BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A Bethlehem teen with a love of superheroes is vying for a chance to be featured in a Marvel comic.<\/p>\n
Ever since he was a child, Julian Eppler has loved Spider-Man.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“Having to sit still, he found it a big challenge,” said Julian’s mom Renee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Drawing keeps him focused.<\/p>\n
“If it’s something like we enjoy, it can be pretty easy,” Eppler explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
“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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“I’ve just been doing everything to promote him in every way,” Renee Eppler said.\u00a0<\/p>\n