Reviews

Lizard in a Zoot Suit by Marco Finnegan

graypeape's review

4.0

An interesting blend of historical fiction and monster movie scifi. Taking place during the Zoot Suit Riots in 1943 Los Angeles, the story has two Latinx twin sisters, Flaca and Cuata, who find a lizard man of an unknown species who has been separated from his people by the actions of humans, and they decide to help him get back to his people and keep him from getting captured by the military. Chulit0 (as the girls call him) bears a strong resemblance to the Creature from the Black Lagoon, making him a handy symbol of the "other," and his people's displacement by humans represents the Mexican-American communities in Los Angeles being displaced by whites. An author's note gives a detailed history of the Zoot Suit Riots, which I hadn't heard about before; an ugly race-based event that had even the LA Times publishing an article about how to attack and de-suit a Zoot Suiter, stoking even more violence. The artwork has a minimalistic retro feel, and fits the story well. This is a quick, fun adventure story, and I learned an important bit of history too.

#LizardinaZootSuit #NetGalley

therewillbenewsuns's review

adventurous informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racial slurs

etienne02's review

2.0

Good, original and interesting art in every aspect of it. Unfortunately I can't say the same about the story which let me down rapidly....

leighsnerdlife's review

informative reflective tense fast-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0