While comic-book-industry news is usually all about characters, creators and circulation, sometimes the real world intrudes. On Jan. 23, DC Entertainment unleashed its superheroes on an actual crisis: hunger in the Horn of Africa.

The "We Can Be Heroes" campaign supports three aid groups working in Africa. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League will be used to raise awareness, not to mention millions of dollars.

According to DC, the Horn countries are suffering their worst drought in more than 60 years. About 13 million Africans need critical assistance, and 250,000 are facing starvation in Somalia alone.

DC's effort will extend to other Time Warner properties, including Warner Bros., Turner Broadcasting, Time and HBO. DC's goal is to raise at least $2 million in the next two years through cash donations, employee matching funds and consumer matching funds, which will be split among Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps.

Advertising on all of the Warner platforms will direct people to the campaign's website (www.wecanbeheroes.org). A video there begins with the seven founding Justice Leaguers in silhouette and segues into quick interviews with ordinary people who have contributed. The point seems to be that they have become an unstoppable force for good by banding together, like the Justice League. How's that for a snappy metaphor?

At the website, you can contribute to the We Can Be Heroes fund, which DC will match 100 percent, up to $1 million in total donations. You also can buy specially branded merchandise -- We Can Be Heroes T-shirts, coffee mugs, that sort of thing -- that will be matched at 50 percent. You also can join an online community and sign up for updates and information on the situation in the Horn and steps the campaign is taking.

Comics have been involved in public service plenty of times before. The number of giveaway comic books featuring superheroes fighting ills such as tooth decay and littering is legion. In the 1970s, Stan Lee famously ignored the draconian Comics Code to publish three anti-drug issues of "Amazing Spider-Man" in answer to a request from the then-Department of Health, Education and Welfare. During World War II, you'd be hard-pressed to find a comic book that didn't urge readers to recycle metal and paper, grow a victory garden or "Keep 'Em Flying!"

But there's never been anything on this scale. We should all salute DC for its compassion and commitment. Oh, and throw a few bucks at 'em for a coffee mug, will ya?