Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, comic book sales have boomed, soaring over $2 billion industry-wide in 2022. As popularity of the medium expands, readers are looking for more superheroes whom they identify with. Enter “Epilectra,” the first book of Sue Seserman’s graphic novel series set to be released this June.
The series is a modern interpretation of the traditional comic book, introducing the reader to superheroes who transform their disabilities—like epilepsy, diabetes, autism and mobility issues to name a few—into super-abilities. Creator and writer Seserman provides a compelling storyline, bringing light to various mental and physical disabilities and educating readers along the way.
“It’s not your typical graphic novel,” Seserman said. “‘Epilectra’ is ‘edutainment.’ It provides a lot of education that you don’t even know that you are getting because it’s very entertaining, it’s fun to read and at the end, you realize that you’ve learned so much along the way.”
While battling two invisible disabilities herself—epilepsy and type one diabetes—Seserman has learned that living with these and other conditions can often bring discouragement. This is why her series has two missions: disability empowerment and stigma elimination. Through her graphic novel, she hopes to encourage others with disabilities to change their mentality and realize nothing can stop them from achieving their dreams.
“It goes beyond disabilities, to really empower anybody who believes they can’t do something,” Seserman said. “Disability is surrounded by so much stigma, it’s such a negative issue and Epilectra combats that with education and conversation stimulation.”
Seserman has created modern relatable superheroes, who often doubt if they can achieve their superhero missions due to their disabilities. Book one introduces Epilectra, the leader of team SEEZ, an acronym for Support and Empower Everyone Zealously. While her human persona, Eden Rivers, suffers from epilepsy, her super-ability is channeling seizure-inducing electricity from her brain through her fingertips in the form of lightning which she uses for good. Readers can experience Eden’s story as she navigates through New York City and encounters the Insulator, a superhero with type one diabetes, and many others in three stories.
“The superheroes in Epilectra are modern, accessible, fallible and relatable—more than any other superhero that’s ever been written before. They are very human, making them great role models,” Seserman said.
For Seserman, this is more than just a book. For over four years, as she diligently researched conditions for each character, Epilectra has been the only thing Seserman has thought or talked about. Writing this book has given Seserman confidence and purpose, and has made her grateful for her epilepsy diagnosis as it led to this moment.
“I find that Epilectra is the best thing that ever happened to me because I feel like it is what I was meant to do and I really hope it can make a difference in people’s lives,” Seserman said.
Sesserman takes pride in talking about her disabilities and answering questions from those who may or may not share her experience. She believes talking about tough subjects like disability helps dispel stigma and leads to more understanding.
“I am absolutely acknowledging that having a disability is very difficult at times but it’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Seserman said. “Having a disability it’s just who you are, like having red hair or big feet, it’s just another component of what makes you, you.”
Seserman has always been a writer, but this is her first published book. After a long process of perfecting it, she said she’s very proud of the work she has accomplished. Seserman encourages anyone who feels like they have a book in them to write it and share it with others—even if it doesn’t get published—because it could potentially help others.
“Don’t be afraid. Even if your book never gets published, write, write, write, because you will feel good when you get it out. Go for your dreams and if you need help, ask for it along the way,” Seserman said.
Seserman anticipates four books for the series, each one incorporating superheroes with different disabilities. Book two has been written and will be available next year, featuring more characters with type 1 diabetes, autism, cerebral palsy and endometriosis. Although the conditions are highly researched, Seserman said she wants her graphic novels to be more accessible and fun rather than instructional. Readers can pre-order Epilectra now ahead of its release next month.
“Epilectra’s goal is to change people’s mentality from, ‘What if I can’t,’ to ‘What if I can,’ and help the youth specifically realize that they are capable of achieving their dreams and nothing can get in their way,” Seserman said. “They may have to take a different route or ask for help along the way and that’s okay, but their dreams are absolutely accessible.”