A new hero joins the Champions
Marvel has just debuted a new character in Champions, the comic series that follows a group of teenage superheroes after the events of Civil War II. The team includes Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man, Nova, Cyclops, Hulk, and Viv, a cosmic heroine and “descendant” of Vision. In the latest issue, Champions #9, Viv travels to San Diego to keep an eye on the Champions' main rivals, the Freelancers. But the Freelancers are nowhere to be found, leaving readers with the pleasant surprise of the introduction of a new superheroine named Red Locust.
Fernanda Ramírez, the hero behind the mask
Red Locust, or Langosta Roja, is the superhero identity of Fernanda Ramírez, a Mexican-American teenager living in San Diego, California. Created by Mark Waid and Humberto Ramos, Red Locust is based on El Chapulín Colorado, the famous character from the late Mexican director and actor Roberto Gómez Bolaños, also known as Chespirito. He has been described as one of the most recognized Mexican comedians of the 20th century and is well known and honored throughout Latin America. The creators directly contacted Paulina Gómez Fernández, the actor's daughter, to pay the right tribute to the beloved character.
Fernanda Ramírez wears a red suit with a yellow touch on her chest and a small heart as a shield on her helmet. Her name, Red Locust, is a faithful and witty translation of the character's catchphrase: “the man more agile than a turtle, stronger than a mouse, and nobler than a lettuce.”
A heartfelt tribute to Chespirito
“I want to make it clear, what is about to happen is a nod to the mastery of Chespirito, it is a tribute, a manifestation of love for Mexico. I believe it is important to show that this Champions team speaks to all different cultures, languages, and races,” Ramos told the Mexican site Crónica.
What's next
For now, we'll have to wait for the upcoming issues of the Champions series to see how Red Locust's adventures with the rest of the team unfold.
Official site: Plumas Atómicas
