#4: Fact Behind the Fiction – Working with Historian Mākialani Kanewa-Mariano
- messedcomics
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
At its heart, St. Malo is a story of monsters and myths, but the shadows in the Louisiana swamps feel much darker when they are cast against the light of true history. To tell the story of the first Filipino settlement in America, I knew I couldn't just rely on imagination.
Better fiction is built on historical fact. That belief led me to a crucial collaboration that has shaped the very foundation of this comic.
A Chance Encounter at the Cleveland Asian Festival
Great partnerships often start in the most unexpected places. I first met Mākialani (Kia) Kanewa-Mariano at the Cleveland Asian Festival. As we talked, it became clear that her passion for representation and her rigorous approach to history were exactly what St. Malo needed.
Kia holds a Master’s degree in History with a specialization in Museum Studies from Cleveland State University. Today, she serves as the Educator and Outreach Manager at the Shaker Historical Society, bringing a wealth of professional expertise to our creative process. But beyond her credentials, it was her personal connection to the material that made her the perfect partner for this journey.
The Power of Primary Sources
Working with Kia has been an absolute pleasure. She pushed the project to move beyond surface-level tropes by emphasizing the importance of primary and secondary sources. By diving into these records, Kia helped us construct a rigorous timeline for the first issues of St. Malo.
In her essay in the first issue, Finding St. Malo: A Journey Through Hidden Histories, Kia writes:
"As a native Hawaiian raised in the diaspora, connecting with my culture has often felt like searching for a hidden island... Discovering the story of St. Malo resonated deeply. I had never heard of such a place – a fishing village founded by enslaved Filipinos escaping Spanish colonial rule, who became some of the first Asian settlers in the U.S."
Resilience in the Bayou
Kia’s research brought to light the incredible reality of the “Manilamen.” These settlers built a self-governed community in the Louisiana bayous, blending Manila maritime culture with swamp survival. They thrived despite isolation, alligators, and the brutal elements.
For Kia, this wasn't just an academic exercise:
"Learning about their resilience and ingenuity mirrored my own family’s story of preserving culture across generations. Saint Malo is a forgotten chapter in history, yet its spirit of identity and perseverance feels profoundly personal to me."
Why This Research Matters
Because of Kia’s dedication to transparency and representation, the "Primal Horror" of the book feels earned. When our monsters arrive, they aren't just attacking a generic setting; they are invading a meticulously reconstructed piece of Filipino-American history.
By grounding our narrative in the lived experiences of the Manilamen, we aren't just making a "monster book"—we are honoring a legacy of survival.
To purchase St. Malo, visit Creative Mussel's Cryptid Corner on
