SAN DIEGO — A new comic book that is educating young readers on the importance of food rescue and hunger relief is launching during this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.
Seeing the character she created come to life in a comic book is a surreal experience for Sirenna Ascencio.
“Honestly, I can’t process it, but it looks amazing! I love the art, just seeing her brought to life,” Ascencio said.
Ascencio and Aiden Prior each created their own superhero as part of an art contest held for students by Feeding San Diego and the Comic-Con Museum. Ascencio created Demeter, named after the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt, and Prior created Hunger Halter, to educate kids about the problem of food insecurity.
In the new comic book “Hunger Action Heroes Unite!,” Demeter teams up with Hunger Halter to inspire everyone to act.
“I just hope that they help the cause, and help support us in this fight against starvation and hunger,” Prior said.
Dana Williams works for Feeding San Diego and came up with the contest that led to the comic. Demeter is given the opportunity to transform into a superhero and help fight hunger and food waste across the country.
Together with Hunger Halter, the two heroes rescue food and get it to people in need.
“We really want to use comic books to resonate with kids in particular to help educate them about two very complex and important topics: the environment and hunger,” Williams said. “And to really help them understand those concepts and really realize that they can be a part of the solution.”
Williams says the story packs a powerful punch on educating young readers about the importance of food rescue for hunger relief, and releasing the comic book against the backdrop of the world-famous San Diego Comic-Con allows them to leverage the power of the popular arts for social good.
“We want them to know that they can be a Hunger Action Hero too,” Williams said.
“Hunger Action Heroes Unite!” is an inspirational story written by Dr. Janina Scarlet, clinical psychologist and creator of “Superhero Therapy,” with art by Thom Zahler (“Love & Capes” & “My Little Pony”).
To support learning in the classroom and at home, Feeding San Diego also created a curriculum guide that educators and parents can use alongside the comic book.
Ascencio is helping to spread the comic book among new fans and hopes her role in the story will inspire change.
“Contributing to food rescue either through food banks for volunteer work, they can do so much,” Ascencio said. “And make Demeter a role model for kids of all sorts to be able to know that they can be just as amazing as her.”
The book is now available to purchase for $6.99 on Feeding San Diego’s merch store. Proceeds from sales of the book will support Feeding San Diego’s hunger-relief and food rescue programs.
The supplemental curriculum guide can be downloaded on the website.