¡Zas! Queer Puerto Rican Comics Celebration
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Join 53rd Street Library in person or online for a celebration of queer Puerto Rican comics during Banned Books Week!
In celebration of the new exhibition ¡Wepa! Puerto Ricans in the World of Comics, NYPL is hosting a special gathering of Puerto Rican artists and comics enthusiasts at 53rd Street Library. Comic artist Ivan Velez (Tales of the Closet), graphic novelist Sharon Lee De La Cruz (I’m a Wild Seed), animator Mariela Figueroa (Rockolandia), and artist Eliana Falcón-Dvorsky (Rockolandia) will come together to discuss craft, representing Puerto Rican life and culture in comics, how queerness intersects with their work, and challenges to free expression at a time of record book bans. The event will also be live-streamed for online viewers.
The evening will be emceed and moderated by Puerto Rican American drag queen and cosplayer Megami, a former contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race and fixture in the NYC LGBTQ+ nightlife scene. Following discussion and Q&A, there will be a special performance by Megami and refreshments from Valencia Bakery will be served. The event will also be live-streamed on YouTube.
Join us for discussion, community, and joy alongside the opening of ¡Wepa!, the start of New York Comic Con, and Banned Books Week.
Register now!
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Megami is the Cosplay Queen of New York City and is still the current reigning Miss Nerd NY. Getting her start in drag going to New York Comic Con in cosplay, Megami went on to be apart of season 16 of Rupaul’s Drag race where she famously slayed the Lipsync Lalaparuza and showed off her geeky queer art.
Sharon De La Cruz is a storyteller, educator, and activist from New York City whose work lies at the intersection of STEM pedagogy, art, and social justice. Her passion for storytelling, particularly through comics, led her to the Tin House Summer Workshop, where she developed her debut graphic memoir, I’m a Wild Seed (Street Noise, April 2021). Praised by Kirkus Reviews as a “potent graphic memoir about the forming of one woman’s queer identity” that captures “both the fears and joys of discovering one’s marginalized identity,” and by Publisher’s Weekly for its “wit and exuberance” as a “limber, playful debut collection,” the book has established her as a compelling new voice in the medium.
Eliana Falcón-Dvorsky is an award-winning Puerto Rican comic artist/writer, illustrator, storyboard artist, and animator. Their current graphic novel series, Cosmic Fish, covertly explores themes of identity and the confusing nature of Puerto Rican existentialism. Born, raised, and still living in Puerto Rico, she has dedicated time to studying, learning, and teaching the little-known facts about Puerto Rican heritage/culture as a creative consultant and editor for PR-themed stories, including coloring work for "La Borinqueña". She is also the art director for Rockolandia, Puerto Rico’s first fully animated musical series entirely created on the island, where she created the background art, storyboards, and some of the character designs within the series.
Mariela Figueroa is an animator, storyboard and comic artist living in San Juan Puerto Rico. Her work includes independent comic publications like “Altamar”, “Donovan’s Zombie Escape” and “Weekend at Benny’s” where she enjoys tackling fantasy genres, found-family themes and stories surrounding queer characters. She also enjoys working on stories centered around Puerto Rican culture, having done animation directing on works like her short film “Coquí Serenade” and recently the puertorican animated musical series “Rockolandia” in collaboration with Dakiti productions and Mana-T Studios.
BOOKS & MORE
Discover more books and ideas tied to this program in The New York Public Library's collections.
- Borrow: NYPL Catalog
- E-Book app: SimplyE, available on iOS and Android
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If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or suspect you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, please stay home.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTES
In-Person
- Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.
- You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org.
- This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.
Livestream
- Live captioning will be provided.
- You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org.
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New York, NY 10019