COMIC BOOK ADVENTURES - HALLOWEEN 2019
In the world of comic books, there are a multitude of amazing superheroes and supervillains. In many cases, when not in costume, these individuals were portrayed as "nerds". For some, the word "nerd" might bring to mind the image of a skinny boy with thick glasses and a backpack much too heavy for him. The nerd was once a specific brand of social outcast, one who never talked to girls, did well in science class and read comic books religiously. Well, I have news for you: the nerd is now cool! Outcast boys have learned that there are also outcast girls, that being good at science is powerful and that comic books have turned into the coolest adventure across the universe for everybody.
Each superhero or supervillain has their own set of skills and personality. Each has come to their powers in different ways, yet they all use their awesome talents to fight for the good of others or to become better themselves. Comic books gained notoriety through their utilization of larger than life characters: beings of noble cause and great power who use their skills for good, or misunderstood beings who master the artistry of villainous behaviours. Comic books are the medium of modern mythology.
Regardless of the colour of our skin, who we love or what we believe in, comic books have given us the freedom to believe that our possibilities are endless. I had such a fun time photographing this series: watching the sparks in the children's eyes every time I held up my camera and asked them to imagine they could fly, sword fight, or create magic with their hands... I witnessed the strong sense of confidence in each of them, and that made me so happy!
Let's join these brave children on their comic book adventures to create a more exciting universe!
Mister Cody is Superman
From his blue uniform to his flowing red cape to the "S" shield on his chest, Superman is one of the most immediately recognizable and beloved superheroes of all time. From the alien planet Krypton, Clark Kent grows up on Earth, and discovers that he has superhuman powers. With these powers, he begins fighting crime and injustice in all its forms. Since then, the Man of Steel is the ultimate symbol of truth, justice, and hope for all.
Miss Haley is Lois Lane
Pulitzer Prize winner, Lois Lane is perhaps the best reporter on the planet, and not just the Daily Planet! Lois is a role model, an icon and a hero without a cape! She has been an eyewitness to history, and has opened hearts and minds, not the least of which belongs to the Man of Steel. Whilst she spends years trying to beat her colleague Clark to get the byline, she spends those same years in the greatest love story for the ages.
Mister Kyrie is Spider Man
Meet Miles Morales, your Brooklyn teenager who happens to be Spider Man! Bitten by a slightly different genetically engineered spider than the one that granted Peter Parker superhuman powers, Miles possesses similar abilities, including enhanced strength and agility, the ability to adhere to walls and ceilings with his hands and feet. Whenever his friends and his neighborhood are at risk of harm, Miles can only do one thing: suit up!
Miss Annika is Black Widow
Trusted by some and feared by most, the Black Widow strives to help the world. Exhibiting no super human abilities, Natasha Romanoff boasts ultimate human levels of strength. She is extensively trained to near perfection in a variety of fighting styles: Karate, judo, kung fu, and manners of weapons in both traditional and high-tech. Now, she is one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s most powerful agents and a frequent member of the Avengers.
Mister Michael is Hulk
Dr. Bruce Banner lives a life balanced between the soft-spoken scientist and the uncontrollable green monster. When Bruce decides to test his research on himself, he triggers a fantastic transformation! The result is an immense, hulking figure fueled by his own rage. The change can be reversed if he reaches a state of calm. As an Avenger, the Hulk possesses the greatest raw strength of any natural being on planet Earth.
Miss Emily is Harley Quinn
Love makes us do crazy things! For Harley Quinn, that includes dressing in costume and becoming a supervillain just to put a smile on the Joker's face. Before her descent into madness, Dr. Harleen Quinzel is a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum. Upon meeting the Joker, she becomes obsessed and loyal to the crazed criminal's warped mind. Being athletic and dangerously unpredictable in a fight, Harley is a formidable opponent.
Mister Brody is Joker
The green hair, the crazed smile, the maniacal cackle - unmistakably the Joker! How far will he go to put a smile on your face? Arthur Fleck is a clown struggling to find his way in Gotham's fractured society. The Joker stands unquestionably as the most recognizable villain: Unpredictable, violent and incredibly dangerous. The Joker believes that life's a big joke and psychotically demonstrating that in a moment - it can all change!
Miss Hayleigh is Batgirl
Barbara Gordon redefines what it means to be a self-made hero when she crafts her own costume and joins Batman's crusade. The mean streets of Gotham City have a number of guardian angels watching over them, and one of them is the young woman known as Batgirl. A genius-level hacker and information broker, she proves to be a fierce survivor and an expert martial artist! Batgirl is one of Gotham's most cherished protectors!
Mister Connor is Groot
This sentient alien tree branches out of his comfort zone to help the Guardians of the Galaxy keep the people of the universe safe. Hailing from the Branch Worlds' Planet X, he is part of a species called Groot. Groot can grow most anything he needs at any given time from his body, such as weapons for fighting, and even flowers to give to a special someone. Groot is the best friend anyone could ever desire in the big, wide galaxy.
Miss Emerson is Captain Marvel
Former Air Force pilot and intelligence agent Carol Danvers pursues her dream of space exploration as a NASA employee. Her life, however, is forever changed when she accidentally transforms into a human-Kree hybrid with extraordinary powers. Her powers include enhanced strength, stamina, agility, and durability, as well as flight. Carol embraces the mantle of Captain Marvel as one of the world's mightiest heroes!
Mister Gabriel is Black Panther
A native of the small, yet technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda, T'Challa accepts the mantle of Black Panther! Accepting the responsibility from his father, King T'Chaka, this legendary protector follows in his footsteps as King T'Chaka did when accepting the title from his father. As the king of the African nation of Wakanda, T'Challa protects his people as the latest in a long and proud line of Black Panther warriors.
Miss Chloe is Jubilee
The daughter of two prosperous Chinese immigrants, Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee discovers her mutant power to generate explosive energy blasts, what she refers to as fireworks. She can mentally control the plasmoid, traveling where she directs them, arranging them in various shapes and colours, and exploding them when she wishes. When Jubilee rescues Wolverine from an attack, he welcomes her to join forces with the X-Men.
Mister Logan is Wolverine
From the northern wilderness of Canada hails one of the gruffest and most irascible members ever to grace the X-Men! James "Logan" Howlett is Wolverine, a mutant who possesses animal-keen senses, enhanced physical capabilities, and powerful regenerative abilities known as the healing factor! Armed with three retractable claws in each hand, Logan is one of the most ferocious heroes in the universe.
Miss Charlotte is Dark Phoenix
Jean Grey is ten years old when her mutant telepathic powers first manifest. When Professor Charles Xavier introduces her to the astral plane, a part of her mind manifests as a Phoenix raptor. Upon a mission in outer space, she is noticed by the Phoenix Force which takes note of her unlimited potential. At this moment Jean has a vision of becoming the Phoenix and transforms into the Dark Phoenix, a powerful mutant.
Mister Colin is Shazam
When Billy Batson speaks the name of an ages-old wizard, he transforms into the World's Mightiest Mortal - Shazam! As a child, Billy is guided to the Rock of Eternity, where the ancient wizard Shazam awaits, and he becomes the wizard's new champion. He is able to transform himself into an adult superhero by calling down a magical bolt of lightning. Now, whenever evil must be stopped, Earth can rely on the power of Shazam!
Miss Ellie is Catwoman
The infamous cat-burglar Selina Kyle uses her nine lives to walk the razor's edge between light and darkness in Gotham City. Utilizing a cat mask and suit to steal from the city's rich and corrupt, Catwoman is a master at hand-to-hand combat and acrobatics, stealthy as a ninja and an expert at breaking and entering. She balances precariously on the precipice of good and evil, of doing the wrong things for the arguably right reasons.
Mister Xavier is Batman
Batman dedicates his life to an endless crusade, a war on all criminals. A wealthy American philanthropist and owner of Wayne Enterprises, Bruce Wayne's double life affords him the comfort of a life without financial worry. At night he dons his iconic scalloped cape and pointed cowl and takes to the shadowy streets, skies and rooftops of Gotham City. He trains his body and mind to near physical perfection to be a self-made superhero.
Miss Eliana is Poison Ivy
In nature, beauty can be a weapon! It is fitting that Poison Ivy, Gotham's beautiful-but-deadly superhuman, uses it as hers. Dr. Pamela Isley's academic ambitions die when she embarks upon less than reputable experiments. These tests twist Pamela's mind and give her a dangerous set of superpowers: the ability to control plants and use her pheromones to mesmerize and manipulate people. Her kiss and touch can be lethal!
Mister Jackson is Deadpool
IN WADE'S OWN WORDS: "Welcome to the Deadpool character bio, nerds! I mean... True Believers! Brought to you by me, myself and I: the fabulous Deadpool! I could have let some bubbly overly-friendly photographer spell out my life story for you, but you deserve better. You're welcome - Anyway, seriously, I joined the military at seventeen years-old, but was discharged soon thereafter. I was accused of stealing another Wade Wilson's identity, but guys, come on. I'm the real Wade Wilson. There were a few other guys with me, and we had a betting pool over who would kick the bucket first. We called it the dead pool, and because I'm a clever girl and because my name needed some kind of logic behind it, I adopted the moniker Deadpool. What? No, I disagree, it's not a reach at all. Let's be honest, my greatest super powers are wit and charm. But if you want a more literal interpretation of my superhuman abilities, I have a healing factor, which allows me to recover from grave injuries by regenerating entire body parts. I'm also an expert marksman and hand-to-hand combatant. It's true. I'm basically a ninja. And I speak a bunch of languages, like Japanese, German, and Spanish, but most of the time I pretend I don't. Danke schon. Oh! And I have the ability to harness continuity errors and break the fourth wall. Pretty cool, I know. Okay. Uhh? How do I end this. Umm? Oh! I know. The truth is... I am Iron Man."
Miss Lenora is Rogue
When Anna Marie LeBeau, or Rogue, permanently absorbs the psyche of Captain Marvel, she is granted with superhuman strength, speed and a seventh sense. Rogue possesses the mutant ability to absorb the psyche and abilities of another human being or members of some sapient alien races through mere skin contact. Armed with these abilities of absorption, this Mississippi native joins the X-Men in their quests as a mutant team!
Mister Jackson is Ant Man
Scott Lang follows in the tiny, yet mighty, footsteps of his predecessor as the size-changing hero known as Ant Man! As a highly trained tactician, Scott has a keen mind for formulating elaborate plans and schemes! Most notably is his ability to modify plans so as to adapt to unforeseen circumstances within seconds. The Ant Man suit can manipulate Scott's size whilst simultaneously enhancing his strength as a superhero!
Miss Amelia is The Wasp
Hope Van Dyne is the daughter of Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne of Pym Technologies. Hope employs a mixed martial art: Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu jitsu and judo. As an extremely formidable fighter, her greatest asset, however, is her genius level intellect! She uses Pym Particles to give herself the ability to grow and shrink at will, and refines her abilities to include the bioelectric blasts. Now as an Avenger, she is the unstoppable Wasp.
Mister Brody is Aquaman
The son of a lighthouse keeper and an Atlantean queen, Arthur Curry is the bridge between the surface world and his tumultuous realm of the sea. As king of the Seven Seas, Aquaman is a powerful superhero, commanding a kingdom that covers three-quarters of the Earth's surface, including all the creatures within his ocean empire! Aquaman fights alongside Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman as members of the Justice League.
Miss Emily is Mera
Though not a native of Atlantis, Mera is queen of the fabled underwater realm. With her hydrokinetic powers, she defends both land and sea. Fighting alongside Aquaman, the flame-haired warrior Mera becomes a trusted protector of Atlantis. Mera is an expert in Atlantean martial arts, hand-to-hand combat, and weaponry. She also works with the Justice League, earning the respect and friendship of Earth's champions.
Mister Zander is Cyborg
Part man, part machine, Vic Stone is a member of the Justice League! Vic wrestles to preserve his humanity with every new machine upgrade. As a cyborg, Vic is now far stronger than the average person, can interface with computers, and emit various types of energy that make him a formidable fighter. Because of these abilities, perhaps there is no hero more fitting for this modern, digital age than Cyborg!
Miss Chloe is Wonder Woman
Beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, swifter than Hermes, and stronger than Hercules, Princess Diana of Themyscira fights for peace in Man's World. Raised on the hidden island known as Paradise Island, Diana is an Amazon, like the figures of Greek legend, and her people's gift to humanity. She has come to represent the possibility and potential of life without war, hate or violence, and she is a beacon of hope to all.
Mister Isaac is Human Torch
Fiery and hotheaded, the Human Torch burns up the sky with an unquenchable love of adventure and always has the backs of his family, the Fantastic Four. Johnny Storm's life forever-changes from absorbing powerful cosmic rays while in space. Incredibly, due to the cosmic ray exposure, he doesn't burn but finds he could control the flames across his body and uses them in various ways through just about any adversity.
Miss Emilia is Scarlet Witch
Wanda Maximoff and her twin brother Pietro volunteer to undergo genetic experimentation in hopes of gaining super powers! Wanda finds herself with a variety of abilities including telekinesis and neuroelectric interfacing. These powers allow her to both read thoughts and give her targets waking nightmares. Notably powerful as Scarlet Witch, Wanda fights with the Avengers to defend what she believes is right!
Mister Grant is Iron Man
Genius. Billionaire. Philanthropist. Tony Stark's confidence is only matched by his high-flying abilities as the superhero called Iron Man. Tony develops his suit, adding weapons and other technological devices he designs through his company, Stark Industries. Having created a wondrous suit of armor for himself, he revises it dozens of times, each version with increased capabilities to the greatest threats the universe has to offer.
Miss Raelynn is Supergirl
As the most powerful teenager on planet Earth, Kara is Supergirl! Faced with an entire world completely unrecognizable from the one she grew up in, she's the ultimate new girl in school. Kara possesses a combination of superhuman strength, speed, flight and enhanced senses. Disconnected from a world she's still struggling to comprehend, she finds herself fighting non-stop threats since her first minute on this planet, the planet Earth!
Mister Carter is Captain America
Recipient of the Super-Soldier serum, World War II hero Steve Rogers fights for American ideals as one of the world's mightiest heroes and the leader of the Avengers! Whilst not superhuman, he is as strong as a human being can be. Captain America has agility, strength and speed superior to any Olympic athlete. Captain America stands ready as a shining sentinel of liberty to shield the oppressed and fight for freedom.
Miss Riley is Valkyrie
Valkyrie is an Asgardian who goes by the name Brunnhilde and member of the Valkyrior, a legendary force of women warriors. Valkyrie possesses the Asgardian physiological traits including super human strength, stamina, speed and durability. As defender of Asgarda and bounty hunter on Sakaar, she flies the Warsong, an aircraft that has remotely controlled gatlings: Holographic gauntlets that control the Warsong's weaponry.
Mister Jacob is Thor
The son of Odin uses his mighty abilities as the God of Thunder to protect both his home Asgard and the planet Earth! Thor has enhanced longevity and augments by the Golden Apples of Idunn, which give him superhuman strength, speed and durability. His greatest weapon is Mjolnir, an enchanted hammer forged from Uru metal. He wields the power of the ancient Asgardians to fight evil throughout the Nine Realms and beyond.
Thank you to the children and parents who helped to make this project possible.