By Luis Monteagudo Jr.
Mexico put the international into Comic-Con International this week.
With the convention being held just a few miles from the border, Mexican directors and artists visited the convention to promote two new animated films scheduled to come out soon.
Director Ricardo Arnaiz and actor Rico Rodriguez from television’s “Modern Family” talked about “El Americano,” an animated film about a parrot that flies from Mexico to the U.S. to meet his favorite superhero.
“It tells a story about Mexican culture going to the U.S.,” said Arnaiz. “It’s about crossing borders.”
“El Americano” is the first joint Mexico-U.S. animated production and some artists from Tijuana crossed the border to work on the film.
The film boasts some well-known Hollywood talent, including Edward James Olmos as one of it’s producers and “Friends” star Lisa Kudrow as one of the voice actors.
Rodriguez voices the lead character and made his first Comic Con visit to promote the film.
“It’s my first time to Comic-Con and what way to welcome me in,” he said.
Comic-Con favorite Guillermo del Toro also previewed his new film, “The Book of Life.” Del Toro helped produce the film after being shown some images of it by its director, Jorge R. Gutierrez, who grew up in Tijuana.
“What I saw was just a beautiful set of images,” Del Toro said. “It’s a gorgeous, magical movie.”
The vivid film pops with bright colors, using a style that borrows heavily from Day of the Dead folk art.
“The look of the film is very much a love letter to those things,” said Gutierrez.
The film features voice work by actors Channing Tatum and Christina Applegate, among others.
Homer Simpson made his first appearance to Comic-Con Saturday and he took advantage of the visit to poke a little fun at San Diego.
Longtime San Diegans know that there have been rumors that Comic-Con might move to Las Vegas if the San Diego Convention Center isn’t expanded. That expansion has been approved but consruction has yet to begin.
Well, a hologram of Homer Simpson appeared at the end of a panel celebrating the 25th anniversary of “The Simpsons” and a befuddled Homer thought he had landed in Las Vegas.
When told no, Simpson said, “San Diego must’ve built 10,000 more hotel rooms and one good restaurant. Surely, they’ve simplified the registration process (for Comic-Con.”)
Homer eventually went away, but not before one last joke at Comic-Con’s expense.
“Enjoy the show,” he said. “As soon as it’s over, you should go back and get in line for next year.”
Luis Monteagudo Jr. is a freelance writer and pop culture enthusiast who has attended Comic-Con for more than 20 years. He was written for the San Diego Union-Tribune, USA Today and numerous other publications.
