FCBG Asks- Alex Falase-Koya
FCBG Asks is a regular monthly feature where we send an author, illustrator or publisher a set of questions about their work. This month, we are so excited to share our blog with Alex Falase-Koya, creator of Marv, a new young superhero!
Where did the idea for Marv come from?
I’ve always loved superheroes, it’s something that I’ve been interested in since I was a little kid. I used to read comics and watch all the superhero shows on TV, so being able to write stories about a superhero has always appealed to me, especially the idea of bringing more representation to the space. So, when I got the chance to collaborate with the fine people at Oxford Children’s, and the illustrator of the books Paula Bowles to create Marv I jumped at it.
Is he based on you or on someone in your life?
Marv isn’t directly based on anyone, but in a lot of ways, Marv is probably like me as a kid. Very nerdy and just trying to do his best. The big difference of course is that he’s a superhero, and I just daydreamed about being one when I was a kid.
Many readers love Grandad…where did he develop from?
Grandad is great! I love writing him. I have quite a few eccentric uncles in my life, one of whom used to take me on holidays when I was a kid. So, some of grandad comes from that, the rest is just me trying to write a character that is very cool and makes me laugh.
What do you hope readers will take from meeting Marv?
Firstly, I hope that readers have a lot of fun reading the books. Also, I would want readers to notice that Marv’s greatest strengths are his kindness, self-belief and creativity, those are his real superpowers, and those are things I think every reader can relate to and take from them.
Do you have hopes that Marv and his adventures could be adapted for tv or movies?
I’d love for Marv and his adventures to be on TV or in movies, that would be amazing! I think it’s a really cool series and the more people get exposed to it the better in my view.
What’s next for Marv?
What’s next for Marv! Well, Marv and the Pool of Peril came out this month, we have a ton of robot sharks in that one, so I think it’s very exciting. And next year we’ll have some more Marv books coming out to a bookshop near you.
Marv and the Pool of Peril by Alex Falase-Koya, illustrated by Paula Bowles is available now | Paperback | ISBN 978-0192780461 | for readers age 5+ | Publishing by Oxford University Press
Alex Falase-Koya: @AlexFKoya
Paula Bowles: @Paula_Bowles
Oxford Children’s: @OxfordChildrens