San Diego Comic-Con 2023 witnessed a triumphant return as Kayden Phoenix, a Chicana Writer and Director from Boyle Heights, California, unveiled her new universe of Native and Latina princesses, titled The Majestics. Building upon the groundbreaking success of her previous work, the first-ever Latina superhero team in comic book history, A La Brava, Phoenix, is committed to using her unique storytelling to empower and represent underrepresented communities in the world of comics. In our interview with Kayden, she shares her journey into the world of comics, her passion for diverse representation, and the empowering adventures of The Majestics.
Phoenix has long been an advocate for diversity both in front and behind the camera, aiming to give voice to untold stories and challenge industry-standard character generalizations. She founded the non-profit Chicana Director’s Initiative, whose mission is “to create a solid foundation of Latina Directors and Latina DPs and successfully immerse the members into sustainable careers in the entertainment industry with fair representation and equal pay.” Throughout the interview, Phoenix’s passion for storytelling and representation shines through. Her dedication to giving voice to underrepresented communities and showcasing multifaceted characters is evident in her work. Through her creations, Phoenix not only seeks to entertain but also to inspire and empower those who have been overlooked in mainstream media.
Kayden Phoenix’s journey into the comic book space was an unexpected but powerful one. As a screenwriter, she received numerous requests to adapt her feature-length screenplay into comic books. Intrigued by the idea, she delved into the world of comics, leading her to create A La Brava, an outstanding Latina superhero team. This success fueled her desire to keep pushing the boundaries of diversity in storytelling.
Kayden’s previous success with A La Brava, the first Latina superhero team, laid the foundation for her latest project, The Majestics. A La Brava delves into darker themes and injustices, while The Majestics centers around empowering princess adventures. Kayden’s intention was to create new roles for princesses, showcasing modern and independent characters. “They get told riddles, and they have to solve it using their smarts because they don’t fight because they’re not superheroes. But it’s this new type of princess, a more modern princess,” she reveals. Inspired by her childhood experiences and the desire to create strong female characters who stand up for themselves, Phoenix is eager to provide young readers with an alternative portrayal of princesses and women in general. “I just wanted something to show the younger generations that, yes, of course, you can do it. You can go on adventures as well,” Phoenix expressed during the interview.
Reflecting on her commitment to diversity in storytelling, Phoenix shares that she writes what she knows, drawing from her own experiences and the lives of those around her. The lack of diverse representations in comics actually serves as an advantage, as it enables her to craft fresh and impactful narratives without feeling bound by existing conventions. As a Latina creator, Kayden emphasizes the importance of diverse representation in comics. She recounts how she, too, grew up watching Disney princess movies but sought to create characters that didn’t rely on princes to save them. “We’ve had comics since 1939, and where’s our Latina superhero team?… It’s just like, why don’t you care for us? You know, the majority of California, obviously, but we are, you know, this is still our land at the end of the day,” she passionately asserts.
Kayden’s commitment to authenticity is evident in her collaboration with Latina artists. Eva Cabrera and Fer Lozada, among others, bring their unique styles to her comics. From Eva Cabrera’s anime and manga-inspired art to Fer Lozada s kid-friendly and cute style, Kayden ensures her characters and visuals resonate with readers. The creative team behind The Majestics, including 2D animator Fer Lozada and newcomer Fanny Arteaga, brings fresh and diverse perspectives to the visual storytelling. Phoenix’s collaboration with these talented Latina artists adds depth and authenticity to the character portrayals.
As the interview concluded, Phoenix expressed her hope for The Majestics to expand beyond the comic book realm. Her ultimate goal is to see her creations animated, providing even greater visibility and inspiration for Latinx and Native American communities. Reflecting on her journey, Phoenix offers a message to aspiring creators. Kayden’s message is simple yet powerful. “Just go ahead and do it,” she encourages. She advises research and understanding the best content in their chosen field to reach their desired level of storytelling. Urging them to research and understand the world they wish to explore creatively. By staying true to their own experiences and backgrounds, they can create compelling stories that resonate with readers.
Kayden Phoenix’s presence at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 represents a significant step forward in diverse representation in comics. Phoenix’s groundbreaking work in The Majestics and A La Brava adds not only much-needed diversity to the comic book landscape but also empowers young readers with positive and multifaceted role models. Her dedication to creating impactful stories with authentic characters is an inspiration to creators and fans alike. As she continues her mission to give voice to stories that reflect the diverse world we live in, Kayden’s work in The Majestics and beyond will undoubtedly pave the way for future generations of storytellers.
