From Cocinas to Lucha Libre Ringsides: A Latinx Comics Anthology

In this soulful comics anthology co-edited by Latinx comics scholar Aldama (Tales from la Vida) and children’s book author Sánchez (Scruffy and the Egg), Latinx creators celebrate the communal powers of food and sports, while also pointing to societal forces that attempt to diminish these touchstones of identity. The first section, “Cocinas,” focuses on culturally significant meals. Jorge Garza’s “Elotera” recounts his father’s humiliation in a 1950s school lunchroom when he’s ridiculed for eating an “exotic” brown-bag lunch of tacos. Conversely, Jaime Crespo’s “Quesadillas” presents a sweet childhood memory of eating homemade quesadillas for breakfast on chilly mornings, and Rosie Murillo fondly recalls in “Caldo de Pollo” how her mother would serve Mexican chicken soup when she was recovering from illness. In the second section, “Sports Y Locura,” standout pieces include Javier Solórzano’s “Nuestra Nucha,” which explains the importance of lucha libre wrestling to the working class; and Julio Anita’s “The Beautiful Game,” with art by Pablo Leon, which reconciles his love for soccer with conflict over cheering for the U.S. team in the World Cup after Trump comes to power. The quality of the art ranges, and not every story sticks the landing. Still, it’s a joyful mosaic of diverse comics storytelling. (Aug.)