Customer Reviews

Accidental Ambassador Gordo: The Comic Strip Art of Gus Arriola

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As a kid, I looked forward to every Sunday paper's new and amazing /Gordo/ color strip. Gus Arriola's sense of style, his humor, his clean and accurate technique... those were great strips. I was heartbroken when he decided to retire.

But here we are with a brand new collection of strips, including some of my favorite stories, along with a biography of the cartoonist and a truly fascinating look at the evolution of Gordo, from /campesino/ to tour guide, from stereotype to the cultural envoy who gently and gracefully gave many of us north of the border our first exposure to Mexican customs and traditions. And there's no lack of attention to all the other characters that populated Gordo's world -- Tehuana Mama, the Poet, Juan Pablo Jones, Panchito, the Widow Gonzales, Mary Frances... and the wonderful animals (Poosy Gato was always my favorite).

I would only have been happier if there'd been more color strips -- in fact, more strips, period. I'd adore to see a complete collection through all the years of /Gordo/, though it'd probably take up multiple volumes. Still, until and unless that ever comes along, /Accidental Ambassador Gordo/ is a fine sop to my nostalgia. /Gordo/ truly belongs among the great comic strips of all time; this is a dandy introduction for those unfamiliar with it.

And don't miss the "Beans weeth Cheese" recipe! ;)

Like so many others here, I remember Gordo fondly from a very young age. The bright colors on Sunday appealed to me. So did the combinations of adult themes and animal themes. Gus Arriola was the first person in my life to bring home to me that life is life, animal or human.

The cartoonist has a great sense of humor and a unique drawing style. The book is essentially the story of the life of Gus Arriola, which is an interesting one, interspersed with many, many samples of his cartoons, both daily and Sunday. So this book has to be taken as a biography rather than as a compendium of the cartoonist's work.

This story of the life of Gus and Mary Frances Arriola is a nice one, full of laughter and good friends and fulfilling work. It is also very, very good to relive some of the cartoon moments that are also provided. No, this book is not the complete works of Gordo, and I would like to see that happen someday soon. But in its own right, it's a great book.

If you like cartoons and have an interest in cartoonists, you should have fun with this one.

I enjoy comic strips, especially ones that have art as beautiful as Gus Arriola's "Gordo." This book gives an extensive biography of Arriola, along with extensive commentary by the biographer, Robert Harvey. Once I got past Harvey's writing, I enjoyed the book. Unfortunately, there are very few strips reprinted in the book. Harvey merely samples "Gordo" strips, putting his unnecesary commentaries in the margins, inbetween pages of prose. I think most people, like me, would prefer to have just a collection of the strips, so that we can enjoy Arriola's wonderful work without the "help" of a commentator.

I was lucky enough to see nearly all of the Gordo strips as they originally appeared. They were part of my growing up and maturing process. The people and the animals felt like part of my family. It was so good to see them again, with proper appreciation for the fine talents of the delightful Gus Arriola.

I read "motogrrl"s review, and share the sentiments. Born in 1947, I read "Gordo" with gusto for as long as it was in print. Arriola's aesthetic style is still unparalleled. Do I remember strips entirely without dialogue? I think so! What I really would like to enjoy and review is the ENTIRE collection of all syndicated "Gordo" strips---so what if it amounts to 20 volumes? What does it take to get all of "Gordo" published? A plea? A complaint? This is a plaintive plea! Please!! WE WILL BUY IT!