A UT Austin professor who specializes in Latinx comics and creates graphic novels will speak at 6:30 p.m. April 20 in the Multipurpose Room of Business Library Hall at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Frederick Luis Aldama, widely known as “Professor LatinX,” is a leading scholar of Latinx pop culture, literature and comics. His upcoming comic book is “Shakespeare Reimagined: A Latino Comix Remix, Volume 1.”
Adrianna Santos, associate professor of English at A&M-San Antonio and an organizer of the event, described him as an “academic rock star.”
His talk, “Radical Re-Creations: Shakespeare, Comics, and the BIPOC Reimagining of 21st-Century Storytelling,” focuses on how storytelling through comics can leave a lasting impact on students and encourage them to think differently about literature and communication, Santos said.
The lecture is part of “The Bard in the Barrio: Latinx Shakespeare in Pop Culture,” a weeklong series of events to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday and the university’s own Latinx comic book collection.
Students who want to learn more can also:
- celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday with cake and a chance to design their own comics 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 21 in the lobby of Classroom Hall
- participate in arts and crafts at 2 p.m. April 22 in the University Library’s computer room 202
- Watch “She’s the Man”, a movie starring Amanda Bynes that is loosely based on the Shakespeare play “Twelfth Night”, at 7:30 p.m. April 22 in the University Library’s computer room 202.
The playwright who wrote “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and other classic plays was born on April 23, 1564, at least according to the best guess of historians, according to History.com.
Students will also learn more about the Latinx comic collection available on campus.
“I really hope that these Latinx comics are highlighted so that students can see the important and interesting work that is being done,” Santos said.
Her favorite part of this project has been putting together a teaching guide, and she noted that the artists have put their heart and soul into the work.
The event highlights how comics can be considered a form of serious literature because they can present meaningful themes while remaining accessible and engaging. Santos said she enjoys seeing how students respond to and interpret the work, which is one of her favorite parts of the project.
Santos said students can explore visual storytelling and the role of comics in academic spaces at Aldama’s lecture.
She connected with “Professor LatinX” over Zoom through a mutual colleague while he was working on a comic book project.
She described the events as unique because they bring together people from many different areas of expertise into one project, including the Borderlands Shakespeare Colectiva; A&M-San Antonio’s Department of Language, Literature and Arts; and the University Library.
Santos said she hopes that students will relate to Latinx comic books and feel inspired to learn more about Latinx culture or even create their own comics.
Santos said the biggest challenge has been the current climate surrounding race and gender, as well as censorship taking place in public libraries and in Latino communities.
She also explained that it can be difficult for students today, in 2026, to find specific Latinx comics due to censorship campaigns, which is why she wants to highlight and share these important works.
For more information, visit the JagSync page to RSVP or email Santos at amsantos@tamusa.edu.
This story was updated to correct the titles of a movie and a play.
