[ID: a seven-panel comic showing Julieta Madrigal from Encanto making Arepas. The first panel shows Julieta kneading dough, looking pensive. The text reads, “I have a secret. I hate seeing blood.” The second panel shows a close-up on her hands while she’s kneading. The text reads, “I hate seeing broken bones, twisted ankles. Looking at injuries makes me feel sick.” The third panel shows her wiping her forehead, slightly sweating. The text reads, “But, it’s okay, right?” The fourth panel shows her hands again, while she’s shaping an arepa. The text reads, “I can make it go away. I need to make it go away.” The fifth panel shows the family’s house, casita. The text reads, “The family and the encanto. They all rely on me.” The sixth panel shows young Julieta in front of her door with her mother next to her. Only their silhouettes are visible. The text reads, “They have for so many years (I used to cry when mamá made me hand out my arepas in the square). Besides, I have this gift for a reason, right?” The seventh panel shows Julieta’s hands again, putting an arepa onto the stove. There’s one already on the stove and there’s steam coming off of both. The text reads, “I can’t let them down. Hard work and dedication.” Altogether, the text reads, “I have a secret. I actually hate seeing blood. I hate seeing broken bones, twisted ankles. Looking at injuries makes me feel sick. But, it’s okay, right? I can make it go away. I need to make it go away. The family and the encanto, they all rely on me. They have for so many years (I used to cry when mamá made me hand out arepas in the square). Besides, I have this gift for a reason, right? I can’t let them down. Hard work and dedication.” End ID]
I’ve been thinking about what it must’ve been like for Julieta growing up constantly being exposed to injuries. I feel like when she was really young they just handed out her food in the village while she stayed home but as she got older I imagine abuela wanted her to do it in person. click the images for better quality!!
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