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Legendary world-renowned graffiti artist John “Crash” Matos and the award-winning graphic novelist and creator of the smash hit La Borinqueña Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, collaborate in a historic mash-up for the first time ever, recreating the world-renowned comic book cover of Miranda-Rodriguez' critically acclaimed premiere issue of La Borinqueña #1.
This fun and handy pencil tin celebrates the immense talents of both individuals, combining the unique street style of Crash and the strength and power of La Borinqueña. Of course, you don't have to put just pencils in it! Hair accessories, scissors and combs, or just...stuff!
La Borinqueña is an original character and patriotic symbol presented in a classic superhero story created and written by graphic novelist Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez. Issue #1 is a part of a permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum, and is taught across the U.S. at universities such as Carnegie Mellon, U Penn, Princeton, Columbia, and the author’s alma mater Colgate University.
The cover has also been recreated as a painting by Crash that will be available for auction with proceeds to benefit Miranda-Rodriguez’ La Borinqueña Grants Program.
Crash curated the ground-breaking “Graffiti Art Success for America” at Fashion MODA, launching the graffiti movement that has remained very active through today. Crash continues to exhibit his art internationally in galleries and as murals in public spaces. Visually iconic, he has partnered with many companies for projects including Absolut Vodka, Fender Guitars, SoBella Handbags, Levi’s, and most recently, Tumi luggage and Morphik.
Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez published La Borinqueña #1 in 2016 to spark a public discourse around the humanitarian crisis affecting 3.5 million Puerto Ricans living on the island of Puerto Rico with second-class U.S. citizenship due to its $74 billion debt. After Hurricane Maria, Miranda-Rodriguez teamed up his iconic character La Borinqueña with the DC Comics’ Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman and others in the number-one bestselling graphic novel Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico. With the success of this Ricanstruction, Miranda-Rodriguez and his wife Kyung Jeon-Miranda established the La Borinqueña Grants Program which to date has awarded $140,000 in grants to local grassroots organizations in Puerto Rico.
In 2019 he received the Eisner’s prestigious humanitarian award at the 50th Anniversary of the San Diego Comic-Con. He continues his to advocate for the decolonization of Puerto Rico through his work as a graphic novelist, lecturer, and activist.
