DC Comics hero Naomi, a.k.a.
The creative teams take us inside her speedy ascension.
Naomi McDuffie has accomplished a stunning amount during her short time in the DC Universe.
The CW
How does it feel to seeNaomion TV?
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: Literally, that’s the first thought that comes into my head.
Like, I’m still not over [Netflix’s adaptation of]Jessica Jones.
Ava DuVernay, Jill Blankenship, David F. Walker, and Brian Michael Bendis.ARRAY; Courtesy of ABC; Sasha Haagensen/Getty Images; Elijah Hasan
It’s a hug that never ends.
DAVID F. WALKER: It’s definitely surreal.
I remember when I was a kid, not seeing characters that looked like me.
Kaci Walfall and Ava DuVernay filming ‘Naomi’.Paul Garnes
We didn’t want to create a character that was going to appeal to middle-aged fanboys.
There’s enough of that.
Ava, you were working on aNew Gods movieand Jill had just finishedArrowwhen the comic first debuted.
Kaci Walfall as Naomi McDuffie in ‘Naomi’ season 1 episode 5.Danny Delgado/The CW
How didNaomicatch your attention so quickly?
It was the fact that she was a comic-book fan.
That’s just such a personal thing, because we all like somebody.
‘Naomi: Season Two’.
JILL BLANKENSHIP: I came ontoArrowfor the last couple seasons and had a great experience there.
Then I moved on and worked on [Netflix’s adaptation of]Sweet Toothbriefly.
This is my third DC project, and I feel like none of them are the same.
They all explore these different themes and ideas.
In terms ofNaomi, I came to it through Ava.
And then I read all six.
The characters felt so real.
I really want to do this."
Naomidoesn’t have much canon to draw on, so what has the adaptation process been like?
She’s just taken off.
They, in really our only conversation with them, were the antithesis of toxic masculinity.
Take it, run with it, be you."
We’re not checking in with them.
We’re not asking if this is okay.
DUVERNAY: We really used [Jamal’s illustrations], too.
They were the blueprint, even down to all of the costume design.
David and Brian, what do you remember about that first conversation?
BENDIS: It was early in the pandemic, so everything seemed insane.
I also knew how it’s exciting to tell other storytellers the truth of where the story came from.
You become part of a community, and with all kinds of stories and feelings.
My kids know that.
But it does truthfully represent all of the stuff we’ve experienced being part of the adoption community.
I was like, “I have no concerns.”
That show meant so much to me on so many levels.
What was it like watching the pilot for the first time?
DUVERNAY:Isn’t she great?
WALKER:Terrifyingly great.
Kaci has that quality of: you’re free to see some of yourself in her.
It’s like you see a star in the making.
BENDIS: She’s amazing.
She’s just like a bright, shiny energy.
Everything that was important to me was there right away.
It was just like, “Oh, great, relief!”
It’s hard to describe [because] I don’t have any control of it either way.
So, I could just put my good energy out and hope it comes back, and it did.
Naomi had herfirst major superhero battle in episode 4.
Where does she go from here?
It really affects her emotionally not only as a high school teenager, but as a superhero.
You actually do not know anything that’s going to happen because there are some revelations.
Just because it’s in your mind doesn’t mean it’s real.
Beyond the comic, how much are you drawing from the wider DC Comics universe?
He has an encyclopedic knowledge of DC.
And he was like, “Bam!
I don’t even know if that exists.
We have not heard of that.”
So, they dust it off [and say], “This character does exist.
These are their colors.
This is their thing.”
Is that how a deep cut like Adam Blake/Captain Comet wound up in episode 3?
Are Jill and I coming up with this?
Did the show’s existence affect how you approachedNaomi: Season Two?
WALKER: I tend to be good at compartmentalizing these sorts of things.
Let’s go with what we feel we need to do with the comic.
And I hope there are more beyond us.
How have Naomi’s experiences with Young Justice and Justice League affected her coming intoSeason Two?
BENDIS: So people understand, the delay was we were waiting for Jamal [to finishFar Sector].
Then in the meantime, I get very excited about the living organism of the shared universe.
So you’re like, “Well, Naomi doesn’t have to sit there waiting for us.
What an unusual journey.
That’s kind of the feeling that comes withSeason 2.
She has to process and decide what she’s going to do with it.
Naomiairs Tuesday at 9 p.m. on The CW.Naomi: Season Two#1 hits stands March 8.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
A version of this story appears in the March issue ofEntertainment Weekly, on newsstands now.
