El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie
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- This article refers to El Muerto the independent comic book, and is not to be confused with the DC Comics character of the same name. For El Muerto the film, See El Muerto (film)
| El Muerto | |
|---|---|
| File:Elmuerto.jpg El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie Art by Javier Hernandez | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Los Comex |
| First appearance | El Muerto: Numero Uno Edition (1998) |
| Created by | Javier Hernandez |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Diego de la Muerte (born Juan Diego de la Muerte) |
| Team affiliations | None, None |
| Notable aliases | Diego Juan Diego (The) Aztec Zombie EMO The Fearless Flatliner Dead-Head |
| Abilities | N/A (supernatural) |
El Muerto (also known as El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie) is an American independent comic book created by Javier Hernandez and published by his company Los Comex. The comic follows the story of 21-year-old Diego de la Muerte, a Mexican-American youth in who is sacrificed by the Aztec god Mictlantecuhtli only to return to earth one year later with supernatural powers.
Character history
Early life
El Muerto was born Juan Diego de la Muerte, and grew up in Whittier, California. Most preferred to call him by his middle-name for short.
As a small child, Diego developed a fascination with Dia de Los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") holiday after watching a film titled "Los Muertos Tambien Lloran" ("The Dead Also Cry"). The film involved a man who returns from the dead on the holiday to visit his wife. When the clock is just about to turn midnight, the man decides he could no longer bear the pain of leaving his wife again. In an act of desperation, the man kills his wife thinking they can exist together in the afterlife. However, when she dies the man begins to whither away and turn to dust as there is no one living who can keep his memory alive.
About a year after seeing the film, Diego met Issac "Zak" Silver. Zak had recently seen the film and developed a growing interest in the Day of the Dead along with Diego. A secret pact was made between the two and they created an "Afterlife Contract" vowing that whomever should die first will visit the other and in turn the other would keep the visitor's memory alive. Zak eventually became Diego's best friend, whom Diego has spoken highly of.
The film also sparked Diego's interest in Mexican art, history, and mythology. He would spend a number of hours at Pre-Columbian museums and exhibits, learning just about everything there is to know about the subject.
When Diego became older, he became an altar boy at his church. Describing himself as a "good-Catholic boy" and feeling awestruck at Communion Ceremonies. His study of Aztec mythology often led him to question his religion. Often wondering what the Aztecs thought when their ancient gods were replaced by the beliefs of the Spaniards. He would avoid the topic by telling himself that "This was just the way things were" and resumed being a "faithful servant". Diego wondered what price he would pay for playing this "Theological tennis match" in his head.
"Daze of the Dead"
Diego just turned 21, and wanted to have much fun as possible- despite the fact his girlfriend of eight months, Mari Hermosa, had just broken up with him. Anticipating the Dia de Los Muertos festival, Diego dons the guise of an undead Mariachi. He also applies the traditional facial markings to give himself a ghoulish look. He even gets a tattoo of a calavera skull on his left arm.
His tattoo was inspired from an Aztec temple bearing the same design. After getting the tattoo, Diego eagerly calls his friends to see if they are to celebrate at the upcoming festival. Unfortunately, his friends were busy on that particular evening and had to "flake-out". Zak was unable to attend the celebration because he had become ill but out of friendship lent his car to Diego for the evening.
Undiscouraged, Diego planned to have the best time possible at the festival. Unbeknowest to Diego, the tattoo he marked himself with is actually an ancient Aztec symbol of death. While driving his friend's car to the festival, he is struck by lightning and crashes into a tree- ending his life on this world.
He soon awakened in Mictlan to meet the Aztec god of death Mictlantecuhtli and the Aztec god of dreams Tezcatlipoca. Here the god of death sacrificed Diego in an ancient ritual where his heart is ripped out of his chest with the help of an obsidian blade. Mictlantecuhtli then placed the still beating heart in a clay pot symbolising his possession of Diego's soul. After the ritual had been completed, Diego was sent back to earth via lighting bolt, one year after his death.
With his friends and family having already mourned him, he has nowhere to turn. He finally concludes that it is best to leave his hometown and hitches a ride to the Mexican border in search of answers.
Powers/Abilities
As of yet, little has been revealed of Diego's supernatural powers. Fans are anxiously anticipating the next comic, "Dead & Confused", as it will finally show the development of his special abilities.
Notable Friends/Allies
- Maria "Mari" Hermosa- Diego's ex-girlfriend. They dated for 8 months before Maria complained that Diego was taking her for granted and "Not putting anything in our relationship". She is currently seeing an unknown "rich, handsome guy"
- Issac "Zak" Silver- One of Diego's best friends. Lends Diego the car that he ultimately dies in on his way to the Dia de Los Muertos festival. Diego has referred to him as the brother he never had.
- Evan "Easy" Esquerra- comic book illustrator for Back Alley Comics in uptown Whittier, CA (15 Miles Southeast of Los Angeles) His current work in comics being "Weapon Tex-Mex" (actually the creation of Javier Hernandez) He performs the song "Volver" at "The Cafe Gomez" along with his father.
- Reynaldo Esquerra- Evan's father. Performs the song "Volver" at The Cafe Gomez.
- Suzy- Works at Coliseum Records. Couldn't attend the festival, had to work Saturday night late-shift due to the New Manager being fired for attempting to steal Van Halen CDs.
- Markus- Mentioned, but little has been revealed.
- Kent Rorschach- Gives Diego a ride to the border dividing the U.S. and Mexico.
- Tezcatlipoca "Smoking Mirror"- The Aztec god of destiny. Although he took part in the sacrifice of Diego seems to be a benovolent and helpful figure. In fact, He attempted to prevent the sacrifice but Mictlantecuhtli refused to listen to his reasoning. After the ritual was completed, Tezcatlipoca had this to say to the Aztec Zombie:
"Diego de la Muerte, I will watch you from the shadows, through clouds of smoke and haunted dreams. From mirrored surfaces everywhere"
Major enemies
- Mictlantecuhtli- so far, the only apparent enemy of El Muerto is Mictlantecuhtli. Although this may be subject to change in future issues.
Creation/Publication History
El Muerto's beginnings occurred sometime in the early 90's and was originally intended to be part of a group of Mexican-American super heroes. Javier Hernandez had described it as something along the lines of a "Latino JLA". It was later that Hernandez scrapped the idea and focused mainly on the character El Muerto.
The strange supernatural powers that he had planned on giving his creation was toned down and his almost feral look became gentler.
One of the most defining points in the creation of El Muerto was when Hernandez was awoken by a nightmare where a ghost was strangling him:
(Taken from "El Muerto on My Mind")
"I was getting the life choked out of me! Attacked in my sleep by this thing, choking the life from me. It's grip on my throat felt like a steel clamp being tightened mercilessly. What really freaked me out was the thing had the exact facial designs as El Muerto! Bone white with blackened eyeballs, black teeth marks and a cross on his forehead...The bed was shaking violently and my last bit of breath was used up, then, it stopped...strangely I didn't feel as if I awoke from the dream, it was more like the thing had suddenly disappeared...I could feel where it's fingers had just been wrapped around my neck."
Dream or not, Hernandez took the event as a sign:
"Whatever happened that night, I later came to my conclusion. If it was a dream, then I had to find an interpretation for it. I took it as a signal, a warning. Something heavy was going on in my life, and something (or someone) was trying to give me a clue...Well, obviously I was telling myself that maybe I had too much on my plate. Or at least to be careful not to choke on it. Eventually, I got everything done that I had to...they say that our dreams come from our subconscious telling us things in our sleep. At least I hope that was my subconscious wringing my neck!"
The first question fans often pose to Hernandez is "How did you come up with El Muerto?" On several occasions Javier has made it clear:
"...I wanted to create a comic book character that reflected my cultural background...I mean, if he was French, he would have been proudly called Le Morte!"
El Muerto's first public appearance was in 1998 at the Alternative Press Expo in San Jose, CA. His debut comic was titled "Daze of the Dead: The Numero Uno Edition" and was a in a xeroxed in a black in white format. At the same time, Hernandez brought along his newly printed newsletter "The Border". (He prints one every year or so) He later toured the Numero Uno Edition for a year in places like the Wondercon and San Diego Comic Con.
El Muerto was a success, but the fans became anxious over the year- demanding to know when the next comic was to come out. Javier sated their craving with a short comic strip "Mad Martian Party" featured in his newsletter. He released another comic in his newsletter titled: "You Only Die Twice" featuring the first appearance of "Manga Muerto".
In 2000 he printed Dos Mil a short biographical insight on the creation of El Muerto. Later El Muerto appeared in Super Comics Blast and the new Manga Muerto.
In 2004 El Muerto Mish-Mash featuring the tale "Dead Forever", continuing where the first comic left off and giving the reader an insight in Diego's thought process knowing that he is now dead. Mish-Mash also includes several reprinted comic strips and stories from the Muerto Universe.
Currently, Javier is finishing the official sequel, "Dead & Confused" in which Diego's supernatural abilities will finally be revealed.
Comics released
- El Muerto: Daze of the Dead (alaos known as Daze of the Dead: Numero Uno Edition) (1998)
The origin of Diego de La Muerte, reprinted in the El Muerto: King Size Issue
- El Muerto Mish-Mash (Fall 2004)
Continues the El Muerto story by giving the reader an insight on Diego's thought process after learning he is dead. Includes a collection of short stories from the El Muerto Universe.
- El Muerto: King Size Issue (2004)
Contains the reprinted original, Daze of the Dead along with a comic strip "Elastico man" and a 2 page introduction to the history of El Muerto.
- El Muerto on My Mind
A short biographical insight on El Muerto from Javier Hernandez. Includes the creation of El Muerto and a compilation "random (and not so random) thoughts".
- El Muerto: Dead & Confused (preview editon, 2006)
Other appearances
- Mad Martian Party (April 1999)
A short comic strip where Diego is abducted by Martians while casually walking by a graveyard. Originally printed in The Border, reprinted in El Muerto Mish-Mash.
- Dos Mil (June 2000)
Another short biographic on El Muerto, where Javier actually meets his creation. Reprinted in El Muerto Mish-Mash. (Dos Mil is Spanish for "Two Thousand")
- You Only Die Twice (also known as "Dial R for Robot", "First Appearance of Manga Muerto") (July 2000)
Diego is in Japan and must fight an evil-doer with a giant robot called "Skeletron". Originally printed in The Border, reprinted in El Muerto Mish-Mash.
- Super Comics Blast (2001)
- Manga Muerto
Continues the story of Manga Muerto.
- El Muerto meets The Ghost Pirate (advertisement)
Diego saves a town from ghost pirates by giving them "Tio Chango's Churros"
El Muerto: The Live-Action Movie
original article: El Muerto (film)
Hernandez was being interviewed on NPR radio about El Muerto.
The segment caught the interest of producer-director Brian Cox who would later contact Javier Hernandez and discuss the character in-depth. At the end of their conversation, he asked whether or not Hernandez would consider El Muerto as a film to which Javier responded: "We'll, I wouldn't NOT consider it"
After their discussion, Brian Cox contacted a fellow producer who had been introduced to a family whom recently had a successful venture in publishing and were interested in working in film.
His friend then convinced them of El Muerto's potential as a film.
El Muerto is now a live-action film currently in post-production. The lead will be played by actor Wilmer Valderrama, best known for his work as the character "Fez" on That '70s Show.
Valderrama's co-stars include such veteran actors as Billy Drago, Maria Conchita Alonso, Tony Plana, and Michael Parks.
Javier Hernandez served as the associate-producer and is in a brief cameo appearance in the film.
Trivia
- El Muerto is translated as "The Dead" or in this case, "The Dead Person"
- Diego's full name is actually Juan Diego de La Muerte. Juan Diego is meant as a nod to Mexico's Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, while "Diego de la Muerte" translates as "Diego of the Dead" intentionally a play-on-words of Dia de Los Muertos.
- The events in the premiere issue take place in Javier's hometown of Whittier, CA
- Diego has technically been dead for 8 years since his first debut in the Numero Uno Edition
- Although Diego's exact birthdate is unknown, is most likely on Nov. 2, 1977 and he "died" on Nov. 2, 1998. (Due to the fact that he had just turned 21 in the premiere issue)
- In the comic, Diego's outfit is inspired by his favorite (fictional) movie, Los Muertos Tambien Lloran
- Diego's mother died giving birth.
- Javier Hernandez has called the premise to the tale of El Muerto "a slice-of-afterlife-story"
- One of the most prominent catchprhases is Hernandez's "Look up, look out, look alive!"
- Fans of the comic have often been referred to as "Muertitos y Muertitas", "Calaveras" and "Dead-Heads" (the latter of which plays off of Spider-Man's alias "Web-head")
- One of El Muerto's nicknames is "EMO". This is not associated with the emo movement, rather the name was inspired by images saved on the official website titled "Emo"- short for El Muerto. (Example: Emo_1Entrance). Javier Hernandez is known for taking a liking towards this alias.
See also
External links
- http://www.elmuerto.com Official Online Gravesite (Join the Forum!!)
- http://www.elmuertomovie.com Official Movie Site
- http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Muerto (en español)
Sources
- http://www.elmuerto.com
- http://www.superherohype.com
- http://www.efavata.com/CBM/elMuerto.htm
- El Muerto on My Mind, Dos Mil, and El Muerto King Size Issue by Javier Hernandez