Webcomic Recommendation: “Vaquerx”

Inspired by Peruvian (Quechua) folklore and the American Southwest, Vaquerx by Rocotitx (edited by Bee Dellepiane) is an evocative story about justice and belonging.

Maite, a vaquerx (gender neutral cowboi) attempting to evade an entity following them, makes potions to trade in the towns they cross through. In one town, Maite meets a woman named T’ika who wishes to travel the world. Reluctant about her joining them the following day, Maite tries to convince her that it’s unsafe to travel together. But Maite eventually lets her tag along. The two then stumble into a town called Wiraqocha that is undergoing an industrial revolution. However, the exploitation and mistreatment of the Indigenous population shatter Wiraqocha’s progressive appearance, and Maite, T’ika, and others face the indifference and dismissal of their people going missing.

Vaquerx is an unapologetic celebration of Quechua history, culture, and folklore. Several panels in this webcomic display a vibrant community’s daily life, sorrows, past, and joy. Plus, the end of most episodes features translations of the Quechuan words and phrases used.

The webcomic also provides an unflinching gaze at the injustice inflicted on the Indigenous community in Peru. While in the industrialized town of Wiraqocha, Maite and T’ika witness the divisive crowd of the Indigenous population.

Some of the people hail the Ayar (colonists/settlers) as saviors bringing prosperity, while others point out how the colonists are exploitative. Indigenous people who go missing are dismissed as transients, even when an altercation has occurred beforehand.

Maite, hesitant at first about getting involved, is encouraged by T’ika to confront the town’s Ayar sheriff. The webcomic excellently conveys the sheriff’s indifference and Maite and T’ika’s drive to solve the case on their own.

Overall, Vaquerx is an unapologetic story about injustice and belonging, while also being a celebration of Quechua culture and history as well.

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Vaquerx by Rocotitx (edited by Bee Dellepiane) is an ongoing webcomic available to read on WebToons.

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Follow Rocotitx on their Instagram.

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For more great webcomic recommendations, check out our Wednesday Webcomics archives!

Author: Bradda M.

Bradda M. currently lives in Virginia. He teaches ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) at a public school and spends his free time reading and watching movies with his partner.

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