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Marvel Unleashes A New Superhero Who Happens To Be A Genius Black Pre-teen Girl

Marvel Unleashes A New Superhero Who Happens To Be A Genius Black Preteen Girl

There’s a new comic book superhero in town, and she’s not your average cape-donning, bullet-dodging, mask-wearing white guy. The star of “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur”—government name, Lunella Lafayette—is a black preteen girl who also happens to be a genius. When we meet her, the somewhat lonely student has partnered with “Devil Dinosaur” a tyrannosaurus rex who was originally featured beside “Moon-Boy” in a short-run series back in 1978. The new series will explore their oddball friendship in modern-day New York City, while showcasing Moon Girl’s badass skills—she’s described as an Inspector Gadget-type who actually knows what she is doing. 

Marvel Unleashes A New Superhero Who Happens To Be A Genius Black Preteen Girl

“Something that’s hallmark of a Marvel Hero is that they’re gifted with a power they may see as a curse. Their hero’s journey is to discover how to use it to help others,” editor Mark Paniccia toldEntertainment Weekly. “Lunella is a little genius with grand plans on going to big schools, but she’s got an Inhuman gene, unpredictable alien DNA inside that—once triggered—could take her life in a wildly different direction. She’s determined to control that change. I think that speaks to struggles we all experience as kids and will make her story resonate with young and older readers alike.”

The comic book will be penned by Brandon Montclare and Amy Reeder. Reeder will also create the cover art, while artist Natacha Bustos will do interiors. Bustos, who is Afro-Brazilian, Chilean and Spanish, feels a deep connection to the character: 

It’s really important that the mainstream throws up new references like these and it’s an honor to be a part of that change that Marvel is bringing to the comic book creative landscape. A greater number of readers are looking for characters they can identify with, and above all, with the aim that any reader, whatever their background or lifestyle, is capable of transcending their own identities to see themselves in a mirror of entertainment for 20 or 30 minutes without any difference.

I also feel a great responsibility, as I’m sure Amy and Brandon do…it’s great to be a part of the creation of something which can mean something special to so many people.

The first issue of “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” will be released in November.

 

Source:  Colorlines

Source:   Kenrya Rankin Naasel

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