Upcoming shows: Latino Comics Expo and San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival

Two upcoming shows I'll be participating at include the first-ever LATINO COMICS EXPO being held on May 7 & 8 at the CARTOON ART MUSEUM  in San Francisco.

(Logo and illustration by Jose Cabrera)

The LATINO COMICS EXPO was an idea between myself and Ricardo Padilla (he curated my COMIC POP solo art show last year in San Francisco). We envisioned an event that would encompass a wide range of voices from Latino-themed comics from a variety of artists of Latino background. We approached the Cartoon Art Museum and they were very supportive of our proposal. I'll be posting up the names of confirmed artists next week, so please check back and make plans to attend!

 

(Robot monster painting by Ted Seko)

This is our 4th year in a row presenting our San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival. When I approached my fellow Nuvein Foundation Board Members with the idea of hosting our own local comic book show, they wholeheartedly agreed and now we have what promises to be our biggest show yet. Again, details on this will be forthcoming, but we're eyeing a June event this year.

When I started self-publishing my own comics years ago, it never occurred to be to one day become an organizer of shows. But sometimes you have to just take a step forward and make things happen that you believe should happen. Of course, nothing like this gets done on it's own, so thanks go to the many people involved in helping put these events together.

3rd Annual San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival PT 2

Continuing my stroll down memory lane....

Bernyce Talley and Grasiela Rodriguez in secret talks about their comic projects:

Rafael Navarro, creator of Sonambulo, next to one of his fantastic cover paintings:

Rafael actually conducted a panel during the festival, and he always holds his audiences' attention with his presentations. Another one of our workshops, this one on animation, was conducted by Raul Aguirre:

One thing that struck me about the panels is that it's a great way to gauge interest in the process of storytelling. I know that some of the folks who attended had their own aspirations in comics or animation. It's nice to be able to provide these workshops, especially since they're free (as is the admittance to the festival itself).


A few months ago, I taught a DIY Comics Crash Course at GEEKS Comics. Several of the people who attended my seminar came by to check out the festival. In fact, one of the them was exhibiting at our show, for the first time. Neil Segura, along with his partner Ray Mendivil, was promoting their upcoming comic book FOREVER FRESHMAN. (Click on the link and see that Neil has learned well: He blogged about attending the festival! That's one of the things we talked about in the class, keep people informed of your activities related to making comics!)


Several of the cartoonists who exhibited at our first SGV Comics Festival returned again this year:

 The always-amicable Jose Cabrera of CRYING MACHO MAN fame. I've known Jose for some years now, and it's always a delight having him, and his gonzo brand of comics, gracing any comic convention.


Here's a couple of artists I had met at previous conventions, but was glad to see them appearing for their first time at SGV:

Karl Altstaetter and Gerimi Burleigh. (I think there was an atomic bomb that went off just outside the door, but it didn't stop these two cartoonists from enjoying the show!).

Exhibiting at his first-ever comics show was Jamie Gambell:

Jamie is the writer of OMNITORIUM, and in fact has several other titles in the development stage. It was nice to meet him in person after knowing him for some time through our 140-character conversations via Twitter.

There were various other creators at the show, but unfortunately I didn't get a chance to actually talk and meet each one. Even a relatively smaller show like ours still means you're meeting new fans and conducting transactions (thankfully!), so I had to spend most of my time at my table. Luckily, while at my table there were brief moments to relax and chill out as well:


Kathryn Renta, besides being nice to chat with, is a letterer and graphic designer, and is in fact preparing to publish her own comic book as well. 

Adding to the enjoyment of the show was the arrival of FRESH FRIES, LA's mobile gourmet french fries:

If you're in the LA area, make sure you track them down and visit their truck. Dang tasty fries with some really knock-out sauces!


The show, for so many reasons, is definitely a favorite of mine. The fact that it's like 20 minutes from home is a big plus! But the whole intimate nature of the festival really gives you a real strong, genuine sense of being part of a local comics community. I'm glad we got to our 3rd show, and I'm really looking forward to next year's entry. I know we'll make it an even bigger experience for everyone involved.


Thanks to the fans who came out to support all the artists. Thanks to all the various artists who came back to the show or attended for their first time. I certainly have to thank the Nuvein Foundation and our partners for putting the whole show together. I've worked with the organization for some years now, and the thing that always inspires me is how tirelessly everyone works on the various projects. This is a non-profit organization, with the aim of connecting the community to the arts, and providing scholarships to young students.


After the festival, a group of us headed over to a local favorite restaurant for dinner and good times:

 Me, Jim Lujan and Grasiela Rodriguez. The three of us were on the Planning Committee for the festival, along with several other members of Nuvein (the more camera-shy members!). We're also members of the Cartoonistas, and have done plenty of other art related projects together. But it's great to first and foremost consider them good friends.

Here's to next year's San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival. Hope to see you there!

3rd Annual San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival PT 1

Sunday's event has come and gone, after months of preparing and planning. In the end, things worked out even better than I was hoping for.  I salute my fellow Nuvein Foundation Board of Directors, and especially Comic Festival Chairperson Grasiela Rodriguez, for all the hard work put into bringing this together.

Our banner outside the Cuban Club, where DJ Rex was outside spinning his music, especially tons of 80s New Wave (well, he did ask me on Facebook what type of music is played at comic conventions!)


Our artists and writers, and I'm figuring there were about 30, had a great time, with several creators actually exhibiting at their first convention. And the fans seemed to have really appreciated the event. Most of the ones I talked to hadn't heard of the event before (this was our 3rd) so we're getting new people hip to the Festival.

When I joined the Nuvein Foundation several years ago, one of the things I wanted to get off the ground was comic book festival right here in the San Gabriel Valley. Our first one was held also held at the Cuban Club, then last year we joined up with the Monrovia Public Library for the next one. This year we came back to our original location and we're happy to realize that we definitely need to move to a larger venue if we want to accommodate the rest of the artists we had to turn down due to space limitations.

Raul Aguirre (Man VS Art podcast, animator, cartoonist) and I exchange presents. As a belated birthday gift, I made Raul a custom sketch doll of his character Citizen Sanchez. I scored an awesome El Muerto mask created by his lovely wife Hortencia, which Raul also worked on. Sure is nice to celebrating Christmas in September!

L to R: Shawn Granger, writer and publisher of the 2-part graphic novel series FAMILY BONES, a critically acclaimed crime story and Michael Hamersky. Michael runs the Comic Book Collectors Blog, and he and his wife Tina came to cover the event. Michael's love of the medium and art of comics comes across in his extensive reporting. You can read his report on our show over at his blog. 

Art Lopez, face-painting for the attendees. Art also held a live-art demonstration, and brought to the show his new beautifully crafted skeleton figures:

Exhibiting in the table next to mine was Cartoonista co-founder and great friend Jim Lujan:

Jim's second collection of his Ghettomation films, BENCH WARRANT, made it's debut at the show. Jim and I actually met at the first SGV Comics Festival a few years back. (Dang, maybe I should have bought him some flowers?)

Mr. Sherm Cohen:

Sherm's a storyboard artist/writer/director, and also proprietor of CARTOON SNAP, a delightfully entertaining and educational website covering tons of classic comics and cartoons. Sherm's new book, CARTOONING:CHARACTER DESIGN, was a big hit with attendees.

Here's a gang of creative individuals flexing their muscles:

On the left, Richard Carradine. Rich was actually exhibiting at his first convention, promoting his book, THE PARK AFTER DARK, a historical account of the many ghosts and spirits that dwell at Disneyland! Rich is the co-founder of GHOULA (Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles), a group of curious adventurers who travel the many haunted places in the big city. Next to Rich is Michael Aushenker, writer, artist, bon vivant. Michael, one of my earliest acquaintences in DIY comics, is the creator of numerous comics, all of which can be found at his joint publishing venture CARTOON FLOPHOUSE. I've probably done more shows with Michael than with any other of my friends, and each time there is nothing but fun to be had. The last guy on the left would be Ted Seko, another long-time friend and self-publisher. Ted's expressively explosive comics and art is always a must-see. THE IDIOT ENGINE, Ted's artist podcast, features one-on-one interview with artists talking about, well... art stuff! Check it out.

I'll have Part 2 of my reminiscing about the show tomorrow!

I'll be at the San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival on Sunday

I'll be exhibiting at the 3rd Annual San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival this Sunday, Sept 19.

The Festival is put on by the Nuvein Foundation, for which I serve on the Board of Directors. Three years ago I suggested to the Board that we create our own comic book convention here in the San Gabriel Valley (East of Los Angeles). Now here we are holding our third Festival. We're actually back at our original location, the Cuban Club in El Monte, CA.

This year there are over 2 dozen creators attending, from the world of independent comic books, webcomics, animation, filmmaking and podcasting. There's also some book authors and fine artists exhibiting as well.

Myself, I'll have my catalog of comics, as well as the EL MUERTO DVD and buttons. I'm also busting out my new custom EL MUERTO SKETCH DOLLS! This assortment includes:

l to r: El Vivo (the evil Muerto), El Muerto, El Lobo Muerto (a special 2010 HALLOWEEN MUERTO MONSTER)

I previously sold some early prototypes of the EL MUERTO sketch dolls but these are the new colored versions. These dolls are hand drawn & colored by me, so each one is a unique hand-crafted original. It's like getting a 3 dimensional piece of art from me. 

I've also created some additional sketch dolls based on other comic book characters. In this assortment are character's created by comic artist Steve Ditko:

 l to r: "The !?", Spider-Man & The Creeper

And here's a one-of-a-kind collectible: An El Muerto Sketch Doll Double Pack: EL MUERTO vs. REV. JOHN HENRY UNICORN!

Rev. Unicorn is a character created by my friend Jim Lujan, a filmmaker of animated movies. Among Jim's many great cartoons are two starring John Henry Unicorn, the leader of the Church of the Unicorn! It's a totally wacked out idea, handled expertly by the tremendously talented Mr. Lujan, the Founder of Ghettomation. Jim immediately gave his blessing to this double pack. It was fun making the John Henry doll, and I hope a fan of both Jim and myself will find this worth adding to their collection!


The festival runs from 11am - 5pm, and admission is free. There will be panels on animation and comic book storyboarding, as well as an appearance by LA's freshest food van, FRESH FRIES!

Come out and support our local comic book convention!

Three comic book shows coming up!

I've sent my new comic book, MANGA MUERTO VOL 1, off to the printers, and I've just finished the artwork for the back cover of my friend Colin Panetta's comic, DEAD MAN HOLIDAY. I will, of course, update everyone here on the availability of those two books (and I'm going to check with Colin on when we can show the artwork online). It's my first full-color, back cover artwork, and I couldn't be happier doing it for a book I really enjoy reading!

Now I have to get ready for 3 comic book conventions over the next month and a half. First up is the 2nd SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COMIC BOOK FESTIVAL, being held on October 10 from 11am-5pm. The festival will be held at the Monrovia Library, running concurrently with the Monrovia Arts Festival the same day. Presented by the Nuvein Foundation, a local non-profit arts and literature advocate. C'mon down and visit local comic creators, and let's continue to grow our own hometown comic book festival!

I'll also be exhibiting at APE in San Francisco on October 17 & 18 (my 11th consecutive appearance!). Swing by and pick up both MAN-SWAMP and MANGA MUERTO VOL. 1, my two newest comics hot off the press! Plus new buttons, and more surprises!

And on November 15, I'll be making my first appearance at the Portland Comic Book Show. I'll actually be a guest of the show, and I'll even be conducting my seminar, "DIY Comics: The Secrets of Self-Publishing" at the show! Thanks to Richard from the PCBS for extending the invitation, and to my good friend Jason Martin for letting Richard know about me. I'm really digging the Portland comics scene, having been there previously for the Stumptown Comic Festival (which I blogged about here).

Here's the back cover/front cover spread for MANGA MUERTO VOL 1, cause every blog post should come with at least one pretty picture!

San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival, October 10!

Calling all Los Angeles area comic book fans! The 2nd SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COMIC BOOK FESTIVAL will be held on Saturday, October 10th at the Monrovia Public Library. I'll be there once again, along with these other area comic creators:
Rafael Navarro (SONAMBULO), Michael Aushenker (CARTOON FLOPHOUSE), Mat Nastos (NIFTY COMICS), John Narcomy (HIGH TOWER COMICS), Geo Brawn (The Untold Chronicles), Agimat Comics and more!



Programming will include a Self-Publishers Roundtable panel, a storytelling workshop with Rafael Navarro and a Live Art demonstration by the Cartoonistas!

The festival will be held concurrently with the Monrovia Arts Festival, which will be held in the park outside the Library. Admission to both events is free!

San Gabriel Valley Comic Book Festival WRAP UP!

This past weekend’s first-ever SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COMIC BOOK FESTIVAL is now history. And what a historic event that was!

San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys in Southern California, (according to the Wikipedia link!) , consisting of such cities as El Monte, Whittier, Covina, Pasadena and several other cities. The Nuvein Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing literary and artistic interaction with the community, put on the event. Nuvein provides support to my radio show, and one day I, Enrique Diaz (Nuvein founder) and Renato Aguirre (Board member) tossed around the idea of putting on a comic book festival. So, next thing I new, I was rounding up artists and writers and exhibitors for the event!



Really, what a great opportunity it was to present comics as a legitimate form of art. With that in mind we had scheduled two workshops, free to the public. One was storytelling/cartooning with Rafael Navarro and the other one was Writing For Comics with Mike Wellman. I also hosted a one-hour block of live PLANET COMIC BOOK RADIO interviews with several of the exhibiting artists!

The event was held at the Cuban Club of San Gabriel Valley and ran on Sunday from 11am – 5pm. As it was our first time organizing this event, and because of the size of the venue, we were limited to about a dozen exhibitors, but the energy level in the room at times could have rivaled some of the bigger shows. I took so few pictures, sadly, but I can point you to several other blogs that covered the event:
Hellakoala
and Crying Macho Man

The staff and Board Members of Nuvein did a really good job of running the event, and I want to personally thank Ericka and Jason for their interview segments, Richard, Michael, and Miguel for their valuable assistance, and a shout-out to Ryan Storms for the great job M.C.ing the event. At times the pace of the show allowed the artists to really be able to get to know one another at length. And I have to say, seeing the artists interacting with the other artists really gave me a sense of the camaraderie you feel for your fellow creator. No sense of competition, just a strong feeling of mutual respect and admiration.
My friend Alan Rutledge, who was set up with three tables of back issue comics, told me
“You got the Nuvein Foundation to pay for a big party for you and your cartoonist friends!”. Well, it sure seemed like it!

But of course, the real reason behind the event was to provide the community a venue to meet comic book creators and learn more about one of the great American art forms: comic books. So while I was there to sell my comics , and promote my new Demoltion Dove creation, I was really glad to be able to help bring this event about.


Rafael Navarro in the distant backround, conducting his popular storytelling/cartooning workshop.

Near the end of the show, I called my two good friends, and fellow comic creators Michael and Will, up to the stage. Michael Aushenker had a birthday a few days prior, and Will Caulfield’s birthday was later in the week. So I decided to ask some of our mutual friends to toss in a couple of bucks so we could get them a birthday cake. Mike and Will were actually very puzzled when I called them up to the stage and sprung the cake on them! We had the whole room singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to them, and everyone had a great time. Will reminded the audience that my own birthday was coming up (April 23, if you’re curious!), and I’m glad he did! Here’s the three of us with the cake.

Mike on the far left, Will in the middle and little ol’ me on the right.

Our hope is to grow the show and in fact have another one in the future. As one of the organizers, I’ll be working with the Nuvein Foundation on the best way to proceed with that. As an exhibitor myself, I’m all for continuing this festival, especially because it is a local community event.

One thing some of us noticed was that there were several people there who wanted to share their portfolios with some of us, and ask for advice on self-publishing. That’s another reason I love this festival. Not only can people come as fans of comics, but even those with their own aspirations can meet folks who’ve published their own books and are willing to share advice. I wasn’t actually expecting this scenario, to be honest. But I’m so glad that we can be a resource for artists wishing to create their own books.

Most of the artists have said they hope we hold another festival next year. And to be honest, talking to some of the Nuvein Board, they feel the same way. So, with that in mind, our goal is to provide a bigger, more popular festival, with more comic creators and events. Stay tuned to this blob, and my radio show, for updates!