Creating Captain Zero: The Superhero Dealing With Depression

In a powerful and moving conversation during Pride month, actress and activist Angelica Ross sat down with Z Cheraime, the visionary creator behind the upcoming animated series Captain Zero. Their discussion wasn't just about the mechanics of production; it was a deep dive into the soul of a project that has been ten years in the making. From the depths of a depressive episode to a chance encounter on Twitter, the story of Captain Zero is a testament to the power of transmuting pain into art and the necessity of community.

The journey of Captain Zero began nearly a decade ago, born from a moment of profound personal struggle. Z shared that the initial conception of the character came during a severe depressive episode in 2015. Having recently moved to Orlando to attend Full Sail University, Z found themselves at a literal and metaphorical fork in the road.

Diagnosed with major depressive disorder a year prior, Z faced the challenge of navigating mental health within a cultural context where such topics were often silenced. Growing up in a Haitian household, the concept of "being sad" was met with confusion rather than support. "There was no one in my immediate circle... that even knew where to start the conversation about my mental health," Z recalled.

In the midst of a breakdown in their living room, Z saw two paths: one destructive and one constructive. Choosing the latter, they picked up a pencil and paper to transmute their "voicelessness" into something tangible. By the end of that night, the first image of Captain Zero was born—a superhero who doesn’t just fight external villains, but the internal battle of depression.

The name Captain Zero was chosen for its stark juxtaposition. Z explained that while "Captain" implies a high-ranking military officer—someone with authority and power—"Zero" represents feeling like nothing and nobody. This duality captures the essence of the show: being the "captain of the nothings," leading those who feel invisible or discarded by society.

One of the most poignant parts of the conversation centered on the concept of "Black Excellence." Angelica Ross and Z discussed how this ideal, while intended to be empowering, often becomes a heavy weight that prevents Black individuals from acknowledging their own needs and mental health struggles.

Angelica described Black Excellence as a "scam" in the sense that it demands perfection from Black people to justify their existence, while "white mediocrity" is often allowed to flourish. This pressure to constantly perform and "show up" for the community can lead to extreme exhaustion. Angelica shared her own experience of pouring into the community and ignoring her own needs, only to realize that even the strongest leaders need a safety net.

This central question from the series resonated deeply with both creators. For Angelica, the answer eventually became community. She realized that by allowing herself to be vulnerable and "breaking herself down," she could finally accept the support that her community was eager to provide. This theme of mutual care and the dismantling of the "invincible hero" trope is a cornerstone of the Captain Zero narrative.

Z’s mission with Captain Zero is to showcase the multifaceted nature of Blackness. Often, media portrayals of Black people are monolithic, but Z wanted to represent the intersections of all Black experiences—including the trans experience and the mental health struggle.

"Blackness is so multifaceted," Z noted. By including characters like Oblivion, a trans character designed specifically with Angelica Ross in mind, the show aims to break barriers and provide a mirror for those who rarely see themselves reflected in the superhero genre.

The story of how Angelica Ross joined the project is a modern-day fairy tale of social media and manifestation. While writing the character of Oblivion, Z was watching Pose and became "enamored" with Angelica’s performance as Candy. Z began designing the character’s look and voice based entirely on her.

In what Z described as a "shot in the dark," they posted a tweet featuring the artwork for Oblivion and tagged Angelica Ross, expressing a dream to have her voice the character. To Z's surprise, Angelica responded within forty minutes. After reviewing the scripts, show deck, and animatics, she was immediately on board, not just as a voice actor, but as an Executive Producer.

The momentum didn't stop there. With Angelica on the team, the project gained further prestige. Through their shared agency, they were able to bring on the legendary Keith David. Known for his iconic voice and commanding presence, David’s involvement added another layer of gravity to the production. Angelica noted that having such a recognized voice in animation is a blessing that helps elevate the entire story.

The collaboration between Z and Angelica Ross on Captain Zero represents a shift in how we approach superhero stories and Black identity in media. By centering the narrative on mental health and intersectionality, they are creating a space for viewers to feel seen in their totality—including their shadows. As the project continues to develop, it stands as a beacon for creators everywhere: your story, no matter how personal or painful, has the power to spark a movement and build a community. Captain Zero reminds us that even when we feel like "zero," we have the capacity to captain our own lives and save one another.