Your Brain on Latino Comics: From Gus Arriola to Los Bros Hernandez (Cognitive Approaches to Literature and Culture) [Paperback]

Frederick Luis Aldama (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0292719736 | ISBN-13: 978-0292719736 | Publication Date: June 1, 2009

Though the field of comic book studies has burgeoned in recent years, Latino characters and creators have received little attention. Putting the spotlight on this vibrant segment, Your Brain on Latino Comics illuminates the world of superheroes Firebird, Vibe, and the new Blue Beetle while also examining the effects on readers who are challenged to envision such worlds. Exploring mainstream companies such as Marvel and DC as well as rising stars from other segments of the industry, Frederick Aldama provides a new reading of race, ethnicity, and the relatively new storytelling medium of comics themselves. Overview chapters cover the evolution of Latino influences in comics, innovations, and representations of women, demonstrating Latino transcendence of many mainstream techniques. The author then probes the rich and complex ways in which such artists affect the cognitive and emotional responses of readers as they imagine past, present, and future worlds. Twenty-one interviews with Latino comic book and comic strip authors and artists, including Laura Molina, Frank Espinosa, and Rafael Navarro, complete the study, yielding captivating commentary on the current state of the trade, cultural perceptions, and the intentions of creative individuals who shape their readers in powerful ways.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Your Brain on Latino Comics is a much-needed addition to the field of Latino studies, serving as a bridge between a rich Latino comics history that has been paid little scholarly attention in the past and a thriving contemporary Latino literary culture that was widely influenced by Latino comics like Love & Rockets. (Eric Reynolds, editor, Fantagraphics Books )

About the Author

FREDERICK LUIS ALDAMA is Professor of English and Comparative Studies and Director of Latino Studies at Ohio State University, Columbus. His seven previous books include Spilling the Beans in Chicanolandia: Conversations with Writers and Artists.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292719736
• ISBN-13: 978-0292719736
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #946,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Blurb from the back of the book..., February 28, 2010

By 

W. A. Nericcio "editor | sdsupress" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Your Brain on Latino Comics: From Gus Arriola to Los Bros Hernandez (Cognitive Approaches to Literature and Culture) (Paperback)

"'Holy funny pages, Batman!' Fred Aldama's Your Brain on Latino Comics tears open new tierra as its savvy x-ray vision parses Latino visual culture. With voracious eyes attuned to word-image conspiracies, grandmaster Aldama's ink-stained hands reveal the legacy and destiny of 'American' comics. This is a go-to book for profs in ethnic/cultural studies and communications. Jump into a phone booth and reach for your hot spandex tights--Aldama's lush, semiotic alchemy will have you leaping buildings in a single bound!"

--William A. Nericcio
--Director, Master of Arts in Liberal Arts and Scieneces, San Diego State University
--Visiting Professor, Media and Cultural Studies, University of California, Riverside

5.0 out of 5 stars The Latino comic book in the United States today, August 18, 2009

By 

ROROTOKO (rorotoko dot com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Your Brain on Latino Comics: From Gus Arriola to Los Bros Hernandez (Cognitive Approaches to Literature and Culture) (Paperback)

"Your Brain on Latino Comics" is on the ROROTOKO list of cutting-edge intellectual nonfiction. Professor Aldama's book interview ran here as cover feature on June 10, 2009.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, May 25, 2009

By 

Comicbook Fan "WonderWoman" (California, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Your Brain on Latino Comics: From Gus Arriola to Los Bros Hernandez (Cognitive Approaches to Literature and Culture) (Paperback)

I've been reading Los Bros Hernandez since the early 80s and recently started following Rocketo. Aldama, an academic who writes for the any-joe, tells us all about these guys and many others and the way they do their magic, and what we do when we read their stuff. X-ray vision--this is it into the world of Latino comics.