Comic strip about to introduce autism into storyline

[Guest guest]

Wendi posted this in the Family Forum but I thought I would

reproduce is here for everyone.

http://www.ucomics.com/clearbluewater/

A new comic strip appearing in major newspapers everywhere.

Clear Blue Water by Montague-Reyes

Kansas City, Mo. (10/06/2004) — It's been four months since the

introduction of Clear Blue Water, a comic strip about a multiracial

family in the throes of some serious life changes, and already,

cartoonist Montague-Reyes is seeing success at the end of a

long journey that brought the mother of five to national

syndication.

As the number of newspapers the strip appears in grows, Reyes is

readying herself and fans for the introduction of a very personal

element in the story line. A child in the comic strip will soon be

diagnosed with autism, and Reyes' cartoon family will undergo the

same emotions and experiences her own family did when her real-life

son received the same diagnosis.

Already, reader reaction has been strong and positive. " Readers are

writing in, thanking me for discussing autism. So many families are

going through this, " the cartoonist says

Clear Blue Water is currently syndicated in over 75 newspapers

around the country, and the numbers are on the rise. " Clear Blue

Water is on the way to joining a list of other seminal comics whose

first years were exceptionally strong, including Calvin & Hobbes,

For Better or For Worse and The Boondocks, " says Lee Salem, vice

president and editor at Universal Press Syndicate in Kansas City, Mo.

Clear Blue Water follows the family as father Manny embarks

on a new career after his premature midlife crisis and matriarch Eve

juggles motherhood, pregnancy and job-searching. Readers sympathize

with the everyday moments and family issues the ' face with

humor and authenticity. Reyes enlivens her cartoon universe with Eve

and Manny's quick tongues and occasional visits from superheroes,

among them " Easily Offended Man " and " Fluff Boy. "

The strip's appeal originates in its believability, say editors at

Universal Press Syndicate, who were struck by Reyes' writing talent

and honesty. It is, in fact, inspired by Reyes' own life. Like the

family, Reyes, and her husband, Will, have five children, and

the youngest are twins. Will is Cuban, and is of mixed race.

Like Eve, the cartoonist pursues artistic passions including

painting and writing in her spare time.

The current storyline makes it apparent that the little boy in the

comic strip, Seth, has some developmental issues, says Reyes. In the

strip, his pediatrician will refer him to a neurologist who will

make the diagnosis. " I'm trying to be as accurate as possible and as

realistic, " Reyes says of the ' newest challenge. As such,

Reyes will also raise the much-debated topic of the possible links

between vaccinations and autism.

Seth's story does not exactly mirror the path of her real-life son,

but Reyes says there will be some similarities. " This is still going

to be a very funny and happy family. It's just that now, it will be

a funny and happy family with an autistic son, " she says.