Serial comics on the alternative side of the comics world are, sadly, rare these days. So it’s with great delight we welcome a (promised) ongoing series in La Poderosa from Columbian-Ecuadorian autobiographical cartoonist Powepaola, from Chicago, IL-based publisher 2dcloud.
The story starts with Powerpaola attempting to return to Berlin from holidays in Buenos Aires. She stops in Amsterdam to visit a friend and is detained at the airport on a visa technicality. The opening page is appropriately claustrophobic as Powerpaola makes their way through the crowds of people. However, once they learn of their passport dificulties the viewpoint shifts to closeups, possibly mirroring being overwhelmed by the situation. A further shift to a jumbled panel layout indicates a confused state of mind as Powerpaola is confined in a waiting room, uncertain of her fate.
Finally released from airport purgatory, Powerpaola meets her friend and his family. As the tension lifts from Powerpaola the panel borders disappear, the open layout depicting the lightened mood.
Heading back to Berlin and their “Samuel Fischer Visiting Professorship for Literature at the Peter Szondi Institute for General and Comparative Literature at the Free University of Berlin” (full title translated from this article), Powerpaola again shakes up her perspective not showing her face for the three page sequence where they arrive at the airport, using this to allow themselves to ruminate on the course they are teaching (“I Am Not Talking About Me (But Also)”) and a little about the theory of autobiography in literature.
The rest of the book concentrates on Powerpaola trying to stay in Berlin, a wonderfully constructed sequence that doesn’t necessarily end on a cliffhanger. Rather a true flow of life where their story continues no matter the circumstances.
The art is printed in vibrant “2 color pantone” colors that really set it apart from the usual riso or black and white alternative comics.
Hopefully, La Poderosa will be the success it deserves to be. More autobiographical comics from someone as in control of their voice as Powerpaola would be most welcome.
(Bonus Fun Fact: The “Eyes Hat” worn by Powerpaola throughout the story is an homage to Mexico City artist Ines Estrada who created the design in 2016 and still sells them in her Gatoshop!)
Powerpaola (W/A) • 2dcloud, $6.99
Review by Gary Usher
