We’ve all seen lots of stories about a young protagonist having adventures, and usually they’re all boys, [and] there is sometimes a token female, or two.
After 9/11, I knew I wanted to write about power and identity and the way Americans on all sides of the political spectrum often mythologize our leaders, which are themes that the superhero genre has always handled really well.
I’m 40 now, and I have children of my own. Before I forget my own childhood completely, I want to take some time to take a look at the ’80s and think back.
To try and imagine that I’m another person is always going to be hard – whether I’m writing about a truck driver or someone who is gay, who’s trans, who is of a different ethnicity or creed. But it would be boring if I always had to write about myself and my limited viewpoint.
Everyone had a mother, even if she had to leave us on a stranger’s doorstep. No matter how we’re eventually raised, all of our stories begin the exact same way. They all end the same, too.
![Brian K. Vaughan Quote - We’ve all seen lots of stories about a young protagonist having adventures, and usually they’re all boys, [and] there is sometimes a token female, or two.](https://minimalistquotes.com/images/weve-all-seen-lots-of-stories-about-a-young-protag.jpg)
![Brian K. Vaughan Quote - These are the young women [in Stand by Me] that we grew up knowing and hopefully they feel a little rough around the edges, because it’s true to life.](https://minimalistquotes.com/images/these-are-the-young-women-in-stand-by-me-that-we-g.jpg)
