Puzzled looks and squinted eyes have become commonplace when the 25-year-old Gilbert resident takes to the road in his appropriately named "Enemy of Evil Bus," a jet-black, short school bus that would make some vehicle customizers blush.

The bus, emblazoned with words, logos and Web addresses, has become the mobile billboard for Epperson and best friend/business partner Danny Dean's grass-roots Enemy of Evil clothing line.

Targeting the competitive and fickle high school demographic, Dean and Epperson co-own and produce T-shirts that aim to not just look cool at a concert or in the cafeteria, but also provide a message: It's OK to make the right choices in life.

According to Dean, 25, and Epperson, that means stepping up against issues as wide-ranging as terrorism, drugs, bullies, even littering.

"No matter what you believe, we can all agree that there's good and evil," Epperson said. "It's (about) being a quiet influence from the inside out."

Epperson and Dean, both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said they often have to overcome a "religious stigma" created by the line's name. But the duo strongly maintain that the clothing's name and message isn't about forcing religious beliefs upon people.

That's why you won't see any religious symbols or phrases, just the line's double-E logo in a variety of colors and placements.

"We wanted to say, 'It's cool to be positive,' " Epperson said.

Shirts for both males and females are sold for $15.95 a piece on their Web site, www.enemyofevil.com, and at events sprinkled around the Valley.

The friends' homegrown operation began two years ago. After a local clothing company that Dean, a Mesa resident and freelance graphic artist, worked for eventually fizzled out, the pair sat down to brainstorm. With Dean's artistic ability and Epperson's nose for marketing, the mixture was combustible.

"We had the same vision and arrived at the same destination," Dean said.

And while the clothing line continues to slowly gain credibility among youths and popularity around the Valley, it's the Enemy Bus that really draws the most attention to the company.

Last summer, Epperson, who also is a drama teacher, signed on to travel the Southwest and sell their merchandise on the Warped Tour, a nationwide music tour that featured punk bands such as Yellowcard, Taking Back Sunday and New Found Glory. All he needed was a ride.

After scrapping ideas of renting a trailer or driving a Chevy Suburban, Epperson eventually was inspired by his dad's job as a principal. That's when he purchased a short school bus for $3,500.

Soon thereafter, Epperson and a group of friends got to work, stripping seats and coating gallons of black paint over the bus's yellow exterior. It took $600 and six days and nights filled with little rest but tons of grit and enthusiasm.

When they had finished, the bus was transformed into a tricked-out ride, complete with velvet interiors, blue interior lights, a bed, two TV screens, DVD player and as much style as anything that Xzibit and the professional vehicle customizers on Pimp My Ride, MTV's car-makeover reality show, could create.

"I didn't sleep for like four days," Epperson said.

Today, Dean and Epperson continue to make contacts in the community and partnerships with bands they've met along the way. The pair also has hopes their clothing line eventually becomes a full-blown presence in the national music and extreme sports scene.

But even if they reach their lofty goal, Epperson said they'd never "sell out" and let the essence of Enemy of Evil fade.