Marvel and DC Comics have created characters like Captain America, Superman or Batman, which have been popular for so many years that several generations remember them as their favorites.
However, México is not behind when it comes to heroic characters that have marked the childhood of many. With the unique touch that characterizes Mexicans, several of us grew up seeing these characters.
But who are these defenders of justice? And what have they contributed to Mexican culture?
El Chapulín Colorado
In 1970 the Chapulín colorado was created to parody the superhero programs that were in fashion at the time. The Chapulín was clumsy, fearful and did not have any type of superpowers, although he did have the Chicarra Paralizadora, his Chiquitolina pills or our favorite, the Chipote Chillón.
Currently, we cannot see a Chapulín Colorado costume or shirt without thinking of Mexico. This is definitely a character that is part of our culture.
El Santo
The silver masked man is one of the most famous luchadores in Mexico and one of the icons in Mexican culture. El Santo has been a popular hero in our country and is a symbol of justice for people, since his character transcendeds the field of wrestling and became a superhero by appearing in dozens of films.
In the animated series El Chavo, there is a character called “el Justiciero Enmascarado” who is possibly a reference to Santo himself due to his physical resemblance.
Capulina
Capulina also known as the king of white humor , because he never used obscene words or adult content situations in his jokes, he was not only a great comedian, but he also co-starred in a movie alongside wrestling legend El Santo (El Santo vs Capulina (1972).
Capulina made a total of 84 films and recorded 12 musical albums.
Pepe el Toro
It is possible that the image of Pepe el Toro is not 100% reflected as a hero, since he is best known for his appearances in Nosotros los Pobres or Ustedes los Ricos. However, in the movie “Pepe el Toro” he gives us the opportunity to see him in a different way, far from the great suffering that we see in his other films.
Pepe el Toro becomes a boxer and accidentally kills his best friend during a semi-final fight. Channeling his anger and frustration, Pepe wins the championship and begins to befriend his friend’s widow.
Pepe el Toro is part of the 23 film library of the most iconic Mexican movie star, Pedro Infante .
Chabelo and Pepito
What? Chabelo a hero?
Believe it or not, Chabelo starred in a movie where he fights the most famous monsters in the 70s.
Pepito and Chabelo are cousins and during an excursion with the Boy Scouts they separate from the group to go find a gorilla for which they offered a reward of $500 pesos.
During their journey, the gorilla is the one who finds them and they are forced to escape leaving all their equipment, little by little they enter a mysterious cave in which they find The Mummy, The Man from the Green Lagoon, Frankenstein and the Vampire.
As they advance through the cave they arrive at a haunted house and by mistake they discover that both the haunted house, the cave and the monsters are just a trick to scare the travelers, because of a hidden group of thugs who trafficked with Uranium called Spectrum.
Chiquidracula
Chiquidrácula “ñaka ñaka”. Perhaps for many Chiquidrácula is better seen as a villain, but let’s remember that his goal was to save his grandfather from alcoholism. He made his first appearance in 1982 on the show “Chiquilladas.”
In 1986 the film Chiquidrácula was released, which focused on the history and possible origins of this character. In this movie, we hear many words that are etched in our heads, but the most famous is, “naka ñaka” which is an expression that became popular thanks to this Mexican television character, which was played by Carlos Espejel.
Phrases like, “ And now, who can help us?” are still said on the streets if Mexico, and recently a small tribute to el Santo was made in the Disney movie “Coco.” There is no doubt that Mexicans know how to make our way on the road to fame and create characters that remain in everyone’s hearts.
“No contaban con mi Astucia”
Did we miss a character? Tell us in the comments below.
