JALISCO, the Mexican Latina Superhero
A blade-wielding folklorico dancer that uses her culture as her weapon.
The LATINA GANG
KAYDEN PHOENIX - The Creator/Writer
Kayden Phoenix is a third generation Chicana from East LA. When she was thinking of a superhero to create, she reached into her past. Who was my hero growing up?
"My Mom."
What did my Mom do?
"She danced folklorico."
So she created a superhero that dances folklorico.
Why Jalisco?
Because my grandma was born there. Right outside of Guadalajara.
AMANDA JULINA GONZALEZ - The Penciller
Amanda Julina Gonzalez is an uprooted New Mexican who recently graduated from Laguna College of Art and Design in Animation.
She draws inspiration from her Albuquerque upbringing and her family, who got her hooked on dancing flamenco and tango from a young age; she started learning folklorico after moving to California. Naturally, as soon as she heard about Jalisco she jumped onboard!
Amanda is currently producing her thesis film, Tongue-Tied, a short about being a non-Spanish-speaking Mexican-American.
HANNAH DIAZ - The Inker
Hannah Diaz is a biracial Xicana artist from Southern California.
While attending Cal State University Fullerton for Illustration and Animation, she was drawn to stories that featured experiences like her own, so when a friend showed her Jalisco, she reached out right away.
Hannah works freelance and attends conventions throughout the year selling artwork and meeting other artists.
MIRELLE ORTEGA - The Colorist
Mirelle Ortega is an illustrator and concept artist from Veracruz, Mexico.
She danced folklorico in her youth and since then has had a fascination with all the different folklore outfits in Mexico. She enjoys creating work with vibrant colors and bold shapes.
GLORIA FELIX - The Colorist
Gloria Felix is a Mexican visual development artist and illustrator based in San Francisco.
Born and raised in Michoacan, the strong women in her family and her home state are some her biggest inspirations when it comes to creating art.
In 2009, she moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco to get a BFA in 3D animation and digital art from Tecnológico de Monterrey and is currently working towards her MFA in visual development at the Academy of Art.
ADDY RIVERA SONDA - The Colorist
Addy Rivera Sonda is an illustrator born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico. Her hometown had a farmer's market (full of people, fruits, flowers and colors) and her house was full of books. Both daily life and books continue to be great inspirations for her.
She has loved creating characters and worlds on paper ever since she was a little girl, as everything was always possible there. Drawing was her magic power!
Since she was a little girl, she danced folklorico at the local dance academy, getting to wear the traditional clothing from different Mexican regions was a feast of color, texture, and history.
She felt intrigued and amazed at the music; each song told a magical story. Dancing or just listening to folklorico music makes her feel very proud of being part of a culture that celebrates life, hard work, and finds magic in daily life’s details.
SANDRA ROMERO - The Letterist
Sandra Romero is a first generation Mexican-American graphic designer based in Southern California.
Growing up, she was drawn to powerful female role models in cartoons and media. Sandra values her relationship and friendship with her mother.
Following her mother's advice, she pursued higher education to be able to work on art, graphics, and work on projects with female leads for other little girls.
The CAUSE
JALISCO, the Graphic Novel
Her origin story is simple. Jalisco's a humble girl that lives on the outskirts of Guadalajara. Her mom takes her to the park to cheer her up with folklorico dance, and out of nowhere- Jalisco's mom disappears.
Jalisco goes to the cops, who brush her away. She goes home in hopes that her mom is there, but she's not. Jalisco ends up going to the bar to ask for help- anyone's help.
Again, everyone snubs her. So Jalisco sets off on her own to find her mom. Luckily for her she gets saved by a band of Adelitas. They all know the fate of her mom but can't tell her about the rampant femicide.
Instead Adella, the matriarch of the Adelitas, says she'll train her so she can learn to protect herself. Jalisco says she just wants to find her mom. Adella tells her about Malinche, the traitor to our gender and the leader of the femicides.
And the story continues...
The REALITY
The disappearance of females across the Western Hemisphere is astronomical. From the Natives in Canada and the US, the Boriquas in Puerto Rico, and all the females in Mexico, notably the "Women of Juarez".
Mexico's femicide has grown since the 90's. The UN even stepped in to push the Mexican government to stop the misogynistic murders, but the failure of law enforcement to investigate has continued. As well as the alarmingly high death toll.
In Mexico, NINE women are found mutilated and killed each day.
