Boom! Wham! Pow! The ComiQuad is a column dedicated to the spandex-laden world of comics and superheroes. It goes up each Wednesday and will alternate between comic book reviews and other comic book news. Reviews shall try to be spoiler-free. And it’s back! Zam!
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Truer words have never been spoken by the parody Twitter account of a fictional trillionaire who runs around dressed like a bat.
In all seriousness, one of the inspiring things to come out of Marathon Monday’s horrific bombing incident was the sheer volume of heroism that transpired as soon as tragedy struck. There were stories of marathon participants running straight to the nearest hospital to give blood, immediate responses by emergency medical personnel, and many images of ordinary people, or former Patriots’ offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi, assisting the injured.
And then there were the real-life heroes who used their love of fictional heroes to then become real-life heroes.
New York City has Spider-Man, Metropolis has Superman, and Gotham has 99 problems and a “Bat” ain’t one (most of the time). Boston has it’s citizens. Regarding fictional heroes, however, Boston also has Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel.
As the events in Boston began to unfold, artist and Tumblr cartoonist “Flatbear” felt helpless. Knowing that Captain Marvel hailed from Boston, she decided to use whatever social media influence she had to mobilize some real-life heroes. So she decided to reach out to the “Carol Corps,” i.e. the fans of Captain Marvel.
“We’re all pretty much united behind one comic book character,” said Flatbear, “who is a great example not just of an amazing, strong, independent female superhero, but just a really good, decent person.”
“I was motivated to ask for the Carol Corps to mobilize because, well, because I felt helpless!” she added. “I do one thing pretty good, and that’s draw, and I thought, ‘if I can use what I can do to motivate and interest people, then I have a responsibility to do it.’”
So Flatbear made a call to action.
“So what’s going on in Boston right now is pretty […] scary, right? And, like me, you’re probably sitting in front of your computers in varying places around the world, feeling pretty helpless.
I know I am. I never know what to say when things like these happens. But it occurred to me, as I was reading through the news, that a lot of the people that follow me here have one thing in common–a burning love for Captain Marvel. And you know where Carol Danvers is from? Boston. So here’s what we’re going to do, Carol Corps!”
Her post goes on to direct readers on how they could help. Blood donations, being aware, and, most of all, donating to the Red Cross.
Over the course of the day, multiple Tumblr users posted screenshots of their donations made in the name of the “Carol Corps.” Documented donations add up to at least $295. And that’s not counting any number of undocumented donations (there’s currently no way to track who donated under the “Carol Corps” or not).
Even Captain Marvel‘s current writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick, got involved and later left a touching message thanking the Carol Corps for their effort.
Another artist who used his talent and social media influence was Yale Stewart, the cartoonist behind the JL8 (kid versions of the Justice League) webcomic.
Stewart created a computer background with the Flash running and the words “Good guys run in one direction. Forward.”
Any sized donation to the Boston Children’s Hospital or Red Cross through this site, even as low as $1, would be enough to earn someone the .zip file for the background. A day later, Stewart confirmed the enormous amount that had been donated.
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The signs of goodwill haven’t stopped. This weekend’s Boston Comic Con, which is still scheduled to go on, has seen multiple artists offer incentives to people who show up to their booths with proof of blood or money donations to the Red Cross.
Horror comics writer Steve Niles confirmed that anyone who shows proof of blood or money donation will get a free signed Dark Horse Comics comic from his booth.
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Other artists have tweeted about offering free head-and-shoulders art commissions for anyone who has donated.
Flatbear’s reaction to the support of the Carol Corps is one that can easily be applied to all the inspiring fund-raising events that occurred in the superhero fan community in the past week.
“I was really humbled, and proud,” she said. “I’ve never been more proud to be a nerd!”
