CEDAR FALLS - Superman flies faster than a speeding bullet. Captain America boasts an indestructible shield. Spider-Man swings from building to building.

Talented folks, indeed. But this week, traditional superheroes took a back seat at local comic book stores.

Their replacements wear business suits, kiss babies and can debate health care policy with the best of 'em.

That's right, Barack Obama and John McCain star in their own cartoon biographies, released last week by IDW Publishing. And even without the help of superpowers, the presidential candidates' stories are selling well in the Cedar Valley.

"A lot of people requested them, so we got them in," said Robert Rodgers, manager at Limited Edition Comics in Cedar Falls. "We had about 100 of each - 100 of Obama, and 100 of McCain - and they all sold out."

The "Presidential Material" books are sold separately, or in a flipbook version, which packages the bios of Obama and McCain together. The publications aren't supported by either political party, and aim to offer readers an unbiased version of the pivotal moments in each man's life.

Scott Dunbier, special projects editor at IDW, suggested the idea of presidential candidate comic book biographies on a lark.

"I just kind of tossed it out there as a joke," he said. "But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense and it seemed like these were people with interesting stories to tell."

Although he hopes voters go beyond the pages of his company's comic book when investigating issues, Dunbier believes that the cartoon bios can help readers become better informed.

"The greatest compliment I can get is for someone to read this book, and decide to dig deeper - to do some more research on the issues that are important to them," he said.

Sales of "Presidential Material" have been swift at The Core, another Cedar Falls comic book store, said owner Mike Blanchard. A few middle school teachers have bought copies of the flipbook for their classes, he noted.

"Both McCain and Obama have very compelling stories," said Blanchard. "Here people can get the facts in an interesting format that is easy for anyone of any age to get into."

The book shows Democrat Obama struggling to find his identity as a multiracial youth, and recounts the time Republican McCain spent as a prisoner of war in Hanoi, North Vietnam. Both the good and the bad is on display in "Presidential Material." Readers revisit Obama's stirring speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention and learn about the senator's drubbing in a 2000 U.S. House of Representatives race. McCain's bipartisan work on campaign finance reform is highlighted, as is the legislator's involvement in the Keating Five ethics scandal.

Pernell Cezar Jr., student body president at the University of Northern Iowa, thinks the comic books are selling well because more people are invested in the presidential race than in years past.

"This is going to be a historical election," said Cezar, who bought one of the flipbooks as a memento. "I don't think people are going to make their decision based on a comic book alone, but just the fact that it's out there shows that people are interested."

Contact Mary Stegmeir

at (319) 291-1482 or

mary.stegmeir@wcfcourier.com.