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Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico
Reminiscing & Rebuiliding Puerto Rico is an anthology featuring contributions from writers and artists from the comic book industry like Gail Simone, Greg Pak, Reginald Hudlin, Denys Cowan, Tony Daniel, Ken Lashley, Bill Sienkiewicz, Yanick Paquette, Gabby Rivera, Will Rosado, Jorge Jimenez, Mike Allred, Chris Sotomayor, to Puerto Rican and Latinx celebrities like Rosario Dawson, Ruben Blades, Javier Munoz, Sonia Manzano and over 100 more. Produced and also featuring stories written by Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, this anthology teams up his original character LA BORINQUENA with some of the most iconic comic book heroes of all time from Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Aquaman, The Flash and many others. Original stories also take us to the past to explore the beautiful history of PUERTO RICO as well as tales that envision a stronger and rebuilt island. 100% of the proceeds from this anthology will go to the continued work to help over 3 million Americans living in Puerto Rico, providing solar-powered lamps, food, clothing and so much more. These short stories remind us all that the true power of being a hero is inside each of us. When we come together as a united people, we will never be defeated! !El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido! Thanks to DC for generously giving our studio, Somos Arte, permission to use some of DC's iconic characters in original stories for this anthology, whose proceeds Somos Arte will contribute towards the continued hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
192 pages, Paperback
Published May 29, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 27, 2018
Just buy this because the proceeds go towards rebuilding Puerto Rico. We have a president who doesn't realize that Puerto Ricans are American citizens who deserve the same help that would be given to any other state hit by a hurricane. He thinks showing up for a photo op and throwing paper towels at them is enough.
As far as the stories go, the first one is the most powerful. It's from a mother telling what it's like to live without power for almost 5 months. The rest of the stories mostly either are stories of how strong Puerto Ricans are or one of DC's heroes stopping by to help.
As far as the stories go, the first one is the most powerful. It's from a mother telling what it's like to live without power for almost 5 months. The rest of the stories mostly either are stories of how strong Puerto Ricans are or one of DC's heroes stopping by to help.
July 5, 2018
To fairly review this comic you have to accept it for what it is. A bunch of short stories told in order to teach you about the current struggle they face rebuilding, who they are as a people, and some history about their past and hopes for the future. There is even a short story about two coqui’s. They are a major part of my memories as a kid. Hearing them sing every night. So it really was more of a way to show you a little about the culture.
It was a neat way to try and raise money to help Puerto Rico. It was a collection of several short stories touching on a variety of topics. You can get the comic here http://a.co/d8HYiAm and all the proceeds will go to help rebuild. If you are looking for a book about the DC Heroes being the focus you are not going to find that. If you want a way to help Puerto Rico without having to make a major commitment here you go. Again, I would not get this comic if you are looking so a comic with super heroes as the main focus…the whole point is that the reader has the potential to be the hero, we all do.
Pros:
•It really captured the essence of the Puerto Rican people
•It showed that the real heroes of the story are those willing to stand up and help, not the fictional heroes.
•It puts a face to the people on the island as well as to those who are trying to help them.
Cons:
•If you are looking for DC super heroes being the main focus you WILL be disappointed. They are guest stars and have almost little cameos. This isn’t about them…it’s about Puerto Rico
•Not really a con but there were parts that were not in English and for a non speaker you may not understand what’s being said….just look at the pictures and you will figure it out.
It was a neat way to try and raise money to help Puerto Rico. It was a collection of several short stories touching on a variety of topics. You can get the comic here http://a.co/d8HYiAm and all the proceeds will go to help rebuild. If you are looking for a book about the DC Heroes being the focus you are not going to find that. If you want a way to help Puerto Rico without having to make a major commitment here you go. Again, I would not get this comic if you are looking so a comic with super heroes as the main focus…the whole point is that the reader has the potential to be the hero, we all do.
Pros:
•It really captured the essence of the Puerto Rican people
•It showed that the real heroes of the story are those willing to stand up and help, not the fictional heroes.
•It puts a face to the people on the island as well as to those who are trying to help them.
Cons:
•If you are looking for DC super heroes being the main focus you WILL be disappointed. They are guest stars and have almost little cameos. This isn’t about them…it’s about Puerto Rico
•Not really a con but there were parts that were not in English and for a non speaker you may not understand what’s being said….just look at the pictures and you will figure it out.
July 8, 2018
I just put some stars on this one. It's a benefit book of two to six page comic stories, with a few one-page pin-ups, that is supposed to benefit the reconstruction of Puerto Rico. That's about all I have to say about this.
July 5, 2018
All the proceeds from this comic book go to Puerto Rico, so I bought it in support. I was also intrigued to learn there about La Boriquena, a Puerto Rican heroine ala Wonder Woman. This anthology has contributions from lots of artists and writers and is made up of of micro-stories and single pages of art. Story wise, some people fared better with the two to three page limitation better than others, but all of them had their heart in the right place. Some feature other superheroes and some are just tales of Puerto Rico. All touch on the hurricane and emphasize the unity of the Puerto Ricans and their strength to survive. While, a lovely tribute, I often found this hard to read knowing there is so much work to still be done there. And also realizing, superheroes aren't going to show up and do that work like they do in the comic book. I admire people who use their art and talent for good causes. This is certainly one, so certainly worth the buy.
November 8, 2018
As with most anthologies, the comics included in this volume are a mixed bag. While it is a noble effort to put together this collection to benefit the victims of the hurricane in Puerto Rico, the stories contained in this volume are not memorable, and most of them feel a bit rushed. As a reading experience, this is not satisfying. As an act of charity, it is perhaps more efficient to donate money directly to an NGO helping out in Puerto Rico.
By the way, if you want to see one of the ugliest pieces of art that has ever graced the pages of a comic, Frank Miller has a one page piece in this collection. I couldn't describe how ugly it is, so you'll just have to see it for yourself.
By the way, if you want to see one of the ugliest pieces of art that has ever graced the pages of a comic, Frank Miller has a one page piece in this collection. I couldn't describe how ugly it is, so you'll just have to see it for yourself.
June 10, 2018
There's no one main story here, just tiny slices of life related to hurricane Maria. Lots of DC superhero and even villain cameos, all helping out. I didn't give it five stars because of editing issues and poor Spanish which is inexcusable. Plus a couple of the "stories" were just... crappy and I swear they were there because someone's cousin/friend wrote it.
Anyway, La Borinqueña needs to get a new story soon unrelated to hurricanes because I'm kind of done with hurricanes and just want to read something fun.
Anyway, La Borinqueña needs to get a new story soon unrelated to hurricanes because I'm kind of done with hurricanes and just want to read something fun.
July 5, 2018
An amazing graphic novel featuring a new Puerto Rican superhero who often teams up with many beloved DC characters. All proceeds from this graphic novel go towards helping Puerto Rico with their rebuilding efforts. An educational read presented in a fun format.
August 9, 2019
I appreciate the good intentions on display here, but inserting the DC superheroes and some speculative fiction into a very real disaster just sort of clunked for me. I recommend readers try Puerto Rico Strong for a more down-to-earth take.
September 6, 2018
This book was more of an emotional experience for me being Puerto Rican and having most of my family there. I would have preferred a more cohesive story but that's not what it was about. It's a bit frustrating how much help these fictional people received when in reality it never happened but then again this is fiction. If only there was a real hero who could help. Somos boricua!
August 29, 2018
Absolutely beautiful.
August 1, 2018
As with the other similar compilation, Puerto Rico Strong, the content here is really variable -- individual contributions I'd rate anywhere from 1 to 5 stars. Overall I'd probably rate this collection 3 stars, but I'm giving an extra star because it's an important project and good to see so many boricuas represented. I think this is probably the stronger of the two, but both are worthy and made good contributions to helping out on the island.
November 1, 2018
Superheroes and hurricanes don't really mix. This fund-raising anthology for Puerto Rico features DC heroes and a lot of very brief stories. It's the second Puerto Rico anthology I've read, and I have to say it was the weaker of the two. Hurricanes aren't villains (no matter how much the Crimson Avenger tries to shoot one), and you can only see so many stories of heroes rebuilding before the concept gets old.
Also, this book 'introduces' the Puerto Rican superhero La Borinquena, who is shoehorned into more than half of the stories and whose powers vary by story and really seems to exist just because DC wanted a local hero. It's a strange editorial mandate, which this book is full of - the decision that none of the stories could really dig into the history of Puerto Rico, that more than a half-dozen posit very different futures for the island, and that apparently nobody should check the grammar or spelling of the stories.
The art is better; the variety leans toward good, whereas the stories are overall pretty weak - the most memorable for me was the story of Mieti, a 7-year old who works in her community to raise money for Puerto Rico. The superhero appearances are pretty uninspired throughout (the Green Lantern one is probably the strongest; the Aquaman is more focused on his looks, weirdly). The personal stories are better, when they have a chance to develop, but a lot are too short to have any impact.
Look, their heart was in the right place. The art is worth looking at. But if you want an anthology about Puerto Rico, I'd definitely recommend Puerto Rico Strong over this.
Also, this book 'introduces' the Puerto Rican superhero La Borinquena, who is shoehorned into more than half of the stories and whose powers vary by story and really seems to exist just because DC wanted a local hero. It's a strange editorial mandate, which this book is full of - the decision that none of the stories could really dig into the history of Puerto Rico, that more than a half-dozen posit very different futures for the island, and that apparently nobody should check the grammar or spelling of the stories.
The art is better; the variety leans toward good, whereas the stories are overall pretty weak - the most memorable for me was the story of Mieti, a 7-year old who works in her community to raise money for Puerto Rico. The superhero appearances are pretty uninspired throughout (the Green Lantern one is probably the strongest; the Aquaman is more focused on his looks, weirdly). The personal stories are better, when they have a chance to develop, but a lot are too short to have any impact.
Look, their heart was in the right place. The art is worth looking at. But if you want an anthology about Puerto Rico, I'd definitely recommend Puerto Rico Strong over this.
August 7, 2018
Artwork was excellent. Introduction story excellent, it easily put me into the shoes of what people would have been feeling in that situation. I also thought the main female superhero seemed very cool and smart.
What I didn't like: That it was a bunch of shorts, instead of one solid story. And that the character introduced in the beginning wasn't the narrator throughout. Also it kind of sets up like we already know this super-heroine (which I did not).
The frog story was strange and was when I started losing interest in the rest of the graphic.
Wanted to like it more but just felt too all over the place. (Kind of like this review ha)
Also though I know a little bit of Spanish I found it annoying that it would go from English and then intersperse Spanish phrases with no translation. I almost would have preferred the whole book be in Spanish then. Or the Spanish to be simpler phrases or just a word or two thrown in. But I didn't like having to look up full phrases in order to understand the book. (And it wasn't like when Ricky Ricardo says something under his breath in Spanish in the show "I Love Lucy", where you understood by the inflection but didn't know what he said and it ultimately didn't matter. All the Spanish words in these short comics were part of the main story/conversational dialog and I couldn't just skim over it if I didn't understand it. )
What I didn't like: That it was a bunch of shorts, instead of one solid story. And that the character introduced in the beginning wasn't the narrator throughout. Also it kind of sets up like we already know this super-heroine (which I did not).
The frog story was strange and was when I started losing interest in the rest of the graphic.
Wanted to like it more but just felt too all over the place. (Kind of like this review ha)
Also though I know a little bit of Spanish I found it annoying that it would go from English and then intersperse Spanish phrases with no translation. I almost would have preferred the whole book be in Spanish then. Or the Spanish to be simpler phrases or just a word or two thrown in. But I didn't like having to look up full phrases in order to understand the book. (And it wasn't like when Ricky Ricardo says something under his breath in Spanish in the show "I Love Lucy", where you understood by the inflection but didn't know what he said and it ultimately didn't matter. All the Spanish words in these short comics were part of the main story/conversational dialog and I couldn't just skim over it if I didn't understand it. )
February 4, 2020
The first of four books I picked up on vacation at Librería Laberinto in Old San Juan, this is a benefit book to support hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico. What's remarkable and fun about the book is there's a cohesiveness to the whole project across the scores of mini-comics and pin-ups featuring La Borinqueña and showcasing the talents of so many Puerto Rican storytellers, artists, and creators. The past, present, and future of Puerto Rico are related through stories of ordinary people, superheroes, and animals, with the 2017 hurricanes as the focal point of the stories. There are poems, vignettes, fables, folktales, Caribbean afrofuturist and even solarpunk tales among the several entries. And what do you know? It also works for this year's Read Harder challenge for a book about a natural disaster.
July 18, 2019
When I saw this on the shelf at the library I was in love with the concept. I mean, the title, the idea, everything seemed great. But then I read it. Granted, some of the comics were good (the first one was what I was hoping that the whole thing would be), and many had great art. But to me, anything that had the super heroes in it just came off as cheesy propaganda (you'll never read more about how Puerto Ricans are such amazing and resourceful people and they will rebuild together. There, I just spoiled about 30% of this book...those words right there). Now yes, some PR pride is necessary, but I was hoping that it wouldn't be so cheesy. If I had just skipped the corny stories, I think I would have given this one a 3 because it would have been somewhat enjoyable.
October 9, 2019
Many, many different people worked on this book, including some very familiar names and some more surprising ones. As would be expected, the quality of the art and writing varies, with some of it being great and some not-so-great. The great parts are worth seeing.
In addition, I like the variety in points of view. There is focus on the storm and recovery, some of it very real. There are remembrances of the past, which are important. There are looks toward a good future, which ones hopes can become real.
In addition, I like the variety in points of view. There is focus on the storm and recovery, some of it very real. There are remembrances of the past, which are important. There are looks toward a good future, which ones hopes can become real.
December 29, 2018
Bought this comic book while on the island and it was such a thrill to read it on the plane as we returned to the mainland. Loved seeing La Borinquena with the Justice League members fighting for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Loved seeing the Taino superhero origin story shape an amazing representative of our Boriken.
Read
January 28, 2020This anthology of La Borinquena comics was created after Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico in 2017. On Jan. 7, 2020 a series of earthquakes once again destroyed thousands of homes on the island. Proceeds from this anthology go towards relief efforts.
#readingwomenchallenge
Prompt 8: An anthology by multiple authors. This collection features about 20 women writers and a dozen women illustrators, artists, letterers and colorists. La Borinqueña is also a strong and smart female scientist and superhero!
#readingwomenchallenge
Prompt 8: An anthology by multiple authors. This collection features about 20 women writers and a dozen women illustrators, artists, letterers and colorists. La Borinqueña is also a strong and smart female scientist and superhero!
February 12, 2022
Benefit anthology graphic novel featuring Puerto Rican heroine La Borinquena in stand alone and crossover tales with the DC Comics stable of heroes and featuring some of the top names in comics and media such as Frank Miller , Mike Allred and Rosario Dawson to help support Puerto Rico with the effects of the double strike of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 that devastated the island.
July 15, 2023
I could see this book being very powerful for someone (particularly a young person), but overall it was too cheesy and platitude-y for me, but you know I'm not the target audience for a superhero comic. I was interested in learning more about Puerto Rico's recovery after so many hurricanes, but this isn't really the book for that.
November 18, 2018
Muy buena la iniciativa y el arte está genial, pero no me cabe en la cabeza porqué se alaba tanto a la actual alcaldesa de San Juan al punto de hasta ponerla literalmente en un pedestal en una de las historias.
August 15, 2019
An inspiring anthology of comics, poetry, and art, all about the people of Puerto Rico weathering hurricane Maria and rebuilding afterwards. Also, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this book go towards helping rebuild the area, so that’s great too!
August 14, 2025
Truly a love letter to Puerto Rico, this is an anthology of short stories where La Borinquena interacts with some of DC Comics most iconic characters as they work to rebuild after the devastation of hurricane.
July 4, 2018
I'm probably extremely biased as a Boricua/Puerto Rican... but this was amazing!! <3
December 15, 2018
I wanted to like this, and it's for a very worthy cause, but it wasn't very good. Lots of little vignettes, no real depth to them.
May 26, 2019
Par de historias buenas mezcladas con historias flojas y repetitivas.
Buen diseño y arte, pero el contenido de muchas historias me decepcionó. Por lo menos cooperé con la causa cuando lo compré.
Buen diseño y arte, pero el contenido de muchas historias me decepcionó. Por lo menos cooperé con la causa cuando lo compré.
July 27, 2019
I absolutely admire and support the cause that this comic anthology supports, and there are some really good pieces in it, but there are also those that weren't so good.
January 9, 2020
Amazing stories, but it's hard to eat lunch when you keep tearing up...
July 1, 2022
A powerful mishmash of reminiscences and dreams for the future of Puerto Rico as it digs out and rebuilds after the 2017 hurricanes.
November 25, 2025
This made me cry, I love my country so much. This was created as a fundraiser so this doesn't get ranked the same as everything else.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews