N.Y. (WBNG) — A Central New York comic book creator spent a decade developing a superhero series inspired by his own experiences with ADHD and bullying, and says the project is aimed at readers who have ever felt like they didn’t belong
Tyler Raymond is the creator of The Different, a comic series he says is built around the idea that being different is something to embrace, not hide.
Raymond says growing up with ADHD and being bullied in high school drove him to create something that could uplift others.
“School isn’t easy, especially when you’re different,” Raymond said. “So being the kid that talks too much, it was particularly hard to find friends. I wanted to make something that uplifted others and reinforce the idea that it’s okay being different. And we should all love ourselves for who we are and accepting our flaws because what other people might see as different, I see as something we should embrace and accept.”
The series follows five young heroes — Inferna, Celestial, IL GELO, The Stone Golem and Blueprint — who gain extraordinary powers from mysterious alien energy crystals buried beneath the Earth. The team protects Manhattan while navigating personal struggles and learning to function as a family.
Raymond says the central conflict goes beyond fighting <a href="https://comicvibe.com/the-batman-part-ii-villain-reportedly-revealed-and-it-is-not-two/” title=”The Batman – Part II villain reportedly revealed (and it is not Two”>villains. In the world of The Different, people fear the heroes trying to save them because of their powers.
“People treat people that have superpowers differently,” Raymond said. “So in Manhattan, when these heroes are saving people, they actually get negative responses, and these people fear them and treat them differently because they have superpowers. So I wanted to make a niche little parallel there. It’s a coming-of-age story; it’s about a group of strangers becoming family and working together to do good while also handling the adversity of being different.”
Raymond says every member of the team was designed around real-life experiences, including ADHD, autism, trauma, disabilities and chronic skin conditions. He says he wanted readers to see heroes who reflect everyday people rather than billionaires or larger-than-life figures.
“These characters were all humans first, superheroes second,” Raymond said. “What makes it relatable and really honest and genuine is that these characters all have baggage and all have things they’re trying to work towards and get better at — learning to love themselves too, all while helping people and facing the adversity that comes with being a superhero that’s harassed and feared for being different.”
Since launching the project online, Raymond says thousands of people have connected with its message.
“I made The Different for people that are different,” Raymond said. “I have a piece of media that can uplift others and encourage and reassure and support people to tell them that who you are — your identity — you’re valid and you’re seen.”
The first issue is complete, with additional installments already written and in development. The Different is currently available through Raymond’s Kickstarter campaign.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/thedifferent/the-different-issue-1
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