PANCAKES & BOOZE Art Show this weekend in LA

So here's a new type of show I'll be exhibiting at this weekend.

Yep, PANCAKES AND BOOZE! (Or click here if you want to see their Facebook Event listing...). An honest-to-gosh Art Show, with live art and live music, art vendors, drinks and...pancakes!


My friend & fellow cartoonist Michael Aushenker, who I'll be spitting a table with, informed me about this show. As it's a local venue, and a different crowd and vibe than the usual comic conventions, I thought it'd be a great idea to try it.


The show is being held in Downtown LA at LOT 613. Address is 613 Imperial Street, Los Angeles, California 90021.
Showtimes are Friday and Saturday, 8pm-2am. 

I'll be bringing along my catalog of comic books and Poster Comics. I'll have some original artwork as well. At any rate, I expect to at least expose my work to a new audience. 

It's $5 at the door, ages 21 and over. Hope to see some of you there!

              Dead Dinosaurio & Etzli © & ™ Javier Hernandez

2 free Comic Book Workshops at local libraries

I'll be conducting a couple of Comics Workshops at two libraries in the area for the next two days.

On Thursday, July 12, I'll be in Santa Monica at the Ocean Park Branch from 2:30-3:15pm. The workshop is free to attend, but call the library to check if you need a reservation. For kids 6-14. Here's the post from their website.


And on Friday, July 13, I'll be at the Los Alamitos/Rossmoor Branch Library in Los Alamitos. The workshop runs from 3:30-4:30 pm, and it's for kids 6-14. Again, this one is free as well, but I know that you do need to reserve a spot. Information for doing so is on this page of their website.

Discovering Spider-Man & my Spider-Man artwork

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Amazing Spider-Man, one of the world's most popular comic book heroes.

Star of 1000s of comic books, cartoon shows, live-action television, video games, blockbuster movies and more merchandise than you can shake a web at, the character debuted back in 1962 in AMAZING FANTASY #15. Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Spidey has endured throughout the decades by being the underdog hero who never gives up. And you can't beat that costume!

As a kid, I was a huge fanatic. The earliest comics I had of Spider-Man were given to me by my older brother Albert. Some of these treasures included these gems by John Romita and Gil Kane (issue #88)....

 Through the reprint series MARVEL TALES, I got to experience the earlier stories drawn by Steve Ditko.....

By the time I stared buying my own comics at the local 7-11, I was a bonafide Spider-Fanatic...

 





















I'll be sharing memories about my favorite Spider-Man stories in later posts, and some thoughts about watching Spider-Man on THE ELECTRIC COMPANY children's show, the 1967 SPIDER-MAN cartoon show, the Sam Raimi movies and lots more. Right now though, I'd like to share some artwork I created over the last couple of days. Just some quick sketches capturing different characters from the books. 

First batch includes The Lizard, J. Jonah Jameson, Peter Parker's first genuine crush, Betty Brant, Peter Parker in his wrestler gear from AMAZING FANTASY #15 and a shot of Spidey himself:

 

Like I said, more webslinging action to come in future posts!

Spider-Man © Marvel Characters

Steve Ditko Poster Comic: DITKO CONSIDERED

While movie theaters are packed to the rafters with audiences watching THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, you can read my brand-new Poster Comic here for free!

The story of Steve Ditko, the co-creator of the Amazing Spider-Man, as well as a plethora of other characters and comics:

 Click here for a much larger, readable version. One you get to the image on DeviantArt, click the comic again and it'll go Super Size!


In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Spider-Man, I'll have a whole series of posts dedicated to what's always been my favorite comic book superhero since I was a kid. Tune in tomorrow for more art and memories of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!


For now, please read a little about the man who co-created this famous character, Steve Ditko....