'La Borinqueña' Creator Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez Reveals Inspiration Behind Latina Superhero

While we have seen White and African American superheroes, a Hispanic superhero has just entered the mix. The new superhero hails from Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico. According to FOX News Latino, the new Hispanic superhero is a big hit in the Latin community with many young children embracing the brand new creation. Puerto Rican native, Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, creator of La Borinqueña has recently opened up about the response to his newest creation.

Miranda-Rodriguez says that the “little brown and black little girls and boys” threw their arms up because they wanted to hug a superhero that looked like them and wore a costume inspired by the flag they were waving.

“We have been waiting for this story,” he tells the publication. “Our community has been waiting for this story. What drew people to her wasn’t the fact that it was a comic book – there is no comic book yet – it was what she represented, it was what she looked like. It was a character that was proud to be Puerto Rican. It was a character emblazoned with a costume that was screaming patriotism.”

Miranda-Rodriguez makes history with creating the first Latina superwoman. La Borinquena was influenced by the history of the U.S. territory and the ongoing financial struggles there facing.

Working as the editor-in-chief for DMC comic-book imprint, started by Run-DMC’s Darryl McDaniels, the Williamsburg-based artist took inspiration from the 1868 revolutionary version of the song by Lola Rodriguez de Tio.

“Come, Boricuas, come now, since freedom awaits us anxiously!” he said in Spanish. “The whole song is like fighting for social justice.”

The artist says that the character came about at the request of the organizers of the 59th annual Puerto Rican Day Parade with whom he ended up partnering with. The inspiration, he said, came through another Puerto Rican Miranda – Tony-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda – whom he admires for speaking out to shine a light on the ongoing struggles on the island.

The first issue of La Borinqueña will be released on December 22- the 121st birthday of the Puerto Rican flag.