Legendary Announces Race Swap Of Historical Figure Elizabeth Wilkinson In Championess
Legendary Comics recently revealed that their newly released Championess graphic novel features a race-swapped Elizabeth Wilkinson.
If you are unfamiliar with Wilkinson, she was an 18th century boxer in London.
Author L.A. Jennings in her book She’s A Knockout: A History of Women in Fighting Sports described Wilkinson saying she “may be the most venerated female pugilist in British history.”
Her story has been adapted by Legendary Comics in their recently released Championess graphic novel; however, they decided to reimagine her as half-Indian.
A press release from Legendary Comics reads, “Championess is based on the true story of Elizabeth Wilkinson, a female bare-knuckle boxer in 18th century London. Elizabeth, reimagined as half-Indian, and her sister Tess struggle to make ends meet and cover Tess’s debts.”
The description continues, “While Elizabeth works odd jobs at the local newspaper, the only way she knows how to make enough money to help them survive is her true passion, bareknuckle boxing.”
“With Tess’s support, Elizabeth trains at the boxing facility of one of the most famous retired boxers and the only real fight promoter of any notoriety, James Figg,” the description adds.
It concludes, “As Elizabeth trains with Figg and James Stokes, she confronts her personal demons of what destroyed her family and comes to terms with being the first half-Indian female boxer in a white male world.”
The book is written by Kelly Zekas and Tarun Shanker with art by Amanda Perez Puentes.
In their press release, Legendary Comics also reveals the book is already going to get a television adaptation by UK-based Watford & Essex.
Watford & Essex is a joint venture between Legendary Entertainment and showrunners Emma Frost and Matthew Graham.
Championess is currently available to purchase. It is 232 pages long and retails at $21.99.
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