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Dry Foot #1 – Review
The first issue of Dry Foot pitches itself as ‘a fearless story infused with hispanic culture’ but what it really is, is a fearless hispanic story filled with pop cultural references as neat little tidbits that flesh out the narrative. Don’t sell yourself short, guys!
Writer Jarred Lujan spends the majority of issue #1 setting the scene of Los Marielitos circa 1980s. Centering in the immediate world of four teen protagonists who are planning to rob the baddest gang lord in town. There’s a feeling of gang activity throughout the pages of issue 1 but what we have here is a heist comic book filled with 1980s references that Gen X/Millennial readers will latch onto.
Thanks to the artwork from penciller Orlando Caicedo we have a bright and vibrant world that immediately juxtaposes the gang world oppression that Lujan writes about. Although, an interesting contrast, it softens the immediate threat the gang leader poses. In fact, the scuffle that the four youths have with a neighbourhood bully feels more menacing than the overweight Pablo Escobar stereotype.
In a recent video trailer reaction video I talked about what I want from this series. How I want this to explore more cultural motifs in addition to the obvious character motivations that will unfold. For the most part it feels like Lujan has started to do just that. Though its a hard argument to have when most first issues are burdened with the pressure of getting an audience “buy in” to their world building.
At this present stage, I’m neither for nor against this series. I like the hispanic cultural references that are playing their part this early on. I just don’t feel the danger the characters are claiming this early on. I’m unsure if Dry Foot is a great reflection piece on the 1980s era as I didn’t live as a teen back in the 80s nor am I hispanic.
In a world where comic book heroes are predominantly white or black, Dry Foot feels like a friendly introduction into the world of comics not just for someone of Hispanic ethnicity but also in terms of representation. Seeing themselves on the page.
It’s a neat little addition to the Mad Cave Studios rack. Let’s see what Issue 2 has in store.
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