Love and Rockets as Literature

The Hernandez brothers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Love_and_Rockets_(comics)

Graphic Novels offer a unique perspective into culture and society that literature is not capable of. Literature, a novel or short story, can describe some of the nuances of a situation, the clothing of a

character, and their inner most thoughts- but it relies on the interpretation of the reader. A graphic novel can communicate culture, emotion, and other subtle meanings through images. One interesting example of a graphic novel as literature is “Love and Rockets.”

“Love and Rockets” is a comic book series by the Hernandez brothers. Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez are the main contributors with occasional support from Mario Hernandez. “Love and Rockets” is the title of several ongoing serial narratives: Gilbert Hernandez’s Palomar stories, Jaime’s Hoppers 13 or Locas stories, and other shorter stories.

The Palomar stories are based in a fictional village in Latin America and its inhabitants. The series is also referred to as “Heartbreak Soup.” One of the prominent characters is Luba, the tough, female mayor of Palomar. She has a distinct no-nonsense attitude.

Hopey (left) and Maggie (right)
from the Hoppers 13 stories
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Love_and_Rockets_(comics)

Hoppers 13 is about the tangled relationships and dreams of a group of Chicano teenagers in California. “Chicano” refers to Mexicans residing in the US, but also applies to the Chicano Movement of the 1960-70s and people of Mexican American background. While there is a negative attitude referring to the usage of “Chicano,” the characters of the story reside in the early days of the California Punk scene and would most likely embrace the term. (I can’t be certain; I’ve only read small portions for class.) Two of the main characters of the cast are Margarita Luisa “Maggie” Chascarrillo and Esperanca “Hopey” Leticia Glass. These female leads are occasional lovers, which is a focus on many of the Hoppers 13 story lines.  While the characters are referred to as their early teenage stage, the story develops as they grow into adulthood. “Maggie” was a world-travelling Pro-solar mechanic and now an apartment manager.

Overall, both Palomar and Hoppers 13 have strong characters in personality and development. While female and male characters share the plot lines, both stories feature strong, independent female characters. Palomar has the female mayor, Luba. Hoppers 13 features Hopey and Maggie. Both stories also have a distinct influence from Hispanic cultures. This influence is prominent in appearance (which is much more accessible in graphic novel form due to the images,) speech and slang, and other means. Hopper 13’s character design, specifically clothing and hairstyles, also reveal the influence of California punk culture and time period.

Fascinatingly, Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez contribute vastly different art styles for these stories. Palomar is based on a grittier, more value-based comic style. The characters are a little mores realistic in

Two character from the Palomar Stories
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Love_and_Rockets_(comics)

appearance, but the stories touch on the fantastic and supernatural. Palomar’s grittier style supports the dramatic, often slightly disturbing content. Hoppers 13, on the other hand, has a style similar to The Veronica or Archie Comics, which supports the idea of teen discovery. It also allows the reader to more easily read emotion and reaction due to simple lines and values. A standard format or rectangular or square frames with speech bubbles along the top allows the reader to focus on the illustrations and characters.

Graphic novels and comics can elaborate on written descriptions with images. These images can create a standard or consensus on character appearance or development. The images can also create an elaborate atmosphere with background alone, whereas a written piece of literature might need to devote paragraphs of description on every new environment or character movement. Both graphic novels and written literature have advantages and disadvantages, but it mostly relies on the preference of the reader.