Comic book nerds, geeks, and politicians assemble at the San Diego Comic-Con. : NPR

SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 20: Cosplay characters dressed as Spiderman, pose for photos alongside fifth Avenue within the Gaslamp Quarter throughout Comedian Con Worldwide in San Diego, California.

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How does the saying go? “Superheros, assemble!” Nicely on Sunday, that call-out goes political lawmakers, too.

“When nerds get collectively, we are able to do a whole lot of good issues,” mentioned Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia of California.

Garcia plans to announce the formation of the Congressional Popular Arts Caucus at Comedian-Con Worldwide in San Diego on Sunday.

When Garcia was sworn into workplace, he did it along with his hand on a uncommon Superman comedian e book that he borrowed from the Library of Congress.

The superhero was an enormous affect in his life, Garcia advised NPR’s A Martinez throughout an interview for Morning Version. The comedian e book sequence helped Garcia study English as younger immigrant and acclimate to the nation.

“As a younger child, I appeared as much as these heroes that you just examine within the comics, and for me it was Superman,” he mentioned. “Additionally an immigrant, additionally from an odd place — had a secret identification. You relate to those issues.”

Garcia mentioned the narratives in comedian books, motion pictures, video video games and different popular arts drive our tradition and nationwide financial system.

“For instance, points round piracy are actually, actually vital,” he mentioned. “We need to ensure that we’re defending the rights of creators. Points round censorship overseas are actually essential for us. And naturally, simply ensuring that we’ve got a ready workforce.”

One the present occasions prone to be mentioned on the panel occasion his weekend is the strike that actors and display screen writers are taking part in over residual funds on streaming content material and the function of synthetic intelligence and artistic rights.

Beneath the strike guidelines, union members belonging to SAG-AFTRA or the Writers Guild of America can’t promote their tasks at press or crimson carpet occasions, so there’s little official promotion at Comedian-Con for upcoming motion pictures like Dune: Half Two or Blue Beetle, experiences NPR’s Mandalit del Barco on NPR’s Weekend Version.