Nerds That Geek Comic Book Review: 'Border Town' #1-2

Written by Zeke Perez Jr.

Every now and again, a comic series turns up that holds a mirror to society in a smooth, thought-provoking, and entertaining manner. Border Town makes itself a must-read by being that series of 2018. At a time in U.S. history when political and racial tensions are flaring up, Border Town inserts itself into the conversation with jarring and witty commentary. The comic isn’t all business, though. It provides well-crafted humor amidst supernatural action from a crew of awesome characters and mythological creatures. If there’s a better recipe for entertainment, I’m not sure where to find it.
 
The new series, published by Vertigo, focuses in on Devil’s Fork, Arizona; a city near the U.S./Mexico border where creatures from Mexican folklore have sprung up, thanks to a crack in the border between physical dimensions. The creatures that first appear (wild chupacabras) take the form of the greatest fear of the person seeing them. For racist xenophobes, they appear as the stereotypical Mexican immigrants (except larger and more lizard-like). For those immigrants, the chupacabras shift into ICE agents. The wild new creatures stir up trouble in town, crossing paths with new-kid-in-town Frank Dominguez and a crew of other high school misfits.
 
Through the lens of Devil’s Fork residents, Border Town pokes fun at and takes a deep look into American race relations. While the story’s characters are pretty on the nose, they are still very intriguing - especially as you learn more about each one and as they begin to interact with each other. Border Town gave me one of the most profound and personal experiences I’ve ever had when reading a comic - or any book, for that matter. In the first issue, Frank introduces himself to Julietta by saying that he’s half-Mexican and half-Irish. She responds by telling him he’s wrong; he’s not ‘the world’s shittiest centaur’, composed of ‘half’ and ‘half’. He’s actually Mexican and Irish AND American, all three fully, and all three simultaneously. Three hundred percent.’ As someone who’s struggled with his identity growing up, this truly touched me. I’ve always referred to myself as half-Mexican, half-Italian, and American, or some combo of those three things. I’ve found myself shifting between those identities, acting as a chameleon based on the surroundings or situation. But I’ve never thought to put the emphasis on myself being the entirety of those things, not just part of each. That writing by Eric M. Esquivel, that phrasing, and that realization meant so much to me.
 
To build off of that, the true treat for me in reading Border Town is the spotlight it shines onto Latino and Mexican-American culture. Specifically, issue #2 blew my mind and filled me with joy. I grew up hearing stories of la chupacabra, El Cucuy, and (most hauntingly for me) La Llorona. I was amazed to flip open artist Ramon Villalobos’ and colorist Tamra Bonvillain’s beautiful double-page spread featuring a lineup of those and other Mexican folk legends. The two-pager is a work of art that would make for an astounding print. The preceding panel depicting Mictlantecuhtli is unbelievably dope too. Seeing these figures drawn up inside a comic book is not something I’d ever thought I’d experience. Representation is pretty great.
 
I’m not sure that I would have predicted that I would ever read a teen supernatural horror story with Latino influences and a strong social message coated in terrific writing and humor, but Border Town cooks that blend up to perfection. It’s not too late to jump in on the action! The second printing of the extremely popular first issue drops today (10/10) and the third issue will release on November 7th. There’s still plenty of time to see how Frank Dominguez and his new crew from Devil’s Fork will band together to stop the folklorical legends that are invading the town on the border…

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