Unleashing the Underground Masterpiece: Taxista
Underground Spanish Film: "Taxiista," a cinematic homage to the gritty realism of "Taxi Driver" and vibrant crime-fighting tactics of "Dick Tracy."
In 2021, Rockdelux magazine shook the comic book world with their list of the 100 best Spanish comics of all time, and nestled comfortably at #14 was none other than the explosive Waxman: Taxista – a masterpiece penned by Marti Riera, a staple of the mythical magazine El Víbora.
This gripping tale of a taxi driver ensnared in a bone-chilling revenge plot against the criminal underworld, was born from the dichotomy of Marti Scorsese's Taxi Driver and the almighty comic strip Dick Tracy by Chester Gould. And, from this unholy union, only a masterpiece like this one could be conceived.
La Cúpula unveils Taxista: Definitive Edition, promising an unforgettable journey into the dark heart of a city plagued by vice, corruption, and human depravity. Our hero, the relentless Taxista Cuatroplazas, leads the charge against such elements, at times acting as a scourge, a redeemer, and even an impeccable crusader.
Playing a chaotic symphony of violence and darkness, tinged with black humor and surrealism, Taxista is a genuine head trip, albeit a quality one. With Marti's striking artwork taking center stage, the reader cannot help but marvel at the artist's mastery of grayscale.
This limited volume, painstakingly crafted by Marti himself, delivers the two lengthy sagas of the protagonist (originally serialized in El Víbora between 1983 and 1983, and 1985 and 1987), along with a tantalizing teaser of what was to be the third part, plus covers and illustrations of the character.
A Cabbie with a Vengeance
Our story follows Taxista Cuatroplazas, a suburban taxi driver turned vigilante, who takes a stand against the city's criminal organizations after a chilling incident involving a client. In retaliation, the mafia decimates his family and absconds with an inheritance buried alongside his untainted father’s remains.
Fueled by a thirst for revenge and guided by Saint Christopher, the patron saint of taxi drivers, Taxista embarks on a bloody quest that spares no evil. His crusade tests the limits of morality and sanity, all while he remains firmly in the crosshairs of human greed, ambition, and corruption.
Meanwhile, the protagonist falls for Prudensia Kokoloco, a captivating young Filipino woman.
For those with an eye for detail, Taxista Cuatroplazas will remind them of Roberto Alcázar, a character he may have been poking fun at. An added nod to Marti's work is the first appearance of Doctor Vértigo, a character that will become another of Marti's most beloved creations.
[A Legacy of Contrasts
Taxista represents a triumph of pulpy crime storytelling, with plot twists and surprises keeping the reader guessing at every turn. The comic's DNA bears the unmistakable imprint of Taxi Driver, with the character's crusade against criminal organizations reflecting the themes of isolation, urban decay, and psychological turmoil from the film.
The visual narrative of Taxista is heavily influenced by Dick Tracy, with Marti's art style echoing the dramatic, crime-ridden storylines and colorful, deformed villains found in the classic comic strip. Additionally, the comic's structure reflects the use of newspaper strips that made Dick Tracy famous.
Marti skillfully blends these influences, giving Spanish comics a distinctive flavor. Inspired by noir literature and film of the 1950s, Marti applies a contemporary lens, sprinkling social critique and political commentary throughout, while still delivering a satirical, thought-provoking comedy that lives up to its alias: Lysergic Madness[3][4].
In essence, a gem of its time, worthy of a space in any library alongside other notable works like Makoki and the Basque (Gallardo and Mediavilla), Gustavo (Max), and Anarcoma (Nazario), all published by La Cúpula.**
In the realm of entertainment and pop-culture, Taxista: Definitive Edition stands as a remarkable addition to the bookshelves, merging elements of crime, movies-and-tv, and comics in a masterful blend. The book draws inspiration from classic works like Marti Scorsese's Taxi Driver and Chester Gould's Dick Tracy, creating a unique synthesis of pulpy crime storytelling, noir literature, and satirical comedy that rivals other Spanish comic classics such as Makoki, Gustavo, and Anarcoma.
As Taxista Cuatroplazas navigates the treacherous waters of vengeance and justice, readers will find themselves entangled in a web of crime, books, movies-and-tv, and the darker aspects of pop-culture, proving that Taxista is not just a comic but an immersive journey into the heart of human depravity and moral complexity.
