While reading these stories, I was struck by the fact that the Hernandez brothers, the creators of this amazing melange of punk rock, science fiction, Chicano/Catholic culture, and many other influences---including the lower-case-c catholic reading habits of literary omnivores--drew and wrote most of these stories in the early eighties, when I was younger reader and when they would have had much greater appeal for me; I can't say they don't appeal to me now--and in any case, I like to fancy myself capable of recognizing great work even if it isn't exactly my dish now that I am much older. Nonetheless, this is in almost every respect American culture at its best and most generously syncretic and self-mocking,

The seminal series Love and Rockets from the Hernandez brothers was divided into two streams: Heartbreak Soup and Las Locas. This book is the first collection of the Las Locas series, centred on Maggie and her friends Hopey, Izzy, Penny and others.

Hernandez set these stories in a milieu of the 80s punk scene in LA, blended with Latino culture and a dose of science fiction. Maggie has ambitions to be a prosolar mechanic, having globetrotting adventures working on rockets and robots. She becomes the assistant of hunky celebrity mechanic Rand Race who competes for her affections with rebellious girl punk Hopey, with whom she lives.

The stories are far-fetched yet do not stretch credulity too far. I like that Hernandez is prepared to age them over the series, having them go through different hairstyles and looks, put on and lose weight and so on. This dose of reality helps keep the stories from being too silly. ( )

http://teensniper.tumblr.com/post/46263201786/150-books-in-2013-28 ( )

Not my thing. ( )

Too young before; now, I love 'em. ( )