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Tezcatlipoca (Los Comex)
Encyclopedia
Tezcatlipoca is a fictional character
appearing in the independent comic book, El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie, created by Javier Hernandez and published under his privately-owned imprint, Los Comex. The character, based on the god of the same name
from Aztec mythology
, made his first appearance
in "Daze of the Dead: The Numero Uno Edition" in 1998.
suit. He also applied the traditional facial markings and had recently gotten a tattoo for the occasion. The tattoo was of a skull or Calavera
of sorts inspired by a design from an Aztec temple. Little did Diego know, the tattoo was actually an ancient death symbol and paid homage to the god of death. While driving to the festival, he is struck by lightning and veers off the road into a tree. The crash ended his life on this world. He soon awakened in Mictlan to be sacrificed in an ancient ritual in which his heart is ripped out with an obsidian blade and placed in a clay pot. Surprisingly, Tezcatlipoca attempted to delay or even prevent the sacrifice. He offered to test the brightness of Diego's flame to be sure- but the god of death could not be reasoned with and continued with the ritual as planned. After tearing Diego's still beating heart out of his chest, Mictlantecuhtli burnt his facial markings into his face. Afterward, Diego was returned to earth via lighting bolt, exactly one year after his death
Tezcatlipoca appears in the 2007 live-action film adaption El Muerto
written and directed by Brian Cox
.
The character's depiction in the film differs slightly from his comic book incarnation. Like the comic book, Tezcatlipoca is shown to manifest himself upon reflective surfaces, especially in mirrors. Throughout the movie however, he is not shown to have a tangible form. Towards the end of the film, the viewer is able to make out some of the god's facial features, but nothing more. The character was brought to life mainly through visual effects and CGI
, his voice being supplied by actor Alfonso Arau
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
appearing in the independent comic book, El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie, created by Javier Hernandez and published under his privately-owned imprint, Los Comex. The character, based on the god of the same name
Tezcatlipoca
Tezcatlipoca was a central deity in Aztec religion. One of the four sons of Ometeotl, he is associated with a wide range of concepts, including the night sky, the night winds, hurricanes, the north, the earth, obsidian, enmity, discord, rulership, divination, temptation, jaguars, sorcery, beauty,...
from Aztec mythology
Aztec mythology
The aztec civilization recognized a polytheistic mythology, which contained the many deities and supernatural creatures from their religious beliefs. "orlando"- History :...
, made his first appearance
First appearance
In comic books and other stories with a long history, first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a fictional character.-Monetary value of first appearance issues:...
in "Daze of the Dead: The Numero Uno Edition" in 1998.
Fictional character history
The Aztec god of death, Mictlantecuhtli, was displeased at the outcome of the Spanish Conquest. The rebirth of Mexico left the gods behind and removed him from his seat of power. He, along with Tezcatlipoca, hatched a plot in order to regain his throne. Eventually, their plans led them to kidnap 21-year-old Diego de la Muerte. Diego was a Mexican-American living in Whittier, California. He was anticipating the upcoming Dia de Los Muertos festival and had purchased an undead MariachiMariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
suit. He also applied the traditional facial markings and had recently gotten a tattoo for the occasion. The tattoo was of a skull or Calavera
Calavera
The word calavera, Spanish for "skull", can refer to a number of cultural phenomena associated with the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead and the Roman Catholic holiday All Souls Day....
of sorts inspired by a design from an Aztec temple. Little did Diego know, the tattoo was actually an ancient death symbol and paid homage to the god of death. While driving to the festival, he is struck by lightning and veers off the road into a tree. The crash ended his life on this world. He soon awakened in Mictlan to be sacrificed in an ancient ritual in which his heart is ripped out with an obsidian blade and placed in a clay pot. Surprisingly, Tezcatlipoca attempted to delay or even prevent the sacrifice. He offered to test the brightness of Diego's flame to be sure- but the god of death could not be reasoned with and continued with the ritual as planned. After tearing Diego's still beating heart out of his chest, Mictlantecuhtli burnt his facial markings into his face. Afterward, Diego was returned to earth via lighting bolt, exactly one year after his death
Film adaption
El Muerto (film)
El Muerto is a live-action independent film adaptation of the comic book series, El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie created by Javier Hernandez...
written and directed by Brian Cox
Brian Cox (director)
Brian Cox is a writer and director of various independent films and television. He is perhaps best known for the films Scorpion Spring, Keepin' It Real and the live-action adaption of El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie, the latter of which won the Best Feature Film Award at the first annual Whittier Film...
.
The character's depiction in the film differs slightly from his comic book incarnation. Like the comic book, Tezcatlipoca is shown to manifest himself upon reflective surfaces, especially in mirrors. Throughout the movie however, he is not shown to have a tangible form. Towards the end of the film, the viewer is able to make out some of the god's facial features, but nothing more. The character was brought to life mainly through visual effects and CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
, his voice being supplied by actor Alfonso Arau
Alfonso Arau
-Biography:Arau was born in Mexico City, the son of a doctor. He directed the films Zapata: The Dream of a Hero, Like Water for Chocolate , A Walk in the Clouds with Keanu Reeves and Anthony Quinn, and the Hallmark Hall of Fame production A Painted House, adapted from the John Grisham novel of the...
.