The Show on KJZZ

Listen live weekdays at 9 a.m.

Writer Kayden Phoenix didn't see any Latinas in superhero movies. So she created her own universe

By Mark Brodie
Published: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 - 12:02pm
Updated: Monday, October 10, 2022 - 1:39pm

Audio icon Download mp3 (12.11 MB)

Kayden Phoenix
Kayden Phoenix
Kayden Phoenix

Over the past several years, we’ve seen the global film industry work to diversify its comic book superheroes — except, it seems, when it comes to a Latina superhero.

Until recently, minorities have been underrepresented in the comic book world, and the burden to create these characters and their narratives has often fallen to smaller, independent producers of comics and graphic novels.

Kayden Phoenix is not just occupying that space — she is blowing it up.

Within the last couple of years, she, along with a team of Latina artists and writers, has created a universe of Latina superheroes portrayed in graphic novel form. The first five books provide their origin stories, while the sixth, due out this summer, will bring them all together on a super team, known as "A La Brava."

And these superheroes aren’t just fighting fictitious villains — they’re taking on human traffickers, femicide and the mistreatment of migrants.

The Show spoke with Phoenix recently and asked what drew her into the world of superheroes.

A La Brava team characters
Kayden Phoenix
Kayden Phoenix, along with a team of Latina artists and writers, has created a universe of Latina superheroes. The first five graphic novels provide their origin stories, and the sixth brings them all together on the A La Brava team.

More Stories From KJZZ