In SEIS CUERDAS: DEFENDER OF MEXICO #1, available from Source Point Press on May 26th, 2021, a new hero emerges from the shadows with his specially designed body armor, his bulletproof sombrero, and his guitar to rid Mexico of crime.
The Details
- Written By: Anthony Rella
- Art By: Benito Gallego
- Colors By: Benito Gallego
- Letters By: Anthony Rella
- Cover Art By: Benito Gallego
- Cover Price: $3.99 (physical), $1.99 (digital)
- Release Date: May 26, 2021
Was It Good?
Yes, it was possibly the most entertaining comic of the week so far for sheer enjoyment and fun. Right from the cover and throughout the story, the premise of the character looks patently ridiculous, and yet, the art, the writing, and the execution are played completely straight. You almost expect the content to veer into campiness but it doesn’t, and when the hero steps into the light for the first time, the little boy or girl who loves Saturday morning action cartoons is in heaven.
The art pays deep respect to the Bronze Age of comics with thick, dramatic hatching lines and heavy shadows. The art doesn’t look like a cheap, close knockoff of Bronze Age comics. It’s a perfect match, and it’s beautiful.
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The story is a fairly vanilla origin story of a genius fighter who chooses to step out and do what’s right. What makes the origin special is the unique flair and flavor of Mexico. Something you don’t see much of in modern comics.
The overall writing is fairly good. The one down note is some clumsiness with the flow in the prologue. One panel jumps to the next a little too abruptly, and it could have benefited from a few extra panels to smooth out the flow or moved the opening scene a little later in the book to integrate more closely with the main story.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We’re first introduced to Dantés as a lover, musician, and fighter. On his way home from a saucy date, Dantés saves a man who’s fallen off a subway platform onto the tracks below with a train on the way. The news reports credit a stranger with the save, but he disappears before anyone can talk to him.
Later, we meet the tattooed and maniacal Daniel, leader of the Santa Muerte cult. The cult practices all manner of illegal activity, including human tracking and human sacrifice, to appease their god. Daniel’s troubles and abuse-filled past is a story of radicalization and indoctrination by young boys who are beaten down by life. Daniel turned his victimization into becoming a monster, and no amount of blood spilled is too great to serve his god.
Next, we meet the anonymous figure behind the Narcotruth.com radio show (podcast?) who rails against the systems of law and government that fail to protect Mexico’s citizens. “Who will stand up and save the people?” he asks.
What I’m impressed with, in these first few pages, is the solid introduction to all the players in this saga. You get a quick, “save the cat” moment with our hero. You get a ruthless, bloody introduction to the main villain. And you’re introduced to the voice of righteousness that will narrate the legend about to be born.
The introductions get right to the point (again, Dantés’s first scene is a little clumsy), and it’s good, wholesome, simple storytelling.
Dantés feels he’s trained enough, and now it’s time to step out in public as Seis Cuerdas (translation: Six Strings) to fight for the people. He dons his mariachi-inspired fighting suit and heads out to stop a heroin drug shipment.
Without spoiling the details, Dantés stops the shipment and metes out proper justice. But the entire scene is worth its weight in gold for the absolute fun and imagination put into Dantés costume.
A mariachi suit as a superhero costume looks ridiculous, but he uses every bit of it in creative ways. The guitar becomes a formidable melee weapon and the bulletproof sombrero works better than Captain America’s shield. The visuals shouldn’t work, but the art is so good and the writing isn’t trying to play the scene for laughs, so it completely works.
I’m always looking for a comic to surprise me, and this comic surprised the Hell out of me.
We conclude the issue with Daniel hearing about the disruption to his shipment and not taking the news well.
How Does It End?
Criminals like Daniel are made, not born. The tattoos have a special meaning. “Santa Muerte Will Have Her Sacrifice!”
Final Thoughts
SEIS CUERDAS: DEFENDER OF MEXICO #1 is the surprise, fun, superhero action comic of the week. The excellent art and great writing make for a near-perfect offering for anyone with a special love for Bronze Age comics.
Score: 9/10
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