The world is full of fantasy and superheroes with all kinds of superpowers. But one of the most important superpowers could be to turn a weakness into a strength. That's exactly what the Bionicman's job is. Alethea Magazine met the man behind Bionicman, Michel Fornasier, founder of the Give CHILDREN a Hand Foundation, who was in the middle of a shooting, but had time to answer some questions. 

Born in Switzerland, Fornasier created the superhero Bionicman and gained international fame. It was a long road to get there. Michel Fornasier was born without a right hand and hid this fact for 35 years. He embarked on a career in the financial world and with various non-profit organisations and became very successful. It was not until he was an adult that he was able to make peace with himself and his physical impairment and realised that this self-acceptance made him feel much better. 

Today, Bionicman visits schools and sports camps because tolerance and respect for diversity should start with children. Michel Fornaiser and David Boller, who drew the first 3 volumes of the comic book Bionicman, have a clear idea of how their superhero characters should be. Non-violent, helpful and always have an encouraging line ready. 

What is the role of Bionicman? Bionicman sensitises children to tolerance, acceptance and more humanity. His mission is to transform supposed weaknesses into superpowers. A message that also applies to adults. 

July, 15 2022

Interview Directory 

LEADER

Name: Michel Fornasier

Occupation: Entrepreneur, activist, superhero

Mission: To transform supposed weaknesses into superpowers.

"One of the most important superpowers could be to turn a weakness into a strength."

How did you come up with the idea of your hero character?

The children were the inspiration. I have been wearing a bionic prosthetic hand for 5 years. The children often asked me if it also had superpowers. At first I answered in the negative, and the children were disappointed. Then I decided to answer with: "It could well be possible". They happily ran to their parents and said that when they grew up, they would also like to have such a magic hand. 

My good friend David Boller drew for DC Comics and Marvel in the USA for a long time. After Wonder Woman, Batman, Iron Man and the like, we decided to create a superhero and superheroine with a handicap. Like Bionicman, Bionica also exists in real life. Her real name is Romina Manser from Winterthur. Romina was born without a left hand. The missing hand of the two superhero characters is emblematic of all the peculiarities like a big nose, protruding ears, gaps in the teeth, everything that makes us different and special at the end of the day. 

How were you able to turn your weakness into your superpower?


A missing hand is not a serious handicap but a very visible one. The whispering in the swimming pool was particularly unpleasant. So I withdrew more and more and preferred to hide the stump of my arm rather than show it in public. At some point I got tired of constantly hiding my arm behind my back or in my jacket pocket. I said to myself, this is just part of you. I am no better or worse than anyone else because of it.

"The School for Good and Evil" ©Soman Chainani

"All of us have superpowers, two of which are respect and self-acceptance."

The world is full of heroes and fantasy figures. What qualities does a hero need to have in order to make a difference in our world?

Everyone can answer this question, because there is a superhero in everyone. All of us have superpowers, two of which are respect and self-acceptance. These qualities are contagious and can easily be carried into the world and motivate and inspire a society. The adventures of Bionicman and his friends have been captured in three comic books. All the characters exist both as comic book characters and in real life. 

On the subject of bullying, do you think enough attention is paid to this issue and what more do you think can be done?

Things have changed in the last few years. Bullying and discrimination are no longer taboo, but people talk about it openly. Dialogue is an important step in the right direction. 

"People are like flowers; unique and special. It is diversity that makes a bouquet colourful."

Can you tell us about a particularly emotional event?

Standing in front of a class as a Bionicman is a magical moment. The other day at school, a girl came up to me and pointed to her hearing aid. Proudly she said, "Look Bionicman, I have a super power too." A boy with a birthmark stepped in front of the class and announced, "That makes me special." Or a girl in a wheelchair told me that when she read our comics she forgot about her wheelchair. In her imagination she could fly like Bionica.
 People are like flowers; unique and special. It is diversity that makes a bouquet colourful.

What have you been able to achieve since you became the Bionicman?

I have been touring Switzerland and nearby countries as the Bionicman for 4 years. When I ask the children on the "Rise & Be Nice" tour about their superpowers, more and more boys and girls want the superpower of turning a weakness into a strength. It makes you realise what you can do together and with a positive attitude.

Can you tell me your message for affected people?

Most of us have faced discrimination and bullying in our lives. For us, it's about giving a helping hand, building a bridge between people with and without impairments and breaking down fears of contact.

What are your plans or upcoming collaborations?

An animated film is at the top of the list. In addition, the new Bionicman comic book with the Bionics - a time-travelling pirate cat, the flying super-dog Biog and of course Bionica and Bionicman and many other surprises - will be published in 2023. For the fourth comic book, we can count on the support of two illustrator friends from Marvel, various street art artists, manga illustrators and many more.

A ("Piece of Art") work of art full of exciting adventures and humanity, where inclusion, friendship and respect for diversity is guaranteed.

More information at www.bionicman.ch

The interview was conducted by C. Mauer

15 July 2022 

"Magic begins where bullying ends" ©Michel Fornasier

"Magic begins where bullying ends" ©Michel Fornasier