El Gato Negro

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El Gato Negro
El Gato Negro promotional image.jpg
Both versions of El Gato Negro.
Art by Richard Dominguez.
Publisher Azteca Productions
First appearance El Gato Negro #1 (October 1993)
Created byRichard Dominguez
Characters Agustin Guerrero
Francisco Guerrero

El Gato Negro (The Black Cat) is the name of two fictional American comic book superheroes created by Richard Dominguez and featured in the Azteca Productions' Universe. Both characters made their first appearance in El Gato Negro #1 (October 1993).

Contents

In the comic's continuity, Agustin Guerrero was the first to hold the title of El Gato Negro in the 1950s, creating the pseudonym in order to form a successful career in lucha libre. His motives soon changed however, as he decided to use his talents to fight the criminal element that plagued South Texas. Agustin later retired the alter ego in the late '60s, only for his grandson to adopt it three decades later. [1] Agustin was first introduced as a major supporting character and there are plans to release a series featuring his own exploits as El Gato Negro.

Francisco Guerrero, the second and current incarnation of El Gato Negro, is Agustin's grandson. Francisco makes his living as a social worker in South Texas and devotes most of his free time volunteering for community service. Growing tired of the increasing crime rate in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and haunted by the murder of his friend Mario, Francisco continues the legacy of El Gato Negro, spending his nights fighting against crime. This version often receives comparison to Batman, which is in fact one of the character's many influences. [2]

Publication history

Early years

El Gato Negro made his debut in El Gato Negro #1 (October 1993). Cover art by Dave Kramer. El Gato Negro 1.jpg
El Gato Negro made his debut in El Gato Negro #1 (October 1993). Cover art by Dave Kramer.

The El Gato Negro characters were created by comic book artist and writer Richard Dominguez, both making their first published appearance in El Gato Negro #1 (October 1993) published under Dominguez's own Azteca Productions imprint. The original series followed the adventures of Francisco Guerrero, a social worker living in Edinburg, Texas and grandson to the original El Gato Negro, who adopted his grandfather's former nom de guerre in order to avenge the death of his best friend. The series also introduced Agustin Guerrero, the original El Gato Negro of the early '50s and late '60s, as a major supporting character. Although the character officially retired from his former vigilante-activities, Agustin did appear in costume at the climax of the first story-arc entitled, "Unknown passing, Unforgettable Return" (El Gato Negro #1-3).

Dominguez had originally intended to introduce El Gato Negro as member of a largely Latino superhero group dubbed Team Tejas , but after placing considerably more emphasis on his character development, Dominguez ultimately decided to abandon the Team Tejas project for a later date. [3] The character's secret identity, Francisco Guerrero, was devised to have direct ties to the Mexican Revolution. His given name was borrowed from Mexican revolutionary Francisco "Pancho" Villa, while the surname Guerrero was mainly chosen for its English-translation "warrior", although Dominguez has hinted at a more historical significance, one which has yet to be revealed. [4] Meanwhile, the shared alter-ego of El Gato Negro originated from an abandoned settlement by the name of "El Gato", located south of Pharr, Texas. [4]

The character's personality and visual design was greatly influenced by Dominguez's own favorite pulp and comic book superheroes (most noticeably Batman ) along with classic Mexican luchadors such as El Santo. [5] Another strong influence was Lee Falk's The Phantom , a crime-fighter believed to be immortal but is in fact descended from 20 previous generations of crime-fighters who all adopted the same persona. This, along with Dominguez's own appreciation of the Silver Age of Comics, inspired the creation of a predecessor to the modern-day El Gato Negro. This character is now known as Agustin Guerrero, a former luchador-turned-adventurer of the late '50s and '60s. [5]

The Francisco Guerrero incarnation of El Gato Negro became a popular character soon after his introduction, the first printing of the series actually sold-out within two months. [6] A notable 1997 issue revived Margarito C. Garza's Relampago character, his first published appearance in nearly fifteen years. The series was later placed on hiatus during the late '90s, although the character consistently made appearances in other media.

2000s

In 2004, rather than return to the original series, Dominguez launched a brand new series continuing the adventures of El Gato Negro entitled, " El Gato Negro: Nocturnal Warrior ". For this, Dominguez enlisted the aid of Michael S. Moore to serve as writer and co-plotter, having previously worked together on the first published issue of Team Tejas . The series also featured the work of guest penciller Efren Molina, while Dominguez acted as letterer and inker. The combination of Moore's writing style and Molina's pencils gave the new series a few stylistic changes from its predecessor. [7]

Plans to release a compilation series of the original El Gato Negro series are currently in the works. A brand new limited series entitled Lucha Grande Comics which will feature the early adventures of Agustin Guerrero is also in development.

Fictional character biographies

Agustin "Gus" Guerrero

Separated from the Texas Battalion while on a raid, Agustin became lost in the harsh jungles of Korea only to encounter an exiled Japanese warrior and assassin known as "The Black Cat". Forming an alliance, the Black Cat properly trained the lost Tejano in martial arts and stealth. After being rescued and discharged from the military, Agustin returned to South Texas to begin a career in Lucha Libre. Recognizing a recurring cat motif in his life, Agustin chose the identity of El Gato Negro, promising to bring bad luck to his opponents. However, it was his vigilante activities outside of the ring that made him a legend among the communities of South Texas. Agustin's incarnation of El Gato Negro had become so much a part of the local folklore that few even acknowledge his existence, referring to him as a "fairy tale". His motives soon changed, however, as he decided to use his talents to fight the criminal element that plagued South Texas. Agustin later retired the alter ego in the late 1960s, only for his grandson to adopt it three decades later.

Francisco "Pancho" Guerrero

The second and current El Gato Negro, Francisco Guerrero is a social worker by day and a vigilante by night. The citizens of Southwest Texas believe Francisco to be the original El Gato Negro, returning once again to rid Texas of evil. Prior to becoming the new El Gato, Francisco was growing tired of the increasing crime rate in his hometown of Edinburg, Texas. The final straw being the death of his friend, Mario, a border patrol officer who was overpowered and murdered by several drug-runners. Deciding to take action, with the permission of his grandfather, Francisco adopted the moniker of El Gato Negro and operated as the Nocturnal Warrior for several months, successfully fighting against crime. Despite being popular with the citizens of his community, El Gato Negro is constantly being hunted by local law enforcement led by police Captain Miguel Bustamonte, Francisco's best friend and Mario's older brother.

Antonio Trujillo

A former member of the EZLN in the Mexican state of Chiapas, Antonio emigrated to Edinburg, Texas, United States, along with his wife Rosarita, where they both struggled to adjust to their new lives. Fortunately, social worker Francisco Guerrero helped to get the couple settled in their new home and gain citizenship. Antonio later landed a job at a local mechanic shop, eventually becoming an owner of his own establishment Taller Trujillo. Francisco confided with his friend his identity as El Gato Negro, and in return for his help, Antonio constructs much of the tools he needs to fight crime.

In other media

Film adaptation

As of January 2016, Richard Dominguez is currently working with writer-turned-director Michael S. Moore in directing and filming a live-action short-film adaptation titled El Gato Negro: Prey. [8]

Television adaptation

In February 2019, Deadline Hollywood reported that MGM Television is developing an El Gato Negro television series, with Diego Boneta starring and executive producing the series through his production company Three Amigos, and with Joel Novoa co-executive producing. [9] In September 2019, Robert Rodriguez joined the project to direct and executive produce, with the series originally set to be on Apple TV+. [10]

In February 2024, Amazon Prime Video (which owns MGM) greenlit the series, now titled El Gato, for production in the spring of 2024. [11]

Related Research Articles

Gato may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Dominguez</span>

Richard Dominguez is an American comic book artist and freelance storyboard illustrator. Best known for creating the popular series El Gato Negro, Dominguez publishes his comics through his imprint and art studio, Azteca Productions. Dominguez also is well known for influencing other artists and creators in the pursuit of their own self-publishing ventures.>

Guerrero is a Mexican state.

Relampago is a fictional character, a comic book superhero self-published by creator Judge Margarito C. Garza. The character made his first appearance in Relampago! #1 making him the first Mexican American superhero in the American comic book industry. The character's debut series only ran for three issues, ultimately ending with the passing of Judge Garza 1995. A planned revival series by comic creator Richard Dominguez was later scrapped as he was unable to gain the consent of the surviving Garza family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azteca Productions</span> American comic book publisher

Azteca Productions is an American comic book publisher and imprint founded by comics creator Richard Dominguez in 1993. The company's first publication was El Gato Negro #1 showcasing the debut of the eponymous character, in what is now considered the company's flagship series. Publications went on hiatus during the rise and fall of the speculative market in the late 1990s until Dominguez returned in 2004.

<i>El Gato Negro</i> (comic book) Comics character

El Gato Negro was an independent comic book series featuring the eponymous character created by Richard Dominguez and published by Azteca Productions. The series began in October 1993; the first edition sold all 5,000 copies within two months, but was placed on a seven-year hiatus after the fourth issue was published. Dominguez later returned in 2005 with the new series El Gato Negro: Nocturnal Warrior.

El Gato Negro, Spanish for The Black Cat, may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francisco Guerrero (character)</span> Secret identity of comic book superhero El Gato Negro

Francisco "Pancho" Guerrero, Jr., also known as El Gato Negro, is a fictional character and comic book superhero created by Richard Dominguez and published by Azteca Productions. The character made his first appearance in El Gato Negro #1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agustin Guerrero (character)</span> Fictional professional wrestler

Agustin "Gus" Guerrero, also known as El Gato Negro, is a fictional character and comic book superhero created by Richard Dominguez and published by Azteca Productions. The character made his first appearance in El Gato Negro #1 as a major supporting character. Outside of the comic book continuity he is often referred to as "Silver Age El Gato Negro".

Margarito C. Garza was an American judge and comic book enthusiast. He served as the 148th District Court Judge of Corpus Christi, Texas. for 3 terms in the 1980s to the 1990s and served two terms as Judge of the Nueces County Court at Law from 1972 to 1976 .He also served as Assistant District Attorney in Corpus Christi in the late 1960s. Garza was the first Mexican American to be elected to a judgeship in Nueces County. He was also notable for creating the first Mexican-American comic book hero, Relampago, in 1977 and was a pioneer in the nascent industry of comic retailers. Garza died in 1995 after a lifetime of public service to his community.

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References

  1. ↑ "El Gato Negro featured at International Hero". Internationalhero.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  2. ↑ El Gato Negro "The Hispanic Answer to Batman" [ dead link ]
  3. ↑ "Pop Thought, El Gato Negro interview". Popthought.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2008. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  4. 1 2 "Richard Dominguez's "El Gato Negro"". The Paper of South Texas. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  5. 1 2 EGN FANCLUB: Gato-grams, Richard answers your questions [ dead link ]
  6. ↑ "Universal Press Syndicate: Latino Comic Book Artist Sits in as Guest Artist for Baldo". Amuniversal.com. Archived from the original on 2005-10-23. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  7. ↑ "El Gato Negro Returns in November". Comics Bulletin. 2004-09-15. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  8. ↑ "PCBR: Richard Dominguez (part 4)". Web.mac.com. 2008-02-07. Retrieved 2010-09-13.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 13, 2019). "'El Gato Negro: Nocturnal Warrior': Diego Boneta To Star In MGM TV's Comic Book Adaptation". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 2019-02-14.
  10. ↑ Kit, Borys (September 13, 2019). "Robert Rodriguez, Diego Boneta Team for 'El Gato Negro' TV Series for Apple (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on 2019-09-17. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  11. ↑ Cordero, Rosy (2024-02-26). "Diego Boneta To Lead New Prime Video Series 'El Gato' Based On Comic Book". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
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