The Press Release:
AWA Studios, the independent developer of bold and relevant stories from the world’s most outstanding artists, writers, and artisans, announced today its Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) offerings for North American consumers. AWA’s first issue of PRIMOS, the popular Mayan legend and Latino culture mixed limited series created by the all-Mexican team of comic legends, Al Madrigal (“The Daily Show,” “Morbius”, “Night School,” “The Way Back”) and Carlo Barberi (THE INCREDIBLE HULK, ADVENTURES OF THE SUPER SONS), will be available for free on Saturday, May 7. The release will feature PRIMOS #1 in both English and Spanish, marking the first time a publisher has released a dual-language issue.
Deemed “a fantastic new story that utilizes Latinx culture and history for everyone to enjoy” (Multiversity Comics), PRIMOS is a groundbreaking 4-issue limited series that is one of the first to feature a Latinx hero. Written by Madrigal and illustrated by Barberi, PRIMOS was originally announced in December of last year. After the first issue was released on February 2, it quickly sold out across the country. Issue #2 was released on March 9 while issue #3 and issue #4 will be available on April 20 and June 1 respectively.
“My mission has always been and will continue to be trying to introduce more characters that look like me and people within my community,” said Axel Alonso, comic book creator and Chief Creative Officer of AWA Studios. “We’re at a pivotal moment in our history where creatives of all backgrounds can tell stories from the perspective of the underrepresented. I’m hopeful that FCBD will help introduce PRIMOS to new audiences and that these heroes will resonate with comics readers around the country.”
In PRIMOS, centuries ago, two Mayan brothers constructed a spacecraft that sent them hurtling into outer space. Returning to Earth only to find their culture and civilization destroyed, one of the brothers vows revenge and seeks to decimate the planet with intergalactic technology gathered on his travels. To prevent this, his sibling creates a contingency plan that activates the world’s protectors – descendants of their own Pascal family. Now, the fate of the planet lies in the hands of three cousins scattered throughout Central and North America who have never even met.
To further promote the series for Free Comic Book Day, AWA has partnered with the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture (NALAC), the nation’s premier multidisciplinary Latino arts service organization. A special ad will be included in the PRIMOS FCBD offering with a forward note from Al Madrigal for consumers to learn more about PRIMOS, the organization, and what it’s doing for Latino creators and artists. For over 30 years, NALAC has delivered programs that stabilize and revitalize the US Latino arts and cultural sector by providing critical advocacy, funding, networking opportunities, leadership development, and professional training for Latino artists and arts organizations in every region of the country.
“Since the release of PRIMOS, I’ve been hearing stories from comic book store owners about their dedicated Latinx customers,” said PRIMOS writer, Al Madrigal. “We wanted a relatable hero for this massively underserved audience and took special care when translating the book to Mexican Spanish. Representation matters and language should not be a barrier. We’re doing everything we can to encourage young diverse creators to pursue their artistic dreams, and that’s exactly what NALAC is all about. Hopefully, this is the first of many things we do together.”
“NALAC is inspired and honored to have been chosen to partner with AWA for the launch of PRIMOS and National Free Comic Book Day,” said Alberto Mejia, NALAC Deputy Director. “We strive to resource, train, connect and uplift Latinx artists across the nation. Vital art like PRIMOS brings cultural dimension and dynamism to the genre and inspires Latinx artists who see themselves reflected in the work. Thank you, team AWA!”
The dual-language special edition of PRIMOS #1 will be available for free on Saturday, May 7 from participating comic shops around the country. Consumers can find the complete list of all FCBD participating stores here.
For more information on PRIMOS and other AWA Studios content, follow AWA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and visit https://www.awastudios.net/. More information on NALAC can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and via https://www.nalac.org/.
ABOUT AWA STUDIOS:
AWA was founded by former Marvel executives Bill Jemas and Axel Alonso and is chaired by Jon Miller. The company is backed by Lupa Systems, Sister and Lightspeed. Armed with some of the freshest and most critically acclaimed graphic fiction in a generation, AWA has established itself as an industry leader in terms of its relationship with artists and writers by providing creators the freedom, incentive structure and editorial support to pursue their boldest, most original and socially relevant work. AWA has assembled a lineup of the world’s most renowned comic book talent, including such creators as J. Michael Straczynski, Frank Cho, Garth Ennis, Mike Deodato Jr., Al Madrigal, Christa Faust, and many more. With the formation of AWA’s Film & TV Studios, the company is building a distinct array of new cutting-edge film and TV projects anchored in its burgeoning library of groundbreaking stories. Helmed by Hollywood veteran Zach Studin, AWA’s film & TV arm recently announced its first project, Chariot, an event feature film, based on the AWA graphic novel by Bryan Edward Hill that Warner Bros. secured after competitive bidding for Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) to direct, with 21 Laps producing.
ABOUT NALAC:
The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to the promotion, advancement, development, and cultivation of the Latino arts field. For more information about NALAC and its programs please visit www.nalac.org (linked below).
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PiercingMetal Thoughts: This sounds interesting and as I’ve often cited in my film and other comic book narratives, the need for more and new heroes and villains from various backgrounds just makes the medium better. I always love Free Comic Book Day but didn’t get to actively participate in the 2021 affair because my own local shop had chosen not to participate. People need to realize that while this is free for the customers it is NOT free for the shop owners and that’s why you’ve found me adding for those businesses really needing you to take advantage of their other offerings when the annual event rolls around. My plan is to attend this year if I can wrangle the time from my day job. I’ve been working on weekends these days and its not always easy to negotiate a different schedule. If I can get there I plan to also do a video for the YouTube Channel. I’ll wrap this one up now and ask the comic book readers in our audience what they think of this new company and one of their offerings. Chime in down below in the comments if you have something topical to add to the mix. Stay safe out there and I will see you next time.
Official: https://www.awastudios.net/
Official: https://www.nalac.org/
