You had me at Chupacabra. Eisner-nominated writer Julio Anta and artist Daniel Irizarri add to the True Weird stories from Tiny Onion with Beast of Borikén, a Chupacabra story that is much more than a monster story, but an emotional tale of identity and standing up for what’s right.
In contemporary Puerto Rico, Loli Flores is a fierce activist fighting the overdevelopment of the island by outside investors. When a ground-breaking ceremony is violently interrupted by a supernatural force, Loli discovers that the stories of el Chupacabra are not just echoes from the past, but a brutal protector of generations extending back to the indigenous people of the island. As Loli uncovers the horrors firsthand, el Chupacabra is on a parallel path with elemental destruction left in his wake.
As of late I have been on a super Cryptid and monster kick, as I mentioned in my review of Joshua Millican’s Dopefoot novel. So a story revolving around the True Weird and even more so the Chupacabra, hit me a just the right moment. But it’s more than that. Anta crafts a story that uses the Chupacabra as a vessel to tell his tale of family, history, the political climate, large corporations, and standing up for yourself and your community…while a monsters is on the loose.
I live in Maine, where the worst weather we get is a few massive snowstorms, but are fairly safe year round. Seeing peoples lives uprooted due to a tropical storm, hurricane, or similar weather pattern is heartbreaking. Beast of Borikén pulls from these emotions and begins with heartfelt moments during said storms, which turns into a fight for survival in Puerto Rico. But not just from a mysterious monster in the shadows, but survival in the sense of a way of life and a community under served. It’s as if the monster itself is here to protect those who live in this community, even if it’s horrifying and mysterious.
Anta crafts a comic that truly has terrifying monster moments, but really hit me in ways that I hadn’t expected. There is something about stories such as these that have multiple levels of horrifying elements from real life horrors to those true weird moments that really strike a nice balance to give you a rounded story that has meaning.
What makes this premiere issue that much more enjoyable is the artwork from Irizarri. It’s just the right amount of edgy that pairs well with the story. Daniel nails the setting and his design of our Chupacabra is both refreshing and terrifying. The colors by Patricio Delpeche and fantastic lettering by Lucas Gattoni blend well with the illustrations for visually appealing panels and pages.
Beast of Borikén #1 is the kind of story that delivers on multiple levels, a frightening monster tale while also offering much more beneath the surface. Julio Anta and Daniel Irizarri craft a coin that blends folklore and horror with community and identity into something truly compelling. Beast of Boriken is a haunting and heartfelt reimagining of the Chupacabra that proves some of the most powerful monsters are often in real-world struggles.
Beast of Borikén #1 hits local comic shops on July 1, 2026 from Dark Horse.
Beast of Borikén #1 Covers
