I never thought there’d be a day where we’d be watching aPeacemakershow orGuardians of the Galaxymovies.
So I wanted to tap into a time when comics were not that big in pop culture.
It was really like a forgotten industry, teetering on the brink.
Flatiron Books
I wanted to contrast that time with today."
ButSecret Identitycenters around a female protagonist, Carmen Valdez.
As a queer woman, she has even less time for their various flirtations and harassments.
Artist Sandy Jarrell’s cover for ‘The Legendary Lynx,’ a fictional superhero comic within the novel ‘Secret Identity.'.Sandy Jarrell for Flatiron Books
That’s where the title ofSecret Identitycomes in.
But on her own time, she writes the adventures of the street-level superhero known as the Lynx.
But withSecret Identity, Segura wanted to actually include the comics written by his protagonist.
Sandy Jarrell’s character design for the Lynx from ‘Secret Identity’.Sandy Jarrell for Flatiron Books
We need to show you what the comics are.
Sandy was the first person I thought of," Segura says.
He gets it."
The Lynx stars in the fictional superhero comic within Alex Segura’s novel ‘Secret Identity.’ Words by Alex Segura, art and layout by Sandy Jarrell, lettering by Taylor Esposito.Sandy Jarrell for Flatiron Books; lettering by Taylor Esposito.
Jarrell says he jumped at the chance to collaborate and help design the Lynx.
He also has a personal connection toSecret Identity’s comics history.
Like, ‘dude, I was at that show.’
Sandy Jarrell for Flatiron Books
That’s where I met Jack Kirby.
So yeah, there’s a scene in the book where I’m in the room."
It was important thatSecret Identity’s comic history feel lived-in.
The Lynx, and her creator Carmen Valdez, battle for control of their identity in new novel ‘Secret Identity.’ Words by Alex Segura, art and layout by Sandy Jarrell, lettering by Taylor Esposito.Sandy Jarrell for Flatiron Books
“I got to chat withLouise Simonsonand Karen Berger, even though Karen came a little later.
It was really to float the idea and say, ‘this is the story I’m working on.
Does it make sense?’
Aside from the murder, obviously.
There continue to be challenges!
It’s just a different situation.”
Female superheroes have not always been handled well by male writers and artists.
I knew I could make it look wrong, make it not look like everything else.
But I’m glad that was only one page.
If I had had to do Colletta for a few pages, I would’ve been sad."
Eventually I’ll get my credit,'" Segura says.
And then when it’s taken away, it becomes this massive problem she has to resolve.
Secret Identityis in stores now.
