Graphic Novel Club: Jaime Hernandez explores the cultural inspirations behind TONTA

The legendary cartoonist explores the origins of Love and Rockets breakout character, Tonta!

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The Beat is a proud sponsor of Comix Experience’s Graphic Novel of the Month Clubs, which bring comics fans a curated mix of the best of new release graphic novels and conversations with the creators who make them.  Each month, the staff of Comix Experience votes on two sets of upcoming books they are most excited—one gets presented to adults and another to middle readers. Each club provides schwag like original signed custom bookplates for adults or buttons and magnets for the kids (in this case, the former, to support the featured book, Tonta).

Tonta Cover

Most excitingly, the Graphic Novel Clubs bring in the creators of selected books to talk exclusively to GNC members in interviews conducted by Comix Experience owner Brian Hibbs, who brings 30 years of experience in comics to the table. These talks are livestreamed to members all over the country and are a fun and informative mix of conversation on craft and form, as well as on the business of making comics. The Graphic Novel Clubs make a point of being inclusive, inviting creators from a wide variety of age, race, sex, and cultural perspectives to speak to members.

Membership is what propels these conversations, so if you like what you see, please support these discussions of comics, and the creators who make them, by joining the club.

Today: Jaime Hernandez is a comics legend. One half of the Hernandez Brothers and the co-creator of Love and Rockets, Jaime recently sat down with Brian Hibbs to chat about his latest Love and Rockets Graphic Novel, Tonta. Published by Fantagraphics, this book follows the titular teen girl, who wants nothing more than to “go swimming, hop on her skateboard, get drunk, and listen to her favorite punk band, Ooot.” However, after a botched robbery, everything changes for Tonta.

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