"i will save this comics industry to the ground." —Tom Spurgeon

The Death to Pachuco trade paperback is now in comic book stores all over the world today.

I will be at Collector’s Paradise NoHo signing with Tony Fleecs from 5 to 8 p.m. We might take the party next door to Brews Brothers depending on how everyone feels, so come by and get a signed copy if you haven’t already purchased it from my shop. If you can’t make it to CPNoHo, I’m going to do a signing at The Last Book Store Studio City on Friday, April 24th from 7 to 9 p.m. Put that in your calendar and smoke it!

Click here to find all the ways preorder Death to Pachuco ie Barnes & Noble, local bookshops, and Amazon.

Don’t forget to read today’s Gil Thorp!

AZCAF, Tucson, & ATX

Arizona Comicbook Arts Festival was a flipping blast. Big thanks to Ryan Cody for having me. This time Katie and Xamie were special guests, so it was awesome to show them around a city I have grown to love. I got to hang out with my local pals and their kiddos. There was a lot of love at this show, and it’s all thanks to Gonzo’s hot Death to Pachuco #5 cover.

I’m 99% confident this is my only Arizona con because folks are already getting invited to Tucson Con, so if you want to see me there feel free to send TCC an email (bpulido@tucsoncomic-con.com) and make a request.

I did an extended trip away from my humble abode the last couple of weeks. I didn’t make it to Tucson last year. The main issue was money. I spent a lot of money traveling the world to spread the Pachuco gospel. By the end of year and no new gigs, so I couldn’t swing it. And I needed to rest my bones during the “winter.”

But signing at Presido and Heroes was a humbling experience. I felt the love. It was a concentrated dose, and I didn’t want to leave. I hope to split my time in my Native land before I’m older. Fingers crossed I win the lotto, or something. Anything, really.

I got to go to Austin for the BIPOC POP event at UTA, and it was another gathering of some of the coolest and smartest people in comics, film, animation, and academia. Big thanks to Prof Aldama, Samantha, and all the volunteers for making this yet another special event.

Then I went back to Tucson to see more family and friends. There’s never enough time. I did squeeze in a school visit, so it was nice to talk to youths about comics and how it can change their lives.

Here’s a cacophony of images and random access memories that you can only find here because fuck Meta and all the other platforms stealing our images for their AI bullshit.

Thanks for reading. Expect an email from me real soon. Until then…

See you in the funny papers,

HB

P.S. Cesar Chavez

Fuck.

I wrote this email last night with every intention of sending it until I got a bunch of calls and texts about the allegations around Cesar Chavez.

La Voz De M.A.Y.O. Tata Rambo is and always will be a response to my thoughts about flawed humans making a difference in the world. It was important for me to talk about my great-grandfather’s shortcomings along with incredible impact he had in American history. This was a chance to give the other members involved with the actual group La Voz De M.A.Y.O. their due.

When people talk about Cesar Chavez, they’re not talking about the Filipino farm workers that started the 1968 Delano Grape Strike, or the people that died on the picket lines, or, most importantly; Dolores Huerta. The New York Times published an investigation finding that Chavez groomed and sexually assaulted girls. The investigation has Dolores sharing that she was a victim to Chavez, but kept it to herself all these years.

While researching Dolores’ story to make the 2024 comic for Civics for All, you can’t tell it without talking about him. I found out that he was described as a tyrant. He was on the record calling Mexican workers as “illegals” and “wetbacks.” I was shocked to find this about the man that stood with my great-grandfather and the right for Native people. I felt betrayed.

It’s heartbreaking that all these victims have had to stay silent because of the towering figure that is Cesar Chavez. If found true—and let’s be real—this will be the end of the civil rights icon as we know it. The streets will be renamed. The holiday will be canceled. And to that: I say good riddance.