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CNN Sunday Morning

Comic Book Creator Shifts Focus to Missing Children

Aired August 04, 2002 - 07:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: A comic book creator is shifting the focus a bit from his main character to the faces of missing children. Alonso Washington explains his mission to reporter Rena Sarigianopoulos of CNN affiliate WITI in Milwaukee.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALONSO WASHINGTON, COMIC BOOK CREATOR: But these kids are not getting the same type of attention.

RENA SARIGIANOPOULOS, WITI REPORTER (voice-over): You may not recognize Alonso Washington, but he's hoping his notoriety will grab some attention.

WASHINGTON: I have a vehicle to reach children, so now in the comic books we feature missing children.

SARIGIANOPOULOS: Washington is the creator of the "Omega Man" comic book and now the "Omega" trading cards, which also feature missing children. Washington is from Kansas, but has taken an interest in a Milwaukee case.

WASHINGTON: I think Alexis Patterson and all the other kids that I name are worthy and deserve national press. They deserve to be known and to be found.

SARIGIANOPOULOS: Because he says no one else is paying attention.

WASHINGTON: When it comes to missing children, race should not matter. I'm not saying that it does, however the black kids are not getting the same type of press coverage.

SARIGIANOPOULOS: Alonso Washington is fighting to get more national attention for missing African American children, a problem he says has never been worse. Alexis will appear in the next issue of Omega Man, which Washington hopes will focus the eyes of the nation on the 7-year-old Milwaukee girl.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CALLAWAY: That was Rena Sarigianopoulos from Milwaukee affiliate WITI.

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