El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie

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El Muerto: The Aztec Zombie is a fictional comic-book superhero created by Javier Hernandez and published by Los Comex. His real name is Diego de la Muerte (born Juan Diego de la Muerte). He is a 21-year-old man who is abducted and sacrificed by the Aztec gods and returns to life one year later with supernatural powers.

Origin and appearance
Diego grows up in Whittier, California, and on his 21st birthday he attends a Dia de los Muertos festival. He is killed in a car accident caused by a lightning strike, then sent to the realm of the Aztec gods. There, the death god Mictlantecuhtli sacrifices him and his heart is placed in a clay pot, while his facial markings are burned into his skin. He returns to Earth exactly one year later as El Muerto, with a new, undead look inspired by mariachi outfits and Dia de los Muertos imagery.

Powers
El Muerto has superhuman strength and agility, near invulnerability, and a rapid healing factor. He can also give life or take life away, a power unique to him.

Story and influences
The character’s name is a pun on Dia de los Muertos. Hernandez drew inspiration from classic comics and Mexican culture, including the works of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko, as well as Mexican art and mythology. A manga-themed version called Manga Muerto exists in a separate universe.

Publication and media
El Muerto first appeared in 1998 in Daze of the Dead: The Numero Uno Edition. The character began as an indie project under Hernandez’s Los Comex imprint (initially Big Umbrella) and gained popularity, leading to various adaptations. However, the publisher faced financial and distribution challenges, including Diamond’s exclusive market deal.

In film and other media
El Muerto was adapted into a 2007 live-action independent film starring Wilmer Valderrama as El Muerto and Angie Cepeda as Maria. The movie, directed by Brian Cox, expanded the origin with new elements and was released as The Dead One on DVD, after premiering at film festivals and winning Best Feature at the Whittier Film Festival. The film later returned to the original title for some releases.

Legacy
The character is celebrated for blending Mexican culture, supernatural elements, and indie comic storytelling. A 10th anniversary was celebrated in 2008, and there have been moves to release future stories online as digital comics.