Desigual / Blog / Atypical Spanish Wear since 1984

The world of the Underground comic in Spain had better prepare itself, the masters of the genre like Juanjo Sáez, Mauro Entrialgo and Miguel Brieva are going to have to make space for the authors of one of this year’s most talked-about graphic novels: Hervir un Oso (literally “Boiling a Bear”).

This monster creation, thought up by two heads and drawn by four hands and published under the “Belleza Infinita” imprint, is taking readers by storm wherever it goes, and is giving rise to endless comments, opinions and widespread acclaim in the blogosphere. We are talking about one of those cases in which, as Malcolm Gladwell would say, the frontier of success is just about to be crossed and I would like to join my voice to the word that’s going round that this is a comic-book that is going to set the pace for a long time to come.

For a start, don’t miss the front cover, which already gives a sample of what is in store inside, and includes the book’s first big idea: nothing less than boiling a brown bear…

Front cover of the book “Hervir un oso”

The close collaboration between the always unclassifiable Miguel Noguera and the no less idiosyncratic Jonathan Millán has produced one of the most original books that you will hold in your hands this year. Noguera, taking ideas from his own blog, from his Ultrashows and regaling us with previously unpublished material, shows all his cool, sharp, acid humour. Jonathan puts his full repertoire of ideas and drawings on display, granting us admission to a world that is very carefully crafted, full of detail and bursting with anecdotes. The combined passion of this creative duo was guaranteed to produce one of the most valued products on today’s publishing scene, and one of those books that, whoever you offer it to, the gift will always be appreciated.

El oso Miguel Noguera leyendo “Hervir un Oso” en imagen promocional

In the pages of this little gem, the authors have a great time revisiting the home of the girl in the film “The Exorcist” to see what’s going on there one year after Father Damien J. Carras tried to break the curse. The situation is still the same and satanic possession has become part of everyday life there, something with which the inhabitants live on a day to day basis in dark normality. Another great success is the story of the bus interchanger of Alfajarín, created by a cat called Rausan that lives underground, from where it attracts trucks and buses through its mental powers.

Don’t miss either the “Harry Potter Summer Camp” organized by a group of monitors of dubious morality who are prepared to show their tricks to a group of innocent kids who themselves are willing to do anything to learn the secrets of magic:

One of the kindest ideas in the book: the “Harry Potter Summer Camp”

Miguel and Jonathan’s ideas suggest to us universes without morality, and introduce us to different styles of drawing that we associate with a particular message, giving us what we least expected to receive (as Jonathan himself said in an interview, one of his models was the series Once upon a time… Life!). Turning everything upside down, showing ridiculous details, making everyday life into something transcendental, mixing popular ideas with impossible theories, putting the reader time and time again in places where he inevitably has to wonder how the hell he got there…

What more can you ask of a comic?

Mauricia Blanquerna / YProductions