Ricardo Alvarez Rivon
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Ricardo Alvarez Rivon (born c. 1968 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is the creator of "Turey el Taino", Puerto Rico's most successful locally produced comic book-magazine.
Alvarez Rivon drew comics since his childhood years. He studied art and drawing in the University of Puerto Rico. Alvarez Rivon wanted to come up with a different concept in comics. He wanted a comic which would entertain as well as educate children and adults alike. He then worked on an idea about a Taino and his adventures.
On October 26, 1989, "Turey el Taino", published by Editorial Manos, made its debut in the news and magazine stands in stores all over Puerto Rico. "Turey el Taino" is what is know as a "comic magazine". Instead of the regular comic format, this comic comes in the form of a magazine. It is printed in black and white. Turey is a lovable chubby Taino who has two sons and a wife who is very dominating. Turey went on all kinds of adventures, accompanied by his best friend "Batu", the tribe witchdoctor "Baracutey" and "Tureycito", one his sons . They would either face the "ferocious" Caribs, or fight evil spirits. The comic book is educational oriented. It teaches about how the Tainos must have lived before the arrival of the Spaniards. The comic book also contains a section where the letters and drawings from the fans are published. The first newspaper to publish the adventures of Turey was "El Mundo" of Puerto Rico. Soon, the adventures of Turey were being published in color in the Sunday newspaper pages of "El Nuevo Dia".
The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture honored "Turey" by publishing a book on the character which included a collection of the comic strips. "Turey" is also the principal figure on an educational pamphlet published by "ENDE" (El Nuevo Dia Educator).
The U.S. Postal Service honored "Turey el Taino" and his creator in 1999, by presenting a cancelled postal stamp and renaming the postal station in "Plaza Las Americas" in Puerto Rico, the "Turey Postal Station".
On November 10, 1999, The Puerto Rican House of Representatives, honored "Turey's" creator Ricardo Alvarez Rivon and presented him with a plaque.
Ricardo Alvarez Rivon continues to write and illustrate the "Turey" comic strips with the collaboration of his wife, Magali Alvarez Rivon.
