“Ipsum thrives on carbon and greenhouse gases, so he will always come back until we change the energy we use to clean, renewable power” — Gaia, Climate Keepers: Agents of Project Zero, n. pag.
| Online Access | Download a free PDF of this comic in English or Spanish from PGE Project Zero |
| Creator(s) | Nadia Shaik (writer), Caitlin Like (illustrator), Tyler Smith (letters), and Jimmy Betancourt (letters) |
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
| Publication Date | 2022 |
| Genre | Fiction, Science Fiction |
| Environmental Themes and Issues | Climate Change, Environmental Activism, Fossil Fuels, Pollution, Renewable Energy, Sustainability |
| Protagonist’s Identity | Van (deaf white boy); Ignatius (brown-skinned boy); Rowan (white girl); Ailani (white girl); Mira (brown-skinned girl) |
| Protagonist’s Level of Environmental Agency | Level 3: High Environmental Agency |
| Target Audience | Children; Middle Grade |
| Settings | Fictional city of Metro Marina |
Environmental Themes
Climate Keepers: Agents of Project Zero is a 16-page comic created by Portland General Electric. The comic stars the Climate Keepers, a group of five young heroes who defend the fictional city of Metro Marina from environmental threats. The story begins with Ipsum, the personification of carbon pollution, invading the city to consume fossil fuel emissions. Ipsum grows more powerful as he drinks the copious amounts of smog spilling from the city’s smokestacks. As his power grows, the air grows more polluted and the temperature rises dangerously.
The Climate Keepers notice these changes when a noxious cloud of pollution interrupts their concert. They receive a summons from Gaia, an intergalactic alien who defends the planet. Gaia informs them that the city’s harmful environmental actions have caused Ipsum to invade. She says, “Ipsum thrives on carbon and greenhouse gases, so he will always come back until we change the energy we use to clean, renewable power. Until we do that he can’t be defeated but he can be weakened” (Shaik et al., n. pag.). Mira, one of the Climate Keepers, has created a way to fight back: a vacuum that converts carbon into clean, friendly “Nebulae” creatures. The Climate Keepers use this tool to take away Ipsum’s power and drive him out of the city.
Climate Keepers: Agents of Project Zero can spark discussions about climate change, pollution, fossil fuels, and sustainability. The comic shows the young heroes creating a solution to the problem and advocating for renewable energy sources.
Paratexts
The comic includes a crossword puzzle and word search with environmental terms.
Additional Resources
“Teacher’s Guide: Grades 4-6.” https://pgeclimatekeepers.com/teachers-guide-4-6/.
“Teacher’s Guide: Grades 7-8.” https://pgeclimatekeepers.com/teachers-guide-7-8/.
