In The Spectator, comic writer Mark Millar penned an article about why he’s sending a copy of his new Image Comics series MPH to Senators in Washington, DC. Through his love of comics, and his travels from working in the industry, Millar has come to love America and Americana. One trip though profoundly affected him. That’d be a stop in Detroit, Michigan.

As the writer points out, in 50 years, this city that once boasted some of the highest average standards of living, and was a manufacturing powerhouse, had become a city that needed to file for bankruptcy. A crumbling city, with abandoned buildings, and neighborhoods, where it has been easier to demolish and consolidate, than it is to rebuild and grow. Detroit is hurting. But, this issue isn’t unique to Detroit, it’s just a prime example of this serious issue.

Millar points out that Superman came out of a similar world, that of the Depression.

Superman came out of the last Great Depression and the Marvel heroes were created in the heat of the Cold War, so I wanted my latest superhero book to be reflective of the world unfolding around us now. We live in a period when the gap between rich and poor has never been wider and I wanted to tell a story about that power-balance being flipped around.

Millar’s latest series focuses on four teenagers from Detroit who come across a drug that give them super speed. Millar is doing his version of empowering the underclass. His “heroes” will be focusing on the individuals that lead to situations like Detroit, bankers, corporations, and crooked politicians. His new series is about very real poverty.

Millar in his article is calling for writers of all entertainment to think about these real world issues. That instead of having a make believe city like Gotham, Metropolis, or Asgard, instead have heroes set in our world. Instead of fighting crazy characters with powers, have the heroes deal with real world villains who are slowing selling our country, and the world down the river.

To remind elected officials of their responsibility, Millar has announced he’s sending a copy of MPH #1 to President Obama and every Senator in Washington, DC, and he plans to do the same when the comic hits the big screen. He’s hoping this escapism might remind our politicians they’re supposed to be looking out for those who go unnoticed.

This isn’t shocking for Millar as the comic writer studied politics and economics at university, and has been active in Scottish politics.

This is the second high profile comic series to wind up in the hands of politicians. Top Shelf partnering with comiXology, sent a copy of the first volume of Congressman Lewis’ graphic novel biography March to every member of Congress.