Petra Martinez

Petra Martinez is a character in Gilbert Hernandez's adult comedy series Birdland, connected to his broader Palomar universe. She shares her surname with Rosalba "Fritz" Martinez, placing her within the extended family of characters Hernandez developed across Love and Rockets.

Petra Martinez made her entrance in Gilbert Hernandez's Birdland #1 in 1990, stepping into the bold, boundary-pushing world that Fantagraphics built around one of alternative comics' most celebrated creators. A Copper/Modern Age original, she has woven herself into the rich tapestry of Hernandez's Palomar universe, keeping remarkable company alongside beloved figures like Rosalba "Fritz" Martinez, Luba de los Santos, and Pipo Jimenez across landmark series including Love and Rockets and Luba. With 37 catalog appearances spanning an impressive 36 years — and at least one collector-significant key issue to her name — Petra is a testament to the enduring depth and loyalty Hernandez brings to his characters. If you're exploring the literary heart of alternative comics, she's absolutely worth seeking out.