VANDER PLAATS CAST AS COMIC BOOK VILLAIN

A liberal advocacy group released an anti-bullying comic book Monday that casts an Iowa conservative leader as the leading bully. The comic book, Mighty Moxy, tells the story of Maya Windsor who is bullied at school because she has two moms until she realizes she has a super power to stand up “to the Bulls” and rallies her school to stand up against bullying. The “Bulls” ringleader is Bull Von Ploots, based on Bob Vander Plaats, president of the conservative organization Family Leader, according to a Progress Iowa release. Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa, said conservatives like Vander Plaats “use their influence to marginalize the people they don't agree with.” He said the comic book spreads the message that people can stand up to bullies in the classroom and in the political world. The comic book will be presented Tuesday during the Governors Conference on LGBTQ youth.