Relampago
Encyclopedia
Relampago is a fictional character
, a comic book
superhero
self-published by creator Judge Margarito C. Garza
. The character made his first appearance
in Relampago! #1 (Feb. 17, 1977) making him the first Mexican American
superhero in the American comic book industry. The character's debut series only ran for three issues, ultimately ending with the passing of Judge Garza 1995. A planned revival series by comic creator Richard Dominguez
was later scrapped as he was unable to gain the consent of the surviving Garza family.
Judge Margarito Garza conceived of Relampago shortly after attending a comic convention. Garza, who had grown frustrated with seeing the same crimes being committed, had created the hero as a way to exercise fantasies of stopping crime. Noticing a lack of representation at the time, he also decided to make the character Tejano
, believing that the Mexican-American youth needed a superhero of their own. With the help of his wife Jean, Relampago became a more well-rounded character embodying both Catholic
and Mexican folklore. As the character further developed, Judge Garza sent letters to Marvel
and DC Comics
telling them of his creation, but both companies showed little interest. Garza would later try to get a listing in a comic pricing guide, but the publishers said the character was "too obscure". The Judge decided to maintain the comic in a self-published print, becoming more of a personal project than a money-making venture.
Garza published the first issue of Relampago in 1977. Only 1,000 copies of the original book were printed and many of them destroyed soon after due to concerns of possible copyright infringement
, making it a rarity among collectors. Garza enlisted the aid of Sam G. Gonzales for the next two issues, all released later in the same year with all publications coming to a halt soon after the release of the third issue. Several years later, the comic attracted the attention of Richard Dominguez
, a Dallas illustrator, who found an issue of the comic in a half-price book store. Intrigued, Dominguez contacted Garza through his comic book shop and the two formed a close friendship. At this time Relampago hadn't been in published print since its last issue in December 1977. Judge Garza had wanted to revive the series for some time and Dominguez offered his services as an artist. To prove himself to the Judge, Dominguez created his own comic book titled El Gato Negro
in 1993. Garza realized how serious Dominguez was and agreed to collaborate on a new Relampago series with a planned cross-over issue featuring their respective heroes. This collaboration never came to be however, with the death of Judge Garza in 1995.
of Relampago and fighting against crime.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, a comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
self-published by creator Judge Margarito C. Garza
Margarito C. Garza
Margarito C. Garza was an American judge and comic book enthusiast. He served as the 148th District Court Judge of Corpus Christi, Texas. for 3 terms in the 1980s to the 1990s and served two terms as Judge of the Nueces County Court at Law from 1972-1976 .He also served as Assistant District...
. The character made his first appearance
First appearance
In comic books and other stories with a long history, first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a fictional character.-Monetary value of first appearance issues:...
in Relampago! #1 (Feb. 17, 1977) making him the first Mexican American
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
superhero in the American comic book industry. The character's debut series only ran for three issues, ultimately ending with the passing of Judge Garza 1995. A planned revival series by comic creator Richard Dominguez
Richard Dominguez
Richard Dominguez is an American comic book artist and freelance storyboard illustrator. Best known for creating the popular series El Gato Negro, Dominguez publishes his comics through his imprint and art studio, Azteca Productions...
was later scrapped as he was unable to gain the consent of the surviving Garza family.
Publication history
District courtTexas District Courts
The Texas District Courts form part of the Texas judicial system and are the trial courts of general jurisdiction of Texas. As of September 2011, 456 district courts serve the state, each with a single judge, elected by partisan election to a four-year term....
Judge Margarito Garza conceived of Relampago shortly after attending a comic convention. Garza, who had grown frustrated with seeing the same crimes being committed, had created the hero as a way to exercise fantasies of stopping crime. Noticing a lack of representation at the time, he also decided to make the character Tejano
Tejano
Tejano or Texano is a term used to identify a Texan of Mexican heritage.Historically, the Spanish term Tejano has been used to identify different groups of people...
, believing that the Mexican-American youth needed a superhero of their own. With the help of his wife Jean, Relampago became a more well-rounded character embodying both Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
and Mexican folklore. As the character further developed, Judge Garza sent letters to Marvel
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
and DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
telling them of his creation, but both companies showed little interest. Garza would later try to get a listing in a comic pricing guide, but the publishers said the character was "too obscure". The Judge decided to maintain the comic in a self-published print, becoming more of a personal project than a money-making venture.
Garza published the first issue of Relampago in 1977. Only 1,000 copies of the original book were printed and many of them destroyed soon after due to concerns of possible copyright infringement
Copyright infringement
Copyright infringement is the unauthorized or prohibited use of works under copyright, infringing the copyright holder's exclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works.- "Piracy" :...
, making it a rarity among collectors. Garza enlisted the aid of Sam G. Gonzales for the next two issues, all released later in the same year with all publications coming to a halt soon after the release of the third issue. Several years later, the comic attracted the attention of Richard Dominguez
Richard Dominguez
Richard Dominguez is an American comic book artist and freelance storyboard illustrator. Best known for creating the popular series El Gato Negro, Dominguez publishes his comics through his imprint and art studio, Azteca Productions...
, a Dallas illustrator, who found an issue of the comic in a half-price book store. Intrigued, Dominguez contacted Garza through his comic book shop and the two formed a close friendship. At this time Relampago hadn't been in published print since its last issue in December 1977. Judge Garza had wanted to revive the series for some time and Dominguez offered his services as an artist. To prove himself to the Judge, Dominguez created his own comic book titled El Gato Negro
El Gato Negro (comic book)
El Gato Negro was an independent comic book series featuring the eponymous character created by Richard Dominguez and published by Azteca Productions. The series began in October 1993 with critical acclaim, the first edition actually selling all 5,000 copies within two months, but was placed on a...
in 1993. Garza realized how serious Dominguez was and agreed to collaborate on a new Relampago series with a planned cross-over issue featuring their respective heroes. This collaboration never came to be however, with the death of Judge Garza in 1995.
Fictional character history
Shot while robbing an elderly man's home, Marcos Zapata escaped from the scene of the crime severely wounded. Having heard of the dark arts practiced by La Bruja Mendoza, Marcos stumbled to the Mendoza's doorstep. Pleading for help, the young bandit died on her doorstep. Realizing an opportunity, La Bruja revived Marcos before death could claim him. She bathed him in special lotions, fed him bitter broths, and applied herbs to his body. Soon after, Marcos discovered himself to be an "invincible man", having super strength, super speed, and invulnerability. His physical appearance changed as well, making him more athletic and physically attractive. His life now belonged to La Bruja Mendoza, who bade him to steal for her. Believing he owed her that much, Marcos stole for the old witch. He eventually grew tired of stealing and was intent on leaving the witch. Mendoza herself was brutally beaten by thieves intent on stealing her ill-gotten goods. Left for dead in her burning home, Marcos managed to save La Bruja Mendoza. In her final moments of life Marcos pleaded, "These powers, this strength, are these gifts permanent or are they only temporary?" But Mendoza's pain proved too great to bear, her last words being "The powers are as permanent only as..." The following week, Marcos would arrange a proper burial for Mendoza with the aid of a local church. Renouncing his checkered past, Marcos decided to use his new-found gifts for good, creating the alter egoAlter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
of Relampago and fighting against crime.