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In Queen of Cosmos Comix Trilogy, underground cartoonist, fine artist and muralist Barbara “Willy” Mendes chronicles the psychedelic journey of female creators through biblical paintings, modern life and into a fantastical, interstellar future, weaving her own intimate stories of being an artist, mother and grandmother, especially in the never-before-published third volume. Inspired by Jewish mysticism, Mendes presents a creation myth shaped by female cosmic consciousness, with new, immersive worlds and a radical reinvention of it.
Includes an enlightening and entertaining interview with Mendes, as well as the never-before-published third chapter of the trilogy.
Barbara Mendes studied art during her youth in New York City and later published stories and covers in Underground Comix under the name “Willy Mendes.” He developed his style of brightly colored narrative paintings, epic in detail and scale, and has exhibited them in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Florida and Tel Aviv. His biblical murals are on permanent display in Jerusalem and Florida. In Los Angeles, his studio/gallery is open to the public in a building bathed in his intricate, glowing outdoor “Angel Mural.” The corner was officially named “Barbara Mendes Plaza” in 2016, and Ms. Mendes was designated a “Los Angeles Cultural Treasure.” Her most recent work, Queen of Cosmos Comix, was exhibited at the Palazzo Merulana Museum in Rome. In 2022, it won an SDCC lnkpot award.