Spain Rodriguez

[November 5th, 2008]

You really should read: Che

Graphic artist Spain Rodriguez is old school in a lot of ways—he’s a die-hard, old-school lefty, he draws in a chunky style reminiscent of Joe Kubert’s early Sgt. Rock books and if you talk shit about him, I’m pretty sure he will beat your ass at a book signing. Which is more than we can say for most of his subdued underground comix contemporaries’ (Spain was a regular in Zap) and their bubbly, LSD-addled pen strokes. Spain’s latest, a graphic biography of Che Guevara simply titled Che, doesn’t bother with poetic prose, thematic subtleties or dissenting opinions about its central character. It’s a burning, driven, politically polarizing effort from a dude who’s pushing 70 and still has plenty of work to do. Jeez I hope he doesn’t hit me for bringing up his age. CASEY JARMAN. 3 pm Saturday, Nov. 8. Powell’s Books Stage. Comics & Politics Panel with Patrick Rosenkranz, Alison Bechdel and Douglas Wolk: 1 pm Saturday, Nov. 8. University of Oregon Stage.

^VIDEO: SPAIN RODRIGUEZ DISCUSSES CHE