Julio Anta and Daniel Irizarri on Beast of Boriken

It’s fantastic when a comic gives you a jolt. Beast of Borikén, written by Julio Anta and illustrated by Daniel Irizarri, delivers a great prod, stimulating your brain to run numerous scenarios on and off the page. It’s the story of a people who’ve witnessed so much monstrosity at the hands of invaders. It’s a story of people finding strength in their neighbors, ancestors, and legends. The first issue is out now, from Dark Horse Comics and Tiny Onion, and we investigate it meaningfully with both storytellers. Set in Puerto Rico, the main character is Loli, an activist protesting an incoming resort, the face of which is yuppy CEO Simon Hunt, who is using every slippery trick in the book to break ground despite opposition. Loli is incensed and focused on stopping the overdevelopment of her ancestral lands, but is her fixation in part because she is avoiding processing a horrendous grief, since her father died alone in a hospital during Hurricane Maria? This week on the podcast, we speak with Julio Anta and Daniel Irizarri about Beast of Borikén, witnessing endless horror, and hope through collective action. We discuss the influence of The Creature from the Black Lagoon and the appeal of monsters. Also, what does it all have to do with Robocop 2? You’ll have to make your way through the intro to understand all that. Beast of Borikén #1 is out now from Dark Horse Comics and Tiny Onion. It’s written by Julio Anta, illustrated by Daniel Irizarri, colored by Patricio Delpeche, and lettered by Lucas Gattoni. Follow Julio Anta on Instagram and Bluesky. Follow Daniel IriZarri on Instagram and Bluesky. Other Relevant Links to This Week's Episode: Subscribe to the Comic Book Couples Counseling YouTube Channel Watch The Stacks, Comic Creators Name Their Favorite Comics Previously on CBCC: Frank Miller Comic Book Film Club: Punisher: War Zone at the Alamo Drafthouse in Winchester, Virginia on 7/12 at 5:00 PM. Co-Sponsored by Four Color Fantasies. Comic Book Club: The Complete Persepolis at Meanwhile...Coffee in Herndon, Virginia, on 7/5 at 3:30 PM Final Round of Plugs (PHEW): Support the Podcast by Joining OUR PATREON COMMUNITY. And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Bluesky @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson @sidewalksiren. Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts. Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website, where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators. Podcast logo by Jesse Lonergan and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. This Week's Sponsors The Future is Calling! 2000 AD is the Galaxy’s Greatest Comic, with new issues published every single week! Every 32-page issue of 2000 AD brings you the best in sci-fi and horror, featuring characters like Judge Dredd, Rogue Trooper, and more. Get a print subscription to 2000 AD and it’ll arrive to your mailbox every week - and your first issue is free! Or subscribe digitally, and you can download DRM-free copies of each issue for only $9 a month. That’s 128 pages of incredible comics every month for less than $10! Head to 2000AD.com and click on ‘subscribe’ now – or download the 2000 AD app and start reading today! The charming town of Orchard has everything you could ever need: walkable streets, friendly residents, and no escape. But why would you want to leave? The world outside is a nuclear wasteland! It's much better to stay in the warm confines of Orchard and ignore the deep secrets it holds. After all, it's a safe place to live. Free on Webtoon, Winston Gambro’s A Safe Place to Live is the dystopian horror comic you’ve been waiting for. It’s Severance meets Archie. Support human-made art!. If you are a fan of the legendary artwork of Michael Turner, you need to check out The DC Art of Michael Turner on Kickstarter from Clover Press and Aspen Comics. This oversized de