Michelle Obama’s comic book

When a toy company manufactured two dolls that bore an uncanny likeness to Michelle Obama's two daughters, Malia and Sasha, the First Lady managed to get them withdrawn from the shops. She has no such qualms, however, about a comic book (right) that tells her life story in terms that would make a super-hero blush, and which is to go on sale in the US next month.

The 22-page comic documents the First Lady's journey from a middle-class childhood in Chicago, her university days at Princeton and then the campaign that led her and her husband Barack Obama to the White House.

The $3.99 book is the latest in a 'Female Force' series produced by Bluewater Productions, a Washington-based publisher. It follows successful books on the former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Obama's Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, both of which sold out quickly and are on their second print run.

Clearly Darren Davis, the company's president, is expecting big sales. "I feel like the guy who invented the Furby," referring to the enormously popular toy robot. "The reaction has been insane."

The front cover shows a striking image of Michelle in front of the White House, wearing a tight top with her arms purposefully folded. Anyone looking for a critical view of the 45-year-old First Lady will be disappointed. "We wanted to be respectful to all the women in the series," says Davis. "They've done some really amazing things in their lives." ·