An interview with Ralph Miley about chapter two of the Ragged Capes webcomic.

Q. Lioness seems like a character with a lot of thought put into the history behind her.  Has she appeared before?

I have mulled over the character for over two decades.  She first appeared in Valiant Efforts #1 and #2, 1989-1990. Though the readers saw this angry woman in those stories, they never got any insight as to the source of her rage.  Ragged Capes gave me to opportunity to explore the reasons for her bitterness.  

Q. What were your inspirations in creating the character?

Lioness is based off a former girlfriend.  I though I did not see her flaws during the time I was dating her, it was as I got older that I was able to look back and realize the extent of her pain. Then I began to explore the immense impact that fathers have on a culture. For some it is a very painful experience. If God allows me to create a character that can expose those pains, then maybe that can be an opportunity for the Lord to touch the core of that person.  Once the person knows where it hurts, the Lord can heal.

Then there was the time in early spiritual journey towards an abiding faith in Jesus Christ, I found myself frequenting many Black Muslim meetings. I read the literature and listened to the leader of the Black Muslims, Minister Louis Farrakhan. There was an anger, mistrust, and sometimes hatred of White America. This appeal towards the tragic history of Blacks in American society was enticing to my racial sensibilities. However, Christ asks me to take a much different road… a road that led to peace and forgiveness. These factors played a prominent role in the creating of the Lioness character.    

Q. Is it difficult as a writer to “get into the head” of a character like Lioness?

If there is a familiarity with the character, it is easier to see how the character thinks. Almost all the characters that I’ve had the privilege to create have been based on someone I’ve known in my life.  For me, as a writer, it is important that I know the character and how they will respond to certain situations.  

For example, Lioness would actually despise the election of President Obama.  One, his turning his back on his former pastor Dr. Jeremiah Wright, who in her eyes was actually speaking the truth about White America. Second, she would think he must have compromised you values somewhere, for so many white people to vote for him.  

It is important for the writer to really know their character.  Their history, their passions, political view points, flaws, family, etc.  Hopefully the reader will make so kind of emotional connection (negative or positive) with the character. In future blog articles, we hope to explore some of the techniques writers can use when creating characters.

Q. Do you ever hesitate when writing characters who have such deep flaws?  Is there a worry that readers may sympathize too much with her negative qualities, or may wrongly assume that you share the attitudes expressed by the character?

As far as worrying about people thinking I may hold to her views, I don’t.  If anyone has seen my un-smiling photo at the CCAS social network site, they would think I’m one unpleasant person. But anyone who has ever met me knows that neither an online photo nor the characters I create in my stories reflect the totality of who I am.  

As for writing flawed characters, we are all flawed and scarred in some way.  It may be pride, selfishness, stubbornness, or any number of sinful personality traits.  Hers just happens to be unresolved anger.  And without Christ, some can go through their entire life and never come to grips with those flaws. When writing a character like Lioness, I want the reader to say, “I recognize her”. It may shine a light on how our past dysfunction shapes our present day character. 

Q. Do you have other stories to tell with this character?  Will we see her again?

There are so many stories I’d love to tell with this character.  I would love to introduce the other heroes that come into her life and cause her to rethink her opinions.  It would be a rethinking that would take years!

However, all that is in the hands of the Lord.  If He wants these stories to be told, He is more than able to open up the doors of opportunity.  So though I’d love to share these stories, it is totally in His hands.  If there is never another Lioness story that see the light of day, God allowed me to share the one He wanted me to share and that is fine with me.