BONZZO (comic strip)

Rivas describes "BONZZO" as a young likable adult facing life with a child's mentality.[1] His comic strip represents our daily lives, as well as reminds us of ideas, happy events and how we filtered each moment in our lives.[2] “Bonzzo comes from a character I had to promote my advertising agency. The concept went from there, until I took it to the graphic stage of a comic strip. Fernando Roque helped me with the illustrations”, Rivas said.[2] Since then, Bonzzo went from an inanimate object, to a comic strip published by the main island newspapers, since 1998.[2] “When I created it, I did not name it. So I put all of the letters from the alphabet in a bag, and I took letters out until the name Bonzzo was complete”, he said.[2]

BONZZO was first published in 1998 in two of the four leading newspapers in Puerto Rico, El Mundo and El Vocero (there are no syndicates in Puerto Rico). The coomic strips were published in both newspapers daily. Later, it was published on El Reportero newspaper in Huntsville, Alabama. It was also published, years later, on the Primera Hora newspaper in Puerto Rico.[2][3]

During his tenure, Bonzzo has found different characters that little by little have been integrated into his life. For instance, Tridy, his extraterrestrial best friend; Tirillas, his spoiled cat who only wants to be fed; Ego Causa, Bonzzo's lawyer, mentor, and adviser; and as always, there is also the eternal love, Bogzzy, who is in love with Bonzzo and tries to capture his attention with her doey and seductive gaze. Nonetheless, she is happy with just being friends.[2]

While U.S. syndication is one of Rivas's immediate goals, he also hopes to create a "BONZZO" theme park, "Bonzzolandia".[1]

Charles Scales, Art Stephenson, and John Rivas with NASA's BONZZO Award

On July 30, 1999 BONZZO had its First United States Postal Service (USPS) Pictorial Cancellation, in which the Plaza Las Americas Postal Store, located in San Juan, PR, became "BONZZO Station".[4]

In 1999, BONZZO had a Big Comic Strips Expo at Plaza Las Americas Mall.

In 1999, Rivas exposed four of BONZZO's NASA themed comic strips at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, FL on its Hispanic Luncheon & Art Show, which was dedicated to him.[5] Rivas designed some special "BONZZO" strips commemorating NASA's achievements, including "Beyond the Moon", a calendar of the year 2000 honoring Hispanic heritage.[1]

NASA also instated the BONZZO Award, a pint-size BONZZO statue that will be given annually to the individual who makes the biggest contribution to NASA's Hispanic program. On October 12, 2000, Charles H. Scales, the director of Equal Opportunity at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, was the first recipient of this award: the statue was signed by Marshall Center Director Art Stephenson, Puerto Rican Gov. Pedro Rosselló and John Rivas,[6] who donated the statue to honor the work of Hispanics at the Marshall Center.[7] “Charles is an excellent choice for this first award,” said Elia Ordonez, Hispanic Employment Program manager at the Marshall Center. “He has contributed much to the quality of life in our community and, in particular, the Hispanic community at Marshall.”[7][8]

NASA celebrated last year's "Hispanic Heritage Month" at the Kennedy Space Center with an exhibit of "BONZZO" comic strips. A life-sized BONZZO figure marched in the 2004 Puerto Rican Day Parade celebrated in New York City.[6]

On October 2011, BONZZO had its own website were you can see the beginnings and trajectory of this comic strip, informative capsules and daily comic strips. As H. J. Leonard said: "He has had lunch with governors, but he is not a government official. He has traveled through space, but he is not an astronaut. He has strolled with magazine owners, but he is not a businessman. Even famed boxer Tito Trinidad has fond memories of him, hanging in a wall at his studio. With his yellow shirt, blue pants and red snickers, this young man, who has made us laugh with his adventures in newspaper comic strips, will now move his comedic career to the Internet."[2] Leonard also said: "The Internet then becomes a useful tool. “It is very sad that newspapers don’t give caricaturists a break”, Rivas said, lamenting the island's situation. “Originally, the comics appeared in newspapers, they were part of them. It was something that helped to sell newspapers and reach more people. This is how I began to check the Internet. I then became intrigued by projects in the web and the social networks”, he said. “Projects that help other people see these artistic works and give you an opportunity.” "[2]

BONZZO's 2012 Pictorial Cancelation on Commemorative Envelope with Commemorative Postal Stamp

On May 10, 2012, BONZZO had its Second USPS Pictorial Cancellation, in which the General Archive of Puerto Rico, located in San Juan, PR, became "The Art of Bonzzo at the General Archive of Puerto Rico Station".[9][10][11][12][13]

Manuel A. Benítez said in its article: "In a grand event held at the Puerto Rico General Archives in Puerta de Tierra, the Federal U.S. Postal Service approved an official postage stamp with the award winning caricature of Bonzzo, creation of Puerto Rican artist and publicist, John Rivas."

"Rivas explained his relief, not as much for himself, but for the sake of the artistry in comic strips being recognized. And recognized it was, by Secretary of State and acting Governor in the first executive absence, Kenneth McClintock, who participated in the event and emphasized the pride that we all have as Puerto Ricans when our gifted artists are recognized outside our shores.“It was important for me to be here because comic strips are serious art. It takes a lot of thinking to boil complex societal issues within the context of a few visual frames. They are also an intricate part of the news industry of which I once was a part of …,” he continued to explain that the talented people in Puerto Rico should be recognized for their deeds more often than they are and that it behooves us not to understate the accomplishments that bare reason to make us proud.[14]

Dr. Hermán J. Cestero MD, from the Philatelic Society of Puerto Rico put the historic event in perspective by explaining the practice of commemorative stamps. “This is the second US Postal cancellation stamp for Bonzzo and the first time that a Bonzzo postage stamp has been officially made part of the US Postal Service.” He said that the use of the stamp began as a practical form of showing from where the mail originated, later they were used to commemorate important historical events, in benefit to specific causes and made to cover transportation and handling costs. He later continued to explain -in a separate interview- that the Bonzzo Postage Stamp can be used to send a letter and that it wasn't purely decorative but real postage, with which you can send mail from everywhere in the US and its territories." [14] The main event got on its way with the general manager of the US Postal Service’s Caribbean district Steven Hernández officially announced the approval of the new Bonzzo stamp. The 45 cent postage seal will perpetuate Rivas’ character in Bonzzo in the chronicles of American history. The founder and other members of Puerto Rico's own “El Gran Combo” where there in support of their fellow artist on the eve of yet another grand tour they are to take across the world, doing shows in central and South America, Europe and then on to Asia and Japan. El Gran Combo is commemorating its 50th anniversary this year. Even the Maestro, Rafael Ithier himself was there –director and founder El Gran Combo, as well as singer Jerry Rivas, pianist Willie Sotelo and Luis Alfredo "Tati" Maldonado, trumped player for the legendary “salsa” group. Also renowned singer Tony Rivas, Jerry's brother and both cousins to John, took part in the proceedings.[14]

On May 10, 2012, the General Archive of Puerto Rico opened is doors to the exposition: "The Art of BONZZO Visits the General Archive of Puerto Rico - Big Comic Strips Expo". Over 25 of BONZZO's comic strips and BONZZO's memorabilia will be exposed there until October 31, 2012. It is BONZZO's second big comic strips expo.[10][14]"More than 20 Big Comic Strips from the BONZZO character will remain framed in another page of the history of the Comic Strips genre in Puerto Rico and abroad."[11][12][21][22][23][24]

On 2012 John Rivas also participated, with various of his BONZZO works, on a zero violence cartoon exposition held at the General Archive of Puerto Rico.[25]

Also on 2012, Rivas won four American Packaging Design Awards, awarded by the prestigious Graphic Design USA for four BONZZO packaging designs: “Big Comic Strips BONZZO Mobile Carrying Cart”, “Big Comic Strips BONZZO Exposition Promo Life-Size Stand”, “The Art of BONZZO BONZZO Book Case”, and “100% The Art of Comic Strips BONZZO Gift Box”.[26][27] “To me, it has been a very pleasant surprise and a great honor to be recognized with four American Package Design Awards 2012 from the prestigious Graphic Design USA,” said Rivas, creator of the comic book BONZZO, which has been published by several media on the Island and the United States.[27] The four designs created by Rivas, were selected from more than 1,600 competitors from across the United States mainland and elsewhere and its territories. Rivas’ four packaging design winners are published in the journal GDUSA and on the website of the organization.[27] The American Package Design Awards celebrates well-designed and well-executed graphic designs of course, but also the power of design to advance the brand promise and forge an emotional connection with the buyer at the moment of truth, according to a press release.[28]

Five of BONZZO's designs were also recognized with five Graphic Design Awards 2012, given by GDUSA.[29][30]

BONZZO's designs, created by Rivas, received this same year three Communicators Awards: Communicator Award of Excellence 2012 Integrated Campaign Winner (Gold Award), for "BONZZO The Comic Strip", Communicator Award of Excellence 2012 Print Winner (Gold Award), for "Posters Promo BONZZO Postal Stamp", and Communicator Award of Distinction 2012 Website Winner (Silver Award), for "BONZZO The Comic Strip/BONZZO La Tirilla Comica Website".[31][32] The Communicators Awards is the leading international creative awards program honoring excellence in innovative and exemplary forms of communication. Founded by communication professionals over a decade ago, The Communicator Awards competition is held annually. Its purpose, to be the top level contest among the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and identity labeling work for print, video, interactive and audio productions. The 2012 Communicator Awards received over 6,000 entries from ad agencies, interactive agencies, production firms, in-house creative professionals, graphic designers, design firms, and public relations firms, all of whom are judged and overseen by the International Academy of the Visual Arts (or IAVA for its acronym).[32]

• Protagonistas - Interview by Gabriel Suau[33]
• Notiseis - Interview by Yajaira Rodero[34]
• Notiseis - Interview by Yajaira Rodero[35]
• Notiseis - Interview by Keyshla Rolón[36]
• Noticentro 4 - Interview by Rosa Delia Meléndez[37]
• Las Noticias Teleonce - Interview by Liza Lugo[38]
• Las Noticias Teleonce - Interview[39]
• A Fuego - Interview by Sonya Cortés[40]
• Vale Más - Interview by Héctor Marcano[41]
• El Planeta de REMI - Interview by REMI (#1)[42]
• El Planeta de REMI - Interview by REMI (#2)[43]
• El Planeta de REMI - Interview by REMI (#3)[44]
• El Planeta de REMI - Interview by REMI (#4)[45]
• Noticentro 4 - Interview by Luz Nereida Vélez[10]
• Noticentro 4 - News Article by Rafael Lenín López [46]

• Interview Hon. Pedro Rosselló (Governor of Puerto Rico) with John Rivas on La Fortaleza, San Juan, Puerto Rico [8]
• NASA's Hispanic Luncheon & Art Show 1999, Kennedy Space Center, FL, which was dedicated to John Rivas and BONZZO's comic strips were exposed on the Art Show.[5]
• The Art of BONZZO Visits Puerto Rico General Archive, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Previous to the Opening Day Activity[12]
• The Art of BONZZO Visits Puerto Rico General Archive, San Juan, Puerto Rico - Opening Day Activity[11]

• Dr. Osiris Delgado (Painter) recognizes John Rivas and BONZZO's work.[47]
• BONZZO is already an historical figure - By: Antonio J. Molina[48]
• Honorable Judge José A. Andreu García comments about the Art of BONZZO & the Very BONZZO Persons, created by John Rivas.[49]