Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico

As regular Scoop readers know, during the disruption caused by the COVID-19 virus, we’ve featured reviews of individual back issues, runs, collected editions, and original graphic novels that captured and held our attention over the long haul. Now that “new comics Wednesday” has returned in some form for many around the country, we’ve decided to continue including great older comics among our features. Remember, once your store is open, checking out their back issue bins or bookshelves is a great way to #BackTheComeback.  

Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico
Somos Arte; $19.99

In September 2017, the island of Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. The island saw massive flooding, buildings and homes were destroyed, and electricity was disrupted – in some cases – for months. In response to the catastrophe, Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez and Somos Arte partnered with DC Comics to create a graphic novel that would celebrate the island’s history and culture, with 100% of the proceeds going to the rebuilding effort.

The book stars the island’s superheroine La Borinqueña (created by Miranda-Rodriguez) who is joined by a slew of DC characters, including Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing, Static Shock, El Diablo, Green Lantern, Supergirl, Batman, the Flash, Poison Ivy, and several others.

The book, produced by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, features dozens of short stories by a diverse group of writers and artists. Puerto Rico’s culture and history are shown as La Borinqueña and DC characters work to help residents to fix the destruction caused by the hurricanes. Though the situation is terribly sad, the book is written with hope in mind, for the future and for the heroic efforts of people who try to help each other.

–Amanda Sheriff