Whether it’s representing minority female characters or a reflection of the LGBTQ community, Aza Comic’s CEO Jazmin Truesdale only cares about making the “truest fiction.”
“The world is colorful and diverse,” she stated on her website. “I just want to show that in the entertainment that I create.”
Not only has she created comics that are truly inclusive, she has also launched The Aza Mini’s kids line, which features Aza Comics main five multicultural female superheroes as children with storylines that teach children about leadership, teamwork, kindness, racial and cultural tolerance, as well as how to respond to bullies.
“I want children to learn about different cultures and how to respect those differences…just because someone doesn’t think like you doesn’t mean you should hate or disrespect them,” said Truesdale.
DIVERGE talked to Truesdale to find out more about her inspiration for Aza Comics and more.
How did you get involved in creating comics?
I wanted to create a fitness video game and realized that the characters I was creating were superheroes. I grew up loving superheroes and started looking at the market to see what was happening and not much had changed from when I was a kid. Very few women of color…white male savior…the usual.
Why was it so important for you to add diversity to your comics?
As a black woman I know first hand what it means to not see yourself in magazines, playing stereotypes in movies and tv, etc. I wanted to create something that would inspire women to be great…particularly women of color.
What makes Aza Comics unique?
Aza Comics is one of the few if not the only female centric superhero universe. We already have 10 amazing she-roes of varying ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. I created the universe after listening to women tell me what kind of superheroes they would like to see. I created the universe so that women could see what it was like to live with no limitations.
How do you hope to see the company grow and evolve?
I hope to see my characters as a symbol of strength and inspiration for women around the world. I created Aza Comics not because I wanted fame or wealth but because I wanted to make an impact. Just like a man can wear a superman symbol on chest, I want to women to have their own symbol of power.
Your site says serial entrepreneur, what other businesses are you a part of?
I’m the CEO of a fitness company, Jazmin Fitness, and a business consulting firm, Jazmin Angels & Consulting.
Do you have any advice for the future generation that might want to start their own business?
Just go for it. I started Aza Comics when I was at my lowest point in life and knew absolutely nothing about the entertainment industry. I can’t even draw! But I figured it out and now I’m doing what I want with my life. So just go for it. There are books/youtube tutorials on anything you would like to know. Don’t be afraid to fail…that’s how you learn.
Who inspired your comics?
As the creator of Aza Comics, I often get asked how I create my characters. Well, the truth is that I use real life. When I create a character, I start from scratch and often times it’s personality traits that will inspire a character. I’ve even used personality traits from multiple people to create just one character. So, for International Women’s Day I’ve decided to acknowledge the incredible women who have inspired my characters.
