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Chicano Latino Comic and Zine Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-1015-BC

Scope and Content

The collection consists of comic books, compilations of comic strips, fanzines, graphic novels, stickers, posters, broadsides, postcards, pamphlets, and one DVD. With a few exceptions, these were produced in the United states by Latino-identified artists and authors. Some publications document specifically Chicano or Latino experiences and culture, while others cover more generalized topics. English and Spanish text are both used.

Prominent artists featured include Javier Hernández, Crystal González, Octavio Rodríguez, Carlos Saldaña, Liz Mayorga, José Cabrera, and Rafael Navarro.

The collection is open-ended and materials will be added as they become available. See descriptions in Notes.

Dates

  • Majority of material found within 2002-2012

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Background Information

Comics: The Comics Studies Society defines comics studies to include the study and critical analysis of comic strips, comic books, papers, magazines, albums, graphic novels webcomics, single-panel cartoons, caricature, animation and other related forms and traditions. “All types of sequential art, graphic narrative, and cartooning are relevant to our mission.”

The term Fanzine, or "zine", refers to a small, informal, non-professionally produced publication. Characteristics of zines include a small circulation and a raison d'etre that stresses free expression over profit. 'Zines are graphic expressions of their authors' social, cultural, and political interests and concerns. They are creative outlets devoted to individual and idiosyncratic self-expression. A zine might treat any topic -- politics, music, sex, gender relations, sports, pop culture, art, food.

In Latin America, comics, zines and graphic novels have a unique history of addressing controversial political, cultural, and social issues. Frederick Luis Aldama writes in Your Brain on Latino Comics, “While cultural studies gained momentum in the 1980s in the United States, the identification of comic books as a site of conformity or resistance to so-called grand narratives…had already appeared in 1971, when Armand Mattleart and Ariel Dorfman [In Chile] published How to Read Donald Duck." US Latinos have in many cases adopted similar strategies of graphic narrative for social comment.

Extent

2 boxes

Abstract

Comic books, strips, zines, and other graphic materials produced by Latino artists and authors in the United States.

Related Archival Collections

Chilean Zine and Comics Collection, University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research

Mexican and Latin American Comic and Zine Collection, University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research

Separated Materials

Javier Hernández' El Muerto Collector Box is included in CSWR's book holdings, PN6727.H47 M82 2012.
Title
Finding Aid of the Chicano Latino Comic and Zine Collection, 1993-2017
Status
Completed
Author
Wendy Pedersen
Date
© 2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451