UMC Editions from Argentina is a publisher that’s been getting around in some circles. Including but not limited to our new affiliate, Comic Distro. To help spread awareness, I’ll be going over some details. First impressions won’t do this publisher justice, especially since its early products were… going through growing pains. But there was one series that I liked that I’ll be highlighting. Plus there’re some developments not known to the English audience.
UMC Editions: Premiere Comics
On first impression, UMC doesn’t seem like much to comic fans. Three of its premiere titles look like knockoffs of popular American franchises. Silver Sun (Superman), Darkcat (Batman), and Warriors of Tomorrow (Masters of the Universe) all get attention to varying degrees of success. Silver Sun in particular remains the most popular UMC series of the franchise in Latin America. Not just Argentina but also Brazil and possibly a few others. But why?
Indeed, reviews for UMC’s premiere titles don’t put these three in a high position. Darkcat and Warriors of Tomorrow for example throw readers into the middle of a story without actually introducing who they are. Unlike Silver Sun who presents himself as a paragon hero, trying to live his simple life but wishing he could do more. But he seems to have a dark past that he doesn’t really know about. Either that or a Horde of supervillains are trying to gaslight him. And they go all out in trying to push him to a breaking point.
As for Darkcat, he has appeal in kinetic martial arts action scenes as well as being a detective. But unlike the Dark Knight, he’s on a quest of vengeance against a secret society. All while trying to make sure good men prevail, especially if he was responsible for putting them in a bad place.
Despite this, all of these titles have awkward translations from its native tongue in Spanish.
My Favorite Of The Bunch
Finally we have the series I and Indie Comix Dispatch like the most. Chronology Xero follows a more original character who the creators have been building for a long time. Frankly it shows with the passion on display; or maybe it’s because the Spanish to English is less awkward. Like the above series, the origins and why the title character got to where he is isn’t too important. Although it probably would’ve helped fill the reader in.
But hey, a superhero who takes on Neo-Nazis on a regular basis is always good. Especially since Argentina has a pretty long Nazi history. Not only that but Xero’s identity Alejandro has a few more layers than other UMC characters. He’s a teenager trying to get through life with loving parents, friends, and a crush. But he’s also inexperienced and gets over his head in trying to do good. Readers will love him for it as he’s still learning about the gem stuck in him that gives him his powers. A lot of people including the Neo-Nazis want it and Xero’s battles are won by the skin of his teeth.
Thankfully the supporting elements aren’t reactionaries either, including a news cast. They’re very aware of the world around them with superheroes. Xero certainly helped uncover a Neo-Nazi operation as an activist group. But they’re approaching him with caution too because again he did it by the seat of his pants. And there’s the fact he nearly lost his temper and killed a guy. Xero is turning out to be the series that keeps my interest in UMC, but there’s more.
UMC Editions and South America
One of the reasons Silver Sun exploded in popularity in South America is because of its third issue. What’s so special about it? Well it was around this point that UMC Editions started a partnership with Gabriel Rocha. Who? He’s better known in Brazil for his creation Lagarto Negro (Black Lizard) since 1998. In any case, the third issue includes a crossover with the Black Lizard and characters from across South America.
In all accounts, it’s a natural evolution of the stories in Silver Sun. Silver Sun wants to inspire heroes in Argentina to be an example for the country. It’s what he tries to do with Darkcat in that character’s series. But this issue’s success unites publishers for an intercontinental network. It’s what allows Rocha to fund and publish Sol de Plata in Brazil. In turn UMC translates/publishes Lagarto Negro in Argentina under a license label.
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that this boost in popularity and connectivity helps propel UMC further. For example, the all female superheroes in Glezke was inspired by Peru’s La Chola Power. It’s an Inca inspired title that UMC also has the license for.
UMC Going Forward
After 5 years, UMC Editions found its footing not just by publishing its own content but propping up its fellows. Not even a failed Kickstarter campaign for a Silver Sun trade could stop it. Instead UMC built its own fundraising service for the trade and Black Lizard. Now its only real challenge is finding an even bigger audience. Despite having a stable community, there’s always room to grow. For the English speaking audience, there’re plenty of options.
But so far as my interactions with UMC through GlobalComix suggest, they’re under prepared to expand. They are taking suggestions when it comes to translations with their early comics. Because you know what, UMC was built by a fandom for fandoms. Despite some bumps they’ll be ready to create demand for their content.
Thanks for coming to the end, and as always remember to look between the panels.
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