The Chicago Tribune’s Metromix.com takes a look at Hispanic super heroes from a variety of media, including Nickelodeon’s new El Tigre cartoon and DC’s Blue Beetle comic:
It’s part of a 21st Century wave of multicultural offerings for kids that have birthed heroes of many different races and ages. Meanwhile, the two big comics publishers, DC and Marvel, have promoted non-white heroes in high-profile books such as “Fantastic Four” and “Justice League of America.” Further, more heroes of color star in their own monthly series. While many of these new monthly comics struggle saleswise, a few have garnered critical buzz, including “Blue Beetle,” which follows the evolution of Jaime Reyes, a Mexican-American teenager who discovers an alien blue scarab that allows him to generate a coat of super-powered blue armor. Unfortunately, the suit doesn’t come with an instruction manual.
Blue Beetle writer John Rogers says he hopes that in 10-15 years, “a Hispanic kid is going to take over writing ‘Blue Beetle’ — or start writing his own comics — because he feels that the medium is accessible to him.” Also be sure to read Greg Hatcher’s description of some of his stduents reading an issue of Luke Cage.
April 30th, 2007 at 6:45 am
10-15 years? I’m hoping for more like 2-3 years, tops. (And no, I don’t mean me!)
April 30th, 2007 at 11:28 am
Blue Beetle is a great book. Even better that his ethnicity isn’t thrown into your face. People bitch that DC doesn’t have characters they can relate to, well here’s one. He’s DCs version of Spider-Man
April 30th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
He’s DCs version of Spider-Man
That’s unfair to the new Blue Beetle. Other than a bug themed teen hero, he’s a very different character: More powerful, less over-worked science nerd, solid family dynamic, no Uncle Ben. He’s actually kind of unique.
Also, is the problem that there aren’t enough Hispanic writers? Because there are a whole lot of prominent Hispanic artists (Perez, Jimenez) and editors (Berganza, Quesada).
April 30th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
oh dear god, dont take that literally. he’s a kid learning to use his powers. he’s a kid with problems like best friends, school, girlfriend, family, etc.
April 30th, 2007 at 5:46 pm
Perez isn’t just a hispanic aritst, he’s one of the best artists in the buisness.
But like I’ve said elsewhere, I worry about Jamie. There are some people who would kill him off and bring Ted back. Like Yolanda Montez.