New Brittney Griner comic book dives into Russian jail time

Frizell said production on the comic began before Griner’s legal troubles in Russia last year. “My first approach was to explore her history to show her growth as a player and as a person,” he said in a press release. “I found Brittney’s story fascinating even though I didn’t know much about the WNBA before I started researching. I hope readers will come away with an understanding of the person behind the headlines.”

In a statement, Darren Davis, publisher of TidalWave Productions, said the story is about a player who overcame obstacles to become a key player in the WNBA – not about politics. We started working on this story four years ago to sort out the line. , as we have featured several male players in previous issues.”

The comedy also follows Griner’s struggle to be different from her peers, showing the 6-foot-9 athlete lifting other students at Nimitz High School in Houston. Bullies called him “mutant, freak mutant” and “dude.” Even Griner coming out to her mother, who encouraged her to be true to herself, is shown. “Her development as an athlete, and her struggle to come to terms with being a gay black woman, first in a religious college and then in the national spotlight is the focus of this issue,” Davis said.

When she joins Phoenix Mercury, Griner seems to fully embrace herself. “You know, it feels good to say: I’m a strong, black lesbian,” Griner said in the title of one of the last pages of the comic, showing her with a picture of a big yellow snake on ESPN 2013. “I am. Every time I say it, I feel better.”

“Army Women: Brittney Griner” is the latest installment in the “Army Women” series, which celebrates women through inspiring stories. Previous names tagged Dolly Parton, Oprah Winfrey and Gloria Steinem. It was released on Jan. 18, comics are now available in print and digital formats.