Saskatchewan superhero Auroraman’s issue 9 is on sale bringing some exciting new elements. Along with a new villain with incredible powers, he also introduces a new writer to the team. Kyra, the daughter of creator and author Jeff Burton, wrote her first story for the now established Saskatchewan crime fighter.

The New Villain is Kyra’s own creation. When she approached her father about the idea, she didn’t realize that she would soon enter the world of comedy writing.

“I didn’t think writing an Auroraman was an option until I brought the idea to Dad and he said I should write it,” Kyrra said.

Jeff encouraged her to evolve the character in terms of costume and motivation for the script. This process ultimately led to the scripting of the episode by Kyrra. Jeff admits that one of the hardest parts for him has been getting away from his process for a main character that Jeff has largely led on his own over the years.

“It took a little while for me to completely remove myself in some ways,” Jeff confessed, “But I just stepped back and framed Kyrra. I showed her scripts and how I wrote for a comic book and then got her to take her story and turn it into this idea for a screenplay.

Kyrra performed the creative exercise, and the couple collaborated on revisions, continually refining the narrative and the look of the story. Jeff asked one of his collaborating artists to provide the final sketches for Kyrra’s villainous creation on the verge of becoming a full-fledged entry into the world of Auroraman.

“She really had a knack for finding the beat and writing a fun story,” said Jeff.

Kyra looks forward to continuing the creative relationship with her father on the Auroraman Stories as the comic enters its fifth year of publication, which in itself is a cause for celebration. Burtons’ kickstarter campaign for the previous issue of Auroraman was so successful that it provided the means to produce the ninth issue which contains Kyrra’s story.

“It’s the fifth anniversary,” Jeff mused, “And it’s also the 80th anniversary of Canadian comics, so it’s an integral part, it’s a good thing to be a part of it right now.

Issue 9 will launch once the kickstarter commitments are met, likely in July. It will be widely available when Jeff and Kyrra make an appearance together to celebrate Free Comic Book Day in August. The annual comic book celebration has been postponed due to the pandemic, but it will accompany the Burtons making a special appearance at the famous Amazing Stories comic book store on 8th Street in Saskatoon.

For Kyrra, the excitement of seeing her creation in print echoes the thrill any author feels with their first published work.

“It’s amazing,” says Kyrra. “I thought that writing it would take a few years before it got printed, so it was absolutely amazing to see a box full of stories that I wrote and to think about the process of my mentoring by dad.”

It remains to be seen whether Kyrra will embark on her own in the creative world of comics in the years to come. For now, Auroraman is shining with a new creative contributor and close collaboration that is destined to last a lifetime.

To see the full interview with Calum McAnally, starring Jeff and Kyrra Burton, follow the link to the 107.5 Bolt FM blog.