Primos (comics)

Last updated
Primos
Publication information
Publisher AWA Studios
ScheduleMonthly
Publication dateFebruary – June 2022
No. of issues4
Creative team
Created by Al Madrigal
Written by Al Madrigal
Artist(s)Carlo Barberi
Penciller(s) Brian Reber
Collected editions
Volume 1 ISBN   9781953165343

Primos is a 2022 science fiction comic book limited series created by writer Al Madrigal and artist Carlo Barberi. [1] It was published by AWA Studios under itsUpshot imprint and ran for four issues. It was collected in trade paperback form in July 2022.

Contents

Publication history

Madrigal’s fascination with superheroes and passion for increasing the representation of Latinx stories, characters, and voices led him to create and write the comic book series Primos in 2022 with publisher AWA and former Marvel Editor in Chief Axel Alonso and artist Carlo Barberi. Primos brings together three distant cousins, bound together by their ancient spacefaring Maya lineage to the historical King Janaab, with a profoundly special purpose: to save the world as they know it. [2]

In introducing three Latinx superheroes, Madrigal and AWA Studios are venturing into territory that has been shunned by most of the big comic book companies. But comic book fan culture is just as big in the Latinx community as it is anywhere else, and Madrigal hopes to capitalize on and honor the culture.

“A lot of the bigger characters were started in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and it’s all White guys,” Madrigal told Forbes Entertainment. [3]

“They became so popular and it was sort of hard to introduce others. I always gravitated towards any minority character because I’m half-Mexican. It’s nice to see yourself on the page and on the screen.”

“There’s so much inspiration to draw upon here, from the myth that the pyramids were built by aliens, to the success of the Mayan civilization and culture and the mystery around their cities’ collapse,” wrote Madrigal in an email to The Times. “However, the main inspiration was King K’inich Janaab’ Pakal’s rule from 603 to 683. It was a great building block for the ‘Primos’ mythology. I hope to be able to dive further into Mayan culture as I continue the series.” [4]

The first issue in the series was released on February 2, 2022, available in both English & Spanish. [5] [6]

Synopsis

Centuries ago, two Mayan brothers constructed a spacecraft that sent them hurtling into outer space. Returned to Earth, only to find their culture and civilization destroyed, one of the brothers vows revenge and seeks to decimate the planet with intergalactic technology gathered on his travels. To prevent this, his sibling creates a contingency plan that activates the world’s protectors – descendants of their own Pacal family. Now, the fate of the planet lies in the hands of three cousins scattered throughout Central and North America who have never even met. [7]

Collected editions

The series was collected in a trade paperback.

TitleISBNRelease dateIssues
Primos Volume 1978-195316534326 July 2022Primos #1-4

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References

  1. Sun, Rebecca (2022-02-02). "'Daily Show' Alum Al Madrigal on His New Latino Superhero Comic Series 'Primos'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  2. "'Primos' mixes Maya legend with Latino culture to create new comic heroes". Los Angeles Times. 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  3. Weiss, Josh. "Al Madrigal Expands Latino Heroes With AWA's 'Primos' And Joins The Marvel Universe In Sony's 'Morbius'". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  4. Mullicane, Evan (2022-01-24). "Primos' Al Madrigal On Diversity and the Roots of His New Superhero Team". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  5. "Sony's Morbius: Interview With Star Al Madrigal". That Hashtag Show. 2022-04-04. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  6. "Latino superheroes from the Maya Empire star in 'Primos' comic book series". NBC News. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  7. "Primos Comic Series – AWA Studios". AWA: Artists Writers & Artisans. Retrieved 2024-02-02.