Okoye to the Peopleis hardly Zobois first venture into the world of young adult novels.
Okoye to the Peoplewill be released on March 22.
Except, faster and .
Image via Disney Publishing
Hmph, Okoye responds, quickening her pace to keep up with both the captain and King TChaka.
But nothing could prepare her for the bustling energy and the rude people who barely smile.
We do not want to be disrespectful, however, Aneka says.
Image via Marvel Studios
No judgement, no ridicule.
Shes learned to walk quickly in these high-heeled shoes.
Her lesson with Captain Aneka and the other Dora Milaje is proving to be quite useful.
King TChaka is a special envoy to the World Humanitarian Aid Council in New York City.
Captain Aneka has accompanied the king to America several times, taking with her newly trained Dora Milaje.
Its warm, itchy fur grazes her high cheekbones.
Okoye wants nothing more than to yank these stupid things from off herthe wig, the suit, everything.
But she is on duty.
She is Dora Milajea highly skilled, lethal warrior.
Discipline, sacrifice, and loyalty are embedded in her Wakandan bones.
Besides, Captain Aneka is here to keep her in check.
And you mustnt be so stiff , Aneka says.
Smile, nod, and be polite.
Captain, are we here to protect our king or .
walk a runway like fashion models?
That wouldnt be so bad.
Remember, on our last visit here, we posed as students.
And you did not correct them?
You did not invoke the name of the Dora Milaje?
And you shouldnt either.
Then, whoarewe here?
I am a fashion model from Wakanda.
Okoye slows her pace just enough to catch the side-eye from Aneka.
Okoye is ready to attack, but the man just winks at her and smiles.
Welcome to America, sweetheart!
he calls out with a raspy voice.
Okoye shoots him a sharp look and turns away.
You should saythank you, Aneka whispers.
But Okoye ignores her as curbside agents help King TChaka with his luggage.
Its their job, she says.
Then, are we to simply stand beside our king and look .
Aneka pulls her in to whisper into her ear.
Okoye, we are and will always be Dora no matter where we go.
Remember when I said we can be anything here?
They may call us what they wish.
But we know who we are.
Okoye slowly steps away while keeping her eye on the king.
Fine, she mumbles.
Though Id much rather be a guard than a fashion model.
But being a student wouldnt be so bad.
We can be guards and fashion models and students.
Their first stop is Midtown Manhattan for several planning meetings and conferences.
She doesnt even flinch.
This will take some getting used to.
It will all become clear.
But for now, cover up!
We have more, Aneka says without looking back at her.
We have more shoes, clothes, and hair.
An older man jumps into the drivers seat after helping to load the trunk.
You girls must be supermodels.
Yes, supermodels, Aneka says.
he says, turning to the king.
You must be their manager.
I am King TChaka of Wakanda!
Of course, you are!
That poor little country.
Okoye forces herself not to gaze out of the window like a wide-eyed tourist.
Shes trained to survey every passing car and their passengers.
She watches the driver closely, and so does Captain Aneka.
Being in this place feels as if shes stepped back in time.
Captain Aneka and the other Dora back home had told her that this was a special mission.
She was chosen for this.
She has prepared for this.
This is the hard part, Okoye realizes.
But, as always, anything for her king.
Any and everything for Wakanda.
Im familiar with the comics and the movies.
I couldnt rely on pretty sentences and metaphors.
Shes very active, and I had to use just the right words to describe her warrior skills.
What was your favorite part about writing her?
I really enjoyed describing Okoyes emotions throughout the story.
Shes truly empathic and she had big questions about the world beyond Wakanda.
It was important for me to show her vulnerable side and moments of doubt.
She didnt suppress it; instead it fueled her will to want to help others.
Empathy is such an important aspect to being a warrior.
Okoye is a new Dora Milaje, so this is her first time outside of Wakanda.
Captain Aneka is a sort of voice of reason for her as she navigates this new world.
Okoye wouldve felt so alone if she witnessed all those injustices on her own.
Villains are often some of the most interesting parts of Marvel stories.
What was it like coming up with an adversary worthy of the Dora Milaje?
It was a no-brainer to put a name and face to what happens to neighborhoods like Brownsville.
Or did they come naturally as you developed Okoyes story?
I absolutely had to tackle real-world issues while writing about Okoye.
This is why I wanted to set the story in a real neighborhood.
What if the Dora Milaje were to help the War on Drugs?
Who would be the villain?
Who would win in the end?
There are so many injustices facing Black people and other marginalized groups.
What if there was a super hero for each cause, for each demographic?
After all, this is why we have fictional heroes.
Why not have Okoye go head-to-head with a sinister real estate mogul in a gentrifying neighborhood?
What was it like distilling a message like that into something young readers can latch onto?
Young people are politically active in a way that my generation was not.
I am simply reflecting back to them what theyve always done.
And finally: every superhero story comes with a lesson to be learned.
What do you hope that young readers particularly young Black women take from Okoyes story?
Without giving too much away in the story, Okoye ultimately is part of a group of warrior women.
She is not alone.
Tell your story, and listen to the stories of others.
