COMICS & ENTERTAINMENT HOLDINGS, one of the fastest growing independent comic companies, announced that it’s partnering with the Los Angeles-based independent production company MUCHO MAS MEDIA to launch LatinX brand CHISPA COMICS at NYCC 2021. The new imprint, helmed by veteran comics creators David Bowles (Clockwork Curandera), Hector Rodriguez III (El Peso Hero), and Javier Chapa (Blue Miracle), was created to explore within the global LatinX community and communities of color to find diverse creators and curate stories that are culturally relevant across various mediums of entertainment.
“We’re so grateful to be working with SCOUT and have always been huge fans of their mission, and are eager to help create and publish more comics that support and celebrate the voices and stories of the LatinX community,” said Javier Chapa, the imprint’s CEO.
Scout’s President, James Haick III, said of the partnership, “We here at Scout couldn’t be more excited about partnering with the amazing team at Mucho Mas Media. We can’t wait to share the exciting plans and titles we have coming out for Chispa. This is the beginning of something very special.”
Their first release, ATTACK AT ACAPULCO: A BLACK DEMON TALE, puts readers in the middle of the busiest week of the season when things on the Pacific coast of Mexico are not as they seem. Written by Sebastian Martinez-Kadlecik (Eisner-nominated Quince) and illustrated by Bruno Oliveira (Amazing Spider-Man, Deadpool), ATTACK AT ACAPULCO is rooted in the Mexican myth of the Black Demon, an ancient megalodon that lurks the seas, guarding nature at the behest of Tlaloc, the supreme Aztec god of rain, earthly fertility, and water.
As revealed exclusively in Variety this week, Josh Lucas will battle a giant shark in “The Black Demon,” a survival thriller from “Rambo: Last Blood” director Adrian Grunberg. The film was written by Boise Esquerra (“Blackwater”) and is set to start principal photography in December on location in the Dominican Republic.
“The film follows oilman Paul Sturges (Lucas) as he takes his family on vacation to Bahia Azul. There, the coastal town he and his wife once knew has mysteriously crumbled and the locals are nowhere to be found. Paul starts off his day with a routine visit to inspect his nearby oil rig, but before he knows it, his entire family has landed with him on the rotting metal tower. From the depths of the ocean rises a massive megalodon known only by its name: the Black Demon. Under constant threat from this primeval species of shark, Paul must find a way to get his family back to shore alive.”
“The Black Demon” is produced by Mucho Mas’ Javier Chapa and Silk Mass’ Jon Silk, alongside R.U. Robot’s Petr Jákl. The movie is executive produced by production company Mucho Mas’ Phillip Braun, Simon Wise, Bruce Barshop, Vincent Cordero, Highland Film Group’s Delphine Perrier, Arianne Fraser, and Henry Winterstern, The Avenue’s JJ Caruth and R.U. Robot’s Martin J. Barab. The Avenue and R.U. Robot are on board for financing.
“Survival thrillers centered on the apex predator of the ocean have captivated audiences for generations, and to have this fresh take helmed by the action master Adrian and led by the incredibly talented Josh, makes ‘The Black Demon’ a truly exciting project,” said Highland Film Group CEO Fraser. “We think audiences around the world will be excited to see this Mexican legend on the big screen for the first time,” added Mucho Mas’ Chapa
Along with ATTACK AT ACAPULCO, CHISPA COMICS will be releasing The Fantastic Flame, a new comic series written by Alex Segura (Star Wars—Poe Dameron: Free Fall) and Chantel Acevedo (The Distant Marvels) and illustrated by Richard Ortiz (DC Bombshells, Southside Serpents). Other titles include Thanks! -Romina by Giulie Speziani, limited series Dial “F” for Foodie by Aaron Duran, Mashbone & Grifty by Oscar Garza and Pablo Esquivel, and Chispa’s own horror anthology, Catrina’s Caravan, edited by David Bowles and Hector Rodriguez III.
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