Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez’s Boricua superhero La Borinqueña is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The character has been the face of works centered around philanthropy, supporting artists and contributing to Hurricane Maria recovery efforts (the anthology comic was aptly titled “Ricanstruction”). Miranda-Rodriguez also built the world of characters by adding Latino superheroes who find the source of their powers and worldview in Puerto Rican history and legends.
Ten years later, how do you celebrate a character with such an impressive track record combined with good old-fashioned superhero storytelling? Some may look back to the past to revisit the character’s fundamental elements. Miranda Rodriguez decided to go bigger, literally. The result is V-G1GANTE, a Mazinger-inspired giant robot modeled after a mischievous folklore figure popular in Puerto Rican culture. Here, the horned figure turns the script’s origins on its head, moving from a representation of evil and intimidation to one of justice and scientific responsibility. Go big or go home.
V-G1GANTE is written by Miranda Rodriguez, illustrated by Hernan Castellanos, and colored by Eliana Falcon-Dvorsky (who also edited the book), and marks La Borinqueña’s first foray into manga.
The story depicts the activities of La Borinqueña’s “Puerto Rico defenders” team, Nitainos, as the threat of monsters rises from the Puerto Rico Trench. Considering the creature’s size, V-G1GANTE is the best option to contain it.
The giant robot will be piloted by Brismar Besosa Cruz, a computer science student at the University of Puerto Rico’s Rio Piedras campus. She has a strong moral compass, which is reflected in the robot’s design (color-coded in red, white, and celestial blue). Unethical science, irresponsible psychic creatures, and environmental issues take center stage as V-G1GANTE shows the world why she earned her place among the Nitainos of La Borinqueñas.
All the characteristics of previous Borinqueña comics are here. Miranda-Rodriguez’s screenplay continues to promote environmental causes through its characters. Villains and misguided scientists are portrayed as people who believe that geographic concerns should not hinder profits and progress. To some extent, big tech has been noticed by superpower groups, sparking debate about how wealthy people flee to Puerto Rico not only for tax reasons, but also to exploit the island’s resources.
A unique high-tech invention, V-G1GANTE argues that technology is most effective when used to protect the environment, rather than take it away from it for economic gain (an idea reminiscent of the first Superman comics of the Great Depression era). In this sense, the spirit of La Borinqueña flows through this character and helps define V-G1GANTE’s overarching mission for the protection of Puerto Rico and its coast.
Hernan Castellanos’ art is a real treat here, perfectly capturing the speed, intensity, and kinetic energy that characterize manga. The book moves at a fast pace thanks to an economical panel approach that aims to separate each page with four or five panels. Movement is constant, so it’s important that the script gives the artist the space to convey that. Miranda Rodriguez, who is clearly a fan of anime and manga, taught Castellanos just that.
V-G1GANTE has a design that will satisfy not only Mazinger fans but also Gundam fans. This is a film that could go toe-to-toe with the best of the best, and would look great on the big screen (if it ever were to be made into a highly acclaimed film, live-action or animated).
Eliana Falcon-Dvorsky’s palette creates colors that match that energy, and as the story progresses, national colors are held high alongside darker tones to distinguish between good and evil. These remind me of classic anime, especially the 80s/90s series. There, the colors were wonderful and extravagant and had even more impact on the story. This book is simply firing on all cylinders and heralds the beginning of a whole new era in the world of La Borinqueña.
With V-G1GANTE, Miranda-Rodriguez has proven that his vaunted Boricua female superhero creation is one of the most thematically and stylistically diverse characters in comics, able to blend classics like Mazinger Z with Vejigante culture and expand on an already vibrant and diverse world. ¿ Boricuas hasta en la luna?Enjoy the manga!
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