Founder Shawn Andrews is a life-long learner, comics fan, otaku, and video-game expert. Batman, ’90s alt-rock, and pizza strips powered childhood adventures at the Boys & Girls Club and Fox Point Library. PBS’ Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? and Wishbone propelled a love of knowledge and reading — and ADHD meant being up early enough to catch the anime dubs. In 2020 he began working with other nerds to give back to the community with comics, and in 2024 he formed Heroes Read.
Kids can’t read
Nationwide, child literacy is in crisis. A few numbers to consider:
- 40% of U.S. 4th graders read below the NAEP “Basic” level — the highest share since 2002. A child below basic likely can’t explain why a character acted the way they did.
- 33% of 8th graders read below basic — the largest percentage ever recorded.
- National reading scores dropped 5 points from pre-pandemic (2019) levels, with the steepest declines among the lowest-performing students.
Our Mission
Heroes Read harnesses the power of the popular arts to create a love of reading and improve literacy outcomes in under-resourced communities.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every child has access to stories that reflect who they are, where comics and pop culture are gateways to learning, and where everyday heroes spark joy, confidence, and a lifelong love of reading.
The next chapter is yours
We need all the support we can get to reverse this crisis. If you can bring your time, talent, or treasure to our mission, join our party below.
Join the mission