orders from countries in Europe, South America, and Africa requesting Homies characters representing people from those continents. By 2005, the Homies line featured female characters, as well as characters with Puerto Rican, Filipino, and Japanese backgrounds. There have been 14 series of Homies, with more than 200 characters. Description In their fictional world, the Homies are a group of tightly knit Chicano buddies who grew up in the Mexican-American barrio of "Quien Sabe" ("Who knows?") located in East Los Angeles. In an inner-city world plagued by poverty, violence, and drugs, the Homies form a strong and binding cultural support system that enables them to overcome the surrounding negativity, allowing for laughter and good times as an antidote to reality. As befitting these characters from the barrio, many Homies wear bandanas and baggy pants. The four main Homies are Hollywood (based on creator Gonzales), Smiley, Pelon, and Bobby Loco. Characters Gonzales has created a background for each Homie to have their own story. He made sure that the Homies were authentic because they were based on Latinos in his community. The following is a list of some of the more notable Homies characters: First series: Eight Ball — Known for his distinctive low-slung beanie and big smile, he is named for the numbers painted on his shoes Smiley — based on a childhood friend of creator David Gonzales, Smiley is a mechanic who works at "Homies Hydraulics," and is perpetually broke and borrowing money off the other Homies Big Loco — youth gang counselor and arbitrator Droopy — slightly stoned background character Sapo — huge consumer of Mexican food; unpopular with women Mr. Raza — highly educated, with degrees in Chicano Studies and Latin American and Pre-Columbian History Subsequent series: Hollywood — based on creator David Gonzales, Hollywood is known by his zoot suit and 1970s disco hairstyle La Gata ("The Cat") — Hollywood's girlfriend, she is loosely based on creator David Gonzales' wife Pelon — based on a childhood friend of creator David Gonzales, Pelon ("bald" in Spanish) is named for his bald head. A small-time hustler, Pelon sells stolen merchandise from the back of his 1941 Chevy panel sedan. Smiley's best friend, Pelon is the most stereotypically cholo of the Homies. Bobby Loco — based on a childhood friend of creator David Gonzales, he is a bouncer at the "Homie Hot Spot" Chuco — short for "Pachuco," a lowriding,