The independent horror comic book Dreamwalker created a tidal wave of attention last year, especially in the Philippines. Created and written by former Comic Book Movie contributor Mikey Sutton and illustrated by Noel Layon Flores, Dreamwalker is Kat, a paranormal vlogger who acquires the ability to enter people's dreams and take objects from them. Much of the time she utilizes weapons from them to battle Filipino monsters.
Filipina actress Kate Valdez inspired Dreamwalker. In fact, Sutton even had the character modeled and named after her. As if destiny unfolded, on February 1, Variety announced that Valdez won the title role for a live-action streaming TV show. 108 Media is producing the series with the award-winning Mikhail Red ("Deleter") as series director.
Sutton included some real people he knows in the comic book -- some in cameos, others in the supporting cast. One is Alicia M. Nava, who is the Latina vampire bodyguard Alice in the comic. Alice protects the undead rapper Sylver in the comic book. Likewise, Sylver is flesh and blood. He is based on Syl Abdul, Sutton's co-host on the popular "Rogues' Gallery" show on YouTube.
I recently spoke to Nava about her comics counterpart. She is actually an actress herself.
Q: When did your interest in acting begin?
A: Like every actor, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life when I was just a child. I was about 7 years old when I saw Sally Field in "Steel Magnolias" and still every time I watch this movie it's like I'm watching it for the first time. The entire cast is amazing but Sally Field's monologue was so real to me when I was a kid.. I thought this lady really lost her daughter. When my mother told me she was acting and the best at it, immediately I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and I have been trying to chase that level of storytelling ever since.
Q: Which actors have been an influence on you?
A: I have to talk about my biggest comedy queen, Molly Shannon. I discovered Molly Shannon from, of course, "Superstar." There is something so special about the way she does physical comedy and character work. I love watching her do anything.
I could make a long list of amazing actors that have inspired me.. Truly I could write a book but I will save that for later. I do want to mention the two most recent actors that I admire so much, Michelle Yeoh and Mia Goth. Michelle Yeoh to me is literally like a real-life superhero, she is a total badass and her performance in "EEAAO" is unbelievable. The tragedy, the humor...her entire performance is just so breathtaking.
Q: Judging from the various pictures I've seen of you, you seem to have an appreciation for horror or at least the darker or experimental side of acting and modeling. What do you find most appealing about this?
A: Mia Goth in anything is amazing but especifically "Pearl" is captivating to say the least. The way she can go from every wide range of emotions to a tragic 10-minute monologue is just...like a talent that only a few can say they have.
Q: What kind of acting experience have you done?
A: I have worked primarily on stage while studying the Michael Chekhov technique. I am also an independent filmmaker in the Dallas Fort Worth area, so many times I am both in front and behind the camera, most recently in my self produced episodic Long Distance Summer. From 2019 I have had the pleasure of performing and studying at two prominent comedy clubs in Dallas Texas, Dallas Comedy Club and Stomping Ground Comedy Theatre. I love to work with local playwrights in stage readings and I’ve acted in a few local independent films.
Q: Judging from the various pictures I've seen of you, you seem to have an appreciation for horror or at least the darker or experimental side of acting and modeling. What do you find most appealing about this?
A: There is something powerful about women in horror and I love to shoot/create with women and femme presenting people. I think horror is the most forgiving, exciting and creative genre out there. It gives the flexibility of looking glamorous, camp or somewhere in between while telling a really cool story. I love to mess with lighting, costumes, angles and I will say a lot of my concepts are usually inspired by whatever music I listen to.. And for whatever reason I always look at the darker side of a song.
Q: Your agent is popular YouTube personality Syl Abdul. How did you two meet?
A: Syl actually discovered me through a hashtag on twitter as crazy simple as it sounds and i'm so grateful! I had been producing a lot of different projects at the time and when I received a DM that this person wanted to collaborate with me on something, I was a little skeptical at first. It's so strange because usually when I get DMs from dudes I delete them, nothing good had come from those so far, but i felt the need to check out his stuff and was actually pleasantly surprised by his content and decided to hear his pitch to collab. I don't know what it was but i felt that this guy was a genuine person who was interested in my stuff and I'm glad I trusted my gut because here we are.
Q: "Dreamwalker" creator/writer Mikey Sutton based the comic-book vampire Alice on you. Of course, since Sylver is modeled after Abdul, that seems appropriate enough. What was your reaction when you saw Alice?
A: I lost my ever lovin’ mind! It is the coolest thing because before the comic came out Alice was a complete mystery to me. I had no idea she would be everything I ever dreamed of. Mikey took every single thing I ever wanted to be and put it into one character. My super heroes growing up were Project Alice from the "Resident Evil" movies and Selene from "Underworld." They were my “Spider-Man” and 20 years later here is Mikey Sutton and Noel Layon Flores creating my dream character in my likeness? To say it's a dream come true is an understatement. I cried. So grateful.
Q: How do you feel about "Dreamwalker" officially becoming a TV series?
A: I would say unbelievable but Dreamwalker is exactly what audiences NEED. Filipino folklore-horror with an amazing female lead and a diverse cast of characters? I think this is going to change the way we look at the horror genre and comics. I'm so ready to see the representation for these characters with multicultural backgrounds reach all audiences. I cannot wait for this next level storytelling and I’m rooting for everyone involved and pray it exceeds its potential.