#aboriginal characters

In an effort to keep this blog active (while at the same time being on the look out for new characters to test), I have a question for everybody!

What would you personally love to see in a Native woman as a protagonist? What actresses would you have in mind, or (if it’s easier to imagine her animated) what would you like her to look like?  What stories would you love to see her in?

Personally, I would love to see more Native women in science fiction and fantasy in more active roles. Give me a Native American Commander Shepard saving the galaxy with a ship full of badass aliens. Give me the female, Aboriginal equivalent of Aragorn leading armies against Sauron, being crowned the next queen and beginning a new life for her and her true love. Give me an Indigenous Rey who discovers the powers of The Force and goes on the adventure of a lifetime. 

These are stories I would love to see the most. As important as it is to see ourselves in our more realistic settings, I think it’s just as important that we see ourselves in stories like Star Wars, Narnia, LOTR, among others that are usually dominated by white protagonists.

— Maggott, Storm #10

Manifold being so in love with Princess Shuri that she is his well-known trigger word. He loses all senses of wit and composure. 😭

Eden mouth spraying like he isn't in outerspace, in a suit. He got it bad, I fear.

He's been this lost in the sauce and on his knees since 2016-2018. 🤭

Shuri and Eden being each other's safe space in a world that has been very unsafe for and unkind to them... Just feels canon. 🥹

I'll write a more in-depth post about it and how deeply they relate (featuring panel proof), but for now, I just wanted to touch a little on it:

They are extremely loyal, ride or die characters in general. So it's no surprise that they have risked their lives for one other. Eden had put his life on the line before even officially meeting Shuri, saving her from a living death she experienced for nearly a year. Shuri made herself into a human (err, rock) shield to protect him after he got injured (then proceeded to stay by his side for the rest of the issue).

Something about the way Shuri wraps her arms around Manifold and clings for the rest of the comic. She literally never once leaves Manifold post his injury and acts as his support. Even when she could've left him (who is still in pain but safe — he is still holding his side) during the after party, she chooses to stay with him.

It's made abundantly clear she cares deeply for Eden the more we see them together, in a way I can't help but say is love.

Eden being one of Shuri's few peaces in a life usually tumultuous (as Princess of Wakanda) feels so right. Half because of how Eden is characterized (laid back, kind, caring. He is a good man as said by T'Challa — his name literally means paradise and he was called Wakanda's "miracle" by M'Baku), half because of how she is around him (e.g., blushing, wanting to spend time with him, and lowering her walls).

Her stare out the window with a small blush as she thinks about how much she'll miss Eden. Eden being the one to linger behind a bit more and wave-smile goodbye... That could have easily been T'Challa instead, who is instead walking ahead.

I feel further vindicated in this given how Eden is canonically described to have a naturally calming nature. 🧡

No wonder why Shuri really likes him.

That's a good man, Savanah (just a few examples).

Eden having a special regard and unapologetically transparent love-admiration for Shuri was already confirmed (conveyed in multiple books; Black Panther Volume 6-7, Storm, Annihilation: Wakanda...). He even hints that she is the reason why he stayed in Wakanda in Shuri issue 1.

The fact that even after suffering a special hell (and still not being in the clear), Manifold thinks about Shuri who is light-years away. He isn't even at his best, but wants to give Shuri his best.

He loves her so much.