Relampago

Real Name: Marcos Zapata

First Appearance: Relampago (1977)

Identity/Class: Human, transformed by magic

Occupation: Para-legal assistant

Affiliations: La Bruja Mendoza

Enemies: Unknown

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: Texas

History: Relampago was a petty thief shot during a botched robbery. He escaped and with the help of a bruja recovered by transforming into an invincible man. He then used his powers to stop crime. A former petty thief, he is now a para-legal assistant.

Powers/Abilities: Relampago is enhanced with superhuman strength given to him by La Bruja Mendoza, as she bathed him with special lotions and of bitter broths she forced down his throat and herbs she applied to his body. Not only is he invulnerable, he is now discovering that he has super-speed. He now has learned that every time he uses his "super powers", he experiences intense agony. Relampago ponders if his "gifts" are permanent or temporary, and to this day...he still does not know the answer.

Comments: In 1977 Judge Margarito Garza of Corpus Christi, who also owned a comic store, decided that Mexican American youth needed a superhero of their own. He created Relampago, who is probably the very first Chicano superhero, and certainly the first Mexican American comic, predating the Hernandez Brothers' Love and Rockets by some four years. The first issue was rather crudely drawn and many copies were destroyed because of concerns about copyright infringement. A second issue, revising the first issue came out c. 1977. The latest, # 3, was more professional, printed on good-quality stock, drawn by Sam G. Gonzalez, and published by Azteca Productions

Relampago was created by Judge Margarito Garza, and is copyright to his estate.

Thanks to Richard Dominguez of Azteca Productions for information about Relampago's true identity, powers, and for providing the image of him used here.

CLARIFICATIONS: Not to be confused with

Any Additions/Corrections? Please let me know.

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