Uberheroes Vol 2: Genesis
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We are delighted that the first comic has been received by nearly 4,000<br />
children and young people across NI, your response to the comics have been<br />
so overwhelmingly positive and many have shared how the stories and our<br />
discussion groups have made a real impact on your lives.<br />
You have welcomed our <strong>Uberheroes</strong> into your schools, colleges and lives and<br />
we are delighted that we’ve been able to bring you stories based on real life<br />
experiences of local young people, although their names and details have<br />
been changed their core experiences are the same. This has been really<br />
important to you to know that these stories aren’t based on a writer’s imagination<br />
but are real situations, real conversations and real issues that have been<br />
bravely told by real young people to help you. You have also been delighted to<br />
hear that our Artist and Writers are only in their early 20’s making this much<br />
more relevant to you in today’s society.<br />
We know how excited you are to read the conclusion of Mikey’s story in this<br />
comic, and we’ve also included a few preview pages from our third comic.<br />
We will continue to offer you a platform for your voices to be heard, we always<br />
want to hear from you as we value your opinion and ideas. Your experiences<br />
can help and effect positive change in others. So please continue to go online<br />
and send us your great ideas and insights into how you really feel and we will<br />
continue to use and develop these to help you and others in future comics.<br />
Enjoy the two stories in this next episode of your Uberhero comic and<br />
please continue to share your thoughts and opinions on our website at<br />
www.uberheroes.co.uk<br />
This comic is not intended as a substitute for medical advice of physicians. The reader should<br />
regularlyconsult their GP in matters relating to his/her health and particularly with respect to<br />
any symptoms thatmay require clinical diagnosis or medical attention.<br />
Cover Illustration by Karl O'Rowe Copyright© 2017 by <strong>Uberheroes</strong>®<br />
Cover design by Danny McLaughlin Copyright© 2017 by <strong>Uberheroes</strong>®<br />
Comic editing by Danny McLaughlin & Dee Nixon Copyright© 2017 by <strong>Uberheroes</strong>®<br />
Comic writing by Reuben McDade & Ashleigh Robinson Copyright© 2017 by <strong>Uberheroes</strong>®<br />
Many thanks to TBF and KL Thompson Trust, St James’s Place Foundation, Northern Bank<br />
Employees Charity Group and to the Co-op for their generous funding and support in<br />
helping us to create and print this comic.<br />
Copyright © 2017 by <strong>Uberheroes</strong>® owner Dee Nixon<br />
All rights reserved. This comic or any portion thereof<br />
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever<br />
without the express written permission of the publisher<br />
except for the use of brief quotations in a comic review.<br />
Printed in Northern Ireland. First Printing, June 2017<br />
Hope 4 Life NI<br />
BT3 Business Centre<br />
Dargan Crescent<br />
Duncrue Industrial Estate<br />
Belfast BT3 9JP<br />
www.<strong>Uberheroes</strong>.co.uk
continued from VOL: 1...<br />
he will<br />
never be<br />
yours,<br />
RELICTA...<br />
...Not if<br />
we have<br />
anything to<br />
do with it!<br />
You are<br />
too late ,<br />
<strong>Uberheroes</strong>!<br />
He'is mine!!<br />
No<br />
Chance!
Mikey listen to<br />
me, the man who<br />
you think is your He’s not helping<br />
friend – isn’t! you to get better<br />
he’s going to make you<br />
worse and your new<br />
friends aren’t true<br />
friends...<br />
they’re working<br />
for a nasty guy, they’re<br />
pushing drugs for him,<br />
those drugs aren’t going<br />
to help you get better<br />
and they’re not even<br />
for pain!<br />
He's Called...<br />
This guy trains<br />
them to prey on<br />
vulnerable<br />
people...<br />
...the<br />
Illusionist!!<br />
...and your so<br />
called friends<br />
aren’t even<br />
people...<br />
...They’re<br />
actually<br />
rats...<br />
...who morph into<br />
people to help him push<br />
his evil onto others by<br />
giving the illusion that<br />
they’re helping...<br />
He’s called the<br />
illusionist for a<br />
reason Mikey!
No…<br />
you’re<br />
lying.<br />
He’s helping<br />
me to be able to<br />
fight again After<br />
what happened to<br />
my eye??<br />
I just<br />
need more<br />
pills.<br />
Yes, you are<br />
worthless on<br />
you r own!<br />
What’s<br />
the point in<br />
going on...<br />
...I hate<br />
my life!<br />
we're<br />
going to...<br />
...have to...<br />
...work<br />
together here,<br />
Fortress...<br />
...Fortress?
Years ago...<br />
Here, a gift<br />
from a friend,<br />
man!<br />
Keep<br />
your drugs!<br />
we’re not<br />
interested.<br />
What’s this<br />
guy’s Deal,<br />
Forty?<br />
Hey, Forty,<br />
don’t be so<br />
hasty! It’s<br />
a gift!!<br />
Did you not<br />
hear me? Get<br />
out of here!<br />
He wouldnt<br />
take the<br />
pills...<br />
NOW...<br />
HMM...<br />
Interesting...<br />
Fortress,<br />
Helllppp!!<br />
FORTRESS,<br />
HELPPP!! SNAP<br />
OUT OF IT!!
Nadase,<br />
Sorry...<br />
I've<br />
got you!<br />
Just in<br />
Time!<br />
You can t<br />
stop me!<br />
Let’s Just<br />
see about that<br />
then...<br />
No one<br />
gets away!!<br />
You ll not<br />
escape me!
Get away<br />
from me!!<br />
AGHHH!<br />
This isn’t<br />
working!<br />
I'll<br />
need to try<br />
something<br />
else!<br />
MY Hair<br />
will Get me<br />
out of this<br />
grip...<br />
That's<br />
it!<br />
Good to see<br />
you back by my<br />
side, Nadase!<br />
WE NEED MORE<br />
BACK UP?<br />
Yea! We<br />
need back<br />
up from<br />
INVICTUS!<br />
Invictus<br />
Are you there?<br />
We need your<br />
help. Over...<br />
Roger that,<br />
Fortress, I’m<br />
here! Over...
It’s<br />
Relicta...<br />
What’s up,<br />
Fortress?<br />
Invictus,<br />
We need your<br />
help! Over...<br />
We’re<br />
battling<br />
her right<br />
now!<br />
shes got a<br />
kid trapped!!<br />
We can hold<br />
her off but she<br />
keeps fighting<br />
back!<br />
You guys<br />
keep her<br />
busy...<br />
...I'm on<br />
my way!
Ready??<br />
Hell Yea...<br />
You bet I’m<br />
ready!<br />
Invictus -<br />
Any Ideas?<br />
Just keep<br />
her busy!<br />
And then<br />
what?<br />
I’ll do<br />
my best<br />
to...<br />
I m too<br />
powe rful!<br />
Yea, I’m<br />
still here…<br />
Is Nadase still<br />
kick’n Relicta’s<br />
ass?<br />
yup!<br />
...cut her<br />
down to<br />
size!<br />
Invictus?...<br />
Then<br />
what?<br />
Use your<br />
watch to talk<br />
to him, help him<br />
to see that<br />
people care...<br />
got it!<br />
Hey Kid!<br />
remember<br />
ME?
Yeah, you’re<br />
that Jerk who<br />
blew my deal<br />
to get more<br />
medicine.<br />
That wasn’t<br />
medicine, kid!<br />
they’re Grade A<br />
drugs...<br />
...The Illusionist<br />
might have promised<br />
they would heal your<br />
vision when all they’ll do<br />
is make you feel worse<br />
and crave more!<br />
You don’t know me,<br />
you haven’t a clue what<br />
I’m going through or that<br />
I’ve lost everything, my<br />
future, my career, my<br />
friends and a way out<br />
too for my family…<br />
I’m a complete<br />
failure… What’s the<br />
point? who cares if<br />
I do drugs as I’m<br />
finished anyway!<br />
Actually,<br />
Mikey...<br />
I know a<br />
lot more about<br />
where your head is<br />
at than you think,<br />
but I need more<br />
time...<br />
Enough<br />
messing about<br />
- need to<br />
freeze time!<br />
whaaaa…what<br />
happened why<br />
aren’t they<br />
moving?
I’ve frozen tIME<br />
so that we can speak.<br />
when I was about<br />
your age I too went<br />
through something<br />
very similar to<br />
this.<br />
I lost almost<br />
everything one day<br />
until a stranger who is<br />
now a very close friend<br />
found me at my lowest<br />
point and helped me to<br />
see sense.<br />
My<br />
point<br />
is…<br />
I don’t have<br />
anyone, you moron.<br />
they all left when I<br />
gOT injured… But I’ve<br />
new friends and<br />
they’re more than<br />
happy to help!<br />
You?<br />
Yea, yea<br />
good for you!<br />
So, what’s your<br />
point?<br />
Mikey, Nadase’s<br />
already told you, that<br />
man and those people aren’t<br />
your friends; they’re simply<br />
using you to spread their evil<br />
and to get you addicted to<br />
drugs so you’ll keep<br />
coming back.<br />
Let us help you,<br />
let me help you to be<br />
strong and let Nadase<br />
give you hope to believe<br />
that things will get<br />
better - because<br />
they do.<br />
But when?<br />
When does it get<br />
better? how does it<br />
get better? I<br />
don’t know where<br />
to start!
It takes strength<br />
and hope. You need to be<br />
aware that not everyone<br />
who’s nice to you and<br />
seems to care is actually<br />
your friend.<br />
...With<br />
them!<br />
The Illusionist<br />
will disappear if you<br />
ignore him and to have<br />
the strength to do this…<br />
well a good place to<br />
start is….<br />
C'mon out,<br />
Mikey!<br />
You see, Mikey, The Illusionist<br />
confuses you and makes you<br />
think things you wouldn’t<br />
normally think! You see that<br />
your friends actually care!!<br />
Deep down I<br />
thought they<br />
didn’t but I see<br />
now it was HIM<br />
doing all that!<br />
Yes! Now,<br />
Mikey, we’ve dealt<br />
with the Illusionist<br />
now let’s get<br />
rid of Her!<br />
Care to<br />
dance with me<br />
for a while<br />
Relicta?<br />
T will<br />
End you!
T will<br />
End you,<br />
FORT RESS!<br />
T<br />
Is that<br />
all you’ve<br />
got?<br />
is that<br />
bette r?<br />
THAT’S<br />
ENOUGH!!!<br />
Click<br />
You’re done,<br />
Relicta. Give<br />
it up!<br />
This will<br />
hold you!
There!<br />
Wow!<br />
Are<br />
you two<br />
alright?<br />
Whaa...<br />
Wow! that<br />
was amazing,<br />
Nads...<br />
and yeah<br />
thanks, I<br />
think he'll<br />
be okay!<br />
Good!<br />
Best to end<br />
this now she's<br />
weakened!!<br />
His mind is<br />
mine ... just<br />
wait until I<br />
get f ree!!<br />
HUH? What<br />
happened?<br />
Listen...<br />
remember<br />
what I showed<br />
you?
You know<br />
you're not alone<br />
in this, don't<br />
you?<br />
Whatever is<br />
going on you can<br />
rely on the ones<br />
around you who<br />
love you to help<br />
you out!<br />
Yeah, I think<br />
Relicta and the<br />
Illusionist had me<br />
tricked into thinking<br />
I was all alone and<br />
no one cared!<br />
No!!!<br />
You are<br />
undoing all<br />
my work...<br />
Of course<br />
my friends and<br />
family care...<br />
I bet you feel<br />
stronger already!!<br />
Sometimes you<br />
just need a helping<br />
hand...<br />
Yeah,<br />
my mind is<br />
clearing...<br />
Nooo!<br />
I hate you<br />
<strong>Uberheroes</strong>!<br />
...WHERE’D<br />
SHE GO?!<br />
Wow...
She's gone<br />
away to lick<br />
her wounds…<br />
but she’ll<br />
be back to<br />
fight again.<br />
let’s go see<br />
your friends, give<br />
them the chance to fill<br />
you with hope that their<br />
true friendship will<br />
help to make things<br />
better.<br />
and with the<br />
strength they offer,<br />
and the strength within<br />
you too, we know you’ll<br />
be in a much better<br />
place soon.<br />
I will…<br />
thank you<br />
both...<br />
Who...<br />
Who’s<br />
That?<br />
Huh?<br />
Hey Mikey,<br />
its me<br />
Invictus!<br />
don't be<br />
worried I'm<br />
an uberhero<br />
too!!<br />
Wow! Hi,<br />
Invictus!<br />
Sorry I wasn’t<br />
there for your<br />
battle with Relicta!<br />
As Nadase says - your friends<br />
and family will<br />
always be there<br />
for you...<br />
...but you need<br />
to build your<br />
own resilience,<br />
Mikey!
Resilience?<br />
Yeah!<br />
Resilience is that<br />
inner strength and<br />
determination you need<br />
to adapt and cope<br />
when problems or<br />
issues arise,<br />
as this<br />
gives you the ability<br />
to overcome adversity<br />
and to adjust to new<br />
situations and knowing<br />
that you can, and<br />
will recover.<br />
It...<br />
It Sounds<br />
difficult! how do<br />
I do that?<br />
Nothing worth<br />
doing is easy, Mikey.<br />
but resilient people see<br />
difficulties more as a<br />
CHALLENGE than an<br />
obstacle!<br />
They learn<br />
from their failures<br />
and mistakes, they see<br />
them as lessons and<br />
as opportunities<br />
to grow.<br />
They see<br />
negatives not as a<br />
reflection of their<br />
ability or self-worth,<br />
but as a chance to<br />
choose their next<br />
steps carefully…<br />
But...<br />
What if<br />
I can't?<br />
But I<br />
know you can –<br />
if you’re willing<br />
to try?!<br />
Resilient people<br />
have SELF-CONTROL;<br />
they focus in on what<br />
they can control as<br />
time spent worrying<br />
on what might<br />
happen...<br />
...can often<br />
make you feel more<br />
lost and helpless,<br />
and powerless to<br />
take action.<br />
What do<br />
you mean by<br />
powerless to<br />
take action?<br />
Worrying about<br />
what might happen<br />
or change usually<br />
ensures that nothing<br />
happens at all!<br />
Negative<br />
feelings should<br />
never control your<br />
decision to make<br />
changes or respond<br />
to problems!<br />
Deciding<br />
how you think<br />
Are you<br />
will help how<br />
going to think<br />
you behave…<br />
positively or<br />
negatively moving<br />
forward?<br />
Any workman<br />
needs tools... so do you!<br />
You have to get<br />
the best tools<br />
possible to help<br />
you build your<br />
resilience...<br />
How do<br />
I start?<br />
What kind<br />
of tools<br />
would I<br />
need?
Tools such as<br />
Confidence, Creativity,<br />
Curiosity, Self-control,<br />
Composure, Flexibility, with<br />
the ability to problem-solve<br />
all of this will help build<br />
your Resilience.<br />
Like these<br />
guys do!<br />
I’m afraid<br />
that I won't<br />
be able to do<br />
this?<br />
I understand<br />
he was<br />
your fears, it’s<br />
the famous<br />
natural to be afraid<br />
American inventor of<br />
of failure… let me<br />
the light bulb, he said<br />
tell you about<br />
“I have not failed. I've<br />
Thomas Edison.<br />
just found 10,000 ways<br />
that didn't work”!<br />
cOOL!<br />
Failing at<br />
anything doesn’t make<br />
You a “failure”, however,<br />
quitting does”; learning<br />
from this makes us<br />
stronger and by refusing<br />
to give up means you<br />
haven’t failed.<br />
Yeah…I<br />
understand it<br />
now. and you’re<br />
right - I won’t<br />
give up!!<br />
You get<br />
me?<br />
Glad to<br />
hear that,<br />
Mikey!<br />
Guys, we<br />
got Another<br />
emergency! We<br />
gotta go!!<br />
Are you<br />
sure you'll be<br />
alright now on<br />
your own?<br />
Yea, as I<br />
now know that<br />
I’m not alone or<br />
on my own...<br />
my family and<br />
friends are here<br />
and because of<br />
that I know I won’t<br />
give up!!!<br />
Yeah!<br />
thanks,<br />
guys!<br />
THE END..?
lUNCHTIME...<br />
What can<br />
I do to help<br />
Zoey?<br />
I can’t let<br />
him ruin my<br />
sisters life like<br />
he has ruined<br />
mine.<br />
Are you<br />
alright, Em?<br />
You seem<br />
worried about<br />
something?<br />
Oh hi,<br />
Lucy!<br />
No just<br />
wondering what<br />
I can do to make<br />
sure Zoey has a<br />
good birthday<br />
on Sunday.<br />
Aw Em, don’t<br />
be worrying about<br />
things like that.<br />
Zoe will be fine and<br />
you’ll get her<br />
something great,<br />
you always do!<br />
What?<br />
She’s 8...<br />
what on<br />
earth is the big<br />
deal about that.<br />
I wish we were still<br />
8 and had nothing<br />
to worry about<br />
like we used<br />
to!<br />
Yeah…<br />
no worries<br />
back then.<br />
I know<br />
but this is a<br />
really big<br />
birthday!
Sunday Morning...<br />
Happy<br />
Birthday,<br />
Zoey love!<br />
are you<br />
excited for<br />
your party this<br />
afternoon?<br />
mummy,<br />
I can’t<br />
wait!<br />
I also can’t<br />
wait to see what<br />
Em has got me, she<br />
always gets the best<br />
presents and they<br />
always make<br />
my day!<br />
You’ll just<br />
have to wait and<br />
see Zo. But don’t<br />
worry you’ll love<br />
it, I’ll look after<br />
you like I always<br />
do.!<br />
Thanks, Em,<br />
I know you’ll<br />
always look after<br />
me cause you’re<br />
the bestest big<br />
sister.<br />
Good morning<br />
one and all. and<br />
a very Happy<br />
Birthday, Zoey!<br />
We can’t wait<br />
for your party<br />
later - we’re<br />
going to have a<br />
great time!<br />
YEAh!<br />
Want to come<br />
to the shop with<br />
me, Zo? I’ll buy you<br />
a birthday bag of<br />
sweeties.<br />
the best<br />
Sister ever,<br />
Em!<br />
You do<br />
look after<br />
me!<br />
Yeah, Em!<br />
I’ll get my<br />
coat.<br />
Aren’t you<br />
meant to be<br />
working<br />
today, Jim?<br />
I thought<br />
you weren’t<br />
going to be at<br />
the party.<br />
Yeah,<br />
...I DO!<br />
No,Em! I<br />
managed to get<br />
the day off, wouldn’t<br />
miss Our Zoey’s<br />
birthday party for<br />
the world!!
Later..<br />
The guest<br />
of honour has<br />
Zoey, c'mon’<br />
arrived!<br />
over here and sit<br />
on my knee and<br />
we’ll open your<br />
pressies.<br />
Zoey, don’t<br />
you want to say<br />
hello to all<br />
your friends<br />
first?<br />
Oh yes, Em!<br />
I’ll say hi to<br />
the girls<br />
first.<br />
Later..<br />
Ems, take<br />
a photo of your<br />
Sister blowing<br />
out the candles<br />
pLEASE.<br />
Mum, I<br />
don’t want to<br />
leave Zoey by<br />
herself.<br />
Say<br />
cheese!<br />
cheeeese!<br />
Oh, Ems,<br />
don’t be daft<br />
your sister is<br />
fine, Jim has<br />
her look...<br />
I have<br />
to go!<br />
I have to do<br />
something. I have<br />
to protect her<br />
but I don’t know<br />
if I’m able to… I’m the only<br />
one who knows<br />
what’s really<br />
going on…<br />
Emma?<br />
where are<br />
you going?<br />
if I don’t<br />
help her...<br />
no-one else<br />
will!<br />
to be continued...
Further information<br />
Like the characters in the comic you may feel that these stories have connected<br />
with you, or that the content of the stories has given you a lot to think about!<br />
You might want to know more about what help is available, or you’re concerned<br />
about a friend and want to know what practical help you can offer. Alternatively you<br />
might want to speak to your parents or guardians but you’re nervous about how<br />
they might react. The comic can be a great stepping-stone to start a conversation<br />
about your fears, worries or concerns.<br />
Whatever the situation, listed below are some of the many resources available in<br />
Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK :-<br />
Support Services<br />
Hope 4 Life NI – www.hope4lifeni.org.uk<br />
Mental Health & Wellbeing programmes for Children, Young People and Adults<br />
<strong>Uberheroes</strong> – www.uberheroes.co.uk<br />
Ask an Uberhero a question – if you are worried or concerned about anything,<br />
this is a great way to ask our heroes for their advice and support.<br />
Helpline Numbers<br />
Childline<br />
For 1-2-1 Counselling Call: 0800 1111<br />
For info and advice go to: www.childline.org.uk<br />
Samaritans<br />
Samaritans helpline Call 0845 790 9090<br />
Helpline Email: jo@samaritans.org<br />
Lifeline<br />
Free Phone Lifeline: Call 0808 808 8000<br />
Helpline Email: www.lifelinehelplineinfo.com<br />
NSPCC<br />
24 hour Child Protection Helpline Call: 0808 800 5000<br />
Talking to your friends, members of your family and teachers can help you start to<br />
better understand what you’re going through; you may be surprised to find that<br />
others have had similar experiences and are willing to share their experiences with<br />
you. Your friends or family may know of someone who they trust, who would be<br />
willing to listen and offer you safe advice, having external support will help you to<br />
see you’re not alone in thinking or feeling the way you do, it will also help rebuild<br />
your confidence, self-belief and self-worth, which is the first step in healing and<br />
recovery.<br />
Come follow us on our social media sites too...<br />
<strong>Uberheroes</strong>NI<br />
www.uberheroes.co.uk
www.uberheroes.co.uk
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