Che, He was "That One" — and Then Some

My longtime friend Spain has a new book out, a graphic biography of Che Guevara. It will enlighten quite a few people who only know the man's face by a t-shirt or a skateboard design.

Spain's bio is meticulously researched, and the first time I saw it, when he was inking one of the death scenes, it was so dramatic, I burst into tears. This guy's story really gets under your skin, no matter how many times you've heard it.

I told the Maestro I would return with my eyes dry to interrogate him properly.

Here's Spain, on Che:

Che Linguistics

In Cuba, there are comic books about Che, but nothing in English. With this edition, Verso published it in Japanese, Greek, Czech, you name it— it’s a worldwide phenomenon. He’s an important guy in the Communist pantheon.


The Armored Train

What was my favorite panel to draw?  “The Armoured Train" escapade, of course... ‘cause I enjoyed the research so much.

In that Robert Redford movie, Havana, the Meyer Lansky character says, “I paid for that train!”


Hawks

Yeah, I have a interest in military history, battle history— I came of age during WWII, and never being in the army, it held a fascination for me. When I was a little kid, I couldn't wait to fight. But when I came of age, Vietnam, it was obvious that U.S. foreign policy was welfare for the rich— I wouldn’t fight for them. Why does anyone fall for that crap?

Right now, I’m working on a new story about Smedley Butler, "The Fighting Quaker," who was a general, who was, at the time of his death, the most decorated Marine in history.

Over the course of his tenure, he came to believe that the "War Is A Racket," and wrote a book with that very same title.

The turning point for Ole Gimlet Eye was when Al Smith and  other pro-fascist fatcats tried to recruit him in a coup against Roosevelt.

His famous quote was: “Al Capone was a piker. He only ran one  city— I ran whole countries for US corporations.”



Dying Pure

Che died young, so he didn’t get a chance to have a bunch of shit thrown at him. The only thing they can throw at him is that he’s a good-looking guy.

Sure, it’s Hollywood glamor, but you don’t question his intentions. Che had genuine sympathy for people at the bottom of the ladder.

There’s a whole world of Spanish-speaking people who have a natural tendency to be united. Che voiced this vision, a world of European, Latin, and Indigious ancestry—  that it could all come together.

The adulation isn't religious. There’s no "Che-o-phelia"... no one expects a Second Coming. No one wants a magic spell. What he is, is an example.

He wasn’t just a dreamer; he went down swinging. His last words to his murderer were: "Shoot, Coward— You are only killing a man."

You know what happened to his assassin? He’s still alive. The  Cuban government just paid to fix his cataracts.

Che
A Graphic Biography

by Spain Rodriguez, from Verso Books                                                                      

You can sit in Spain's lap and ask more questions at:

Modern Times, San Francisco, 7:30 PM 10/22
Wordstock Festival, Portland Oregon, 11/8

Now, wasn't that more fun than watching a "debate"? You betcha! I wish McCain would have a Smedley-Moment. Or at least go lie down.