Redrawing The Nation pp 205-225 | Cite as
Mexican Comics: A Bastion of Imperfection
Abstract
It is paradoxical that Mexico hasn’t been studied through its comics, since this is one of the more eloquent languages speaking for the country. The overwhelming number of comics and photo-novels produced monthly attests to this fact, particularly if compared to the limited number of books published. On the other hand, the reading rates of comics in Mexico and Japan are among the highest in the world (or at least, they were until recently). If cultural products shape a country’s identity, then one may state emphatically that current Mexican culture is built on television, movies, radio, and comics. However, unlike films, radio, and television, no one pays attention to Mexican comics. It is a forceful reality that is purposely ignored. Not only is it disturbing that we study very little of Mexico through its comics, but also that comics are generally disregarded as an object of study in Mexico. The relevance of this situation transcends comics circles, because no serious study of national culture—past, present, or future—can be founded on such an omission.
Keywords
Publishing Industry Comic Book Street Vendor Weekly Issue Mexican CulturePreview
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