In no particular order, here are a few examples of a genre often overlooked in the literary conversation.
Elvira Carrizal-Dukes,
Ronnie Dukes (Illustrator)
Duke Comics
[from the publisher]
Life on the Frontera has never been easy. It’s getting harder. How can you make the “right” decision when that’s not an option? We all have knuckleheads in our families and this makes life that much more complicated. Cruz has two days to ship out and possibly less to save her brother. The question is, where does her allegiance lie? It’s easy to think of life as black and white, good and bad, justice and criminal. But what about family versus country? Cruz has a hard choice to make with little time to do it. A.W.O.L. is an over 100 page, full color, action/ adventure.
[from UTEP]
Dr. Carrizal-Dukes is an Assistant Professor of Practice and Undergraduate Academic Adviser for Chicana/o Studies at The University of Texas at El Paso. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Rhetoric and Composition from UTEP, a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film from Columbia University in the City of New York, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Journalism and Chicano Studies and a minor in Theatre Arts. Her work centers on the lives of women and racially and economically disadvantaged people. She is a filmmaker and the writer, director, and producer of Mariposa (2006) and The Weeping Pimp (2015) and the author of the play Father’s Shadow / Sombra del Padre (Dramatic Publishing, 2001.) A.W.O.L. was exhibited at Tokyo Comic Con in 2018 and is available in English, Japanese, and Spanish.
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Mario Acevedo
Alberto Dose, Artist
IDW
[from the publisher]
Spinning out of the bestselling novel, The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, author Mario Acevedo brings his Iraq war veteran and vampire detective, Felix Gomez, to comics in this all-new tale of murderous mayhem involving the ruthless heroin merchants, the Han Cobras. But vampiric powers may not be enough to protect Felix or his lover from the vicious gangsters.
Gabby Rivera
Dial Books
[from the publisher]
Juliet Milagros Palante is a self-proclaimed closeted Puerto Rican baby dyke from the Bronx. Only, she’s not so closeted anymore. Not after coming out to her family the night before flying to Portland, Oregon, to intern with her favorite feminist writer–what’s sure to be a life-changing experience. And when Juliet’s coming out crashes and burns, she’s not sure her mom will ever speak to her again.
But Juliet has a plan–sort of. Her internship with legendary author Harlowe Brisbane, the ultimate authority on feminism, women’s bodies, and other gay-sounding stuff, is sure to help her figure out this whole “Puerto Rican lesbian” thing. Except Harlowe’s white. And not from the Bronx. And she definitely doesn’t have all the answers . . .
In a summer bursting with queer brown dance parties, a sexy fling with a motorcycling librarian, and intense explorations of race and identity, Juliet learns what it means to come out–to the world, to her family, to herself.
Gabby Rivera is a Bronx-born queer Puerto Rican babe on a mission to create the wildest, most fun stories ever. She’s the first Latina to write for Marvel comics, penning the solo series AMERICA about America Chavez, a portal-punching queer Latina powerhouse. In 2017, Gabby was named one of the top comic creators by the SyFy network, and one of NBC’s #Pride30 Innovators. Gabby now makes magic on both coasts, currently residing in California. She writes for all the sweet baby queers and her mom, and hosts Joy Revolution, the podcast that brings together her favorite revolutionary humans to honor joy in a chaotic world.
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Jose Pimenta
Random House Graphic
[from the publisher]
Filled with music, passion, supernatural secrets, and family, Jose Pimienta’s Suncatcher brings to life a contemporary story of a girl growng up in Mexicali, with a supernatural twist and a lot of music.
Beatriz loves music.
More than her school — more than her friends — and definitely more than her homework. After Beatriz discovers that her grandfather’s soul is trapped in his guitar, she becomes determined to get him out. But the only way to free him is to play the perfect song — his perfect song, a song that he never actually wrote down.
Fixated on freeing her grandfather, music slowly consumes Beatriz’s life. Soon she finds her self growing obsessed with perfection at the expense of her friendships, her band, and her health.
Beatriz won’t let anything stop her. Even if it means losing everything else.
TOON Graphics
[from the publisher]
A fresh take on timeless tales! How would a kitchen maid fare against a seven-headed dragon? What happens when a woman marries a mouse? And what can a young man learn from a thousand leaf cutter ants? Famed Love and Rockets creator Jaime Hernandez asks these questions and more as he transforms beloved myths into bold, stunning, and utterly contemporary comics. Guided by the classic works of F. Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada, Hernandez’s first book for young readers brings the sights and stories of Latin America to a new generation of graphic novel fans around the world.
Jaime Hernandez is the co-creator, along with his brothers Gilbert and Mario, of the comic book series Love and Rockets. Since publishing the first issue of Love and Rockets in 1981, Jaime has won an Eisner Award, 12 Harvey Awards, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. The New York Times Book Review calls him "one of the most talented artists our polyglot culture has ever produced." Jaime decided to create The Dragon Slayer, his first book for young readers, because "I thought it would be a nice change of pace from my usual grown-up comics." He read through tons of folktales to choose these three. What made them stand out? Maybe he saw himself in their characters. Jaime says, "I'm not as brave as the dragon slayer, but I can be as caring. I'm as lazy as Tup without being as resourceful. I am not as vain as Martina, but I can be as foolish."
Later.
Manuel Ramos writes crime fiction. His latest novel, Angels in the Wind, will be published by Arte Público Press April 30.
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