Marvel-illosa
By Natalia Avilez, Latina Voices
When it comes to comics, this Latina is a marvel. Working as the host for Marvel.com, Alexa Mendez provides fans with a weekly show, the “Weekly Watcher,” where she talks about everything going on in the company–most importantly comics.
In our latest issue, Latina Voices was able to find out a little more about Ms. Mendez, especially how she landed such an interesting job. Raised in Puerto Rico, this New York native spent most of her life on the island. After realizing she needed some change and a break from the beach, she decided return to the Big Apple and pursue a career in marketing.
But with great power comes great responsibility. After finding out that her parents could not afford tuition for her to attend Sacred Heart University, Alexa devised a plan and executed it. Her new plan involved business school, two part-time jobs, an internship and six classes. Although her new plan was tough, this Latina became her own superhero.
“There were some days I had to decide do I buy food or do I buy a metro card to take the train to school and work,” she said during our interview; she opted for food.
Although her mind was on marketing, her financial status led her to get first job for Brinks security and later a diamond wholesaler. But this gem was destined to shine. After finding out about an opening in the toy marketing department at Marvel, she found her calling.
“I thought wow this is the perfect job for me!” said Mendez. “Marvel is an amazing company, and theirSpider-Man movies have been hugely successful.”
After interviewing with every top person in the toy division of Marvel, she landed the job. While working in the toy division of Marvel her passion for comics began to grow.
“I found that there was such a passion here for both things that it would have been impossible for anyone to not fall in love with both products,” she explained.
Her cubicle literally opened up the opportunity to get an inside scoop and to interact with top people like Joe Quesada, comic book writer and editor-in-chief of Marvel Publishing.
Due to the fact that she was the only project manager and one of the few girls working in publishing, Alexa was asked to be a part of online group as a project manager. Putting her reservations and shyness aside, she started doing the “Weekly Watcher” and has loved every minute of it.
“It is so much fun to do; and though we don’t always include all the funny quirky stuff that ends up happening, I really hope that fans enjoy the program,” she said.
Although she started reading comics while working for toys, she immediately fell in love with the medium. Her favorite characters are Iron Fist, Captain America and Ms. Marvel.
“People sometimes tease me about Ms. Marvel, but I identify with her,” explained Mendez. “She was asked to take on a leadership role, and she encountered a lot of the same issues I was encountering myself as a project manager.”
How does she feel about being a Latina Woman in a male-dominated industry?
“I’m obviously not an artist, but my experiences with the industry have been very positive,” Mendez said.
This article was first published in Latina Voices.
[Photo courtesy Marvel]
