This week on ComiCentric. We talk about two legends in the independent Latino independent comic scene. Javier Hernandez and Rafael Navarro have been delighting us with their respective characters ; El Muerto and Sonabulo, for 25 years. They had a signing at Nostalgic comics and they where gracious to provide me with 10 mins of their time.
Javier Hernandez is an artist, mentor, teacher and all-around great guy, who has been making independent comics for 25 years. Working out of his tierra natal Whittier California Javier has created some iconic Latin characters such as El Muerto, Maniac Priest, Cochinito. He has a style that is recognizable and iconic. Furthermore they have even made a movie out of his El Muerto character.
Javier also has been giving lessons and teaching students about how to make comics, all across Southern California. He inspires children and adults and gives them that base they need to start making comics on their own. Javier has participated and been organizer of the Latino comics expo held in long beach.
Rafael Navarro has had an illustrious career for over twenty-five years, he has worked in animation and comic books through that time.
Comic Books he has created one of the more iconic Latin superheroes Sonambulo, a Lucha Libre film noir comic that seamlessly blends the wrestling genre with the classic noir genre. Think Dick Tracy if dick Tracy could power bomb you through a table. He is also co-creator of GUNS A’ BLAZIN’, a science fiction western that pulls no punches and delivers like no other space sci-fi western can.
He has also worked in animation. Story boarding some of TVs classic cartoons. Such as The Batman, Scooby Doo, Spectacular Spiderman, and Rugrats. He also looks snazzy in a suit.
The interview is at the end of the podcast where we discuss a bit beforehand our history with these iconic duos. So, stick around and thanks for listening