Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for youth to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Echo.
Maya Lopez
Fast Facts:
Maya Lopez (played by Alaqua Cox) is one of the strongest female characters in the Marvel universe. She was born deaf and by unfortunate circumstances is an amputee. But she never lets that hold her back from a fight. She learned to fight early in her life when her father, William (Zahn McClarnon) took a job as an enforcer for Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio). Kingpin saw potential in Maya, paying for her martial arts classes. Maya grew up learning different fighting skills and became a force to reckon with in Kingpin’s empire.
Maya comes from a long line of strong Choctaw women. Her family can trace their roots back to the first Choctaw people. Maya has the resilience and the ferocity to fight, but when we first meet Maya, she is emotionally in distress. It took a trip home to Oklahoma for Maya to discover her true strength.
The Real Deal:
Zahn McClarnon as William Lopez and Darnell Besaw as young Maya Lopez in Marvel Studios’ HAWKEYE. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Maya was first introduced in the Hawkeye series. She witnessed her father’s death at the hands of Ronin, aka Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Maya wanted to avenge her father’s death by killing Barton. When they two came face to face, Barton warned her that Kingpin was manipulating her pain and he is the one who wanted William dead. Maya believed him and went after Kingpin, shooting him in the face.
Maya left New York City for her mother’s home in Oklahoma. She knew Kingpin’s men were after her. To protect her family, she hid her arrival. It was easy because she did not have a very good relationship with her grandmother Chula (Tantoo Cardinal) or her cousin Bonnie (Devery Jacobs). She only let her uncle Henry (Chaske Spencer) know of her reasons for coming home.
(L-R): Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez and Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin in Marvel Studios’ Echo, releasing on Hulu and Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2023. All Rights Reserved.
Maya wanted to take over Kingpin’s empire. She said it was time for a queen. She used her strategic skills to send a message to Kingpin’s men, knowing they would come for her. What she didn’t expect was the arrival of Kingpin himself. Kingpin didn’t go to Oklahoma to fight Maya though. Instead, he offered her his empire if she returned to New York City with him.
Maya’s choice wasn’t easy. She was getting what she wanted from Kingpin, but there was something pulling Maya away from him. Maya saw visions of her ancestors, including her mother Taloa (Katrina Ziervogel). Taloa healed Maya’s heart and reminded Maya where her strength comes from. It comes from the love of her family. When the time came to make a choice, Maya chose family. Kingpin was not happy and tried to punish Maya by threatening her family. Maya stood up to him, embracing the power of her ancestors that flowed through her, Bonnie and her grandmother Chula. Together they overpowered Kingpin’s men. And Maya used her mother’s healing power to heal Kingpin’s heart.
Why Does She Matter:
Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in Marvel Studios’ Echo. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2023. All Rights Reserved.
Maya was introduced as a villain. Her anger and pain got the best of her, leading her down a road of violence. She reconnects to her roots and learns to let go of her pain. Maya learns to use her fighting skills to protect her family and her legacy. Her journey to becoming a hero has just begun though. Now that she has learned to balance the good and the bad within her, Maya will be an even stronger force to be dealt with.
So be like Maya. Recognize your weaknesses and strengths. Never let your weaknesses keep you from fighting for those you love. And embrace the love and power that comes from family.
News Editor, Senior Contributor, and Press Editor. Coordinate breaking news, trailers and press releases. I also contribute reviews, recaps and interviews. Creator of the Indigenerd Wire, a column dedicated to the Indigenous creatives in pop culture.
GGA's resident Indigenerd, a little bit rez, a little bit classy...with a love for all things Star Wars, zombies, science fiction, and Indigenous. My ultimate goal is to start my own podcast.
