Marisco, Croquette, and Banderilla, three Tapas, manage to escape from a Barcelona bar before being eaten. Accidentally, they arrive in New York City by way of an airline catering company, where they meet Lenteja, a single lentil who has run away from a soon-to-be-expired salad. Now illegal immigrants, the four characters find themselves in a cultural shock, which triggers a series of events
that lead to humorous yet profound experiences.
The Tapas Adventures is a satire on illegal immigration in America. It’s a comic book that narrates the experiences of a group of Spanish Tapas living as illegal immigrant in New York City. “Tapas” are small appetizers traditionally served at bars in many regions of Spain, and, more recently, around the world.
Marisco (Salted Shrimp): A clumsy, anxious, agitated individual, Marisco is enthralled to be in New York City, enjoying all its freedoms and excesses. He likes to make new friends. Marisco always carries a glamorous Italian handbag filled with all sorts of electronic devices, pills and medications that reveal his hypochondriac nature. He has a permanent cold, emphasized by an also permanent runny nose and a “100% Indian silk” pashmina protecting his neck. “Papers? Who needs them when the city fits you like a crocodile-skin glove?”
Croquette (a ball of savory mixture, in this case Chicken). His real Spanish name is croqueta, but he prefers the French pronunciation because, “besides chicken, I’m also stuffed with French gruyere”. Being overweight, he has found a safe haven in the US, where he can eat his favorite junk food 24 /7, and then spend hours at the nearest gym (also open 24 /7). He is also a compulsive buyer and waste long hours watching the NBC shopping channel. “Papers? Yes, I’ll take a yard to wrap this sandwich”.
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Banderilla (a small skewer served on a cocktail stick, usually made of pickled gherkins, onions, olives, etc): A pure Spanish character, Banderilla comes from the southern province of Andalusia. Therefore his passion for flamenco, paella, bullfighting and Spanish paraphernalia (he tops his olive head with a wide-brimmed Cordoban hat). Out of the four tapas, Banderilla has the most difficult time assimilating. He speaks a heavy-accented, broken English, in a “Spanglish” fashion. But Banderilla is talented and earns his cash singing flamenco in subway stations. “Papers qué?”
Lenteja (a single lentil). Though not a tapa per sé, Lenteja is considered as such by his three friends. The most rational of the group, he is always looking for ways to become legal: following political debates and constantly doing research on immigration policies. His communist nature (lentils grow and “live” in numerous communities) makes him a vocal critic of the capitalist excesses adopted by his friends. “Papers? Yes, free of charge and for all”.
The best ideas always come out from simple, humble, nearby things like a cheap paper napkin. Add few hours a week working as a waiter in New York and you have a perfect broth for a story on illegal immigration. On the left, the very first draft of “The Tapas Adventures”.
