Comic Books

Meet Marvel’s new Nazi-punching queer superhero taking on the world

Mar 22 2017
Written by Josh Jackman

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Marvel has launched a kick-ass LGBT superhero to lead her own comic book – and fans are applauding the move.

America Chavez, a queer Latina teenager with lesbian parents, debuted in comic books in 2011, but with the character winning rave reviews as part of a group, she has taken the spotlight for herself.

The comic, called America, debuted earlier this month, prompting an outpouring of support from readers who were overjoyed to finally see an LGBT Latina superhero lead her own comic.

Meet Marvel’s new Nazi-punching queer superhero taking on the world

Writer Gabby Rivera, herself a queer Latina, said Chavez is “a foxy, badass, hard femme Latina who dates women and punches into other dimensions.”

Speaking to The Huffington Post, they added: “She’s also strong like, ‘could probably win in a fight with The Rock’ kind of strong.

“But they’d probably never fight each other because The Rock isn’t like that, and they’d just end up being best friends.”

Rivera’s covers have so far taken inspiration from Beyoncé and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is also of Puerto Rican descent.

Rivera said that when they were discussing potential covers with illustrator Joe Quinones, they “kicked around so many iconic images, from the Beatles to Celia Cruz.

Meet Marvel’s new Nazi-punching queer superhero taking on the world

“We discussed folks who have tremendous impact on American culture while also existing at the intersection of many identities.”

And Rivera said fans could look forward to more diversity as the comic develops, promising: “America Chavez will not be the only character in the book with an intersecting identity.

“She will not be the sole representation of queer people and women and Latinas.

Meet Marvel’s new Nazi-punching queer superhero taking on the world

“There will be communities of folks all around her testing their superpowers and finding strength within themselves. We’ve been very intentional with reflecting different body types and gender presentations.

“Our characters are black, Afro-Latinx, Asian, mixed and everything in between – like, literally running the gamut of melanin, you know?”

Above all though, Rivera, who also wrote the young adult queer novel Juliet Takes a Breath, wants their audience to “have fun.

“We’re developing something wild and exciting with America’s story, and I want readers to lose themselves in it.”

It’s safe to say fans are following Rivera’s wishes.

THIS IS A WAY TO END A COMIC HOLY SHIT #americachavez GO TF OFF pic.twitter.com/PgMthv1tNP

— A (@23piecesofpizza) March 16, 2017

So I almost cried because I’m reading America #MakeMineChavez and she has moms like me!! Thank you @QuirkyRican pic.twitter.com/YDJcI3ZXck

— Nelini Stamp (@NelStamp) March 20, 2017