Uberheroes: Common Ground

We fully understand the challenges young people face and we get that it can be a
daunting task to navigate social media as well as personally interacting with family and
friends. We have been so delighted that the two groups we’ve been working with this
year from The Doyle and WPCA have really got behind the reasons why this comic
needed to be created… to offer much needed help and advice to other young people
facing similar issues.
Many of the young people have admitted that they don’t know what to do by the
amount of fake news out there, how to better understand this and how to recognise
hate speech vs free speech… How they can be more aware of how advertisers
through biased writing can manipulate and influence them into thinking and reacting
towards things they read and with people they meet because of the negative
influences surrounding them.
They have learnt through this programme that the best way to interact with others
whether online or off line is to do this on the basis of mutual understanding and an
acceptance of everyone. They also uncovered very early that the principle of behaving
and interacting online should be the same when they are interacting with others face
to face.
This group have done a fantastic job in really understanding the concept of creating
and producing new heroes – their two new heroes represent good characteristics that
they and other young people need to apply in their own lives, this is the case with
Khwam who stands for Contentment, while their other hero, Positivia, represents
positive attitudes. However they also had loads of fun producing their two villains,
Identitat represents identity theft in a variety of ways and Emophobe stifles and
misrepresents people’s emotions.
The creation of this new comic story will be used in the both community groups and
Hope 4 Life will also use this comic in addition to our existing portfolio of comics for
our Uberheroes® programme within Primary and Post Primary Schools across
Northern Ireland...
We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this, our Eleventh issue. You can
do this by visiting us at .
www.uberheroes.co.uk
This comic is not intended as a substitute for medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly
consult their GP in matters relating to his/her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that
may require clinical diagnosis or medical attention.
Cover Illustration by Reese Hannigan Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Penciled by Joel Ojeda Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Coloured by Sonia Moruno Martinez Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Comic writing and Editing by Danny McLaughlin and Campbell Hamilton Copyright© 2017 by Uberheroes®
Copyright © 2017 by Uberheroes® Owner Dee Nixon
All rights reserved. This comic or any portion thereof may
not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever
without the express written permission of the publisher
except for the use of brief quotations in a comic review.
Printed in Northern Ireland. First Printing, June 2017
Hope 4 Life NI
North City Business Centre
Units 1, 2 & 5
2 Duncairn Gardens
Belfast BT15 2GG
www.Uberheroes.co.uk

Okay,
let’s all relax,
everyone!
Well, I
know this has been
bruising and maybe a bit
embarrassing for you
all as young teenagers,
but I think you’ve all
come a long way...
…and you’re
all beginning to
come to terms with
the incidents of
the last few
months…

A few months earlier...
Lewis, you
see what Michael
wrote about you
in the group
chat?
What?
Let me
check.
Groupchat
<Michael>
Lewis you are such a loser
<Jess>
And Brian you’re a pint-sized loser
Why would
anyone write
anything so
horrible?
They’re
still writing
stuff! it’s about
m about being
short…
and…
Ohh
NOO!
<Jacko>
Leave them alone you scumbag
<Michael>
are you their da? stay out of it!
<Jess>
Yeah, Jacko - you are as much a loser,
just as much a freak as them two
<Michael>
Yeah, Jacko you’re lucky I don’t come
after you…and Brian…
Typing...
<Michael>
Go kill yourself you little dwarf!

Dominie, I’m sending Veritas to
help some teenagers who are being
manipulated towards violence. I need
you to visit twins, Brian and Lewis,
they’re being harassed online.
I know you’re busy with Your
new A.I. program but with the
other Uberheroes off dealing with
other outbreaks of similar issues,
I need you to handle this.
ill do, Q.
Actually my
A.I. may well
come in handy.
Hello…
who are you?
My name is…
Hello, Veritas!
I have access to
all the uberheroes
files - I like you!
I am
Positiva,
brainchild of the
genius Dominie.
I have
been created
to help fight
against negative
technological
phenomena.
Yess...
Good Morning,
POSITIVA!
Glad you’ve
met Positiva, Veritas,
we have a couple of
missions which I believe
may be related. I suspect
a terrible virus is
can I ask
at work.
you to locate
Khwam and send
him to me please,
while I prepare
Positiva.
Of
course!
Okay,
let’s do
this!

Big fight at
the park
The scum
are stirring
up trouble
Hit them first
and hard
Make sure you
know what side
you’re on
If you don’t turn up
we’ll all know what
side you’re on
Read
the messages
coming through,
brian…
a big fight
at the park??
make sure you know
what side you’re taking?
if you’re not there we’ll
all know whose side
you’re on??
This is
CRAZY!!

Hi Lewis… you
see the messages
from the group??
If you don’t come,
we’ll tell your Ma,
what you’re up to
You’d better show
up or you’ll be
dealing with us
Yeah, but I really
don’t want any
part of this…
Nor do I.
But I’m bored!
What else
do we have to do?
At least this will be
a bit of craic, and I
really don’t want
them telling
Mum.
Okay, I’l l
go if you’re going
otherwise who
knows what’ll
happen?
Veritas,
we have an
emergency!!
I’m
on my
way!
Veritas, it Looks like you’ll have
to intervene with this group who
are in danger of being swallowed
up in the trouble that’s coming…
I’m on
it!

Hi,
Veritas!!
Hey,
KHWAM!
Good to
see the exosuit
Domine created
is working so
well!
Yes, it’s great!
I can walk again
totally unaided and
the suit increases my
strength and adds a
couple of nice
elements.
we will
need your
special skills
and insights on
this one.
What
is it? Let
me see!
Uh oh,
Lewis, you
better check
this out!
Groupchat
<Michael>
Lewis you’re a waste of space
<Ian>
Yeah, you’re both totally
worthless
<Graham>
And Brian you’re a twisted
wee gnome
Why
would anyone
say these
things??
I don’t care…
I’m gonna
make them
pay!!

SOWING
THE SEEDS
OF HATE!
I don’t
get it! Why is
everyone on
edge and
arguing?
Who knows?
People have a
lot of issues
and...
Who…
who are
you??
We’re the

And they
are all posting
hateful things in
the group chat
Some
people like
to talk about
free speech.
They think
that means
anyone can say
whatever they
like!
But
hate speech is
never right.
It’s wrong
to attack anyone
just because of how
they look, their sexual
orientation, religion,
mental ability
or gender.
someone
should stop
them! Lock them
up and throw
away the key!!
It’s
never as simple
as stopping
someone from
what they are
saying…
So, on one
hand I can’t
stop you saying
whatever you
like...
do you
Understand?
So
although I may
not like it, people
have the right to say
whatever they like
about me…
Yes,
but hate
speech is
wrong.
You have
to know your
true worth...
What if
you haven’t got
any worth?
what???
Everyone
has worth…
I know you
two put yourselves
down, but you need to
know you both have your
own strengths, when you
know that, it’s easier to
be resilient no matter
what anyone says.
You both
have a lot of
worth…
Thanks,
guys!!

Sometimes
it’s hard to
see your own
worth...
Especially
when others are
chipping away at it with
insults and pointing
out your unique
features!
But you
are an
uberhero!
We’re
Not!
You think
I was never
harassed about my
height? I wasn’t
always an Uberhero
you know.
Yes, some
people will use
anything they can, even
something as silly as
hair colour or being
skinny or geeky to
attack others.
All you can do,
is be strong, know that
you have worth, don’t let
anyone elses opinions of
you change the way you
feel about yourself…
I used to
get a lot of abuse
about my height and my
legs. I had to learn it
had no power to wreck
my own sense of
worth.
Some people
will always try to
isolate others because
they’re different.
We can’t allow
them to.
know
yourself and
your capabilities
and you will find
your worth!
So Brian,
you may be small,
but I know you really
care for people and
have a real gift to make
them smile.
And Lewis,
I know your emotions
sometimes get out of
control, but you can
really help ease tension
and make people feel
better.
and if you
know that,
youre off to a
good start!
Maybe
even some
day you’ll be
Uberheroes
too!!

In the digital space…
Postiva, a virus
has been located,
showing map
directions now.…
There’s the
problem.
engage
anti-virus
measures!
Find Virus
Isolate Virus
>> Use AntiVirus
Software
Eradicate Virus
Antivirus
successful!
There’s a
lot of viruses…
how did they all
get here??
I see
you’ve been
hacking my
viruses...
but,
you were not
expecting
me…

And I will
end you…
i am
Emophobe!!
The best way
to beat an evil
emoji…
...is with
a lot of good
emojis…
EMOPHOBE VIRUS
ERADICATED
Take this!!
Locating other
sources for the
virus epidemic!
I thought
Emophobe was the
source… there’s
something else
fishy going on
here!!

…But I’ve
identified a large
number of fake profile
updates created by an
unknown source.
All the
profile pics have
changed from innocent
photos to angry and
aggressive ones. This can’t
be by chance and will
cause division.
Look at
their public
conversations – they
were arguing blindly with
people they’d have called
friends. Someone else is
controlling this…
Khwam….
I know what
you’re going to say…
we need some stealthy
reconnaissance done to
know whats going on
for sure…
...leave it
with me!!

In position to
engage stealth
recon…
Be
careful,
Khwam!
Lets get
80% smaller.
And Activate...
miniature
flight features
of exosuit…
sTupid
fly!
Wow…
nearly got
swatted there!
just getting
a good look now…
will send on all
info via live data
streaming.

Engaging
all kids now and
updating data
package now…
Veritas, you
should look
at this right
away…
Downloading
data now...
Download
COmPLETE.
OH my...
…Manipulating
pictures, Changing
wordsin their messages,
Making them argue with
each other…
building hate
and resentment…
making them fall into
tribes.. making them
either us or
them…
It looks
like whoever is doing
this is masterminding the
whole thing on these kids.
They are being manipulated
into destroying each
other…
Team…
it seems that it’s
more deadly than
we thought!
OVER.

Someone is
manipulating the
teenagers. Changing
their messages,
building tension,
sowing hatred.
These kids
were friends and
are now on the
brink of hating
each other.
So theres a
network element
to this… Could it
be Technophobe
up to his old
tricks?
This seems
like it’s
someone we
don’t know…
We need
more
information…
POSITIVA, we found
out that someone has
been masterminding the whole
situation, mimicking the kids
profiles and changing them
subtley… you might have to
actually search for
another A.I.!
Do you
read?
Yes, I found
and defeated Emophobe,
so yes, that would be why
I’m having difficulty
finding anything… Possibly
hiding in plain sight… I will
reanalyse with new
parameters…
And where
are the kids now…
it seemed that
something was
brewing…
Good Idea…
Lets do it!!
Something is brewing…
I have cross referenced the
young peoples social media and
they all seem connected to a
dark part of the internet. From
here they are being manipulated
into going to the park…
I am going
to investigate the
dark part of the net…
I think you should go
intercept the kids.

Entering Darkweb...
I believe you
are looking
for me??
The name’s
Identitat!!
Huh??
I know you were
looking for me…
so to save some
time I came to
destroy you!
You and your
Uberheroes will never stop
me… I am manipulating the
kids… changing their identities
online… making them angry so
they destroy themselves.. but
first to destroy your
code with a…
POWER
SURGE!!

Now to
destroy all
those kids and
everyone else…
NOO!!
You cant
destroy
me...
...or destroy
the kids
because…
I have a
super power…
Which is…?
Looks like
you’re gonna
find out right
now!
I’m gonna
enjoy deleting
you… Lets do
this…
At the Park…
There
are the
scumbags…

Looks
whos
talking…
take
that you
scumbag!
Whats
going
on??
Look
at the
map…
...the
whole map
is lighting
up!
there
seems to be
trouble brewing
everywhere and
the Police are I bet
spread thin… it’s already
kicking off at
the Park!
Positiva –
Were gonna
need your
Help!
Stop
this!
You are all
being Manipulated
by Identitat… She
used all your social
media to manipulate
this…

Positiva
is right!
Look
at your
Social
media…
My Profile
pic is back to
normal!
I don’t
remember
posting that
to the group…
Don’t
worry, she is
gone… I used my
superpower…
...Positivity!
Identitat
has made you all
seem a lot more
aggressive than
you actually
feel…
shall we
show them the
Truth?
Yeah!!
look,
children… see
the truth…
you’re
listening to
the wrong
people
Those
negative
feelings aren’t
your own.
Look around,
those aren’t
enemies!
suspicion
of each other
gets you
nowhere.
you are all
just like each
other.
Hate speech
is destructive
and accomplishes
nothing.
you’re
just bored and
need to find
things to do.
you need
to talk.
I see
the truth
now…
What were
we doing?
I’m
sorry!!
NOW...
…and you’re
all beginning to
come to terms with
the incidents of
the last few
months…

I’m sorry
for reacting
like that…
Its hard to
talk through
differences…
remember
what you’ve
learned…
I’m sorry
for calling
you a dwarf!
Time… openness and
talking help us to see
what we have in common.
Over months of
discussions we see
relationships develop,
and some of the kids
ability to face up to things
people have said about them.
and some of the kids
ability to face up to things
people have said about them.
You have
come so far over
the months… I’m
so proud of
you all!
I love
watching young
people develop and
grow into mature
people.
Understanding
that differences might
separate us, but our
Kinship is what is
strongest and most
positive…
Positivity…
we can
all have that
superpower!
How
Right you
are!
...the end.

Further information
Like the characters in the comic you may feel that these stories have connected with you, or
that the content of the stories has given you a lot to think about!
You might want to know more about what help is available, or maybe you’re concerned
about a friend and want to know what practical help you can offer. Alternatively you might
want to speak to your parents or guardians but you’re nervous about how they might react.
The Uberheroes comic is a great stepping-stone to start these conversations with an adult
you trust about your fears, worries or concerns.
Whatever the situation, listed below are some of the many resources available in
Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK :-
Support Services
Hope 4 Life NI – www.hope4lifeni.org.uk
Mental Health & Wellbeing programmes for Children, Young People and Adults
“Ask an Uberhero a Question” via our website - www.uberheroes.co.uk
“Ask an Uberhero a question” is our online support service for you to
connect with one of our team if you are worried or concerned about
anything; this is a great way to ask our heroes for their advice and support.
Helpline Numbers
VOYPIC
Central Office,
9-11 Botanic Avenue
Belfast, BT71JG
Tel: 028 9024 4888
Email: info@voypic.org
www.voypic.org
PIPS
For 1-2-1 Counselling Call 028 9080 5850
Helpline number call 0800 088 6042
Email: info@pipscharity.com
Call in for a chat – 281 Antrim Road,
Belfast, BT15 2HE
Childline
For 1-2-1 Counselling Call: 0800 1111
For info and advice go to:
www.childline.org.uk
Samaritans
Samaritans helpline Call: 0845 790 9090
Helpline Email: jo@samaritans.org
NSPCC
24 hour Child Protection Helpline Call:
0808 800 5000
Lifeline
Free Phone Lifeline: Call 0808 808 8000
Helpline Email: www.lifelinehelplineinfo.com
Talking to your friends, members of your family and teachers can help you start to better understand
what you’re going through; you may be surprised to find that others have had similar experiences and
are willing to share their experiences with you. Your friends or family may know of someone who they
trust, who would be willing to listen and offer you safe advice, having external support will help you to
see you’re not alone in thinking or feeling the way you do, it will also help rebuild your confidence,
self-belief and self-worth, which is the first step in healing and recovery.
Come follow us on our social media sites too...
UberheroesNI
www.uberheroes.co.uk

Many thank you to all our creative contributors...
Jasmin Joy
Aoife Turley
Lewis Mc Kiernan
Abbie Mc Bride
Craig Stewart
John McDonald
Holly Haighton
Omra Keenan
Kayleigh Fekkes Isaac Brito Justin Neill Caitlin O Donnell
Cayla Mc Dermott Jodi-Leigh Stevenson Abbie Hill
John Simpson Anna Quinn Conor Hughes Levi McMurray
Ben Stewart Cliodhna Gartland Darragh Sutcliffe
Shannon Moore Tiernach Murphy Cameron Finlay Katie Jones
Jamie Higgins David Brito Charlie Harbinson
Leah Mc Dermott Rachel Mc Dowell Jodie Martin Leon Oliver
www.uberheroes.co.uk