Friday, February 17, 2017

Retro Dark Horse

Star Wars: La Guerra de los Clones Aventuras #1

In 2015 it was estimated that 14% of the U.S. population spoke Spanish or approximately 35 to 40 million people.  Not surprisingly, Spanish has been the fastest growing language in the U.S.  Comic publishers, who are eager to diversify their fan base, recognize the potential for selling Spanish language comic books in the U.S.  In December 2007 Marvel published the Fantastic Four: Isla de la Muerte! one-shot in both English and Spanish.  DC followed up in April 2008 with a gimmick for Blue Beetle #26 which was published in Spanish and included the English script.  Jaime Reyes, the Blue Beetle, is Hispanic and, in the story, Reyes and his family are conversing in Spanish.

Before Marvel and DC's foray into Spanish language offerings however, Dark Horse had reached out to the Spanish speaking demographic in the U.S. with three Star Wars comics in June 2006: the digest-sized graphic novel La Guerra de los Clones Aventuras #1 and trade paperbacks La Guerra de los Clones: La Defensa de Kamino and El Imperio: Traicion.  These Spanish versions of previously publish English language comics did not sell well enough for Dark Horse to continue the initiative.

The original English version of La Guerra de los Clones Aventuras #1, or Clone Wars Adventures #1, was published in July 2004.  This 96-page book contains three stories based on the Genndy Tartakovsky's Clone Wars micro-series.  The aesthetics of the cartoon are captured in the artwork, including on the cover, and there is no mistaking this as a tie-in for the later, longer running The Clone Wars animated series.

Star Wars: La Guerra de los Clones Aventuras #1a - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (June 2006)
For a long time, this Spanish-language graphic novel languished in back-issue bins and online comic shops.  A copy of this comic fetches cover price or less.

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