Angélique Hero Story
We first met Angélique at NYCC last year. She is not only the host of Syfy Wire's Geeksplain and co-host of The Radical Geeks but a fan of Hero Within!
Who were your childhood heroes, fictional and in real life? Why?
My biggest real-life hero was/is my mom. As a kid, she always seemed larger than life and somehow had a solution to any and every problem; at least she made it seem that way. All that and she was (and still is) a total fashion icon.
Fictional? While they may not seem like superheroes to some, Pippi Lockstocking, Punky Brewster, and Winifred "Freddie" Brooks (played by Cree Summer) were my heroes when I was younger. Later in life, you could definitely toss in Storm, Rogue and Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter. What I loved about these characters is whether they were “superpowered” or not, their innate superpowers were being super smart and being unapologetically themselves. As a kid their images and stories gave me the courage to define my own path, be curious about the world, stand up for what I believe in, and make bold fashion choices.
In your opinion, who do you think is the most important hero in pop culture today and why?
Writers, illustrators, animators, producers, and directors are all pushing the boundaries of who a superhero is and what a superhero looks like right now. More than ever, fans have the opportunity to see heroes in all sizes, shapes, ethnicities, and from different cultural and religious backgrounds. That being said, there is absolutely no way to choose just one. ANY hero that allows folks to see themselves represented both visually and through the actual narrative is an important hero in pop culture today.
How has our modern era of heroes inspired or influenced you?
Honestly, the impact of our modern day heroes is what drives me every day. Both through my journalism/interviewing work and my content creation work, I have the privilege of speaking with and telling the stories of everyday heroes. From the incredible people who bring our favorite comic book and cinematic heroes to life to the people fighting to protect the lives and rights of people of color, women, immigrants, and sexual assault survivors, heroes are everywhere. All these heroes make such a remarkable impact on the world and are a constant source of personal inspiration.
Follow Angélique on Twitter: @AngeliqueRoche
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