I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005

Akivo is the superhero Barry, and his friend Jay create for the Acclaim Comics “Create a Superhero” competition. Akivo represents an idealized version of Barry, someone he looks up to and compares himself to: “It was almost like Akivo was his brother. A seven-foot-tall brother with bulging muscles” (4). Akivo is powerful, strong, and fearless, while Barry often feels weak and lacking. When Barry loses the drawing of Akivo in the hurricane floodwaters, it is as if he loses the strength he derives from Akivo as well: “[T]hinking about Akivo had given Barry the feeling [...] that maybe he wasn’t really the scared little kid he saw in the bathroom mirror. [...] Somehow, the bright colors of Barry’s drawing seemed to have gotten inside him” (47). As Barry embarks on his journey of survival during Hurricane Katrina, he begins to discover his own well of “bright colors,” or inner strength, that he did not know existed.

Barry’s experience of survival during Hurricane Katrina shows him the depths of his powers: “Barry thought about what had happened to him [...] He’d felt scared the entire time. But here he was, standing on dry ground. In one piece. He looked up, and there was his bright star. Barry’s star” (86). This quote illustrates an important shift in Barry’s thinking. An important aspect of Akivo’s character is that he derives his superhero powers from a “power star” called Beta Draconis. The star is a symbol of guidance, lending light to one’s path, especially in the dark. At first, when Barry identifies this bright star in the sky, he dubs it “Akivo’s star.” In this quote, after Barry has come to terms with the fact that he acted bravely even in the face of immense fear, Barry claims the star for himself, an acknowledgment of his power.

Along with Barry’s burgeoning sense of his own personal well of strength, he forges strength alongside those around him. This personal development affects the way Barry amends his drawing to Akivo, liking his updated version even more than the original:” Akivo had a sidekick now, a mutt with floppy ears. And he had a guardian angel—a beautiful fairy in a yellow rubber raft” (93). Barry’s new drawing is an acknowledgment of the support he received from Nell in her rescue boat, as well as Cruz’s companionship during the storm, illustrating the idea that even superheroes are better when acting alongside others rather than alone.

Another important amendment to the drawing illustrates Barry’s increased self-esteem: “Barry stared at the picture, and he saw what Mom and Dad meant. Akivo’s face—it did look something like Barry’s [...] Out there in the flood, Barry had discovered some powers of his own” (93). Akivo is no longer an unattainable and aspirational figure, but one whose bravery mirrors Barry’s power that he discovered during the flood. Barry imbues his drawing with his likeness, a contrast to earlier in the text when he desired Akivo’s strength and power to dwell within him.