Afro-Puerto Rican superhero La Borinqueña is coming to Delaware

Hispanic Heritage Month is coming to an end this week, but Wilmington Public Library is keeping the energy going, literary style, with an event Saturday, Oct. 16.

The meet-and-greet with Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, creator of Afro-Puerto Rican comic book hero La Borinqueña, will include an afternoon of culture and fundraising. Expect conversations about diversity in comic books and current socio-political issues related to Puerto Rico while supporting Puerto Ricans with ongoing Hurricane Maria recovery and pandemic aid.

La Borinqueña is named after both the Puerto Rican national anthem and Borikén, the name the indigenous Taíno people called the island. In the comics, it’s the alter ego of Marisol Rios De La Luz, a young Brooklyn resident studying environmental science at Columbia University, who goes to stay with family in Puerto Rico while doing research. She gains her superpowers — including superhuman strength and the ability to manipulate the natural elements — from a Taino goddess and her sons. She is able to open portals for teleportation and for viewing historical moments, helping her to establish a deeper connection with her culture.

Miranda-Rodriguez is also the creative director and owner of Somos Arte, a Brooklyn-based creative services studio, an Arts Envoy for the U.S. Department of State giving talks and leading workshops in Latin America about how La Borinqueña speaks to social justice issues. He’s also the recipient of the San Diego Comic-Con’s 2019 Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic efforts via the benefit anthology “Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico” featuring La Borinqueña teaming up with Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman and other DC Comics heroes.

And, he has curated three original Marvel comic book art exhibitions for the Smithsonian Museum and Fundación Cortés in Puerto Rico. Partnerships include Darryl Makes Comics, which Miranda-Rodriguez co-owns with Darryl DMC McDaniels (from RUN DMC), as well as the comic book series “Freak” written by John Leguizamo.

So, yes, he’s kind of a big deal.

Attendees at this free, in-person event are encouraged to dress as their favorite (PG-rated) characters and will have the opportunity to purchase La Borinqueña comic books for a book signing at the end of the event. Masks will be required, and seating will be three feet apart.