MARBLEHEAD — The villain had already begun his plan.
Triple Z was lulling the town to sleep with his “evil lullabies,” threatening to take over Marblehead, until a 4-year-old superhero stepped in.
Wearing custom costumes designed by Marbleheader Ana Penuelas and flanked by a team of sidekicks — twin brother Luke, and his 18-month-old sister, Ellie — Jackson “JJ” Weiss set out across town Sunday morning on a mission to save his community. Accompanied by mom and dad, Samantha and Zach Weiss, of course.
By the end of the day, the villain was captured, the town declared safe, and hundreds gathered along the harbor to celebrate a different kind of victory.
“This was Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island’s 11,000th wish,” said Wish Coordinator and Super Coach Colin Vigneault. “So we went really big for a really super kid.”
For JJ, the idea of being a superhero didn’t begin with Sunday’s event.
It started during long days of treatment for an aggressive brain cancer he has been fighting.
“Super JJ is a very active part of our house every day,” said his mother, Samantha Weiss. “It’s one of those things that started as bedtime stories… and became a coping mechanism.”
During procedures and chemotherapy, JJ would imagine himself on missions, fighting villains, saving people, and always winning.
“He loves superheroes… Spider-Man is his icon,” Weiss said. “But Super JJ, that’s his.”
So when Make-A-Wish asked what he wanted, the answer was simple: he wanted to be that hero for real.
What followed was months of planning and a full-scale transformation of Marblehead into a living comic book.
“There’s so much to it — community outreach, planning individual things, scripting, costumes,” said Maddie Delande, assistant manager for the Wish Program. “We’ve been planning this wish with his family for months.”
Delande, who grew up in Marblehead, said the response was immediate and incredible.
“Everyone we’ve reached out to has been so excited to help us in any way they can,” she said.
On Sunday, that excitement spilled into the streets.
JJ moved from location to location — rescuing shopkeepers, waking “sleeping” civilians, and tracking down Triple Z, played by Dave DeJohn, a former professional wrestler, who was promptly arrested by Marblehead Police after being captured by JJ.
As JJ’s story unfolded, so did something else: A growing crowd.
By the time he reached Seaside Park, more than 500 people had gathered.
“The turnout is amazing — truly amazing,” said Joe Tabbi, who volunteered his time and a decked-out Lightning McQueen Ford Mustang so JJ could ride around Marblehead in style.
“It means the world. It means giving back,” he said.
While some at the event only knew JJ through his story, others were closer to the family.
“Linda Weinstein, who’s the grandmother of JJ, is one of my closest friends, and I’ve known her kids their entire life,” Linda Wood said. “I think this day just shows so much love and kindness and support for the family and for JJ.”
Standing next to her, Jill York said, “Everybody here for his honor and to help him make his wish come true.”
Others said the day offered something rare.
“In a hard time in the world, moments like this — where everyone just unites for something fun and amazing — that’s the whole point,” said Vigneault.
JJ’s grandfather, Steve “Bubba” Weinstein, grew up in Marblehead all his life and ran Chocolate by Design.
He expressed how happy he was when his daughter’s family moved to Marblehead, only one mile away.
“The town has always been great, and the town came out today… more than we could have ever hoped,” he said. “It’s all about JJ and the family — they’re the heroes.
“The family and friends that we knew were going to be here were actually superseded by the people of the town who just showed up and said, ‘we’re here for this little boy,’” he said.
At the center of it all was JJ — smiling, focused, and fully immersed in his role.
“He thrived off the energy… he was just so happy,” his mother said.
By the final act, his mission was complete.
“I can now report that with JJ’s help, Triple Z is in custody,” Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King told the crowd. “The town is safe, and the good guys have won.”
King paused before adding what many were already thinking.
“While we wear badges and uniforms, today the real hero is Super JJ,” he said.
As the celebration continued, JJ received a certificate of heroism from the Marblehead Police Department.
Town leaders also marked the moment.
Select Board member Jim Zisson officially proclaimed March 29 “Superhero Day” in Marblehead.
“It was just a great day to make the proclamation,” Zisson said. “He’s a great kid and a great family. What else could we do?”
Zisson said events like this are what define the community.
“As we come into springtime, it’s great to get together as a community and really set things off on a positive note,” he said.
JJ was diagnosed in late 2024 after persistent headaches led to an emergency room visit. Within days, he underwent an 11-hour brain surgery and began an intensive treatment regimen that included chemotherapy, radiation, and a stem cell transplant.
At one point, he lost the ability to speak and had to relearn how to move.
But those close to him say his attitude never changed.
“He’s resilient through everything,” said Emily Weimer, RN, the nurse who nominated him for Make-A-Wish. “He has a smile on his face… he just brings a lot of happiness.
Weimer, who works in Mass General’s pediatric intensive care unit, has been there for JJ every step of the way.
“I met JJ, the day that they found out that he had brain cancer, and couldn’t have met a more wonderful, deserving family. So it’s nice to see all of this come together for him,” she added.
“He has a smile on his face and wants to play and pretend he’s Spider-Man or like he’s Lightning McQueen, which just brings a lot of happiness,” Weimer said.
Even after the crowd dispersed, the impact of the day remained.
“The day was perfect,” Samantha Weiss said. “JJ was beaming from start to finish… even days later, he’s still talking about taking down Triple Z.”
For organizers, the takeaway was simple.
“Heroes are real,” Vigneault said. “And JJ is proof.”
For the community, it was a reminder of what can happen when people come together.
“The best part about this community is stuff like this,” Zisson said. “Everyone shows up.”
And for JJ, it was something even bigger, a day when imagination became reality, when a child who had already been fighting like a superhero got to live as one.
“It was truly the best day of his life,” his mother said. “We are so incredibly grateful… for the entire town and for all the people and businesses that helped bring this to life.”
