BONZZO (comic strip)

BONZZO The Comic Strip is a comic strip created by John Rivas.

History

About BONZZO

Rivas describes "BONZZO" as a young likable adult facing life with a  child's mentality.[1] His comic strip represents our daily lives,

as well as reminds us of ideas, happy events and how we filtered each moment in our lives.^[2] “Bonzzo comes from a character I had to promote my advertising agency. The concept went from there, until I took it to the graphic stage of a comic strip. Fernando Roque helped me with the illustrations”, Rivas said.^[2] Since then, Bonzzo went from an inanimate object, to a comic strip published by the main island newspapers, since 1998.^[2] “When I created it, I did not name it. So I put all of the letters from the alphabet in a bag, and I took letters out until the name Bonzzo was complete”, he said.^[2]

BONZZO was first published in 1998 in two of the four leading newspapers in Puerto Rico, El Mundo and El Vocero (there are no syndicates in Puerto Rico). The coomic strips were published in both newspapers daily. Later, it was published on El Reportero newspaper in Huntsville, Alabama. It was also published, years later, on the Primera Hora newspaper in Puerto Rico.^[2][3]

During his tenure, Bonzzo has found different characters that little by little have been integrated into his life. For instance, Tridy, his extraterrestrial best friend; Tirillas, his spoiled cat who only wants to be fed; Ego Causa, Bonzzo’s lawyer, mentor, and adviser; andas always, there is also the eternal love, Bogzzy, who is in love with Bonzzo and tries to capture his attention with her doey and seductive gaze. Nonetheless, she is happy with just being friends.^[2]

While U.S. syndication is one of Rivas's immediate goals, he also hopes to create a "BONZZO" theme park, "Bonzzolandia".^[1]

First USPS Pictorial Cancellation

Charles Scales, Art Stephenson, and John Rivas with NASA's BONZZO Award

On July 30, 1999 BONZZO had its First United States Postal Service (USPS) Pictorial Cancellation, in which the Plaza Las Americas Postal Store, located in San Juan, PR, became "BONZZO Station".^[4]

Big Comic Strips Expo

In 1999, BONZZO had a Big Comic Strips Expo at Plaza Las Americas Mall.

BONZZO and NASA

In 1999, Rivas exposed four of BONZZO's NASA themed comic strips at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, FL on its Hispanic Luncheon & Art Show, which was dedicated to him.^[5] Rivas designed some special "BONZZO" strips commemorating NASA's achievements, including "Beyond the Moon", a calendar of the year 2000 honoring Hispanic heritage.^[1]

NASA's BONZZO Award

NASA also instated the BONZZO Award, a pint-size BONZZO statue that will be given annually to the individual who makes the biggest contribution to NASA's Hispanic program. On October 12, 2000, Charles H. Scales, the director of Equal Opportunity at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, was the first recipient of this award: the statue was signed by Marshall Center Director Art Stephenson, Puerto Rican Gov. Pedro Rosselló and John Rivas,^[6] who donated the statue to honor the work of Hispanics at the Marshall Center.^[7] “Charles is an excellent choice for this first award,” said Elia Ordonez, Hispanic Employment Program manager at the Marshall Center. “He has contributed much to the quality of life in our community and, in particular, the Hispanic community at Marshall.”^[7][8]

NASA celebrated last year's "Hispanic Heritage Month" at the Kennedy Space Center with an exhibit of "BONZZO" comic strips. A life-sized BONZZO figure marched in the 2004 Puerto Rican Day Parade celebrated in New York City.^[6]

Website

On October 2011, BONZZO had its own website were you can see the beginnings and trajectory of this comic strip, informative capsules and daily comic strips. As H. J. Leonard said: "He has had lunch with governors, but he is not a government official. He has traveled through space, but he is not an astronaut. He has strolled with magazine owners, but he is not a businessman. Even famed boxer Tito Trinidad has fond memories of him, hanging in a wall at his studio. With his yellow shirt, blue pants and red snickers, this young man, who has made us laugh with his adventures in newspaper comic strips, will now move his comedic career to the Internet."^[2] Leonard also said: "The Internet then becomes a useful tool. “It is very sad that newspapers don’t give caricaturists a break”, Rivas said, lamenting the island’s situation. “Originally, the comics appeared in newspapers, they were part of them. It was something that helped to sell newspapers and reach more people. This is how I began to check the Internet. I then became intrigued by projects in the web and the social networks”, he said. “Projects that help other people see these artistic works and give you an opportunity.” "^[2]

Second USPS Pictorial Cancellation & First USPS Commemorative Stamp

BONZZO's 2012 Pictorial Cancelation on Commemorative Envelope with Commemorative Postal Stamp

On May 10, 2012, BONZZO had its Second USPS Pictorial Cancellation, in which the General Archive of Puerto Rico, located in San Juan, PR, became "The Art of Bonzzo at the General Archive of Puerto Rico Station".^{[9][10][11][12][13]}

Manuel A. Benítez said in its article: "In a grand event held at the Puerto Rico General Archives in Puerta de Tierra, the Federal U.S. Postal Service approved an official postage stamp with the award winning caricature of Bonzzo, creation of Puerto Rican artist and publicist, John Rivas."

"Rivas explained his relief, not as much for himself, but for the sake of the artistry in comic strips being recognized. And recognized it was, by Secretary of State and acting Governor in the first executive absence, Kenneth McClintock, who participated in the event and emphasized the pride that we all have as Puerto Ricans when our gifted artists are recognized outside our shores.“It was important for me to be here because comic strips are serious art. It takes a lot of thinking to boil complex societal issues within the context of a few visual frames. They are also an intricate part of the news industry of which I once was a part of …,” he continued to explain that the talented people in Puerto Rico should be recognized for their deeds more often than they are and that it behooves us not to understate the accomplishments that bare reason to make us proud.^[14]

Dr. Hermán J. Cestero MD, from the Philatelic Society of Puerto Rico put the historic event in perspective by explaining the practice of commemorative stamps. “This is the second US Postal cancellation stamp for Bonzzo and the first time that a Bonzzo postage stamp has been officially made part of the US Postal Service.” He said that the use of the stamp began as a practical form of showing from where the mail originated, later they were used to commemorate important historical events, in benefit to specific causes and made to cover transportation and handling costs. He later continued to explain -in a separate interview- that the Bonzzo Postage Stamp can be used to send a letter and that it wasn’t purely decorative but real postage, with which you can send mail from everywhere in the US and its territories." ^[14] The main event got on its way with the general manager of the US Postal Service’s Caribbean district Steven Hernández officially announced the approval of the new Bonzzo stamp. The 45 cent postage seal will perpetuate Rivas’ character in Bonzzo in the chronicles of American history. Interestingly, the founder and other members of Puerto Rico’s own “El Gran Combo” where there in support of their fellow artist on the eve of yet another grand tour they are to take across the world, doing shows in central and South America, Europe and then on to Asia and Japan. El Gran Combo is commemorating its 50th anniversary this year. Even the Maestro, Rafael Ithier himself was there –director and founder El Gran Combo, as well as singer Jerry Rivas, pianist Willie Sotelo and Luis Alfredo "Tati" Maldonado, trumped player for the legendary “salsa” group. Also renowned singer Tony Rivas, Jerry’s brother and both cousins to John, took part in the proceedings.^[14]

Main Characters

BONZZO
A young adult, facing life with a teenager attitude. It is candid enough to have an alien as a friend without questioning the fact. He always has an idea of his own to solve the problems he faces. Always has a thing for BOGZZY, a girl who apparently refuses him. His clothes are decorated by "faces" (Full Faces), that serves as an editorial expression of his moods. BONZZO is the ambassador of our daily lives. Its apparent simplicity is what leads us to wrap ourselves in his world, that is ours ... and brings a smile to us, as he takes us away, for a moment, from the daily hustle we live in.^[15]

BOGZZY
An ambitious young woman, developing, living a healthy life. There is something about BONZZO that attracts her, but she did not let him know clearly, she flirts with him. Her clothing also features the "Full Faces" that BONZZO has. She represents a controversy in the world of BONZZO, because she has a different view of the world, that is exemplified in her elliptical glasses. She is the only character whose eyes are not round, they are slanted.^[16]

TRIDY
An eccentric alien, friend of BONZZO, that comes from the planet TRIDYLANDIA. People do not see him as a strange being and accept him as a person, however, the same people sees BONZZO as "someone strange" out of this world. TRIDY has special powers that he uses to help BONZZO when he is in trouble. The earthling vocabulary creates humorous confusions in TRIDY.^[17]

TIRILLAS "The Cat"
A cat BONZZO picked one day in the street. He is ungrateful, grumpy, naughty as he can only be. He brings an endless number of problems to BONZZO. His only interest is that BONZZO gives him food.^[18]

EGO CAUSA
BONZZO's friend and attorney. He is always in dispute with the daily living. His motto is: "that is the Perversity of Matter", which for him means the true liberation of his spirit and problems. He uses this phrase at all times to describe his situations in daily life, which intentionally cause harm around him and corrupt his customs, with a great negative effect on himself. You can see the effect of the perversity of matter in the advice that he gives BONZZO at all times, full of wisdom, and many others lacking sensitivity. For EGO in his legal profession, everybody has a cause for being guilty, in that way he always has a reason to charge and legally defend them. He is always victorious on legal situations with a verdict in favor of his clients, of innocence. He is very good at his profession, although his personality proves otherwise, as it reflects a level of mediocrity and irresponsibility with his informal way of dressing, with shorts, shirt and tennis shoes; also, his car is full of bumps. He is a mess at first glance, as a first impression for those who do not know him, but for BONZZO, is more than an unconditional friend, is like a father.^[19]

FULL FACES
The FACES. This is a power that BONZZO and BOGZZY acquired from TRIDY. These strange characters have round eyes and autonomous expressions, which reflect the mood, the attitudes, etc., like the chorus of Greek tragedy. We must be alert to their expressions because they are intrinsic to BONZZO's world.^[20]

Later years

The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico: Big Comic Strips Expo

BONZZO's "Discovery of Puerto Rico" comic strip

John Rivas, Rafael Ithier (from El Gran Combo de PR), and Miguel Muñoz (President of the University of Puerto Rico) at "The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico - Big Comic Strips Expo".

Luz Nereida Vélez, from Noticentro 4, interviews John Rivas at "The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico - Big Comic Strips Expo".

John Rivas GDUSA Packaging Awards 2012 BONZZO's winning designs

The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico - Big Comic Strips Expo

On May 10, 2012, the General Archive of Puerto Rico opened is doors to the exposition: "The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico - Big Comic Strips Expo". Over 25 of BONZZO's comic strips and BONZZO's memorabilia will be exposed there until October 31, 2012. It is BONZZO's second big comic strips expo.^[10][14]"More than 20 Big Comic Strips from the BONZZO character will remain framed in another page of the history of the Comic Strips genre in Puerto Rico and abroad."^{[11][12][21][22][23][24]}

Zero Violence Cartoon Exposition

On 2012 John Rivas also participated, with various of his BONZZO works, on a zero violence cartoon exposition held at the General Archive of Puerto Rico.^[25]

Recent Awards (BONZZO Designs)

Also on 2012, Rivas won four American Packaging Design Awards, awarded by the prestigious Graphic Design USA for four BONZZO packaging designs: “Big Comic Strips BONZZO Mobile Carrying Cart”, “Big Comic Strips BONZZO Exposition Promo Life-Size Stand”, “The Art of BONZZO BONZZO Book Case”, and “100% The Art of Comic Strips BONZZO Gift Box”.^[26][27] “To me, it has been a very pleasant surprise and a great honor to be recognized with four American Package Design Awards 2012 from the prestigious Graphic Design USA,” said Rivas, creator of the comic book BONZZO, which has been published by several media on the Island and the United States.^[27] The four designs created by Rivas, were selected from more than 1,600 competitors from across the United States mainland and elsewhere and its territories. Rivas’ four packaging design winners are published in the journal GDUSA and on the website of the organization.^[27] The American Package Design Awards celebrates well-designed and well-executed graphic designs of course, but also the power of design to advance the brand promise and forge an emotional connection with the buyer at the moment of truth, according to a press release.^[28]

Five of BONZZO's designs were also recognized with five Graphic Design Awards 2012, given by GDUSA.^[29][30]

BONZZO's designs, created by Rivas, received this same year three Communicators Awards: Communicator Award of Excellence 2012 Integrated Campaign Winner (Gold Award), for "BONZZO The Comic Strip", Communicator Award of Excellence 2012 Print Winner (Gold Award), for "Posters Promo BONZZO Postal Stamp", and Communicator Award of Distinction 2012 Website Winner (Silver Award), for "BONZZO The Comic Strip/BONZZO La Tirilla Comica Website".^[31][32] The Communicators Awards is the leading international creative awards program honoring excellence in innovative and exemplary forms of communication. Founded by communication professionals over a decade ago, The Communicator Awards competition is held annually. Its purpose, to be the top level contest among the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and identity labeling work for print, video, interactive and audio productions. The 2012 Communicator Awards received over 6,000 entries from ad agencies, interactive agencies, production firms, in-house creative professionals, graphic designers, design firms, and public relations firms, all of whom are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (or IAVA for its acronym).^[32]

The Comic Strip is a Serious Thing: BONZZO@CORMO UPR in Utuado

The Comic Strip is a Serious Thing: BONZZO@CORMO UPR in Utuado - Big Comic Strips Expo

The Comic Strip is a Serious Thing: BONZZO@CORMO UPR in Utuado - Very BONZZO Persons Expo

On December 1, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., John Rivas opened BONZZO’s exposition, “The Comic Strip is a Serious Thing: BONZZO@CORMO UPR in Utuado” at the University of Puerto Rico, Utuado Campus (CORMO).^[33] The title of the exhibition: "The comic book is a serious thing," is a line taken from the speech of the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico, Hon. Kenneth D. McClintock, on May 10, 2012, during the opening of "BONZZO's Big Comic Strips Expo: The Art of BONZZO Visit the General Archive of Puerto Rico".^[12]

This exposition was divided in two collections. The first one consisted of a selection of BONZZO's Big Comic Strips, digitally illustrated, detailed and expanded to a size of 10 "x 33", digitally printed on canvas with oil ink, which were published in the newspaper El Vocero de Puerto Rico, Primera Hora and bonzzo.com.^[34][35][36]

The second collection, the "Very BONZZO Persons" (VBP), presented portraits of renowned personalities represented by BONZZO, in a size of 11 "x 14", digitally printed on canvas with oil ink.^[34][35][36]

Rivas’ work received comments from personalities like painter Dr. Osiris Delgado^[37] and painter Antonio J. Molina.^[34] Honorable Judge, José A. Andreu García also commented: “Every time I become a greater a fan of John Rivas and his character BONZZO”.^[38]

Dr. Osiris Delgado (painter, art critic, educator, writer and Ex-Director of the Museum of Art, History and Anthropology of the University of Puerto Rico), recognized the work of John Rivas and BONZZO saying:

"John Rivas, artist of the ironical subtlety, has Bonzzo as an accomplice to peek into the world with a spirit of fine joke, quality of expression, ability to sneak into people, things and situations, take secrets, project teachings, make us laugh and give us lessons. For Puerto Rico, I give my vote to Bonzzo. Who better than him to surpass the incognito signified in my girl of the cord? With admiration and affection, Dr. Osiris Delgado”^[37]

Also, painter Antonio J. Molina, who is a member of AICA (International Association of Art Critics) and President of the Puerto Rican Association of the UNESCO, said: “Bonzzo is already a known figure in the history of Puerto Rico. With his sympathetic round face he distributes joy by the handful among those who know him... and also helps us to think. With his jokes, grace and wise irony he teaches us aspects and situations of life, which sometimes may escape from us, in a world that goes so fast and distrustful.

He went to the University of Puerto Rico in Utuado, where students and teachers laughed uproariously, and had more fun that on a carnival, with the tricks and judgments of the singular character.

Let's get into the Comic Strips Hall, where you can enjoy a lot... as we enjoyed just a few months ago in the seigniorial halls of the General Archive and the National Library, in front of the Muñoz Rivera Park, in Puerta de Tierra, Old San Juan.

Each comic strip represents a state of opinion, whether festive or serious, and let us say some examples:

When the psychiatrist laughs out loud (with the patient lying in the famous divan) it shows an example of how half the world laughs at the other half who suffers...

In the comic strip where you can see a subject very happy going to the party, and another one that returns not so happy, it reminds us the saying: "Each one talks about the fair, of how they are doing on it."

The comic strip is "a serious thing"... so serious that a tyrant is more afraid of a cartoon in a newspaper... than of six editorials. If not, let the famous French caricaturist Honorato Daumier tell you, who suffered six years of prison in Paris for making a cartoon of King Louis Philippe in the nineteenth century.

The irony is indescribable on John's comic strip about the monkey's evolution, passing by the erectus man and the Neolithic... the monkey of the comic strip complains about his future, great!

You die of laughter, not to say another word, when Bonzzo tells the Discoverer Christopher Columbus, without maps, how to get to Puerto Rico... counting buoys... to the left and to the right. Columbus' face... he does not understand!

A very fine and subtle criticism to the advertising agencies that exploit the woman figure in the advertisements is checked when Bonzzo, repeatedly buys and uses the product... and the female... does not appear!

The Hall of the Famous Persons with Bonzzo's face is extraordinary. John Rivas' talent impresses us, as in each figure there is a philosophical aspect if we know how to find it... be it George Washington, Einstein, Warhol, La Gioconda, etc..

This gallery could be in the most demanding museum in the world, which will give every visitor a less serious aspect than the original as well. The genius of Rivas is that he knows to capture the idiosyncrasy of each model, and in his way convinces us that Bonzzo is a universal being... and human!

Therefore we could assert that Bonzzo is a significant sign of our times and of our desire. There he is, looking at us with his childlike eyes, wondering what we want him to say and thereby setting the very useful dialogue for us, to seek and find in modern life, with its advantages and pains, something more positive and cheerful to be happy.

Bonzzo is more than a graphic sign, that is to say, more than a simple drawing... it is perhaps ourselves asking what are the solutions... and we give them ourselves!

A hundred years from now someone will say: What Bonzzo wanted to say to Puerto Ricans from the past? Let us therefore look what he want to say today... and if we are lucky in this one on one dialogue... let's get something useful to our lives and our destinies!

I would like to tell you that BONZZO is already my friend and I would like that he would become your friend too.”^[34]

TV Appearances & Events Videos (John Rivas, BONZZO related)

TV Appearances (John Rivas, BONZZO related)

• Protagonistas - Interview by Gabriel Suau^[39]
• Notiseis - Interview by Yajaira Rodero^[40]
• Notiseis - Interview by Yajaira Rodero^[41]
• Notiseis - Interview by Keyshla Rolón^[42]
• Noticentro 4 - Interview by Rosa Delia Meléndez^[43]
• Las Noticias Teleonce - Interview by Liza Lugo^[44]
• Las Noticias Teleonce - Interview^[45]
• A Fuego - Interview by Sonya Cortés^[46]
• Vale Más - Interview by Héctor Marcano^[47]
• El Planeta de REMI - Interview by REMI (#1)^[48]
• El Planeta de REMI - Interview by REMI (#2)^[49]
• El Planeta de REMI - Interview by REMI (#3)^[50]
• El Planeta de REMI - Interview by REMI (#4)^[51]
• Noticentro 4 - Interview by Luz Nereida Vélez^[10]
• Noticentro 4 - News Article by Rafael Lenín López ^[52]

Events Videos (John Rivas, BONZZO related)

• Interview Hon. Pedro Rosselló (Governor of Puerto Rico) with John Rivas on La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico ^[8]
• NASA's Hispanic Luncheon & Art Show 1999, Kennedy Space Center, FL, which was dedicated to John Rivas and BONZZO's comic strips were exposed on the Art Show.^[5]
• The Art of BONZZO Visits Puerto Rico General Archive, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Previous to the Opening Day Activity^[12]
• The Art of BONZZO Visits Puerto Rico General Archive, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Opening Day Activity^[11]

Art Critics & Expositions Commentaries Videos (John Rivas & BONZZO)

• Dr. Osiris Delgado (Painter) recognizes John Rivas and BONZZO's work.^[37]
• BONZZO is already an historical figure - By: Antonio J. Molina^[34]
• Honorable Judge José A. Andreu García comments about the Art of BONZZO & the Very BONZZO Persons, created by John Rivas.^[38]

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans - Cartoonists
• List of Puerto Ricans in the United States Space Program

References

External links

• Official website