While Vertigo has certainly seen brighter days in recent years, it seems like things have finally turned around for the DC Comics imprint. Last week, its new socially conscious-driven lineup of titles launched with Border Town #1, a story about an Arizonan town called Devil’s Fork that stands by the U.S.-Mexican border and the border between Earth and Mictlan, the underworld of Aztec mythology. Excitingly, it seems like the publisher’s attempt to tell topical stories has paid off as today, DC Comics announced Border Town #1 is going back to press for a second printing.
Written by Eric Esquivel, drawn by Ramon Villalobos, and colored by Tamra Bonvillain, Border Town‘s story follows Frank (Francisco) Dominguez, a high schooler who moves to Devil’s Fork and finds himself caught in the middle of an environment that stands divided by the townspeoples’ identities. After chupacabras and other nightmarish creatures start pouring to the world, these tensions are exacerbated, leaving Frank and his friends stuck trying to figure out exactly what’s happening to their town.
After the first issue’s release, a variety of fans and creators tweeted strong words of praise about the title.
y’all, weeks ago, I read a preview of Border Town #1 by @ericMesquivel, @RamonVillalobos, @TBonvillain and crew and it is great. preview is here: https://t.co/JznjPMXGpe
full issue is out today at comics shops. go get it. pic.twitter.com/Iwuwh12uBv
— Evan Narcisse (@EvNarc) September 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/KingImpulse/status/1037422321554935808
‘Border Town’ mixes brujeria, social issues in a must-read comic https://t.co/k8SefqFMNh pic.twitter.com/NKK9HBw5sV
— CUCUY con Leche Nerds 👻 (@CCLNerds) September 5, 2018
Guys! I accidentally sat down my coffee cup on my copy of Border Town. When I realized it, I accidentally spilled some of the coffee on it as well. Look at what happened after I soaked some of the coffee up with a napkin! Its the seal of approval from Virgin de Guadalupe! pic.twitter.com/RB3S15l1Lt
— Edgar Vega (@EdgarUVM) September 12, 2018
Border Town #1 was the most I enjoyed a Vertigo comic since…Fables was around? Since Scalped ended? Whenever it was, that was extremely good. Well done, @ericMesquivel, @RamonVillalobos, @TBonvillain and the rest of Team Border Town. pic.twitter.com/xoyT4Dqbth
— David Harper (@slicedfriedgold) September 10, 2018
This is the second time I’ve heard of teachers using border town in classrooms which is pretty night. I’ve always thought I should be studied. pic.twitter.com/UpfVmOMQpP
— Mr. Vertigo Comics 3:16 🌊🌊🌊 (@RamonVillalobos) September 12, 2018
You can check out our review of the title here as well. And as an opinionated editorial aside, while I have my critiques of Border Town #1, I found a lot of it to be very powerful. There’s an energy and clear purpose to this book that makes it feel like it is driving towards something heartfelt and meaningful. Its success is well earned and it means so much to me, as a minority, to see books with a focus on diversity and issues facing PoC in America find an audience.
As always though, Twitter sums up my thoughts better than I do.
This was that panel that sold me on BorderTown. Awesome job @ericMesquivel @RamonVillalobos pic.twitter.com/jxRs9TE9So
— not followed by anyone you’re following (@MagicAbleHero) September 5, 2018
Border Town #2 will be on shelves on October 3rd. Border Town #1‘s second printing will be in stores on October 10th.
Great news! It’s an excellent book.
This was the first new Vertigo property to really impress me in quite a few years. (Things like “Astro City” and the last “Lucifer” series don’t really count as they’ve been around forever.) Excellent first issue. I reminds me a bit of “The Exterminators”, a book about quirky everyday people facing a weird supernatural conspiracy. Hopefully, it lasts longer than “Exterminators”
Definitely a strong start! Happy to see if going back to print.
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