Anticucho: A Cyberpunk Appetizer Delivered

Anticucho is an anthology of Peruvian cyberpunk stories from our old friend Gustaffo Vargas including the prequel to Altiplano. Since Vargas’ request to spotlight the kickstarter, we’ve been aching for a chance to see the meat of the story. Seasoning’s fine and all, but we need a better reason to tell people why they should pick this up. And boy did we find it.

The Altiplano Prequel

Let’s start with what most people are probably going into this for. Tayta Ukuku and Lima are Lila and Limon’s origin stories. The first one sets up Lila’s character, a streetwise caretaker looking out for her gang of orphans. With all of the hustlers and cutthroats on the streets of a futuristic Lima, trying to survive and thrive is essential. Against the adult gangs armed with high tech weapons, someone resourceful enough has to look out for them. Thankfully, Lila doesn’t have to be as ruthless as them when she shows mercy to a gangster with horrible scars. He might be part of the same gang holding Limon hostage, but there’s merit in Lila’s choices. While the gangster alone makes a good exchange for Limon, nursing him gets Lila and her gang a favor. It shows that despite the danger, there’s always a chance for better days.

As for Limon, his arc is a notable tragedy. He starts out a crybaby who has to rely on Lila because he thinks more with his stomach. This has gotten him into plenty of trouble like when he eats a MacGuffin in a panic. But the power he gets from this object seems to have been worth it, allowing him to return the favor to Lila. Not only that but it looks like they never have to worry about being scared or hungry ever again.

Only to realize that once a reader goes through Altiplano, a terrible dread comes over them. Without actually seeing the incidents where everything goes wrong, readers can feel a bitter loss that broke Lila.

Anticucho: On Flavors

As for the titular story, it gives readers the best impressions of what drives Vargas’ Peruvian cyberpunk. In a chase sequence between Lila’s gang and a rival one, the dynamic action by Vargas’ art and bright colors show what Lima has to offer. The city can look dreadfully dull on the ground so the brighter costumes of the two gangs moving through the city feels liberating. This way the reader feels immersed in the city as the gangs try to free themselves from its constraints. Each carefully laid out page feels lively and diverse to change perspectives, especially in focused color coded panels with food. That allows the reader to feel what’s going through the gangs’ heads: doing whatever they can to survive while hoping for a way to thrive.

Anticucho: Your Introduction To Peruvian Cyberpunk

Anticucho is definitely worth looking into for the immersive experience and the characters who live in it. As a complement to Altiplano, it allows readers to get a chance to really know Lila and Limon. The stark differences between now and then are striking and heartbreaking, giving a sense of anticipation on rereads. To say of the Noodle Incident that comes with it, filling readers heads to no end. As for the chase this anthology gets its name from, readers can experience Peru without feeling like a tourist. The striking artwork evokes an empathetic response to people who strive for the simple things in life. It might just inspire them to get out of their comfort zones and try something new. So this gets 9/10.

You can find it at these links:

https://www.gustaffovargas.com/store

https://gustaffovargas.bigcartel.com/

Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.