A Hero Like No One You've Seen Before
What does a superhero look like? For most of comics history, the answer has been the same: tall, able-bodied, and built like a Greek statue. At Disabled Comics, we asked a different question — what if the hero looked like us?
That question gave birth to Alec Gutierrez, the heart and soul of the Whirl Wheel comic series.
Who Is Alec Gutierrez?
Alec is a young man living with Spina Bifida, a neural tube condition he was born with that affects his mobility. He uses a wheelchair — not as a symbol of limitation, but as a launchpad. Alec is sharp, resourceful, fiercely loyal to his community, and, oh yes — he's a superhero.
His alter ego, Whirl Wheel, channels his chair into something extraordinary. His powers aren't despite his disability — they're intertwined with it. The wheelchair isn't a plot device to be overcome. It's part of who he is, and part of what makes him powerful.
The Creator Story
Whirl Wheel didn't emerge from a boardroom or a franchise meeting. He came from a deeply personal place — a desire to see disabled people represented not as sidekicks, not as inspiration porn, but as full, complex, capable protagonists.
Too often, disability in media is treated as a tragedy to be fixed or a burden to be overcome. Disabled Comics was created to flip that narrative. Alec's story isn't about "overcoming" his Spina Bifida. It's about a young man who is whole exactly as he is — and who happens to save the day.
Why Alec Matters
Representation isn't just feel-good politics — it's lifesaving storytelling. When a disabled kid picks up a Whirl Wheel comic and sees Alec rolling into action, something shifts. They see themselves as the hero. Not the sidekick. Not the lesson. The hero.
That's the mission of Disabled Comics, and Alec Gutierrez is how we live it out, panel by panel.
What's Coming Next
We're just getting started. Stay tuned to this blog for behind-the-scenes looks at the creation of Whirl Wheel, deep dives into disability representation in comics, and updates on new issues and events.
Welcome to Disabled Comics. Alec's been waiting to meet you.