Conceived and executed in Caracas, Venezuela, the first volume of the hand-numbered orange marvel that is The Gopher Illustrated, was a true feat of global collaboration. This first issue introduces the magazine’s format: one section is dedicated to the Theme, and a Features section, which is filled with chronicles, interviews, articles, music diaries, portfolio showcases, and a sticker dessert.

The Theme section asks: What is a legend? What makes something legendary? How do legends affect our lives and those of others? What are the legends that define our times? We asked journalists, scholars, designers, illustrators and fiction writers to interpret this theme. We researched remote – and perhaps questionable – archives.

With contributions from authors and artists including William Giraldi, Mario Bellatin, Edmundo Bracho, Jessica Hische, Mario Wagner, Tomokazu Matsuyama, and Estelle Hanania, this volume braves the unknown and the unwieldy for your viewing pleasure.