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 while wishing to do more. But he seems to have a dark past that he doesn’t remember. 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 started with awkward translations from its native 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.
The latest issues make that a full dilemma. If a mercenary and the Neo-Nazi’s kaiser out for payback weren’t bad enough, a gladiator who doesn’t even know that he’s human outclasses Xero. Even Xero’s power-up state and a desperate gambit aren’t enough. The arc’s end marks a big dynamic shift. Now that Alejandro toddled out of his depth, he has to learn to run before he can walk with his gem. Along with a lot of baggage.
Silver Sun might have the local advantage, but stuff like this is what will get UMC Editions on more people’s radar.
UMC Editions and 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.
As of this post, it seems UMC has taken that next step with new translations. It’s EIC, Jonh Curcio has given me access to these newly lettered comics. They are not perfect translations, but they are much less clunky and presentable for their rerelease on Indyplanet. Even the ones on GlobalComix have been retrofitted with panel-by-panel reading to make it easier for new readers.
If that’s not all, there is a crossover with the Irish indie comic company Punt Press planned. The Kickstarter didn’t succeed, but knowing UMC, that’s not going to stop them. They’re already finishing up stories for Darkcat and (Not) Masters of the Universe. So stay tuned for more developments.
Thanks for coming to the end, and as always remember to look between the panels.
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