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 the one who started spreading that particular factoid, about Bendis, Azz and me all being bald Brian’s from Cleveland, just to get my name mentioned in the same sentence as two much-better writers, and it’s worked like a goddamn charm.
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.
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.
![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 - We describe [Paper Girls] as Stand By Me meets Terminator.It’s a story about nostalgia and childhood, but with an action-packed, sci-fi bent.](https://minimalistquotes.com/images/we-describe-paper-girls-as-stand-by-me-meets-termi.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)
