Marvel is now offering a free comic online via their Digital Comic platform called Captain America: A Little Help, which was also available in print in the most recent I Am An Avenger #5.
Marvel gives away several free digital books every week, so this is not itself newsworthy. What is remarkable here is the comic itself, which consists of only a single line of dialogue and highlights the plight of those dealing with the very real issues of depression and thoughts of suicide. Written by Dr. Tim Ursiny, the story details the struggle of a young man with many of the problems we face today: bills piling up, loss of a loved one, problems in school. But on the verge of throwing it all away, a young man encounters Captain America and (spoiler alert) they both end up saving one another. The young man ends up calling the national suicide prevention hotline, 1-800-273-TALK. You can also visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
“Superheroes fight a lot of battles, but there are few more important than combating suicide,” said Tom Brevoort, Senior Vice-President of Publishing (or T-voort, as we like to call him). “That’s why we’re making Captain America: A Little Help available for free via our digital comics outlets. If even one person calls this number instead of doing something very tragic, we know that means we succeeded.”
This follows just last month when Marvel was giving away free subscriptions to their digital comics services for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Chrissy Stevens, Communcations Director for IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) had this to say in an exclusive to BigShinyRobot: “Marvel has a long history of supporting America’s men and women in uniform. Back in World War II, Marvel made sure its iconic heroes, including Captain America, got into the hands of troops deployed overseas. Partnering with Marvel’s Digital Comics really brings that tradition up to date in the 21st century by connecting America’s newest generation of heroes to Marvel’s superheroes through the most up-to-date technology.”
Marvel has really stepped up their efforts in social responsibility of late. I’m certainly biased, as I’m more of a Marvel than a DC guy, but their storylines seem more relatable and relevant to what a lot of us are dealing with in life today. Don’t get me wrong, “In Blackest Night” was an interesting storyline, and I’m interested in where “Grounded” and “Batman Inc” are going, but “Civil War”, “Dark Reign”, “Seige”, (including the brilliant Glenn Beck parody in the character of Todd Keller) and the upcoming “Fear Itself” include relevant (and sometimes prophetic) social commentary without pushing an agenda. Taking care of vets and looking out for readers who may be dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide just adds to this: Marvel gets it. Your move, DC.
So until Reed Richard and Tony Stark decide to retire from superhero-ing and put all their money into hedge funds…. MAKE MINE Social Responsibility!