Save the cheerleader, save the world

I heard the news early yesterday morning that Hayden Panettiere had passed away. It was shocking news. Her demons were well covered, but still, she was a bright light of an actor, gone too soon.

Like many comics nerds, I was a huge fan of Heroes when it premiered in the fall of 2006. Marvel and particularly the X-Men were clearly inspiration for the show. Watching that first season was an almost magical experience, the story unfolding in an ever-widening circle of characters and conspiracies, everyone racing to save the world from potential destruction. It was a classic super hero tale on network TV, with a classic tagline.

Save the cheerleader, save the world.

I’m just so sorry she couldn’t be saved.