New graphic novel on teen bullying and suicide, with a superhero bent

Okay–this looks exciting to me–a graphic novel about a teen who’s being bullied, who tries to escape into a superhero alter ego, and who also contemplates suicide. I SO identify with all of those things! It’s called The Power Within, and it’s written by Charles “Zan” Christensen and drawn by Mark Brill, and published by NorthWest Press.

There are also bonus pages by some big names in the comic business: including Gail Simone (Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey), Phil Jimenez (New X-Men, Wonder Woman), Greg Rucka (Detective Comics, Gotham Central), Matthew Clark (Outsiders, Wonder Woman), Stephen Sadowski (JSA, Warlord of Mars), Dan Parent (Archie, Kevin Keller), Donna Barr (The Desert Peach), Andy Mangels (Gay Comics, Iron Man: Beneath the Armor) and Carla Speed McNeil (FINDER).

Teachers, librarians, and youth services can get copies of this by writing the publisher at this link.

I think good books and comics are needed about bullying and suicide, and I also think the superhero and comic element can help make it appealing to teens. What do you think? Would this appeal to you/have appealed to you? It would have to me.

May 23rd, 2012