Historietas: La Patria es Primero Mexico
San Diego Comic-Con (2018) has once again left an impression on people. But there is one thing that comes to my attention, the presence and promotion of comics (Historietas) from Mexico. Now when it comes to comics, Latinx topics are not as common as other 'not white' subjects. But the presence of creators originating from Latin America is something that should not be overlooked. One creator who is with Vertigo's initiative imprint, received a death threat. Instead of making a fuss about it, Eric Mesquivel used the opportunity to promote Latinx comic creators. (Sorry if this counts as being a media parasite Señor Mesquivel)
Historietas Eartly History
Politics aside, the Historietas from Mexico were something of a strange topic. Historically speaking, the codex from the pre-Columbian Natives featuring hieroglyphic figures that depicted events were some of the first comics. I guess history and stories just go hand in hand. Pretty soon, satire began to arise like most comics start out; especially when it came to the Mexican Revolution as an expression of free speech. And then came the American Golden Age comics looming over the populace of Mexico. Fortunately it helped influence the creation of comics for the local peoples. With this, Mexico's own Golden Age of Comics began in the form of magazines that told different stories. These stories began to give rise to comics created by figures such as Gabriel Vargas and Yolanda Vargas Dulche. I guess they had similar schools.
Revisiting Revistas
Comics in those days had their own magazines first with American material and with entrepreneurs making their own material. The golden age of the 40s introduced notable series like Memín Pinguín. The series dealt with a lot of racial issues both on and off the panels; while presenting a relatable character who wants to fit in. Then there was La Familia Burrón (The Burrón Family), the misadventures of a low class family. The comic currently holds the record for over 60 years of publication with 1616 issues, all by the same author. The comic is cited as a social chronicle of Mexico in the decades it was published on. In fact it practically made its own culture in the form of a colloquial language that develops over time.
Batalia
And that was just the tip of the iceberg; by the time new comic book formats became a zeitgeist, it became implemented to enhance the feeling of some works. This included the implementation of one of Mexico's most popular forms of entertainment, Lucha Libre. The masked wrestlers are practically real-life superheroes. It makes perfect sense for these figures to be made into comic book and movie characters. Legendary figures such as El Santo and Blue Demon thrived in the early days. As a matter of fact Chido Comics had announced at SDCC 2018 about the creation of its own Luchaverse. The comic book franchise is sponsored by the Masked Republic and features its wrestlers including Rey Mysterio and Blue Demon Jr.
The Exiting Exitos
Afterwards comics start to diversify in content with works like Lágrimas, Risas y Amor being adapted for television and movies. In a twist of irony, radio shows found new audiences in comics. One of the most notable being Kaliman, a superhero series about an exceptional man on his many pulpy adventures. Then there were series like Chaco a Tarzan rip-off who is later overshadowed by his godfather and his town. Fantomas is a series that was adapted from a French book; the historietas transform it into themes about liberation from conformity. Other genres started to open up as well especially in the 80s.
Some if not a lot of them are actually from existing properties from imports. One of the most famous examples comes from Mexico's soap opera depictions of Spider-Man. Other times they try to make their own spin on horror anthologies. Interestingly enough, some of these ideas actually appear years later without input except creative minds. Next time someone says Fan-Fics are just bringing fantasies to life, try to remember the good sides too.
Historietas Lucha
The eighties were a desperate time for Mexican comics. Like most comics around the world, they were losing to their American counterparts due to imports being cheaper; not to mention TV. Some of the only comics with staying power are the adult-aimed Sensacionales. So to at least stay afloat, creators went into genre's like Sci-Fi. One of the most popular series of the era, Karmatron y los Transformables is influenced by giant robot and mecha series of Japan. Its artwork and experimentation in Ancient Astronauts, religious principles, and philosophies helped in the long run. This in turn would help inspire other manga based works such as Meteorix.
Unfortunately, despite the effort almost none of these comics had staying power to compete even in their home country. More recent social media technology certainly helps people along with strips in webcomic form like Pilli Adventure.
Historietas Future
But does this mean that Mexican Comics are a dying breed as a whole? I don't think so. If you can get some of the old yet fun concepts like masked wrestlers in addition to new ideas, a culture and people can communicate with the world. Just ask La Catrina.
The ink's not dry yet. Thanks for coming and as always remember to look between the panels.