New York Comic Con 2014: Latina Lawyer-Turned-Comic Book and Web Series Creator Shares Inspiration for Campy, Comedic-Drama "Justice Woman"
Let's face it: Latinas kick butt.
They are strong, smart, multi-taskers, nurturers and have a zest for life, plus they make for powerful superheroes on a mission for the greater good.
Inspired by superheroes, such as Wonder Woman, Batman and Robin since her childhood, LA-born, Bronx-raised Latina Vanessa Verduga, who appeared on a panel called "Women of Color" at New York Comic-Con 2014, shared her enthusiasm for her campy, comedy-drama comic book and web series, "Justice Woman," as well as her pride for Hispanic Heritage Month with Latin Post.
"I grew up in the Bronx and coming from a Latin household, we were always encouraged to pursue education to improve ourselves and to better ourselves, and I was always enamored with superheroes. I wanted to be Wonder Woman and I wanted to be an actress and all of these other things. My mom was always like, 'Get you head out of the clouds,' like every good Latina mother," Verduga told Latin Post.
"So I had to pursue other things, but I always felt like I had a superhero inside me that was very much an influence of my mom."
Aside from being a lawyer, actress, singer, writer and a producer, Verduga wasn't complete without tapping into her love for comic books and superheroes.
"I decided to create 'Justice Woman' because the stories were percolating in my head," she said. Plus, she wanted to share her sense of humor and all-embracing nature with the world by incorporating her "cross-dressing sidekick, 'Roberta'" to round out her adventures.
What is "Justice Woman" about?
"Justice Woman is a comedy-drama series that follows the story of Sofía Escala, a spunky Assistant District Attorney, who is determined to fight injustices within the legal system and the fiasco that she and her office mate, Robert Gallion, get into as a result thereof," according to her official website.
"A campy series that pays homage to superheroes of yesteryear with an engaging story line that involves Sofía bringing to light questionable practices in the prosecution of the city's cases, most notably the incarceration of an innocent migrant worker, Jesus Lopez, and her quest to prove his innocence with the help of Robert and a few more friends she encounters on her journey along the road to justice."
Verduga, who writes and produces "Justice Woman", is also the lead character in the popular web series she created and launched in 2012. The show has reportedly earned positive reviews by NBC Latino and its first three 10-minute episodes have garnered over 1 million views on its dedicated YouTube channel.
A graduate of both the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and Seton Hall University of Law, Verduga has also developed a "Justice Woman" prequel comic book.
"A smart, funny, fast-paced series with a touch of risqué business and perhaps the first Latina superhero and gay sidekick duo ever, 'Justice Woman' tackles serious issues but with large doses of campy humor. Some have likened it to 'Law & Order' meets 'Will & Grace' via 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert' and 'Sex and the City.'"
Check out Verduga as she's "whipppin' crime into submission" with her campy, comedy-drama, comic book and web series, "Justice Woman," so watch your back!
Check out "Justice Woman" Season 3 Trailer: