Northwest Press Fights Bullying Using The Power Within

A long list of popular comic book professionals, including Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman), Gail Simone (Birds of Prey), Greg Rucka (Detective Comics) and Dan Parent (Archie, Kevin Keller), have joined with writer Charles “Zan” Christensen and artist Mark Brill to produce the anti-bullying comic The Power Within.

Moved by the rash of suicides committed by bullied LGBT teens last year, Christensen and Brill took it upon themselves to create a story they hope will reach others in a way only comics can.

“Unlike television, films, or even photography—which are all literal interpretations of human beings—comics take a step back,” says Christensen. “They give us an abstract reality that we can imprint ourselves on. It’s much easier for people to see themselves in allegory.”

The 32-page comic, published by Lambda-Literary-Award-winning publisher Northwest Press, features a 25-page main story with additional contributions from across the spectrum of the comics industry. The primary tale zooms in on the life of eighth grader Shannon, a boy who is constantly harassed at school for being different and frequently retreats into his imagination--where he is a super-powered being—in order to cope with the stress of being hassled.

"Most of us who grew up gay have tried, at one time or another, to hide," says Christensen. "Shannon is one of those unlucky kids who can't seem to 'fly under the radar' and avoid attention. [He] has to defend himself from anti-gay bullying at a time when everything already seems overwhelming and difficult.

Mark and I both turned to comic books and fantasy when we were younger to get a break from the hassles of teen life, and we decided to take that experience even further and show just how far Shannon has to retreat into a fantasy world to survive."

Designed to be an educational tool, The Power Within goes beyond powerful storytelling and contains discussion questions and resources for LGBT youth as well. “My big hope is that the book gets read by kids,” Christensen says. “If there are kids that are being harassed for being gay, bi, lesbian, or trans, I hope this can be a tool [for them.]”

Proceeds from The Power Within will be used to cover free shipping for student and youth groups who order the book in order to help fight bullying at its source.

“I hope teachers will find it and walk away with a better understanding of what bullied LGBT kids go through,” says Christensen. “It’s important to understand why kids don’t always come forward, why some are so hesitant to ask for help, and why it can’t easily be fixed every time.”

The Power Within is currently available for order by comics retailers through Diamond Comic Distributors under item #JUL111189 and retails for $4.99. Youth and teachers' organizations interested in getting free copies of the book can visit thepowerwithin.org to request them.