Javier Hernandez
Encyclopedia
Javier Hernandez is an American
artist, comic book creator
, and radio host from Whittier, California
. Perhaps best known for creating the popular series, El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie, the majority of his works are published through his privately-owned imprint, Los Comex.
, a year later moving with his family to Whittier, California
which he now proudly calls his hometown. His early introduction to comic books came when his older brother, who had long grown out of comic book collecting, had left his books to Javier. He would later credit the comics of the 1960s and 1970s as his artistic inspirations. Lucha Libre
had an early influence on him, as well as such television staples as Speed Racer
, The Addams Family
, Giant Robot
and The Six Million Dollar Man
.
and mysticism, and comic book pop culture. The character continued to appear in sketchbook to sketchbook until his public debut in a xeroxed black-and-white comic book entitled "Daze of the Dead: The Numero Uno Edition" (February 1998) which recounted the character's origin story. El Muerto was once Diego de la Muerte, a young man who while in route to a local Dia de los Muertos celebration is abducted and sacrificed by the Aztec gods of death and destiny, and later sent back to the land of the living a year after his death, with supernatural powers. Hernandez would later re-issue the story under the Big Umbrella
imprint, formed by both himself and fellow comic creators Rafael Navarro
, Michael Aushenker
, Ted Seko
, and Rhode Montijo
who, along with Jim Lujan
and Raul Aguirre Jr. would later go on to comprise the roster of "The Cartoonistas." Big Umbrella later disbanded sometime in 2003, citing problems in the market-place, and El Muerto has since reverted to its Los Comex imprint. The initial series of El Muerto was met with critical success and the character's popularity has led to appearances and adaptations in other media, including a live-action film starring Wilmer Valderrama
, for which Hernandez is credited as associate-producer.
Hernandez surprised fans in 2008 with the creation of a political comic book character, Demolition Dove. The character made his public debut in a preview sketchbook at the 2008 San Gabriel Comic-Con, which included the short story, "A Tale of Two Parties". Following issues are to be published under the Xomix Comix imprint formed by both himself and creator Ted Seko
. He has made it quite clear the comic will neither be pro-left or pro-right, and ensures there will be enough content to offend both parties. The character's visual identity was very much inspired by the tough guy archetypes of Hollywood films such as Dirty Harry
, Mad Max
, and Death Wish
. In July 2008, Xomix Comix released an animated trailer for the new series on YouTube
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
artist, comic book creator
Comic book creator
A comic book creator is someone who creates a comic book or graphic novel.The production of a comic book by one of the major comic book companies in the U.S...
, and radio host from Whittier, California
Whittier, California
Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California about southeast of Los Angeles. The city had a population of 85,331 at the 2010 census, up from 83,680 as of the 2000 census, and encompasses 14.7 square miles . Like nearby Montebello, the city constitutes part of the Gateway Cities...
. Perhaps best known for creating the popular series, El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie, the majority of his works are published through his privately-owned imprint, Los Comex.
Early life
Javier Hernandez was born on born April 23, 1967, in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, a year later moving with his family to Whittier, California
Whittier, California
Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California about southeast of Los Angeles. The city had a population of 85,331 at the 2010 census, up from 83,680 as of the 2000 census, and encompasses 14.7 square miles . Like nearby Montebello, the city constitutes part of the Gateway Cities...
which he now proudly calls his hometown. His early introduction to comic books came when his older brother, who had long grown out of comic book collecting, had left his books to Javier. He would later credit the comics of the 1960s and 1970s as his artistic inspirations. Lucha Libre
Lucha libre
Lucha libre is a term used in Mexico, and other Spanish-speaking countries, for a form of professional wrestling that has developed within those countries...
had an early influence on him, as well as such television staples as Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Speed Racer is an English adaptation name of the Japanese manga and anime, which centered on automobile racing. Mach GoGoGo was originally serialized in print form in Shueisha's 1958 Shōnen Book, and was released in tankōbon book form by Sun Wide Comics, re-released in Japan by Fusosha...
, The Addams Family
The Addams Family
The Addams Family is a group of fictional characters created by American cartoonist Charles Addams. As named by Charles Addams, the Addams Family characters include Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Grandmama, Wednesday, Pugsley, and Thing....
, Giant Robot
Giant Robot
Giant Robot may refer to:* Giant Robot , magazine of Asian American popular culture* Mecha, a piloted or remote-controlled limbed vehicle* Giant Robot Week, week-long event that aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami in 2003...
and The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man is an American television series about a former astronaut with bionic implants working for the OSI...
.
Career
Hernandez conceived El Muerto sometime in the early 1990s, a character originally intended to be part of a group of Mexican-American superheroes. Later abandoning other members of the group, he began to focus on El Muerto's character development. El Muerto would later become a unique blend of Mexican and Chicano folklore, Aztec mythologyAztec mythology
The aztec civilization recognized a polytheistic mythology, which contained the many deities and supernatural creatures from their religious beliefs. "orlando"- History :...
and mysticism, and comic book pop culture. The character continued to appear in sketchbook to sketchbook until his public debut in a xeroxed black-and-white comic book entitled "Daze of the Dead: The Numero Uno Edition" (February 1998) which recounted the character's origin story. El Muerto was once Diego de la Muerte, a young man who while in route to a local Dia de los Muertos celebration is abducted and sacrificed by the Aztec gods of death and destiny, and later sent back to the land of the living a year after his death, with supernatural powers. Hernandez would later re-issue the story under the Big Umbrella
Big Umbrella
Big Umbrella is currently a defunct comic-book imprint which was formed by indie comic creators Rafael Navarro, Javier Hernandez, Michael Aushenker, Ted Seko, and Rhode Montijo. It wasn't considered an imprint as along the lines of a DC or Marvel imprint but more along the lines of a loosely formed...
imprint, formed by both himself and fellow comic creators Rafael Navarro
Rafael Navarro
Rafael Navarro is an independent American comic-book artist best known for creating the Xeric Award winning series, Sonambulo, which cleverly blends elements of Lucha Libre and the noir genre. He has collaborated with Keith Rainville and has had work featured in Rainville's From Parts Unknown...
, Michael Aushenker
Michael Aushenker
Michael Aushenker is an independent American comic-book artist and creator based in Los Angeles, California, best known for the comic book series El Gato, Crime Mangler...
, Ted Seko
Ted Seko
Ted Seko is an independent American comic-book artist best known for making imaginative comics with B-Movie-like storylines. His works are known for their fast-paced action without narration overpowering or convoluting the story. Seko has received great acclaim for having a unique style that is...
, and Rhode Montijo
Rhode Montijo
Rhode Montijo is an American independent comic-book artist best known as the creator of Pablo's Inferno and co-creator of the Flash cartoon Happy Tree Friends.-Career:...
who, along with Jim Lujan
Jim Lujan
Jim Lujan is an animator and cartoonist based in the LA area. He is the creator of many short animated films that are primarily featured online and in film festivals. One of Jim's films, "Mama, I'm a Thug", was featured in the Sick n twisted film festival in 2006...
and Raul Aguirre Jr. would later go on to comprise the roster of "The Cartoonistas." Big Umbrella later disbanded sometime in 2003, citing problems in the market-place, and El Muerto has since reverted to its Los Comex imprint. The initial series of El Muerto was met with critical success and the character's popularity has led to appearances and adaptations in other media, including a live-action film starring Wilmer Valderrama
Wilmer Valderrama
Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama is an American actor and television personality, known for the role of Fez in the sitcom That '70s Show, hosting the MTV series Yo Momma, and voicing the character of Manny in the children's show Handy Manny.-Early life:Valderrama was born in Miami, Florida the son of...
, for which Hernandez is credited as associate-producer.
Hernandez surprised fans in 2008 with the creation of a political comic book character, Demolition Dove. The character made his public debut in a preview sketchbook at the 2008 San Gabriel Comic-Con, which included the short story, "A Tale of Two Parties". Following issues are to be published under the Xomix Comix imprint formed by both himself and creator Ted Seko
Ted Seko
Ted Seko is an independent American comic-book artist best known for making imaginative comics with B-Movie-like storylines. His works are known for their fast-paced action without narration overpowering or convoluting the story. Seko has received great acclaim for having a unique style that is...
. He has made it quite clear the comic will neither be pro-left or pro-right, and ensures there will be enough content to offend both parties. The character's visual identity was very much inspired by the tough guy archetypes of Hollywood films such as Dirty Harry
Dirty Harry
Dirty Harry is a 1971 American crime thriller produced and directed by Don Siegel, the first in the Dirty Harry series. Clint Eastwood plays the title role, in his first outing as San Francisco Police Department Inspector "Dirty" Harry Callahan....
, Mad Max
Mad Max
Mad Max is a 1979 Australian dystopian action film directed by George Miller and revised by Miller and Byron Kennedy over the original script by James McCausland. The film stars Mel Gibson, who was unknown at the time. Its narrative based around the traditional western genre, Mad Max tells a story...
, and Death Wish
Death Wish
Death Wish is a 1972 novel by Brian Garfield.-Plot:Paul Benjamin is a CPA in New York and lifelong liberal. However, his staid life is overturned when his daughter, Carol, and spouse, Esther, are attacked by muggers. His wife does not survive the attack, and his traumatized daughter is left in a...
. In July 2008, Xomix Comix released an animated trailer for the new series on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
.
See also
- Professional Amigos of Comic Art SocietyProfessional Amigos of Comic Art SocietyThe Professional Amigos of Comic Art Society is a defunct American non-profit organization formed by several independent comic book and cartoon creators in 1995. Original founders include creators Richard Dominguez, Carlos Saldaña, Jose Martinez, and Fernando Rodriguez...
- Cartoonistas