Angelo Espinosa: Latino Cultural Representation and Other Questions...

[Tre Styles]

Did Angelo Espinosa accurately portray or represent the East Latino Californians? Was he an accurate portrayal, or did he perpetrate a stereotype that was several years old by the time GenX began? What direction could his character have taken? What about others that were connected to him, like Torres, and his mother? Should their stories be told? Can Angelo be resurrected? Is he really dead? He faked his death before, so could he actually be in hiding? If so, where? Let's talk about it here...

[Mariah]

Whachu talkin' 'bout, ese'?

[That JonoGuy]

I can't really comment about the cultural stereotypes, but was anyone else really peeved that a lot of artists never portrayed his powers accurately. Skin has such an unique power and one that was potentially visually appealing, but many artist seemed to want to turn him into a Mr. Fantastic type character. I think I remember even Bachalo falling prey to this as well.

[Affinity]

He never said meng did he?

And if I may say so myself, his death was the worst thing ever.

[Brickbatstone]

he never said meng lol

but he was a stereotypical cholo

[streator]

Can Angelo be resurrected? Is he really dead? He faked his death before, so could he actually be in hiding? If so, where? Let's talk about it here...

he could be resurrected; anything is possible.

i would have to say that he probably won't be, though. his death will probably stick.

[jarrod]

Actually, I'm surprised US latinos aren't better represented in the Xbooks... offhand I can only think of Angelo (dead), Feral (decimated), Angel (deciamted) and Cece (who knows?) for past X-team members. Anyone else?

[Arilou]

Actually, I'm surprised US latinos aren't better represented in the Xbooks... offhand I can only think of Angel (dead), Feral (decimated) and Cece (who knows?) for past X-team members. Anyone else?

Arana? (Can't recall her real name)

[Post-It]

Actually, I'm surprised US latinos aren't better represented in the Xbooks... offhand I can only think of Angelo (dead), Feral (decimated), Angel (deciamted) and Cece (who knows?) for past X-team members. Anyone else?

Hardly any. Marvel made sure to either send Zeitgeist (serial killer) or the decimation wave after latinos.

They only mutants from Latin America left that I know of are Sunspot and Magma ( yes people you can be white, not speak spanish, and be latin american). Speaking of which when are these two going to get together?

The only mutant american latinos left are Tatiana Caban (who has the weird powers of turning into an animals once she touches their blood) , Darwin ( who is also half african american), and Cecilia Reyes who has not yet been confirmed as dead.

I dont know of any other surving Latino mutants.

Notice that in keeping with Marvel tradition the strongest of this racial minority group also comes from outside America. (BP, Storm, Sunfire, Silver Sam, Magma, etc.). Ill be old and grey before Marvel creates an American born racial minority bordering class 100 strength. I say racial because Marvel has created some powerful religous and sexual minorities.

The sad part is that they are depriving themselves of gripping stories to be written. Every four years we deal with an American grappling with whether to represent the US or the country they are descended from. Imagine that playing out in a comic, but with race as a factor. That would lead to some great debates.

[Hi-Fi]

Sunspot is the only one who I can't see Marvel killing off. I'm glad I have my brazilian mutant safe for the time being. Although I'd love to see him, you know, back on the books.

And speaking portuguese, NOT spanish, please.

[zonzorp]

Notice that in keeping with Marvel tradition the strongest of this racial minority group also comes from outside America. (BP, Storm, Sunfire, Silver Sam, Magma, etc.). Ill be old and grey before Marvel creates an American born racial minority bordering class 100 strength. I say racial because Marvel has created some powerful religous and sexual minorities.
Two counter-examples:
1) Bonita Juarez (Firebird), a devoutly Catholic Latina from New Mexico with high-level flame/heat powers and possible immortality.
2) Monica Rambeau (Captain Marvel, Photon, Pulsar), an African-American from New Orleans who converts her entire body mass into radiant energy, or at least she did, but her powers have been screwed with several times and I've lost track of her current status.

[Post-It]

Two counter-examples:
1) Bonita Juarez (Firebird), a devoutly Catholic Latina from New Mexico with high-level flame/heat powers and possible immortality.
2) Monica Rambeau (Captain Marvel, Photon, Pulsar), an African-American from New Orleans who converts her entire body mass into radiant energy, or at least she did, but her powers have been screwed with several times and I've lost track of her current status.

You are absolutely right.

[Arilou]

Two counter-examples:

2) Monica Rambeau (Captain Marvel, Photon, Pulsar), an African-American from New Orleans who converts her entire body mass into radiant energy, or at least she did, but her powers have been screwed with several times and I've lost track of her current status.

Her current status is: Kicking ass and taking names.

God I loved Nextwave.

[Kingrambo912]

There is Rictor too but he is depowered although I also feel like his culture is no part of his character at all. I don't really know why writers don't try to show any cultural differences in their characters, it would not be too hard.

[Diablito]

I miss Skin!! As a Latin American myself, I sometimes worry there have not been enough Spanish mutants!!! i would celebrate if they brought Skin back. And then he wouold join the X-Men, and then he'd rule the earth.

[Pach!]

There is Rictor too but he is depowered although I also feel like his culture is no part of his character at all. I don't really know why writers don't try to show any cultural differences in their characters, it would not be too hard.

Well sometimes they mess up easier stuff like making Sunspot speak spanish instead of portuguese.

[Flameworthy]

yes people you can be white, not speak spanish, and be latin american

It's true. I'm often mistaken for being white, because of my skin tone. It doesn't help that I don't speak spanish very well, although I do understand it for the most part.lol

As for Skin, I was never a big fan of him. He just seemed like a walking cliché to me.

Cecilia on the other hand, I desperately want to see again. It's sad that there aren't more Latino characters that have made it big in the MU. They're usually either dead, in limbo, or just come out of limbo for short stints.

[Mariah]

It's true. I'm often mistaken for being white, because of my skin tone. It doesn't help that I don't speak spanish very well, although I do understand it for the most part.lol

As for Skin, I was never a big fan of him. He just seemed like a walking cliché to me.

Cecilia on the other hand, I desperately want to see again. It's sad that there aren't more Latino characters that have made it big in the MU. They're usually either dead, in limbo, or just come out of limbo for short stints.
Absolutely. Being a cultural mutt, it's so hard when people pigeon hole you into one chategory.

And my espanol could use some much needed work.

[jawbreaker]

Im hispanic too(born in the US, Cuban immigrant parents)
I think there was a Cuban mutant once, Risk? but they killed her off too right? doh!
and i read Joe Quesada is hispanic(Cuban American too I think). Makes you think wtf, Joe?

[Kaos]

I liked Skin, and mans say stereotyped but im sure you get latino gangbangers that speak like that.

[miguelpues!]

Im hispanic too(born in the US, Cuban immigrant parents)
I think there was a Cuban mutant once, Risk? but they killed her off too right? doh!
and i read Joe Quesada is hispanic(Cuban American too I think). Makes you think wtf, Joe?

I agree. We need more hispanic mutants...better yet hispanic heroes. because I'm peruvian and I once used wikipedia to find peruvian mutants and found a shining path terrorist mutant and a mercenary mutant. On a side note I was happy to find out that the Paddington Bear is peruvian. :)

[Faded]

Im hispanic too(born in the US, Cuban immigrant parents)
I think there was a Cuban mutant once, Risk? but they killed her off too right? doh!
and i read Joe Quesada is hispanic(Cuban American too I think). Makes you think wtf, Joe?

Yes, her name was Risque and was an ally of X-Force.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9875/risqueaw7.jpg

HOT.

[samhalliwell]

It's kinda weird no one mentions Wind Dancer... She's venezuelan (my country). That's why I was so glad to see her in New X-Men... And look where THAT got me :mad:

[Post-It]

Im hispanic too(born in the US, Cuban immigrant parents)
I think there was a Cuban mutant once, Risk? but they killed her off too right? doh!
and i read Joe Quesada is hispanic(Cuban American too I think). Makes you think wtf, Joe?


True but he is also a businessman is will prob. not green light a minority character unless it is solid. On more than one occasion he has brought up his minority roots to deflect critism of possible bias in creating characters and has said that he would like more latin characters.

Or, worst case scenario, he just doesn't care. It may just be he is one of those latin/hispanics who really could care less about where they are from and due to his light features is able to pass as being european-american. AGAIN THIS IS WORST CASE SCENARIO, not what I personally believe.