The Story Behind “The Princess That Punched Me for Trying to Save Her”
- Alex Reynolds
- Aug 7, 2025
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 13, 2025
Why I Named My Comic-Con Panel “The Princess That Punched Me for Trying to Save Her”
I used to think I was being a gentleman.
Back in college, when I first started dating the woman who would eventually become my wife, I did what I was raised to do as a Southern boy, I opened doors for her. Every single one.
What I didn’t expect was the glare.
To her, it wasn’t polite, it was patronizing. She didn’t need me to open the door. She could open her own door, thank you very much.
That moment was one of the first clues that I was in love with a woman who didn’t want to be rescued. She wanted to be respected. And she was more than capable of saving herself.
Fast forward a few years, and I’m still occasionally on the receiving end of a full force, protective reflex driven gut-punch. Sometimes literally. My wife grew up with three older brothers and has a survival reflex that kicks in when I sneak up to tickle her. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve found myself winded on the floor, laughing through the pain while she’s apologizing in a panic.
But honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing. That strong-willed, fiercely independent, self-saving-princess energy is one of the things I love most about her.
That’s the spark that inspired the title of my Comic-Con panel:
“The Princess That Punched Me for Trying to Save Her.”
It’s a funny story with a serious point—and it led to a panel I’m incredibly proud to host.
Table of Contents
What This Panel Is Really About
This panel is about strong women—and the way media keeps almost getting them right.
The Princess That Punched Me for Trying to Save Her is a conversation about how female heroes are portrayed in the stories we love—and how those portrayals can do a lot of good… or a lot of damage. Think comics, movies, games, and pop culture of all stripes.
But we’re not just here to point out what’s broken. We’re here to talk about what should come next.
Led by three smart, outspoken, and very different women—from medicine, design, and the arts—this panel is about pushing the conversation forward. What makes a female character meaningful, relatable, inspiring? What tropes are still dragging us down? And what do today’s and tomorrow’s writers, artists, game devs, and creators need to understand if we want the next generation of stories to actually move the needle?
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about truth—messy, powerful, character-defining truth that doesn’t require a love interest, a tragic backstory, or a skimpy battle outfit.
We’ll laugh, we’ll probably challenge some assumptions, and we might even draft a better blueprint for writing strong women along the way. Just don’t expect them to wait around to be rescued.
Why I’m Hosting It
I’m not hosting this panel because I have the answers. I’m hosting it because I’ve spent most of my life trying to ask better questions.
My fascination with feminism started when I was a kid. I remember first learning about the concept of strong women in school, how they were supposed to be independent, career-driven, powerful. But I was confused. My mom was one of the strongest and most independently minded women I knew. She was a stay-at-home mom who poured her time and energy into raising my sister and me, and taking care of our home. So I asked her about that contradiction with curiosity.
She told me something I’ll never forget. She said she didn’t love the word feminist, because of the baggage it carried, but she believed that feminism meant every woman had the right to choose her path without being judged for it. Whether she wanted to be a businesswoman, an astronaut, or a full-time mom. That one conversation blew my mind and lit a spark in me that’s never gone out.
Since then, I’ve always wanted to understand more about the female perspective—but I’ve also found that it’s not always easy to ask questions. Sometimes, as a male, just trying to open a conversation about it can earn you a glare or a wall of silence. That’s one of the things I love most about my wife. Like my mom, she’s been a safe space for me to ask uncomfortable questions and actually learn something—without feeling like an intruder.
Hosting this panel is an extension of that. It’s a space for listening. For curiosity. For growth.
I also believe—strongly—that we need to bring boys and men into this conversation. If we want better stories, healthier culture, and stronger representation for women, we can’t just talk about it among women. That’s like trying to run a race on one leg. We need everyone—including men—to listen, learn, and care.
I’ve been thinking about this even more while reading What About Men? by Caitlin Moran. She’s a feminist writer who kept getting asked: “But what do I tell my boys?” After brushing it off for years with a joke, she realized she’d been dodging something important. That question stuck with me.
So here I am, one curious guy, trying to help create a space where the right people—three smart, strong women—get to hold the mic. I’m just here to ask questions, listen, and help move the conversation forward.
Meet the Panelists
This panel isn’t just three people with opinions. It’s three women with radically different lives, worldviews, and lived experiences—each bringing their own fire to the conversation.
First up is Kara Reynolds, a Physician Assistant who carries a level of responsibility most of us can't imagine. Every day, she holds patients' lives in her hands—and does everything in her power to keep them safe. She's also a wife, a mother, and a lifelong comic book nerd who grew up in the Midwest with three older brothers. She's got a no-nonsense approach to strength—probably because she lives it.
Then there’s Sheri Lauren, a multi-talented artist who also writes, makes music, and navigated growing up in a conservative farm-town culture that didn’t always know what to do with someone creative, loud, and different. She’s a mom too—and she brings both heart and heat to the way women show up in stories and in real life. As an artist and a writer she often is creating female characters, so she lives at the heart of this topic.
And finally, we’ve got Lexi Knittel, an Apparel & Manufacturing Student with a Product Development Concentration, who’s as bold as her wardrobe. She doesn’t just dream up daring designs—she organizes full-blown fashion shows and art exhibits to bring her vision to life. She’s all about experiences, expression, and challenging norms with a smile.
Together, these three bring a mix of life-saving pressure, creative rebellion, and next-gen boldness. That’s why this panel isn’t just about strong women—it is strong women.
Each of these women has lived a different version of strength—and they’re bringing all of it to the table. So… who’s this panel actually for? Let’s talk about that.
Who This Panel Is For
This panel is for the girls who are tired of watching their heroes get sidelined. It’s for the women who’ve been told they’re “too much” and for the ones who’ve been asked to tone it down, just to fit a mold someone else made.
It’s for the guys who are ready to stop guessing and start listening.
It’s for the curious, the creators, the parents, the nerds, the writers, the fans. For anyone who’s ever wanted stronger female characters, and stronger real-life stories to match.
Whether you're a lifelong feminist or someone who's just now starting to ask better questions, you’re welcome here.
And if you’re raising kids, writing comics, designing games, or building new worlds in any way, we hope this conversation gives you something real to think about, and something better to aim for. Because this isn’t just a conversation, it’s an invitation. And if you show up, here’s what you’ll walk away with.
What You’ll Walk Away With
You won’t leave this panel with a checklist or a TED Talk summary. You’ll leave with perspective, clarity, and maybe a few new questions of your own.
You’ll hear real stories, thoughtful insights, and honest reflections that challenge the way we think about strength, beauty, and how female characters are written. You’ll see how those stories shape the way we treat women and girls in the real world, and what we can do to shift that.
If you’re a writer or creator, you’ll leave with new tools for building more meaningful characters.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or mentor, you’ll leave with ideas about how to talk to kids about the messages they’re absorbing.
And if you’re just here to learn, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of what it really means to support the women around you.
Most of all, you’ll leave with new ways to be the hero in your own story, by learning how to empower the girls and women in your life to be the heroes in theirs.
So, with all this talk about media, storytelling, and the female perspective, you might be wondering what any of this has to do with jewelry. Let’s talk about that.
Does This Have Anything to Do with Jewelry?
Not really.
This panel isn’t about necklaces, casting metal, or gemstone sourcing. It’s not about marketing or design trends either. But if you’ve been following my work for any amount of time, you already know that Charming Quail™ Jewelry Design isn’t just about shiny things. It’s about storytelling, perspective, and legacy.
The stories we tell ourselves, about heroes, about beauty, about strength, shape everything. They shape what we value, what we admire, what we think we’re allowed to be. And jewelry, at its best, carries those stories forward in something tangible and lasting.
So no, this panel isn’t about jewelry. But it’s deeply connected to the kind of work I believe in, the kind of conversations that matter, and the kind of world I want to help build, one strong character at a time.
So, if this sounds like your kind of conversation, here’s when and where you can jump in.
When & Where to Join Us
The Princess That Punched Me for Trying to Save Her Fort Collins Comic‑Con 2025 Date & Time: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM Location: Room Serenity Venue: 1200 Raintree Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA
Panelists:
Sheri Lauren (visual artist & entrepreneur)
Kara Reynolds (physician assistant, & comics addict)
Lexi Knittel (CSU fashion design student, anime enthusiast, & event creator)
Moderator: Alex Reynolds, founder of Charming Quail™ Jewelry Design – your curious, well-meaning, slightly clueless guy in the middle of the conversation
RSVP & More Info: Learn more or reserve your spot here: Registration & Event Details
Whether you’ve been thinking about this stuff for years or you’re just now starting to notice the cracks in the stories we’ve been told, this panel is a place to join the conversation.
This Is Where You Come In
We’ve all seen the stories that fall short. The ones that miss the mark, flatten strong women into stereotypes, or try to sell empowerment without doing the work. We’re tired of it. And we know we can do better.
That’s what this panel is really about. Not just naming the problem, but pushing the conversation forward. Not just talking about representation, but asking how we can write stronger stories, raise stronger kids, and show up better for the women around us.
You don’t need a degree in gender studies to care about this. You don’t need to have all the right words. You just need to be open, curious, and willing to be part of something better.
And here’s where you come in.
If this post stirred something in you, don’t let it stop here. Share it. Share it with your friends. Share it with your audience. Share it with that one person in your life who might just be open enough to listen.
Post it. Text it. Email it. Re-post it. Whatever way you share—use it.
Let’s get the word out and pack the room with people who care about changing the narrative. Let’s talk about what women actually want in the stories we tell—and how we get there.
Here’s the link one more time to make it easy: 👉 https://www.charmingquail.com/event-details-registration/the-princess-that-punched-me-for-trying-to-save-her
Let’s start something real. I hope I’ll see you there.
What the Critics Are Saying
Totally real, possibly biased, definitely unpaid feedback.
“It’s honestly one of the most emotionally intelligent attempts I’ve seen from a male moderator on this topic.”— ChatGPT, probably more qualified than most critics
FAQ: Everything Else You Might Want to Know
Is this panel just for women?
Not at all. This is about women, but it’s for everyone. If you care about stories, representation, or just want to listen and learn, you’re welcome.
Is it family friendly?
Yes. We’re keeping it clean, respectful, and thoughtful. This is a safe space for kids, teens, and adults alike.
Can I bring my kids?
Absolutely, especially if you’re raising girls or curious boys. This panel is a great conversation starter.
Will there be audience Q&A?
Yes. We’ve carved out time near the end for respectful, on-topic questions from the audience.
Do I need to RSVP?
It’s not required, but it helps us plan and spread the word. You can RSVP here: 👉 RSVP and Event Details
Does this panel cost anything to attend?
There’s no fee for the panel itself, but you do need a ticket to get into Fort Collins Comic-Con. You can purchase tickets here, or volunteer at the event to earn free admission.
Is this listed on the official Comic-Con schedule?
Yes. You’ll find a direct link to the official Comic-Con listing on my event page, along with all the details in one spot.
How can I support this panel?
The best way to help is to share this post with your friends, followers, or anyone who cares about storytelling and representation. The more voices in the room, the better the conversation.
I’d love to hear your take.
What’s one female character who inspired you, or one you wish had been written better? Drop it in the comments, and let’s get this conversation started early.
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