BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A Bethlehem teen with a love of superheroes is vying for a chance to be featured in a Marvel comic.
Ever since he was a child, Julian Eppler has loved Spider-Man.
“Despite the fact that he’s a normal kid, like no one really respects him a lot of the time. He deals with it and still goes out to save everyone,” Eppler told 69 News.
Dealing with it is something Julian has learned to live with. He has attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and struggled early on in school.
“Having to sit still, he found it a big challenge,” said Julian’s mom Renee.
Drawing keeps him focused.
“If it’s something like we enjoy, it can be pretty easy,” Eppler explained.
Last month, his mom Renee learned of Stan Lee’s Super Kid contest and decided to enter Julian, listing his superpower as hyper-focus, specifically when it comes to his drawings. A positive influence, she said, breaking the stigma around people who have ADHD.
“If he was a superhero, he’d make great things with it. I really do, and other children will be able to look up to him,” Renee Eppler stated.
Right now, Julian is in the top five of his group. The winner gets made into their own Marvel comic along with $25,000 to go toward education and tickets to Comic-Con in Los Angeles.
“I’ve just been doing everything to promote him in every way,” Renee Eppler said.
Check out Julian’s entry here. Voting ends Oct. 22 at 10:00 p.m.
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