Twelve-year-old Cory is a kid of many interests, so when his mother, Kristie De Jong, learned about Stan Lee’s Super Kid contest, she knew it was something he just had to be a part of.

He will compete against 125 kids for the chance to win a cash prize, and, more importantly to him, a trip to the Los Angeles Comic Con.

But Cory’s connection to superheroes isn’t just how cool they are. In fact, it’s their flaws and backstories that draw him in.

Cory has faced bullying since kindergarten, and when he was eight years old, he lost his father to an overdose. Now, he takes inspiration from superheroes in staying kind in the face of adversity.

“Part of the reason I like Peter Parker is because he got bullied and someone in his life died, which is similar to my experience, which is why I like him so much,” he said.

It can be hard to fit in as a 12-year-old with unique interests. His mom describes him as an empathetic kid who doesn’t like to see others struggle. For example, he recently stepped in to stand up for a classmate, even though he knew it would make him a target.

“Despite knowing he was going to get bullied for standing up for this child, he did it regardless, because he knew what it was like to be going through that,” she said.

He also shows his care for others by participating in an event in which participants sleep outside to raise money for unhoused people.

Kristie says homelessness is something that hits close to home for Cory.

“The first time we were homeless is when I was pregnant,” Kristie said.

“It was a three-alarm fire. We didn’t have insurance.”

If Cory wins the contest, he hopes to meet the creator of Gravity Falls. But whether he wins or loses, he wants to remind people of one thing:

“You should always be yourself, even if you get bullied, and try and find a place of comfort,” he said.

Which, for some, can be found in between the pages of comic books.