Noe’s Comics Nook: Illegal Cargo

Review

Illegal Cargo is a fictional story inspired by all-too-real stories of those who have lost (in the literal sense) loved ones along the migrant path from Central and South America into the Unites States. The story follows José Sendero as he follows the path he believes his daughter took on her way to the United States as a migrant, only to go missing somewhere along the way. He must face his own personal demons (childhood trauma, addiction) along with a treacherous journey that sees countless lives lost or taken every year. Throughout this journey, readers learn about the mixture of kindness, greed, and corruption faced by migrants as they attempt to seek a safer life.

In the afterword, cartoonist Augusto Mora shares how he came to this story and learned by visiting and photographing locations, as well as by attending protests organized by Caravan of Mothers of Missing Migrants. He created this comic in the hopes of raising awareness of not only migrancy itself, but of the organizations that exist to help those along or lost on this path. The comic was originally funded through Kickstarter, with part of each book’s sale going to humanitarian organizations in Mexico “whose mission is to keep migrants safe on their journeys” and is now available to all through traditional means.

Mora’s artwork plays with a mixture of realism and fantastical art styles, just as the story blends reality, fiction, and the supernatural (I won’t spoil that part here). In some ways, I am reminded of the landscapes created by cartoonist Paco Roca here, especially throughout the journey along The Beast. Legibility is high and there is little risk of the reader getting lost or confused (important element of successful activism-oriented stories).

This comic includes alcohol use, gun violence, death, and harsh language – things that may make you question my suggestion of middle school and higher for reading. I have chosen that age on purpose, however. While these are indeed indicators of an “older” work, I think it is important to acknowledge that many children have experienced some of the struggles in Illegal Cargo and we shouldn’t shy away from discussing it with younger teenagers. The pace of the comic, the language used, the illustrations, the themes – they are all things a middle school reader will be able to handle, particularly if read alongside a thoughtful educator.

Elements of Story

Plot: When a journalist unexpectedly shows up on José’s doorstep asking about his daughter, who left to make the dangerous journey to the United States from El Salvador, he has to make a choice: follow his daughter’s path or give up.

Characters: Helena, José Sendero, Kassie, Siguanaba, Liga, numerous migrants, various gangsters and police

Major Settings: El Salvador, Mexico City, La Bestia (The Beast), gang hideout, migrant shelter

Themes: Immigration, trauma, hope, politics, family

Lesson Plan Idea Using Common Core Standards (CCS)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.9 – Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.

Directions: Illegal Cargo is a fictionalized story about one father searching for his daughter, lost along the migrant path from El Salvador to the United States. At the end of the comic, we learn in dramatic fashion that José is not the only parent suffering and looking for answers – a direct link to the real-world experiences that inform this comic.

For this assignment, students are tasked with exploring news coverage of the migrant crisis happening along the US/Mexico border and writing a brief (1-2 page) analysis of that coverage. This analysis should compare how these stories are covered in the news to the fictionalized experience of José in Illegal Cargo and consider what biases may exist in both the individual news outlets they are puling from and from the creator of this comic. In preparation for the assignment, students should be provided with tools for evaluating news sources and a (refresher) lesson on the different kinds of journalism.

Be careful, as the instructor, to avoid partisan debate, language, and discussion, but don’t shy away from humanitarian approaches.