A La Brava: The First Latina Superhero Universe is coming to SDCC@Home
By Jason Delgado
Writer/creator Kayden Phoenix wants to empower and inspire people with her graphic novels called A La Brava, the first Latina superhero universe. “A big part of my life’s purpose is to give voice to stories as multifaceted, atypical, and diverse as the people we find in the real world,” Phoenix said.
Why is this important you may ask? The answer is diversity of thought and representation. It’s the difference in believing you can be Wonder Woman, as opposed to the age old stereotypical representations. We all need the power of positivity and belief in ourselves to be able to achieve lofty goals like starting our own comic book universe, and that’s so much easier to do when we see ourselves represented in a comic book or on the big screen.
Phoenix’s A La Brava superhero team consists of: Bandita, a gunslinger in modern day New York, Jalisco, a folklorico dancer who uses a blade and culture as weapons, Santa, a tough girl who takes down ICE detention centers, Loquita, a teen detective in a land of the supernatural, and Ruca, a vigilante out for justice. Each of these Latina characters star in their own graphics novels, but will team up, a la the Avengers.
Phoenix’s team of Latina artists includes acclaimed GLAAD and Eisner-nominated illustrator, Eva Cabrera (Santa, Loquita) and newcomer Amanda Julina Gonzalez (Jalisco, Ruca), who is originally from New Mexico and recently graduated from Laguna College of Art and Design in Animation.
Watch long-time San Diego Comic Con attendee and Phoenix studios founder Kayden Phoenix, along with penciller Amanda Julina Gonzalez and clinical psychologist Dr. Drea Letamendi in their SDCC@Home panel: “Abolishing Traditional Ideas of Latinas through Latina Superheroes.” They will discuss how the world “Latina” has evolved, and more, which you can watch here on Friday July 23rd at 5pm.
You can also read previews of the A La Brava graphic novels and learn more at: www.LatinaSuperheroes.com
