Derrick Favors turns to comic books as an escape from basketball

Derrick Favors hasn't needed much escape this season, considering his stellar play. When he does need an escape, however, he's found a unique way to calm himself down.

According to Yahoo! Sports, Favors began his collection because of his uncle -- a longtime graphic novel collector. Favors says he was immediately hooked after his uncle gave him comic books as an incentive to read more often. Today, Favors says he can recite many of his favorites word-for-word because he's read them so often.

"My outlet was going to comic books because it got me out of this world and put me into that world and let me use my imagination," said Favors, in the report. “It helped me out a lot. It helps me get my mind off stuff by just going there, reading comics to get a laugh or use my imagination. I read it and try to visualize that maybe I’m in the comic.”

Favors says he has a 1960 issue reprint of the 1940s "Superman Annual No. 1" comic books. He adds that his favorite character, however, is The Joker from Batman.