Kiwi's superhero tribute to teachers

The Custodian is an Auckland artist's entry into an international superhero search. Photo / Supplied

Cole Porter is not an average superhero. As his lycra-clad alter ego The Custodian, he can fly through the air like a bird, lift cars without breaking a sweat and shrug off a hail of bullets - but he considers his greatest power to be the ability to influence his own students. He's a superhero to the world, and to his students. He's a teacher.

Auckland cartoonist Michel Mulipola has submitted the character into a worldwide search to find a new comic book hero for the Stan Lee Foundation, a US-based arts and literary organisation founded by the co-creator of superhero staples such as Spider-Man and the X-Men.

The contest guidelines call for artists to explain what powers their heroes possess, and how they can help the world.

The 29-year-old artist said The Custodian represented the heroics of normal people doing normal things, and the name embodied the "guardian-like" natures of superheroes and teachers in one title.

"I thought of police officers, fire fighters, et cetera but I really liked the idea of a teacher who was also a superhero," he said.

"Teachers all over the world are working hard ... and trying to make a difference but they never get the recognition, respect or the pay packet that they deserve."

That latter point is a source of frustration for The Custodian. His skin is impervious to bullets, but his lycra outfit isn't.

"I moonlight as a pro wrestler, so I'm all too familiar with the stretch fabric," said the artist.

"I also know it isn't exactly cheap to get lycra costumes made. I liked the thought of The Custodian damaging his costume on a regular basis and getting irritated ... because he doesn't really have enough money to afford it."

Mulipola said the character's defining traits are his values and sense of self worth.

"He feels that he does as much good teaching in the classroom as he does rescuing people and fighting crime. In their own ways, both help the world."

"I ain't no saint. I was - and still am - a class clown." Mulipola confessed.

"I knew that they were always full of good intentions, so this is kind of my tribute to teachers. The unsung superheroes of the classroom."

The Custodian's trials won't be standard "supervillain of the week" comic book fare, but instead surround the choices he must make in his parallel lives and the consequences he must face for either answering the call of superhero duty at the expense of his kids - or ignoring it.

Mulipola said: "I didn't really know much about my teachers' personal lives [and] I imagine his students would be very much the same, but when Mr Porter has unexplained absences from school, he becomes the subject of rumour and gossip."

Considering The Custodian's uniform doesn't include a mask, Mr Porter might have trouble keeping his students in the dark about his alter ego. The artist theorised that the classroom's "geeky little kid" would have a strong suspicion, while the giggling girls might think their English teacher would look like The Custodian if he were to tie his hair back.

Mulipola has high hopes for the character's chances in the competition. He said there were some great concepts in the competition, and getting into the top 20 entries would give him a "great chance" at winning.

"I've gotten so much great feedback and interest about the idea that I'd like to see it come to life as a graphic novel." he said.

I would love to pair up with a writer who is interested in the story and help me to flesh out the character a lot more."

The contest is held on Facebook. Voting closes at 7am on Friday.

- NZHERALD ONLINE