(drawn by Marco Finnegan)
(variant covers)
Written and Illustrated by Marco Finnegan
Calavera P.I. #1
(Oni Press, November 2024)
Get an exclusive look inside the new issue
Read the AIPT review of Calavera P.I.
Read an interview with Marco Finnegan in Daily Dead
1925. Hollywoodland.
Juan Calavera is a private investigator whose undercover and daring escapades have made a name for himself in Tinseltown, especially among the Mexican communities, who have begun to see him as a hero. Which is why the young, aspiring newspaper reporter Maria Valdez has been following him around, getting the inside scoop as Calavera busts human trafficking rings and drinks into the early morning, until one fateful day he is visited by a mysterious and cloaked figure known only as . . . La Fantasma. Inspired by Mexican folklore and his love of detective stories, Marco Finnegan (Morning Star, 007, The Keeper) blends supernatural intrigue with pulp thrills in the four-issue Chicano noir Calavera.
Praise for Calavera, P.I.
“Calavera, P.I. goes off like a pistol blasting in a dark room. Darkest noir delivered in dynamic images and hard-boiled scenes that are also a work of witness.” — Luis Alberto Urrea, Edgar Award-winning writer
“Walking in the tradition of Toth and Mignola, Marco Finnigan’s art cuts right to the point of clarity. Calavera, P.I. is a dark journey of bold choices you should check out.” — Michael Avon Oeming, co-creator of Powers
“All the sins come due in the gripping supernatural noir of Calavera, P.I.” — Gary Phillips, author of Ash Dark as Night
“Marco Finnegan’s Calavera, P.I. is a gorgeous pulp showcase that reflects the dark noir worlds Finnegan clearly adores. A real feast for the eyes!” —Joanne Starer, author of Fire & Ice and Sires of the City
“I just had the pleasure of reading the first issue of Calavera, P.I. and it’s fantastic. Marco and the folks at @OniPress have a real winner on their hands. A sumptuously illustrated look at 1920s Hollywood through a Mexican lens. Can’t wait to read more.”— Jay Faerber, author of Copperhead and Near Death
“Expect the unexpected! Both hard-nosed pulp detective noir and surreal supernatural thriller, Calavera, P.I. kept me on the edge of my seat with every page turn.” — Khary Randolph, artist of Sirens of the City and Robin
“Finnegan’s Calavera, P.I. is the Chicano pulp comic I never knew I needed. Set in the gritty world of 1920s Los Angeles, Finnegan’s stunning illustrations and vivid characters reveal an LA where Chicanos inhabit the noir landscape, where a resurrected detective slogs through corruption and violence to become a hero.”— Matt Mendez, author of The Broke Hearts and Barely Missing Everything
“There is nothing more entertaining than a good twist and Calavera, P.I. by Marco Finnegan delivers with reckless abandon. Every time you think you know where this story is going you’re dead wrong, and you won’t be happier.”— Eric Gapstur, artist of Sort of Super
“Calavera, P.I. doesn’t just give us a chilling story with a mysterious anti-hero, it’s classic noir set amongst Chicano culture of Los Angeles in the 1920’s. I can’t wait to read more.” — Terry Blas, authot of Reptil and Runaways
“Marco is “killing” it yet again with this book, not only with an amazing story, but with art that really encapsulates the feeling of an old crime pulp novels. Calavera, P.I. brings a much needed Mexican lens to the noir genre!” — Jacoby Salcedo, artist of Blue Beetle
“In the tradition of The Spirit and Zorro, Calavera, P.I. is a pulp-y fast paced blast from panel one, and does not let up on the gas the whole time! This book drops you right into the action and trusts you to keep up as fists and bullets fly. And just when you settle into the rhythm of the story, thinking you know the genre and what to expect, it throws you a curveball that will leave you needing to know more!” — Vita Ayala, author of New Mutants, The Wilds, and Submerged
“Calavera, P.I. is a grand mixture of the noir detective, folk horror, social commentary and pulp adventure. Marco Finnegan, again, shows us why he’s one of the best in the business. You’ll instantly fall in love with this genre-bending delight.” — John Jennings
“Marco Finnegan has crafted a heart-wrenching and powerful Latinx noir that’s pulsing with supernatural elements. It’s unlike anything I’ve read in a long time.” — Alex Segura, bestselling author of Secret Identity and Alter Ego
Marco Finnegan lives in Temecula, California with his family. Finnegan’s previous books include THE KEEPER with writers Tananarive Due and Steven Barnes (Abrams/Megascope 2022), LIZARD IN A ZOOT SUIT (Lerner/Graphic Universe 2020), WHERE WE LIVE (Image Comics, 2019), CROSSROAD BLUES (Image Comics, 2018), and LAST FAIR DEAL GONE DOWN (12 Guage Comics, 2018) both with Ace Atkins.