Comic series and coloring book “Disaster Prevention Genius Squad”

The comic series "Disaster Prevention Genius Squad" and colouring book “Together with children, preventing and mitigating natural disasters” are two impactful activities from the innovative media campaign “A safe, clean and green ASEAN for every child”. This UNICEF campaign was jointly launched in May 2023 by the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority, the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control, with support from the Government of Japan to spread positive messages, voices and attract attention and participation of authorities at all levels, whole communities, especially children, in raising public awareness of child-focussed disaster risk reduction.

Developing the comic series’ main characters

This innovative approach is designed to disseminate knowledge and enhance children's skills and roles in natural disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as promote reading among children. This comic series is created by author Xuan Lan, one of Viet Nam’s most successful young artists in the field of children's comics. The first episode of the story will be pilot-tested at selected primary schools in various provinces and cities starting from December 2023.

To empower and inspire Vietnamese high school children to become agents of change to champion natural disaster prevention and mitigation within their communities, the comic series is based on a group of school students with supernatural powers who support and rescue people when natural disasters occur. The trio Lam, Hoa and Super AI play the role of dynamic team members with outstanding disaster prevention and control knowledge and skills that are shared with readers as they help communities combat the intensifying threat from climate-driven natural disasters.

The story was inspired by school children across Viet Nam, with the author team seeking opinions from teenage students on developing the characters' content, personality and expression style. This included a survey at the event "Manga Comic Con Viet Nam 2023", consulting with children on UNICEF Viet Nam’s Facebook fanpage "1-minute green video challenge" and an online survey of 500 primary and secondary students nationwide.

Who are members of the disaster prevention genius squad?

During a class picnic, when Hoa - an excellent student and her group of classmates got lost in the forest, a flash flood suddenly occurred and endangered everyone. When the flood was coming, in the midst of danger, Hoa was given a source of great strength. With special abilities gained from her new source of power, she and Lam - a classmate with the power of the forest god - together fought and rescued other students. Fate appointed Hoa and Lam to form the "Disaster Prevention Genius Squad" superhero group to fight against natural hazards and the plots of evil villains. During the mission, the squad was joined by the robot SUPER-AI (Sa), a transformed villain, who was also the character that created the unexpected flood.

Hoa is the founder of the Disaster Prevention Genius Squad. Gifted with strength in dangerous situations, Hoa is aware and deeply appreciates the source of strength flowing within her. Hoa's power represents the element "water" - an important component of biological cells that create life on Earth, giving Hoa the ability to sense and control water flow. Thanks to this power, Hoa is very sensitive to water-related natural disasters. As the leader of the group, Hoa will lead the team to overcome difficulties and challenges. Let's look forward to the first volume about to be released in 2023.

Lam was the first member Hoa admitted to the squad. He comes from the majestic Central Highlands, is the first member to demonstrate strength in the series and is also the character who creates the source of the strength that Hoa is given. Lam has the ability to predict the near future and has the power of the Forest God. Given that strength, Lam can predict impending natural disasters, as well as communicate and control trees and the ground to perform tasks. In the series, Lam is shown as a spiritual support, always caring and taking on the difficult and dangerous missions of the squad.

The last key member of the squad who also brings laughter to the group is Sa (robot SUPER-AI). Appearing for the first time in the story is the tip of the "Iceberg of villainous forces", created to destroy nature and important natural disaster prevention works. Initially appearing as a villain, SUPER-AI was created to destroy nature and important natural disaster prevention works. However, this character was influenced by Hoa and Lam, and has since become a repository of knowledge on natural disasters and science and technology in natural disaster prevention. After joining the squad, Sa (SUPER-AI) always has a pure, cheerful spirit and is filled with love for humanity.

Throughout the series, the Disaster Prevention Genius Squad including Hoa, Lam and Sa (SUPER AI) will experience many battles with natural disasters, as well as fight against a villain organization that wants to manipulate nature with high technology. By completing tasks, the squad will collect “Disaster Data Fragments”[1] and build a “Circle of Response”[2], in order to create the most optimal system of prevention, response and recovery to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and climate change.

Besides the comics, children can also create the Disaster Prevention Genius Squad themselves through the colouring book “Together with children, preventing and mitigating natural disasters”. Each painting illustrated by artists spreads meaningful messages about natural disaster prevention and control.

The opening volume of the Comic Book and Colouring Book will be published and sent as a pilot to a number of elementary schools in provinces under the Project “Building resilience for children, families and communities in Viet Nam to cope with the impact of natural disasters and climate change” from December 2023.

Join the disaster prevention genius squad to learn more useful knowledge and experience enjoyable moments!

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[1] Disaster Data Fragments: These are puzzle pieces collected while doing missions. For each type of natural disaster, one puzzle piece will be obtained. Through each piece of the puzzle, readers will grasp the necessary information about the knowledge and skills needed to respond to corresponding types of natural disasters in all three stages: before, during and after disasters occur.

[2] Circle of Response: Is compiled after collecting all Disaster Data. With the circle of response, readers can grasp the necessary knowledge and skills to respond to all types of natural disasters in all three stages: before, during and after disasters occur.