• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, May 23, 2014

Omnicom’s BBDO NY and Marvel Custom Solutions have teamed up to promote the benefits of diversity by jointly creating a new comic book titled Heroes Welcome.

The agency’s Diversity Council provided key input into the project, which is timed to coincide with Marvel’s 75th anniversary.

Adland has been criticized over the years for the lack of diversity in its workforce and the BBDO-Marvel project is one of a number of efforts that the industry has created to address the issue.

Heroes Welcome, starring The Avengers and a young hero named Nova, tells the story of what can happen when people of different backgrounds, talents and abilities come together and champion one another. It also explores questions such as what defines a hero and how role models should conduct themselves.

“Diversity is something I’m really passionate about, and it's an important initiative for the agency,” said John Osborn, president and CEO, BBDO NY. “For us, diversity is not a black, white or age thing. It’s about celebrating the differences that make us individuals, something that also serves to unite us. It’s about acceptance and inclusion. It’s the right thing to do for our business.”

The comic book was written by Eisner Award-winner Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by artist Mark Brook.

BBDO and Marvel have also partnered with the Police Athletic League of New York City (Osborn is also president of the PAL board) to help share the new comic book with children in each of the city's five boroughs via interactive educational sessions. The first of these sessions was hosted Thursday at PAL’s Harlem Center. 

The new comic book can be read here.