Last year, Top Cow and Image Comics announced they would publish La Voz de M.A.Y.O.: Tata Rambo, an original graphic novel from writer Henry Barajas (an alum of The Beat) and artist J. Gonzo. Now, the book has a release date.
It will hit comic shops on November 13 and traditional book sellers on November 19. La Voz de M.A.Y.O., which like so many wonderful comics these days started as a successful kickstarter campaign, details the story of Ramon Jaurigue, an orphan and WWII veteran. Jaurigue was also an activist who dedicated his life to advancing the rights of his people as well as other indigenous folks. Jaurigue went by the name Tata Rambo to his family, which is how Barajas knew him. Barajas is actually Jaurigue’s great-grandson, and he grew up listening to his story as well as those of the Pascua Yaqui tribe of Arizona, whose traditions Jaurigue worked to preserve.
How did he accomplish that? Jaurigue was an organizer and co-founder of the Mexican, American, Yaqui, and Others (M.A.Y.O.) organization, thus the title. MAYO was formed in 1967 to work for essential social change. Jaurigue’s efforts with MAYO ultimately helped pave the way to federal recognition for the Pascua Yaqui tribe. Those achievements, however, came at a cost, with Jaurigue’s home life suffering as his attentions moved between his family and wider community, oscillating from peaceful domesticity to the moving power of working on a campaign for important change.
La Voz de M.A.Y.O. is a powerful and essential story of the highest order, told expertly with personal honesty by Barajas and illustrated in gorgeous detail by Gonzo. A full press release from Image about the forthcoming OGN can be found below, along with preview artwork from the story:
Image Comics/Top Cow is pleased to reveal interior pages from the forthcoming original graphic novel by writer Henry Barajas, artist J. Gonzo, letterer Bernardo Brice, and edited by Claire Napier—La Voz de M.A.Y.O.: Tata Rambo—which hits shelves this November.
La Voz de M.A.Y.O.: Tata Rambo is based on the oral history of Ramon Jaurigue, an orphan and WWII veteran who co-founded the Mexican, American, Yaqui, and Others (M.A.Y.O.) organization, which successfully lobbied the Tucson City Council to improve living and working conditions for members of the Pascua Yaqui tribe—paving the way to their federal recognition. Meanwhile, Ramon’s home life suffered as his focus was pulled from his family to the wider community, and from domesticity to the adrenaline of the campaign.
A resonant, neglected slice of American history, La Voz de M.A.Y.O.: Tata Rambobrings to life for the first time the story Barajas’ great grandfather, Ramon Jaurigue, a.k.a. Tata Rambo, and showcases his important cultural contributions.
La Voz de M.A.Y.O.: Tata Rambo (ISBN: 978-1534313637, Diamond Code SEP190069) will be available at local comic shops on Wednesday, November 13 and at bookstores on Tuesday, November 19. It can be pre-ordered at your local comic shop or on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, IndieBound, and Indigo.
Digital editions of La Voz de M.A.Y.O.: Tata Rambo will be available across many digital platforms, including the official Image Comics iOS app, Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.
Early praise for La Voz de M.A.Y.O.: Tata Rambo:
“Barajas’ ‘Tata Rambo’ shows us via his story that family is truly what gives Latinx superpower.” —Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, La Borinqueña, Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico
“Henry Barajas’ powerful true story blends perfectly with J. Gonzo’s stunning art and electric colors making La Voz De M.A.Y.O. TATA Rambo a powerful and compelling graphic biography.” —Terence Dollard, host of PBS’ Comic Culture
“In La Voz De M.A.Y.O: TATA RAMBO Gonzo’s trademark alert, vibrant and kinetic visual storytelling skills powerfully place us in Ramon’s consciousness and world.” —Frederick Luis Aldama, Latinx Superheroes, Tales From la Vida: A Latinx Comics Anthology
“Unlike Marvel superheroes fighting villains, Barajas wants this comic book series to be more about documenting Latino and Arizona history—which he feels has its own superpower.” —NPR’s KJZZ Phoenix, Arizona
“By telling his great-grandfather’s story, Barajas is shining a light on the many heroic acts that take place every day, everywhere.”—Comics Beat
“Tata Rambo is a heartfelt story about heartbreaking loss. Barajas, Gonzo, Napier, and Brice give a face and a soul to history long forgotten, but not so long ago.” —Erica Schultz, Daredevil, Xena
“Barajas’ writing is as meticulous and spellbinding as any work of literary journalism, given life in comics form…as someone whose relatives hail from Tucson, it’s beyond gratifying to see the story of those who fought to keep that city free.” —Ryan Cady, Old Man Punisher, Infinite Dark
“The story of Tata Rambo goes beyond an individual and tells the story of a nation.” —Stephanie Sosa, PopNerd TV, Cabronas y Chingonas
