stop, and Josh approaches Switchblade with his sword drawn. Immediately, a three-way fight commences between the three, with Dylan trying to protect Switchblade from Josh, Josh trying to kill Switchblade and fend off Dylan, and Switchblade trying to kill both Dylan and Josh. The fight eventually makes it back to the base, where Josh incapacitates Dylan and practically beats Switchblade into submission. Josh prepares to fatally stab and kill Switchblade once and for all. However, Dylan teleports in between them, and is stabbed through the chest. Falling to the ground, practically lifeless, Melrose, Josh and Switchblade look on, as Dylan's heartbeat is faintly heard. Melrose uses what's left of her energy to heal Dylan's injuries, practically bringing him back to life, and then grabs Switchblade and shatters his mind, practically making him inert, and absorbs his superhuman energy, effectively depowering him. He desperately tries to land a punch on Melrose but is quickly knocked out by Dylan.

Another three months later, Dylan and Josh meet up with Melrose, who informs them that Switchblade was given multiple life sentences with no possibilities of parole and has been sent to Iron Valley Penitentiary to live out the rest of his days. However, Maxwell is removed from his position on the National Security Agency due to his actions but avoids prison as he was granted permission to do so by the House of Representatives. Melrose reveals that the event now known as the "Great Superhuman Massacre" resulted in the deaths of almost 95% of the superhuman population, leaving only about 1,000 left in the world. A majority of the superhumans agree to relocate to rebuild Millennium City with Brandon and Elsa spearheading the project to create "New Millennium City" as a haven for superhumans. Josh decides to stay in Detroit instead of return to Millennium City, and Melrose decides to disband the S.A.I.N.T. program and Junior S.A.I.N.T. Program to move superhumans slowly back into secrecy. Hopeful for the future, Dylan, Melrose, and Josh decide to protect the few superhumans that remain as the protectors, motivators, and heroes of the new Superhuman Community.

## Cast

* David Ragin as Dylan Johnson / Graffiti
* Ariel Ragin as Melrose Hawthorne
* DK Williams as Josh Boom / Eclipse
* Cortez Andre as Eljanan Brown / Switchblade
* Demonte Thompson as Brandon Williams / Millennium Man
* Johnny Docs as Jerome Briggs
* Jovante Gray as Jonathan Maxwell
* Miniece Ragin as Evangeline Carter / Evamore
* Reginald “Reggie” Johnson, Jr. as Max Taylor / Frostbite
* Robert “Robbie” Johnson as Jake Taylor / Heatstroke
* Dominique A. Lyons as Gerald Myers / Heavy G
* Eric Williams as David Bradley
* Jaden Johnson as Chris Taylor / Solar Flare
* Lorenzo "LJ" Oliver as Danny Jones / Volt
* Key Jones as The Informant

Ashley Mays reprises her role as a news reporter, which she previously played in *Graffiti: Dreams & Knightmares*, and Patricia Ragin once again has a cameo, this time as one of Melrose’s informants. This would be her last appearance in the *Graffiti* film series before her death in 2019. Buddy Ragin once again appears as Sebastian, and Parker Ragin also appears as another dog named Velate (credited as "Dog #2).

Additionally, David Ragin, DK Williams, Cortez Andre and Demonte Thompson all portray various SWAT soldiers that appear frequently throughout the film. Shayne Byrne, Patrick Morgan, Chantrice Jones and Christian Parker have cameos on Jerome's superhuman log as Caleb Montgomery, Frost Hamperson, Ella Norfolk and Jacob Wheeler.

## Production

Following the credits of *Graffiti: Welcome to Foxworth Enterprises*, Ragin is heard saying "Is any story really over?" followed by the message "Graffiti will return... someday", implying the intentions of a third Graffiti film. On May 24, 2015, Ragin released the first trailer for "Graffiti 3", revealing the official title to be "Graffiti: Heroes and Villains". On June 11, David, Ariel Ragin, Cortez Andre and DK Williams were confirmed to return as Dylan Johnson / Graffiti, Melrose Hawthorne, Switchblade and Josh Boom / Eclipse, respectively. Miniece Ragin, Reggie Johnson and Robbie Johnson were confirmed to return as Evangeline Carter / Evamore, Max Taylor / Frostbite and Jake Taylor / Heatstroke on July 24. A week later, Cyberstars alumni Demonte Thompson and Johnny Doc$ were revealed to join the cast as Brandon Williams / Millennium Man and Jerome Briggs. In September, Linise Washington and Lorenzo "LJ" Oliver, Jr. joined the cast as Elsa Divine / the Elementress and Danny Jones / Volt, and Jaden Johnson was confirmed to return as Chris Taylor / Solar Flare after briefly appearing in the epilogue of *Foxworth Enterprises*. On February 6, 2016, Jovante Gray, another Cyberstars member, joined as the main antagonist Jonathan Maxwell.

The official posters for the movie were revealed on July 6, 2016. The second trailer for the film was released on November 26, with the third and final trailer being released May 5. The film, like its predecessor, held its premiere at JAWS for Jesus Missionary Church on July 30, and the film was officially released on August 5, 2017, the same day as David Ragin's wedding.

## Media

### Posters

*Promotional Poster**Promotional Poster**Official Poster**Official Poster**Official Poster**Graffiti Character Poster**Melrose Character Poster**Eclipse Character Poster**Switchblade Character Poster**Millennium Man Character Poster**Jerome Briggs Character Poster**Evamore Character Poster**The Elementress Character Poster**Frostbite Character Poster**Heatstroke Character Poster**Solar Flare Character Poster**Volt Character Poster**Graffiti Motion Poster**Melrose Motion Poster**Eclipse Motion Poster**Switchblade Motion Poster**Millennium Man Motion Poster**Jerome Briggs Motion Poster**Evamore Motion Poster*Junior S.A.I.N.T.s Motion Poster
### Videos

* Teaser Trailer #1
* Official Trailer #1
* Official Trailer #2
* Official Trailer #3
* Update Video and Trailer
* "Junior S.A.I.N.T. Fight" Clip
* "SWAT Raid" Clip
* "A Hero vs. a God" Clip
* Full Film on YouTube

### Other

David Ragin and DK Williams on the set of *Heroes and Villains*
## Trivia

* The film's initial title was "The Fall of Humanity" before being changed to *Heroes and Villains.*
	+ The original film featured the return of Lucius Foxworth and Foxworth Enterprises. In the story, the destruction of Millennium City would have resulted in the characters being divided between two factions: the **Enforcers** (which were formed by Foxworth Enterprises) and the **Resistance**.
	+ Evangeline Carter would have acted as the main antagonist and lead the Enforcers, joined by Josh Boom, Brandon Williams and The Kid (portrayed by Khalel Ragin who appeared in *Foxworth Enterprises*), while Melrose Hawthorne lead the resistance with Dylan Johnson, Max Taylor and Jake Taylor. The Kid would infiltrate the Resistance and betray them to Foxworth Enterprises, while Switchblade would later join the Resistance after being forced out of hiding.
	+ Knightmare was also set to return and join the Enforcers.
	+ Likewise, Velinda (Foxworth's assistant) was set to appear as a member of Foxworth Enterprises and Foxworth's love-interest, as well as two other members and a returning Assistant.
	+ David Bradley would be hired by Foxworth Enterprises as a personal reporter.
	+ Caleb Montgomery, Jacob Wheeler, Ella Norfolk and Frost Hamperson / Genesis were both set to appear, portrayed Shane Byrne, Christian Parker, Chantrice Jones and Patrick Morgan; however, they only appear as brief cameos.
		- In the original story, a fight between Caleb and Switchblade resulted in the destruction of Millennium City; however, in the film, it was changed to a fight between Brandon Williams and Switchblade, due to Shane Byrne not being available to portray Caleb.
	+ Yavez Fuller, Trevor Pham and Sam Barakovsky were set to appear as Virgil Hawkins, Richie Foley and John Eckert as members of Melrose's Global Insurgency, reprising their roles from *Static Shock Phenomenon* and *Strike*, respectively. However, the idea never got past the planning phase and the "Global Insurgency" later became Melrose's team of informants.

* In early drafts of *Heroes and Villains*, Lucius Foxworth was set to appear in a dream sequence in which he brutally beats Dylan Johnson again, and later appear as a hallucination haunting Dylan.
* Evangeline Carter's role in the film was minimized due to Miniece Ragin's commitments to school.
	+ Evangeline was set to have a fight scene with Melrose and Dylan upon discovering that Switchblade murdered Dr. Carter in the destruction of Millennium City.
	+ Evangeline was also set to be the person to accidentally stab Dylan, but later use her abilities with Melrose to heal him.
* Brandon Williams was originally set to assist Melrose and Jerome in returning Dylan's powers; however, Demonte Thompson became unavailable for filming.
* In the film's original ending, a team would have formed with Dylan Johnson, Melrose Hawthorne, Josh Boom, Evangeline Carter, Max Taylor and Jake Taylor. However, due to Miniece Ragin, Reggie Johnson and Robbie Johnson's busy schedules, the scene was scrapped and replaced with the film's canonical ending.

## External Links

* Graffiti: Heroes and Villains on YouTube
* Graffiti: Heroes and Villains on IMDb