La Borinqueña
Publication information
PublisherEdgardo Miranda-Rodriguez
First comic appearanceLa Borinqueña #1 - December 2016
Created byEdgardo Miranda-Rodriguez
In-story information
Alter egoMarisol Rios De La Luz
SpeciesHuman
Place of originEarth
AbilitiesFlying, Diving, Super strength, Control of storms

La Borinqueña is a graphic novel by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez published in 2016.[1]

Plot

Marisol Rios De La Luz ,[2] a student at Columbia University with a major in Earth and Environmental science, is studying abroad in Puerto Rico. Shortly after arriving, she finds out that her classes at the University of Puerto Rico are no longer available due to budget cuts. Initially she is disappointed, but she decides to create her own lab in the back of her grandfather's café where she will conduct research on the rock samples that she acquires from her exploration of five caves. One night, she goes to Cueva Ventana during a storm and makes a shocking discovery about La Estrella Del Camino, which results in her receiving her powers from Atabex, Huracan, and Yucahu. As a superhero with a commitment to solving Puerto Rico's environmental issues, the people recognize her as their vigilante and La Borinqueña.

Themes

Reconnecting with culture

La Borinqueña is a story about Marisol's self-discovery as an Afro-Puerto Rican. Throughout the story, she establishes an even deeper connection with her culture when she gets the opportunity to study abroad in Puerto Rico. This expressed through her embracement of the Puerto Rican flag, acknowledgement of the Taíno mythology, and commitment to resolving environmental issues.[3]

Colorism

As an Afro-Puerto Rican, she encounters the issue of colorism when she meet Sofia, a white passing Puerto Rican. Unaware that Marisol is the granddaughter of the cafe owner, she automatically assumes that she is "la morena cocinando" because of her appearance.

Identity

Identity is a prominent theme throughout the text. It is explicitly addressed through Marisol's physical, geographical, and her political identity. As an Afro-Puerto Rican, she belongs to two different racial groups and has a hybrid identity,[2] so she has to learn how to embrace both parts of her even though she may face issues, such as colorism.

Additionally, her identity as a New Yorker is extremely important to the plot of the story. Historically, New York has been the center of revolution and change for Puerto Rico, so having a character with this identity refers to this history. The implications of having a character who is both Puerto Rican and from New York is that it acknowledges and pays homage to the individuals that were exiled to New York after the Lares Rebellion.

Marisol's adoption of the flag that was created during El Grito de Lares gives her a new identity amongst her people. After seeing Marisol dressed in the colors of the Puerto Rican flag, people are filled with nationalism and begin singing both reminded renditions of La Borinqueña, Puerto Rico's National Anthem. This is how she is given the name, La Borinqueña, which gives her political significance. She is now a political symbol of decolonization, rebellion, and pride.

Nationalism

In this story, there are clear references to the Puerto Rican flag and the National Anthem which are both important symbols of the Puerto Rican nationalism.[4] Because of this nationalism, that Marisol is uplifted as a superhero by her community. This is significant because the Puerto Rican Flag was not always accepted. There have been many attempts to degrade this symbol decrease the pride by restraining any acts of nationalism. The Puerto Rican people's embracement of Marisol, who wears the Puerto Rican flag as her superhero costume, shows that this symbol is still significant to the people despite all of the efforts to restrain their acts of nationalism. Although this flag has a long and controversial history, the flag has become part of Puerto Rico's ethnic identity.

Strength and perseverance

This comic alludes to several key events from Puerto Rico's past such as the Indigenous Rebellion and Colonialism. In addition, it acknowledges Puerto Rico's constant struggles with various environmental issues and the Debt Crisis. By depicting these events, Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez shows the resiliency of the Puerto Rican people who have persevered through many devastating events.

Historical references

Taíno mythology

Marisol receives her superhero abilities from Atabex or Atabey (goddess), Huracan, and Yúcahu,[5] who are keys figures of Taíno mythology.[6] Atabex, the Mother of Boriken, speaks directly to Marisol, after she locates the five crystals (which come together to form La Estrella Del Camino). Her son, Huracan, the spirit of storms, gives Marisol the power to control the wind. Through him, she has the power to control the storms and fly. Atabex's other son, Yucahu, the spirit of the sea and mountains gives Marisol the power to control the earth and the seas.

Estrella del Camino

The story makes several references to the La Estrella del Camino. Professor Robles and several other people have searched for this star. When Marisol finds all five crystals which form this star, she meets Atabex, and her powers are unlocked. This is important because this symbol leads her to her destiny as the Puerto Rican superhero, La Borinqueña.

Puerto Rican flag history

Before Marisol leaves for Puerto Rico, her mother gives her a family heirloom, which is a piece of the remaining fabric that Mariana Bracetti used to sew the flag for El Grito De Lares. El Grito De Lares was a rebellion in Puerto Rico that was against Spanish rule.[4] Later, another flag was adopted by a group of exiles in New York in solidarity with the Cuban Revolutionary Party. When Marisol speaks to Atabex, this ribbon expands to form her suit which resembles the Puerto Rican flag. When people see her wearing the flag, they are filled with nationalism and pride.[7]

Economic debt crisis

When Marisol arrives in Puerto Rico, she finds out that all of her classes are canceled because of budget cuts that the University of Puerto Rico was experiencing. This is a direct reference to the economic debt crisis that is affecting Puerto Rico. In the 20th century, Puerto Rico received assistance from the United States to keep its economy afloat, but this only worsened the conditions of the economy. As the economy continues to shrink and decrease in size, the government is placed in an uncomfortable position. Due to the lack of jobs, the working class has suffered the most and the funding for the public sector has taken a huge hit.[8]

Poaching of Puerto Rican sea turtles

Before colonialism, this species of sea turtles was plentiful in Puerto Rico. Because of the negative human environmental interaction and animal poaching, they have become an endangered species.[9]

Puerto Rican national anthem

There are two versions of La Borinqueña, the Puerto Rican national anthem: Manuel Fernández Juncos' version and the 1868 version of the anthem. When people see Marisol for the first time, they sing both anthems and give her the name, La Borinqueña.

As a Latino speculative fiction work

This comic belongs in the field of Latino Speculative Fiction because it centers the experiences of Marisol, who is an Afro-Latina, by focusing specifically on her identity and journey to embracing her culture. Written by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, who is a Puerto Rican, it presents an accurate and informed representation of Puerto Rican culture, vernacular, history, and mythology.[7][10] This is significant because it helps to defamiliarize the Latino stereotypes present in white mainstream comic series,[7] expand the image of Latino characters beyond the geographic origins and cultural restrictions, and diversify the representations of the Latino Community.[11][12] While the existence of La Borinqueña, who has an indigenous and Afro-Caribbean identity, within the field of Latino Speculative Fiction help to represent people with hybrid identities and eliminate stereotypes of the Latino community, there is still a lot of work needed to be done to eliminate the existing hierarchy within the metropolitan narrative.[2]

Creation, concept, and influence

  • Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez decided to create his own comic starring a Puerto Rican hero. Miranda-Rodriguez was inspired to make the character when he was approached by organizers of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. They wanted to honor him for his previous work. Miranda-Rodriguez created a comic book to be introduced at the 2016 Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC
  • Named after the national anthem of Puerto Rico, La Borinqueña mainly deals with political issues such as voter rights and climate change and police accountability. Her creator has described her more as a "symbol of hope" than a "crime fighter".[13]
  • Wanted to write from the perspective of a student. Young people often go into college without specific political ideologies and the evolves as we hit different courses. Often, when traveling abroad, students minds and perspectives expand Marisol is not just learning about her culture but her identity as well.[14]

Collaboration and remakes

Ricanstruction: Reminiscing and Rebuilding Puerto Rico

  • This is an anthology collaboration with contributors from popular comic book series. They team up with La Borinqueña and some of the most well known superheroes of all time. It takes the readers on a beautiful journey of Puerto Rican history and show the strength of the culturing in rebuilding the island.
  • La Borinqueña superhero action figure, created by a Massachusetts-based toy company, was set to launch in 2022.[15]

Fictography

  • La Borinqueña /origin: The hero's origin story links the character to a Taino Specific history of not only resistance, but also resilience; those who stood up against the Spaniards, like Cacique Mabodamaca. They didn't just let the colonizers take over. La Borinqueña's story is a continuation of that narrative.
  • Uniform Inspiration/Significance
    • Puerto Rican colors and star of the flag. The uniform is form fitting but not over-sexualized; only body parts seen are hands and face. Athletic body (even before getting superpowers - bike riding).[14]
    • The suit comprises two versions of the Puerto Rican flag — the original, called El Grito de Lares, and the current one, which was made in New York City in 1892 and modeled after the Cuban flag.
  • Real Name: Marisol Rios De La Luz
  • Personality: Sense of duty, loyal, patriotic, intelligent
  • Life: Successful parents (mother doctor), grandparents own a shop, Student at Columbia University studying Earth and Environmental Studies, researcher, biker, NY
  • Power Stemming: Connecting with Taino heritage and mythology
    • Powers are given by an ancient Taino goddess during her study abroad Puerto Rico
  • Abilities: Flying, Diving, Super strength, Control of storms

Recognition

La Borinqueña has been featured in the New York City Puerto Rican Day Parade and is now the recipient of her own mural in the South Bronx at the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education.

Publication history

  • La Borinqueña #1 - December 2016
  • La Borinqueña #2 - June 2018
  • Ricanstruction: Reminiscing and Rebuilding Puerto Rico
  • La Borinqueña #3 - November 2020 [16]

Book tour

In 2019–2020 the author and creators of La Borinqueña Edgardo Miranda Rodriguez went on the first book tour of the series.[17]

References

  1. ↑ Miranda-Rodriguez, Edgardo (2016). La Borinqueña. ISBN 978-0-692-78994-0. OCLC 965798815.
  2. 1 2 3 Humphrey, Paul (July 1, 2019). "'Yo soy Groot': Afro-Caribbean religions and transnational identity in the comic metropolis". Studies in Comics. 10 (1): 115–134. doi:10.1386/stic.10.1.115_1. ISSN 2040-3232.
  3. ↑ Gandy, Matthew (September 2002). "Between Borinquen and the Barrio: Environmental Justice and New York City's Puerto Rican Community, 1969–1972". Antipode. 34 (4): 730–761. doi:10.1111/1467-8330.00267. ISSN 0066-4812.
  4. 1 2 Miranda-Rodriguez, Edgardo (September 5, 2018). "Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez On Creating A Superhero For Puerto Rico". What's Good with Stretch & Bobbito. NPR.org. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  5. ↑ "OPEN: La Borinqueña Comic Book".
  6. ↑ Dookie, Chantal (2018). A Critical Exploration of the Lives of Taíno women in the Pre-Columbian Caribbean within the Framework of Gender Archaeology (Thesis). The University of the West Indies. hdl:2139/46770.
  7. 1 2 3 Betancourt, David (December 22, 2016). "New superhero La Borinqueña shows the power of Puerto Rican pride". Washington Post. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  8. ↑ Wolff, Jennifer (March 30, 2016). "Debtors' Island". New Labor Forum. 25 (2): 48–55. doi:10.1177/1095796016639295. ISSN 1095-7960. S2CID 155916301.
  9. ↑ Guzman, Sandra (April 11, 2017). "These 3 Puerto Rican scientists are helping to save endangered parrots, turtles and manatees". NBC News. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  10. ↑ Stanger, Shirley. A comparison of attitudes toward women among Asian university students at San Jose State University (Thesis). San Jose State University Library. doi:10.31979/etd.r5em-k93e.
  11. ↑ "Latinx Superheroes in Mainstream Comics". Amazon. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  12. ↑ Orozco, Danielle A (September 20, 2017). "Frederick Luis Aldama. Latinx Superheroes in Mainstream Comics. Tucson: U of Arizona P, 2017". Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature. 42 (1). doi:10.4148/2334-4415.1980. ISSN 2334-4415.
  13. ↑ "The superhero 'La Borinqueña' is at the Smithsonian. We speak to her proud creator". NBC News. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  14. 1 2 "La Borinqueña: A New Hero for Puerto Rico | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  15. ↑ Montalván, Karla (February 24, 2022). "La Borinqueña Becomes the First Afro-Latina Superhero Action Figure". Yahoo. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  16. ↑ "La Borinqueña Graphic Novel | Created and Written by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez". www.la-borinquena.com. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  17. ↑ "La Borinqueña Graphic Novel | Created and Written by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez". www.la-borinquena.com. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
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