Mario Hernandez (1953): Co-Creator of Love and Rockets and Influential Voice in Independent Comics

Mario Hernandez (born 1953 in Oxnard, California) is an American writer, artist, and sometime publisher of comics. He is best known as one of the three legendary Hernandez brothers—alongside his younger siblings Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez—with whom he co-created the groundbreaking and influential independent comic book Love and Rockets, a cornerstone of the alternative comics movement that reshaped the medium in the 1980s and beyond.

Mario Hernandez

Early Life and Creative Beginnings

Mario Hernandez was born in 1953 in Oxnard, California, into a large Mexican-American family with six children. As the eldest sibling, Mario played a pivotal role in shaping the creative environment in which he and his brothers would grow. Their mother, who had grown up reading comics herself, strongly encouraged her children’s interest in reading, art, and storytelling. This early exposure to comic books became the foundation for a lifelong passion shared by all three brothers.

The Hernandez siblings devoured a wide range of comic books growing up—superhero titles from Marvel and DC, humor comics like Archie, underground comix, horror anthologies, and classic newspaper strips. These influences left an indelible mark on their creative styles. As children, they often drew comics together for fun, creating fantastical stories and swapping characters in a shared universe of imagination.

While Mario was initially very involved in drawing and storytelling, he began drifting away from comics during adolescence, redirecting his energy toward other interests. However, his younger brothers Jaime and Gilbert continued developing their craft with relentless dedication, producing hundreds of pages of deeply personal and increasingly mature comic art. When Mario rediscovered his brothers’ work as adults, he was astonished by their evolution as artists and storytellers. Recognizing the strength of their creations, he was inspired to help bring their work to a broader audience.

The Birth of Love and Rockets

In 1982, Mario took the lead in bringing the brothers’ vision to life by self-publishing the first issue of Love and Rockets. Assembled and printed in black and white, this debut issue featured stories and artwork by Mario, Gilbert, and Jaime. The trio distributed the comic at the San Diego Comic-Con and sold copies via mail order, advertising through fanzines and small press networks. Their goal wasn’t just to publish a comic—it was to see if their voices could stand out in a crowded and often formulaic industry.

They sent a copy of the debut issue to The Comics Journal, expecting the kind of brutal, unforgiving critique the publication was known for. To their surprise, the response was not only positive, but included a publishing offer from Fantagraphics Books, the magazine’s parent company. Fantagraphics released a revised version of the debut, with a new full-color cover, as the first official issue of what would become one of the most influential independent comics series of all time.

Love and Rockets quickly became a flagship title for the alternative comics scene. With its richly drawn characters, intimate storytelling, and groundbreaking diversity, the series redefined what comics could be. It explored themes of family, identity, culture, sexuality, and working-class life, becoming a seminal influence on a generation of artists and writers across multiple media.

Mister X and Collaborative Work

In the mid-1980s, the Hernandez brothers were hired by Canadian publisher Vortex Comics to work on Mister X, a visually ambitious project based on concepts by artist Dean Motter. Although the title had been hyped in the comics press and was expected to be illustrated by Paul Rivoche, delays and creative conflicts led to the Hernandez brothers stepping in to bring the project to life. Gilbert and Mario co-wrote the early issues, while Jaime provided the artwork.

The dystopian, retro-futuristic world of Mister X provided an opportunity for the brothers to flex their creative muscles in a more stylized and conceptual narrative. However, after completing four issues, they left the project due to financial disputes and a lack of creative autonomy. Disillusioned with the experience, they chose to return to Love and Rockets, where they could maintain full artistic and editorial control.

Later Contributions and Artistic Philosophy

As the success of Love and Rockets grew, so did the artistic trajectories of Jaime and Gilbert, whose serialized stories—“Locas” and “Palomar,” respectively—gained critical and commercial acclaim. Meanwhile, Mario’s contributions became increasingly infrequent, due in large part to his responsibilities as a father and provider. While he remained involved in the broader creative ecosystem, he prioritized family life over full-time artistic production.

Mario has spoken openly about his admiration for his brothers’ work, describing Jaime and Gilbert as “geniuses” and acknowledging their natural storytelling instincts. Nevertheless, his own voice in the Love and Rockets universe remains unique and valued. His occasional stories often blend surrealism, dark humor, and social satire, offering an additional layer of commentary and narrative playfulness.

In the early 1990s, Mario released a solo one-shot comic titled Brain Capers, published by Fantagraphics. The book diverged from the themes of Love and Rockets, showcasing Mario’s versatility and love for experimental storytelling. He later returned to the series for various special issues and collaborations, including the story “Me for the Unknown,” which he wrote and Gilbert illustrated.

In 2009, Mario and Gilbert once again combined their talents for the six-issue mini-series Citizen Rex, a dystopian science fiction tale published by Dark Horse Comics. The project was well-received and demonstrated that the creative chemistry between the brothers remained intact, even decades after their first collaborations.

Recognition and Legacy

Mario Hernandez’s contributions to comics extend beyond his own creative output. By initiating the publication of Love and Rockets, he helped lay the foundation for one of the most culturally significant comic book series in American history. His role in catalyzing this movement underscores the importance of collaboration, vision, and community in artistic success.

Though often overshadowed by his brothers’ prolific output, Mario’s work is appreciated for its wit, originality, and honesty. His stories reflect a deep understanding of the human condition and often serve as allegorical reflections on identity, class, and morality. Over time, readers and critics alike have come to recognize his contributions as integral to the success and legacy of Love and Rockets.

In 2012, Mario was honored with the Inkpot Award, which celebrates achievements in comics, science fiction, and pop culture. In 2023, he received the PEN Oakland/Josephine Miles Literary Award as part of the collective recognition for Love and Rockets: The First Fifty: The Classic 40th Anniversary Collection. These accolades underscore his quiet yet enduring influence in the world of independent comics.

Mario Hernandez stands as a foundational figure in the history of alternative comics. As a co-creator of Love and Rockets, he played a pivotal role in elevating comics as a form of serious artistic and literary expression. His decision to publish the debut issue not only launched his brothers’ celebrated careers but helped create a space for diverse, authentic voices in the medium.

While his published work may be less prolific, Mario’s presence remains deeply felt in the ethos of Love and Rockets—a series defined by its sincerity, inclusiveness, and narrative innovation. His lifelong dedication to storytelling, family, and cultural authenticity continues to inspire creators and readers across the world, cementing his place in the pantheon of groundbreaking comic artists and storytellers.