Lion Forge Comics Introduces the World’s First Superhero With Down Syndrome in Superb

When we talk about inclusion in any medium, we generally end up talking about representation across gender or ethnic/racial lines. Less common is varied representations of body types, mental health, and physical or neurological ability. How amazing it is, then, that Lion Forge Comics is staying true to its mission to make “Comics for Everyone” by introducing the world’s first superhero with Down syndrome.

The book is called Superb, and it’s written by David F. Walker (Marvel’s Nighthawk, Luke Cage) and Sheena C. Howard (Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation), with art by Ray-Anthony Height, Le Beau L. Underwood and Veronica Gandini.

According to a statement made by Lion Forge President, Geoff Gerber, Superb centers around a protagonist named Jonah, and tells the story of “two young people faced with challenges who struggle to understand one another and what it means to be heroes.” It can be very tricky for people to write outside their own experience, which is why Lion Forge has teamed up with the National Down Syndrome Society.

As Gerber says, “Some challenges are more difficult for many of us to understand. Luckily, NDSS is willing to help our creators explain this and to help our readers understand. Nothing could be more important when telling the story of a character who acquires powers that increase his capabilities without taking away his disabilities.”

“As the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome,” said NDSS President Sara Hart Weir, “NDSS is thrilled to work with Lion Forge in the development of a ‘Superb’ comic superhero named Jonah. We look forward to sharing Jonah’s adventures with Catalyst Prime’s wide readership to encourage the value, acceptance and inclusion of the superheroes we know exist within all people with Down syndrome.”

This partnership is really what makes this book exciting for me. As someone with several people with Down syndrome in her life, it’s comforting to know that they will be represented in comics respectfully thanks to the involvement of an organization that advocates for their community. Seeing a black girl with twists in her hair on the cover is pretty awesome, too. I’m curious about her and what her deal is, and I’m definitely looking forward to more information on this book.

Superb is part of Lion Forge’s “Catalyst Prime” line of superhero comics, which launches tomorrow for Free Comic Book Day with its first title, Noble. Superb is set to launch in July, and will be the third title in the line after Noble and the second book, Accell, which drops next month.

(via The Hollywood Reporter, image: Lion Forge Comics)

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