Author Talks, Online: Author Talk with Julio Anta & Jacoby Salcedo

Join Pelham Parkway-Van Nest Library in a discussion with Eisner nominated comic book writer Julio Anta and illustrator, Jacoby Salcedo as they talk about their latest YA graphic novel, This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story! 

While it is not required, you can get a copy of Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo's books by using your library card!

Description:

Jaime Reyes is an ordinary high school student in El Paso, Texas, with a deep love for his family, culture, and home. Whether it’s working with his dad at the auto shop or a multi-generational barbecue filled with music and dance, Jaime loves nothing more than his neighborhood’s spontaneous gatherings that go late into the night. But lately he’s begun to realize that he and his border community are being used as pawns in an increasingly toxic immigration debate.

The last few months have seen armed troops deployed along the U.S. and Mexico border, manufactured crackdowns at official border crossings, and now at the community level, a mounting resentment amongst a group of disaffected and reactionary youth who believe they’re being “replaced” by El Paso’s growing immigrant population. And to make matters worse, one of Jaime’s oldest friends, Riley, has bought into the propaganda. What started off as innocent web searches has now led Riley down a path to joining an unabashed hate group with a chapter in El Paso looking to cause some real-world violence.

But Jaime’s problems get even more complicated when he finds an odd bug-like artifact while stargazing. He starts feeling a little different—like there’s another voice in his head pushing him towards his most base instincts. And to make matters worse, he’s been having surreal dreams that show him that the true threat El Paso faces isn’t “illegal aliens,” but actual aliens known as the Reach. In fact, according to his dreams, Jaime is meant to pave the way for the Reach’s impending invasion!

Author Bio

Julio Anta is a Cuban and Colombian American author from Miami, Florida. He currently resides in New York City where he works to tell narratively rich stories about diverse Latinx characters for readers of all ages. He is best known for his comic book series HOME, published by Image Comics, and his work at Marvel and DC Comics.

Jacoby Salcedo is a comic book illustrator who is based in Portland, Oregon. He is the co-creator of the Harper Collins YA graphic novel, FRONTERA with frequent collaborator, Julio Anta. He is also the artist on Dark Horse mini-series, IT'S ONLY TEENAGE WASTELAND with writer Curt Pires. Jacoby has also been featured in multiple comic anthologies such as DC's Legion of Bloom, Panel X Panel, Graphic Mundi's Covid Chronicles, and A Wave Blue World Young Men in Love.