Since she burst onto the scene in Washington, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been making waves. A hero in a white pantsuit and hoop earrings, the freshman congresswoman has now been immortalised in comic book form from independent US publisher .
Devil’s Due publisher Josh Blaylock that while Ocasio-Cortez had not endorsed the comic : “It’s no secret that AOC has become the unofficial leader of the new school, and has sparked life back into Washington and that’s reflected in the enthusiasm on display by the men and women contributing to this project.
“While we all don’t agree on everything, we share a common excitement for the breath of fresh air the new Congress brings. I hope this is as much a cathartic release for readers as it has been for us creators.”
The news of Ocasio-Cortez's comic book tribute came just as she defended her decision to pay all her staff a basic wage of $52,000, saying it ensured Washington remained accessible to a diverse range of staffers.
Ocasio-Cortez hit back at critics of the move last week, saying it ensured her office remained equitable to those who did not come from privileged backgrounds.
Ocasio-Cortez said she was outraged at how many staffers who work full-time had to leave their day job for a second shift as a barista just to afford the basics.
"Low pay is also a big reason for lack of socioeconomic diversity in DC, aka why many spaces in government can feel like a silver spoon club: only people who work 80+hr weeks w/ multiple jobs without an outside life, or whose parents can supplement their pay can have the opportunity to work in the nation’s capital," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Instagram.
"That has real consequences for government being out of touch (with) the people we serve on all levels."
The 29-year-old congresswoman has previously spoken out about working as a waitress to support her family and the challenges of self-funding her own election campaign.
