Marvel Comics writer Eve L. Ewing takes inspiration from Chicago roots for 'Ironheart' on Disney+

CHICAGO (WLS) — Eve L. Ewing is a Chicago powerhouse, an acclaimed author and cultural organizer in her community.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

She’s also a Marvel creator, who’s been a big success writing stories about superheroes.

Her comics helped inspire the character of “Ironheart” on Disney+.

The Logan Square native shared her story about soaring into a universe where her imagination runs wild and free.

Eve L. Ewing, Marvel Comics writer and supervising producer, shared, “An email I received genuinely transformed my life. It was titled ‘Marvel calling.’ Even after seven years, no other email has such a memorable subject line for me!”

Ewing is a professor at the University of Chicago and a speaker in demand around the world.

However, she’s loved comics all her life and Marvel embraced her passion.

She mentioned, “I’ve worked on series like ‘Marvel Team Up,’ ‘Champions,’ ‘Monica Rambo,’ and ‘Black Panther.’ Currently, I’m working on a series named ‘Exceptional X-Men,’ which explores the lives of a team of mutants in Chicago.”

Ewing said she has lost family members due to gun violence; adding that she takes inspiration from her life for the characters’ stories.

Ewing further explained, “I understand the feeling of being in a classroom, aware of my potential contributions, yet perceiving doubts in others. Often, Black women and girls are expected to assume superhero roles quite young, which doesn’t permit us to express vulnerability or experience fear and sorrow.”

READ ALSO | Marvel Studios’ ‘Ironheart’ exemplifies sisterhood, STEM, self-discovery in new Disney+ series

Ewing’s work holds messages for youth, especially for people of color.

“Good and bad comes from a much deeper place sometimes, that’s a lesson I learned very early on as a student in Chicago Public Schools – as a kid who saw other kids get locked up,” she said. “I understand not everybody who commits a crime is a bad guy. Not everybody who sit in power is a good guy.”

When asked about her reaction to her dreams coming true, she said: “every day – every time I walk into a comic book shop, and I see a comic book and, in the corner, it says ‘Ewing’ – that’s crazy all the time.”

Ewing says she will continue to create comic heroes that represent all kinds of people from many backgrounds.

She calls herself a “professional, paid nerd” and says Chicago is the “love of her life” that’s given her such a grand destiny.

Disney is the parent company of Marvel Studios, Disney+ and this station.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Florida executes 74-year-old for wife's murder, becoming oldest inmate put to death in state's modern history

Florida Executes 74-Year-Old Man for Wife’s Murder, Oldest Inmate Put to Death in State’s Modern Era

A 74-year-old Florida man was put to death Thursday for the 1992…
Inside California's early earthquake warning system as NorCal, Japan, Venezuela rattled

How California’s Earthquake Early Warning System Works as Quakes Shake NorCal, Japan and Venezuela

From California and Venezuela to Japan, powerful tremors recently triggered mobile alerts…
Supreme Court lets Trump strip deportation protections from Syrians and Haitians

Supreme Court Allows Trump to End Deportation Protections for Syrians and Haitians

Washington — The Supreme Court said Thursday that the Trump administration may proceed…
Florida woman who claimed COVID-19 made her kill 15-month-old daughter found not guilty

Florida Mother Acquitted in 15-Month-Old Daughter’s Death After COVID-19 Mental Health Claim

A Florida woman accused of killing her toddler and stabbing two family…
MacArthur Park draws World Cup fans despite notorious reputation

World Cup Fans Head to MacArthur Park Despite Longstanding Safety Concerns

MacArthur Park, long associated with open drug use and homelessness, attracted a…
Chicago shooting: 2 people found fatally shot on West Cahill Terrace on Northwest Side, police say

2 Found Fatally Shot on West Cahill Terrace on Chicago’s Northwest Side, Police Say

CHICAGO (WLS) — Two men were killed after a daytime dispute in…
The 17-year-old who said he designed the US flag

How a 17-Year-Old Student Helped Design the Modern American Flag

Who really created the American flag? Was it Betsy Ross? Or is…
$700 Bay Area micro apartment is the SF housing crisis in a nutshell

Tiny $700 Bay Area Apartment Highlights San Francisco Housing Crisis

If tight quarters and a home setup that makes cooking impossible sound…
T.J. Miller arrested for allegedly calling in fake bomb threat

T.J. Miller Arrested Over Alleged Fake Bomb Threat Call

Former “Silicon Valley” actor T.J. Miller was taken into custody Monday night…
Senate Democrats push for more info on

Senate Democrats Seek More Information Amid Growing Oversight Questions

Washington — A bloc of Senate Democrats is demanding additional answers from…
Chico library shooter Bradley Scott Sayer flashes hateful symbol in first court appearance since killing two

Bradley Scott Sayer Makes First Court Appearance After Chico Library Shooting That Killed Two, Flashes Hate Symbol

The 18-year-old accused of fatally shooting two people inside a Butte County…
West Suburban Medical Center exit strategy? Settlement negotiations underway over future of Oak Park safety-net hospital

West Suburban Medical Center’s Future in Question as Settlement Talks Begin Over Oak Park Safety-Net Hospital

OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) — Settlement talks are moving forward over the…