Interview with Thomas Silvera, author of ImmuniForce: The Anaphylaxis Strike
A new graphic novel empowers kids with food allergies
I had the pleasure of interviewing Thomas Silvera, author of a brand new graphic novel series, ImmuniForce, which recently launched its first issue, ImmuniForce: The Anaphylaxis Strike. I’ve been inspired by Thomas’s work for many years, as he’s a fierce advocate for food allergies and asthma, following the tragic loss of his young son Elijah due to a severe allergic reaction at a childcare center. Through the Elijah-Alavi Foundation, Thomas has championed groundbreaking legislation for kids with food allergies, and as a creative storyteller, he’s now expanding his mission through the ImmuniForce series. As a storyteller myself, I was eager to dig deeper into his process and how he brought his creative vision to life. Our conversation is below.
About the book: ImmuniForce: The Anaphylaxis Strike is an award-winning children’s graphic novel brings food allergy and asthma awareness to life through engaging storytelling and vibrant superhero action. The story follows a diverse team of young heroes, each with their own unique abilities tied to food allergy and asthma conditions, as they band together to protect their community from the villainous Anaphylaxis and his minions. Set in the city of Allergyville, ImmuniForce educates young readers about the signs of an allergic reaction, the importance of preparedness, and the power of advocacy and teamwork. The book offers both entertainment and life-saving lessons, making it a valuable resource for families, schools, and community organizations. You can buy the book here.
What made you decide to write ImmuniForce?
ImmuniForce was born out of both personal experience and necessity. As a father who lost my son Elijah-Alavi to a preventable allergic reaction and has another son, Sebastin who is neurodivergent and has multiple food allergies, I saw firsthand how isolating and frightening it can be for kids with food allergies and for their families. I wanted to create something empowering that would make kids feel seen, strong, and equipped to face the world, instead of feeling fearful or different. ImmuniForce is my way of giving children the heroes they deserve and honoring Elijah’s legacy by turning tragedy into a tool for change.
Share a bit about your process developing the concept and format. Why did you choose to tell this story as a graphic novel? Why superheroes?
Graphic novels are visually engaging and they reach kids in a way traditional books sometimes can’t. Superheroes have always fascinated me, especially their ability to turn what makes them different into a source of power. I wanted to channel that energy into the world of food allergies, where kids can see themselves as heroes, not as victims. The format allows for vibrant storytelling, diverse representation, and action-packed learning all at once.
As a writer and storyteller myself, I'm always inspired when people can take their vision over the finish line. Can you give us a look into your writing, design, and publishing process?
My process combined a lot of personal reflection, research, and collaboration. I began by sketching out ideas and storylines, then partnered with a talented friend who helped transform those early sketches into the vibrant illustrations you see in the book today. Throughout the process, I made sure the needs and experiences of kids with allergies remained at the heart of every decision. I also worked closely with a friend who is an artist and focus group readers to make sure both the visuals and the story felt real and relatable. Publishing independently gave me the freedom to shape every detail, but it also meant taking on many roles, from writing and editing to marketing and distribution. The journey has been intense, but seeing the positive impact ImmuniForce is having on families and kids makes every challenge worth it.
I particularly liked how each superhero character had a distinct personality based around his or her allergy, and each villain had distinct characteristics related to their allergic or sensitivity triggering ability. Can you share about your creative process for building out character traits based on specific allergens? Did your personal experience with particular allergens or sensitivities factor into your character design?
Absolutely. Each character is inspired by real-life experiences, my own, my children’s, and stories shared by others in the community. I wanted each hero and villain to represent a specific allergy or trigger, highlighting both the challenges and the unique strengths that come with living with allergies. My personal allergies to nuts and shellfish, my son’s allergies, and our day-to-day realities all played a big role in shaping these characters.
I've written before about how my allergies have given me superpowers -- like extreme attention to detail, lots of resilience, and more physical things, like being able to hold a conversation while scanning a room and tracking where allergens are and who is touching what with what cross contact allergens. I really loved that you chose superheroes as your way "in" to this world of food allergies. What do you think some superpowers kids -- and adults! -- with food allergies have? What superpowers do family members of people with food allergies have?
Kids with food allergies develop incredible superpowers: hyper-awareness, resilience, courage, and the ability to advocate for themselves and others. They’re always scanning their environment, managing risk, and making tough decisions, skills that go far beyond the allergy world. Family members become experts in empathy, preparedness, and advocacy. Our entire community is stronger, more compassionate, and more vigilant because of these lived experiences.
The food allergy community is buzzing about your book. I think it gives kids with food allergies the opportunity to see themselves as empowered to face the world around them. What other messages do you hope kids with food allergies gain from reading this book?
I want kids to feel empowered, not limited. I hope they see that their voices matter, that they have allies, and that they can be the heroes of their own stories. It’s also about building confidence to speak up, ask questions, and never feel ashamed of their needs or differences. Most of all, I want them to feel hope.
Who else should read this book? What do you hope audiences outside of the food allergy community will learn from the book?
ImmuniForce is for everyone — parents, teachers, classmates, and anyone who wants to understand and support those living with food allergies. My hope is that it fosters empathy, awareness, and a sense of responsibility to make the world safer and more inclusive. Understanding leads to action and action saves lives.
A lot of your work honors the memory of your son, Elijah-Alavi, and you dedicated the book so beautifully to him and his brother, Sebastin. Can you share more about your motivation to advocate for the food allergy community, and specifically kids with food allergies? How does ImmuniForce factor in to your larger advocacy work?
Elijah’s story is at the heart of everything I do. Advocacy became my purpose after losing him and ImmuniForce is one way I turn that pain into action. The book is a tool for education, awareness, and empowerment, part of a much larger mission through the Elijah-Alavi Foundation to create systemic change, push for better laws, and support families so that no other child is lost to a preventable reaction.
In your bio at the end of the book, you share that you grew up managing asthma and food allergies. We both grew up at a time where there were so few resources and so little community available for people with allergies. What was it like for you growing up with these conditions, and what changes have you seen for the next generation? There's still a long way to go, too -- what are your hopes for the future of food allergies?
Growing up, resources and understanding were almost nonexistent. It was isolating and at times, dangerous. Today, there’s more awareness, support, and community, but there’s still a long way to go. My hope for the future is that every child can feel safe and included, that schools and public spaces are truly allergy-aware, and that we keep pushing for research, access, and policy changes to improve quality of life.
As a new mom, I'm navigating my own relationship to my food allergies now that I have a child -- who at the moment, doesn't have food allergies, but exposes me to allergens. How did your relationship with your allergies change once you became a parent, and especially a parent to children with food allergies?
Becoming a parent made everything more urgent. It wasn’t just about managing my own health anymore, but protecting my kids and advocating for them. I became much more proactive, informed, and vocal. The responsibility is enormous, but it also fueled my drive to create change, not just for my own children but for all families facing these challenges.
I've shared some of the Elijah-Alavi Foundation's work in this newsletter before, but can you refresh our readers on your major initiatives? How can people support this work?
The Elijah-Alavi Foundation focuses on food allergy and asthma education, legislative advocacy, emergency preparedness, and providing resources to all communities. We work to pass life-saving laws like Elijah’s Law, deliver training in schools and childcare centers, and support families directly. People can support us by donating, volunteering, spreading awareness, or simply sharing our story. Every bit helps us reach more lives.
What can we expect next in the world of ImmuniForce?
ImmuniForce is just getting started. We’re working on expanding the series with more characters, deeper stories, and new adventures. There’s a second graphic novel in the works and new allergy villains. We’re also exploring educational resources, school partnerships, and even some fun merchandise to keep empowering and connecting with the community. The mission continues and I’m excited for what’s ahead.
About the author: Thomas Silvera is a dedicated food allergy and asthma advocate, currently obtaining his doctoral degree in health sciences, author, and co-founder of the Elijah-Alavi Foundation. After the tragic loss of his young son Elijah due to a severe allergic reaction at a childcare center, Thomas and his ex-wife , Dina turned their grief into action. He has become a nationally recognized voice for food allergy safety, driving legislative change, developing educational initiatives, and building partnerships to protect children in schools and childcare settings. Through his work, Thomas is committed to ensuring that no family endures the heartbreak of a preventable tragedy.
It's great to see a book like this being written! I've read research before about how the few kids' books that do exist about food allergies tend to follow the same formula that ends up leaving out a lot of kids' experiences, so it's really nice to see something like this.