Longaron and Friday Foster: The Unexpected Heroine

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In 1970, the Catalan Jordi Longaron (1933-2019) wrote a significant chapter in the history of comics with the creation of the weekly series "Friday Foster" for the Chicago Tribune Syndicate, with a script by Jim Lawrence. The protagonist, Friday Foster, a brave, sensual and daring African-American detective photographer, transcended the taboos of the time, becoming a disruptive character that caused controversy and rejection in certain sectors.

Friday Foster became the first African-American protagonist in a syndicated strip, proving that there was room for empowered women beyond the stereotypical female roles of the time. Fifty years later, it remains a key piece for understanding the social and cultural transformation that the blaxploitation movement brought about in a country marked by racial conflicts

Longaron, who only traveled to New York once, captured through his art a dreamy America, that of film and television, of glamour and seduction, while hiding conflicts and inequalities. The character created by Longaron with an agile and dynamic graphic style defined a new legend within the Black Power movement.

This small-format exhibition represents a continuation of the work of historical recovery and patrimonial vindication of comics as an artistic genre. Through this exhibition, the Museum continues to explore its commitment to preserving the rich history of comics, highlighting the lasting impact that characters like Friday Foster have had on popular culture.

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