Comic books have long caught the attention of kids with their flashy graphics, snappy dialogue and alternative universes where anyone (even 12-year-olds) can have super-powers.

The 12Comics after school learning program turns that appeal to its advantage by helping students create their own comic, learning a little science, history and geography along the way.

Saturday was graduation day for the program, so students dressed up to show off their creations at the Maplewood Library.

Organizers Mark and Tracy Hair say they believe 12Comics helps enhance kids' reading, writing, oral communication and even their math skills.

The program consists of seven missions: character development, science, civics, history, entrepreneurship, vocabulary and team building. The students incorporate the seven missions into the creation of their comic novels.

The students' enthusiasm for the program was obvious Saturday. As one mom said to the audience, her son has become more confident and proactive as well as being able to develop his entrepreneurial skills while selling his comic books at comics fairs.

Patch photographer Nilsa de la Cruz captured some of the excitement. To see her photo gallery, click on Zoom, on the right.