An AmericanAn American Pass TimePass TimeBooks, Comics and TVBooks, Comics and TV

Cynthia AlcarazCynthia AlcarazPhoto InterviewPhoto Interview

Anthropology 102Anthropology 102Dr. Leanna WolfeDr. Leanna Wolfe

September 30, 2010September 30, 2010

Mario is a 27-year-old male who lives Mario is a 27-year-old male who lives in the San Fernando Valley.in the San Fernando Valley.

His life revolves around his favorite His life revolves around his favorite pass time, reading.pass time, reading.

“ “ I only work nights and weekends I only work nights and weekends because I do most of my reading in the because I do most of my reading in the daytime. I enjoy reading mainly horror, daytime. I enjoy reading mainly horror, fantasy and religious conspiracy. I also fantasy and religious conspiracy. I also read superhero books but the religious read superhero books but the religious conspiracy stuff requires the help of a conspiracy stuff requires the help of a dictionary ‘cause they’re so elaborate. dictionary ‘cause they’re so elaborate. Some of the books and merchandise Some of the books and merchandise that I own are actually collectables that I own are actually collectables now”.now”.

“ “ My all time favorite book is Angels & My all time favorite book is Angels & Demons by Dan Brown, he is a Demons by Dan Brown, he is a genius”.genius”.

Mario believes that many of the books Mario believes that many of the books he reads have great educational value. he reads have great educational value.

Coming from a Mexican decent, he Coming from a Mexican decent, he loves to read outside of his culture.loves to read outside of his culture.

“ “ After reading this book I knew so After reading this book I knew so much more about artists in Europe and much more about artists in Europe and also about the art it’s self. I didn’t only also about the art it’s self. I didn’t only read this book but also The Da Vinci read this book but also The Da Vinci Code, Digital Fortress, which tells you Code, Digital Fortress, which tells you a lot about computers, and Deception a lot about computers, and Deception point, all written by Dan Brown”. point, all written by Dan Brown”.

““You know the reading part is great but I’m also into other stuff, like movies and You know the reading part is great but I’m also into other stuff, like movies and television series that are based on the books I read”.television series that are based on the books I read”.In the picture to the right the movie in the back is Bram Stoker’s Dracula based on the In the picture to the right the movie in the back is Bram Stoker’s Dracula based on the novel by Bram Stoker, next to it is 30 days of night based on a graphic novel by Steve novel by Bram Stoker, next to it is 30 days of night based on a graphic novel by Steve Niles, next is HBO’s True Blood a variation of the Sookie Stackhouse novels, and Niles, next is HBO’s True Blood a variation of the Sookie Stackhouse novels, and Watchmen based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore, which Mario displays proudly.Watchmen based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore, which Mario displays proudly.“ “ I like correcting the mistakes or pointing out the changes in the movies because I like correcting the mistakes or pointing out the changes in the movies because they're never accurate, and I know this is cliché but the movie is never as good as the they're never accurate, and I know this is cliché but the movie is never as good as the book, although I gotta say True Blood is freaking good”.book, although I gotta say True Blood is freaking good”.

“ “ I also collect things related to what I I also collect things related to what I read like toys, action figures and read like toys, action figures and posters”. posters”. He believes that most of the graphic He believes that most of the graphic novels and comic books are written for novels and comic books are written for older people rather than for children. older people rather than for children. “ “ A lot of the stuff I have is vulgar, A lot of the stuff I have is vulgar, especially anything under the Vertigo especially anything under the Vertigo company. There is profanity, sex and company. There is profanity, sex and of course violence. The comics by the of course violence. The comics by the DC Universe and Marvel are more for DC Universe and Marvel are more for kids but some of that is even too kids but some of that is even too much. I guess all the toys and much. I guess all the toys and propaganda is misleading”.propaganda is misleading”.In the bottom picture he has Capitan In the bottom picture he has Capitan America, the Hulk, Batman, Wolverine, America, the Hulk, Batman, Wolverine, Iron Man, Punisher and heroes from Iron Man, Punisher and heroes from the Fantastic 4 series, which many the Fantastic 4 series, which many children today are well aware of.children today are well aware of.

“ “ I’m not the only one that does this, the I’m not the only one that does this, the comic book place that I go to hires only comic book place that I go to hires only people who can read up to like 20 comics a people who can read up to like 20 comics a day, some of the graphic novels are huge”. day, some of the graphic novels are huge”.

Mario explains that there is an entire culture Mario explains that there is an entire culture that begins with the books. that begins with the books.

“ “ Some people are really dedicated to some Some people are really dedicated to some of the things they read. Like the comic book of the things they read. Like the comic book conventions, they get packed with people conventions, they get packed with people trying to get autographs and some actually trying to get autographs and some actually make costumes that are the same as the make costumes that are the same as the characters. There is also video games characters. There is also video games based on the books that people basically based on the books that people basically worship. I’m a fan of reading but that’s too worship. I’m a fan of reading but that’s too much even for me”.much even for me”.