Frederick Luis Aldama’s book, “Latinx Superheroes in Mainstream Comics,” which takes a look at how Latino characters are portrayed in the mainstream comic media, walked away with the prestigious Eisner Award for Best Academic/Scholarly Work during this year’s Comic-Con International.
“There is a vast and long, yet uneven, history of Latino characters in the American comics market, and a study of their portrayals was long overdue,” said Javier Hernández, the creator of “El Muerto.” Hernández also provided the book’s afterword.
From Zorro to America Chavez and from Gordo to Miles Morales, Aldama’s book guides the readers through a full index of Latino superheros in comics starting with the 1940s. The text not only identifies the heroes but also gives insight into each one’s lives and background my examining where they live. The book also takes a look at different traditions and cultural content within the hero’s surrounding that are unique to that particular community.
“With the ever increasing profile of both Latino creators and characters in the comics, the Eisner win for the book will hopefully get more people, publishers and readers alike, to examine what’s been done in the past,” Hernández said. “And what can be done today and tomorrow to better the growing Latino representation in the comics.”
The Mexican professor of English and University Distinguished Scholar at The Ohio State University — in partnership with the university and DG Cine — has finished filming a documentary based on the book which is set to be released this Fall.
Author: Armando Davalos
Armando Davalos is a life-long nerd, whose love of comics spans 45 years.
As a father, he feels it’s his obligation to pass along this love of nerdom to his children.
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