THE ART OF OSMAU TEZUKA: GOD OF MANGA

THE ART OF OSAMU TEZUKA: GOD OF MANGA is a 272 hardcover book covering the prolific career of Japan's most influential and prolific comic (manga) creator. The book was published last year but I finally got around to getting my own copy last month.

First of all, this is a very resourceful book. Only a small percentage of Tezuka's work is available in English, so this book really provides a lot of valuable insight into his many creations that otherwise I may never be able to read in the original Japanese comics.


Tezuka passed away in 1989, leaving behind a legacy of innovation in manga and animation. Among his best known works are JUNGLE EMPORER LEO, released in animated form here in the States as KIMBA THE WHITE LION (which Disney pirated from liberally for their LION KING), MIGHTY ATOM (known as ASTROBOY to millions of oversees audiences), BUDDHA and BLACK JACK.

BLACK JACK is my favorite work of Tezuka's, featuring a brilliant unlicensed surgeon who performs his miraculous feats of medical miracles for anyone who can afford him. Black Jack himself is a survivor of surgery, having had his body put back together after an explosion in his young childhood left him near death, and his mother dead. The medical dramas Black Jack confronts are usually bizarre cases, like one where a young woman has a giant growth on her body, which turns out to be the living organs of a twin sister which never fully developed. Black Jack actually removes the organs and transplants them into a doll body, giving life to the unborn sister! These stories are truly imaginative, and Tezuka uses the series to explores all matters of life and death,  philosophies of existence, in this career spanning series.

(Word balloons are read from left to right:)

 

Tezuka himself actually had a medical degree, but decided to continue his early foray into manga as a full-time profession. Not only did he create a lot of innovations in manga, but he was also an early and prolific pioneer in the Japanese animation industry. He even dabbled with acting from time to time. How many cartoonists can you name that are often referred to as 'Doctor' by their assistants?


ART OF TEZUKA covers Osamu's life, his early childhood years and family life, as well as chronicling his earliest influences and artistic outputs. What I found invaluable was the decade by decade overview of many of his works, featuring images and a brief synopsis of the stories.

Rainbow Parakeet, an actor skilled at mimicry and disguises, who doubles as a master thief.


Interestingly, the thing that probably struck me the most was the DVD that comes included with the book. It's a late 1980s television program covering several days in the life of Tezuka. We're given an unprecedented look into his private room in his studio, where no one but his wife is allowed into. His assistants will stand in the doorway to deliver messages or meals, but no one is allowed to enter into his creative space. We also see a moment where Tezuka is rushing to the airport to attend a conference in France, and on the car ride to the airport he's still drawing a page, trying frantically to finish a deadline! 


The DVD is subtitled in English, and like I mentioned, it's very compelling viewing. To see such a talented artist, and one driven to create such a vast number of works, is an inspiring experience. I can see why he's the only Japanese artist to be called 'god of manga'. 


If you're interested in any of Tezuka's work, or even if you've never read any of his work but are interested in comics and art, I would wholeheartedly recommend the book. Overall, it's an amazing experience into a fascinating life and career.

JAVZILLA web shop Holiday Sale ends Sunday!!

Thanks to the folks who've purchased stuff from my web shop over the last 2 weeks. I've been running a Holiday Sale with reduced prices on many items, and reduced shipping.

I've even added a previously 'sold out' item, the WANTED: WEAPON TEX-MEX mini-comic that I thought was out-of-stock! 

With each package I've sent out, I've been including a free extra. There goes the surprise for those that haven't ordered, but maybe that'll give you another reason to plunk down some cyber-bucks and get some stuff!

I've included 8x10 sketches, done in gray-tone markers, in every order. I was compelled to scan this one, because it made my day to hear from this fan:

Sergey had ordered some books last year, and put in another order this past week. In an email he said that he was my "#1 fan in Russia". Can't argue with that.  Spasibo Bolshoi, Sergey!

If you'd like to get my gratitude in your language, please browse the shop and buy the books you'd like. They all come signed, and can be personalized to you or anyone you'd like. I'll ship all orders on Monday, so it's very probable that you'll get them by Friday, Christmas Eve. Click here for the scoop!

Last chance to buy!!! WANTED:WEAPON TEX-MEX!

I was always skeptical to hear a retailer claim "Warehouse find! Last chance to buy!!" As if they really found a pallet of whatchamacallits hidden off in some corner of the warehouse. Yeah, right!!

Well, tell you what folks, there's an old saying: "Don't knock it 'til you try it"!! 

Back in May of this year I blogged that I had a brand-new mini-comic I was debuting at the Phoenix Comic Con, "WANTED: WEAPON TEX-MEX".  This featured a reprint of the first Tex-Mex story (from 1997), which was actually my first published work (in Hot Mexican Love Comics). You can actually read that first story here online at the blog, just click up on the tab above. The mini also featured a brand-new Tex-Mex tale, plus a back cover special "Weapon Tex-Mex Foes File". Well, the print run on this mini-comic was only about 40 copies, and I thought I had sold out of them over the last several months.

Cover and back cover from "WEAPON: WEAPON TEX-MEX"

But guess what? I actually did find a small stash of the mini-comic in the 'warehouse'! Actually they were sandwiched in between a pile of books and comics, but....

 Interior center pages from "WANTED:WEAPON TEX-MEX"

So I'm adding them to the Web Shop here on my blog. They were previously listed as 'Sold Out', but they'll be there until they finally sell out for good. While I'm not discounting the price on this book (consider it a special limited edition collectible), you can combine it with other books on sale there until Sunday the 19th. 

Tex-Mex actually beat El Muerto to print by one year, making him my first officially released comic creation. A much more looser and comedic character than the Aztec Zombie, Tex-Mex really was created as a way of doing bizarro stories with wacky humor and bits of social/cultural/political commentary. A great big lug of a brawler, but with a heart of gold. Kind of like The Thing from Fantastic Four.


And that ain't no bull!

Comic book workshops at Pico Park Community Center

This past Fall I started teaching a new comic book workshop at Pico Park Community Center. I had previously taught classes at the nearby Pico Rivera Center for the Arts a few years ago, and decided I wanted to approach Pico Park to try out a new batch of classes.

The Park offered me one of the large showcases in the front lobby to make a display that would spotlight my work and help promote the workshop.

The turnout for the workshop was great, filling up the roster at 12 kids! Not bad at all for the first comic workshop at that facility. Even more impressive to me than the number of kids was their sheer enthusiasm for making comics. Most of the students were about 9-11 years old, with a few as young as 8. Many of the students had already been creating their own comics, sharing with me some of their previous works. There were a couple that had a really strong sense of storytelling, creating their panels with natural progression from one to another, keeping focused on the thread of the story, and picking some creative shots to compose their panels.

 'The Thief' by Luke.

I love the title of Jakob's comic, and the addition of the 'or 6' ! Some of the kids even added my name to their covers, which I totally did not expect. 

Ivan had asked me if I knew Stan Lee (writer and co-creator of SPIDER-MAN, HULK, X-MEN, THOR etc.), which kind of amazed me to realize the influence and popularity Stan Lee still has with kids. I was Ivan's age over 30 years ago and I was a total fanatic for Stan!

I told Ernando that I thought he was a really imaginative artist and very skilled at making his own comics. What was great was that all the other kids agreed.

Matthew has a strong sense of humor with his work, and even makes his own cartoons on his PSP (which I had no idea existed until he first showed me the one he owned!).


One thing I always try to make sure I offer in my workshops is to give the students a quick overview of storytelling (breaking down their stories into a 4 page comic, keeping the story flowing from panel to panel, etc) with an interactive demonstration. Also, I always want to make sure I give them photocopied versions of their stories. I know it means more to the student to be able to have some actual copies of their stories in their hands, something they can share with their families and friends.


Years ago, when I was a kid, I attended a local 'comic book workshop', expecting to learn about making comics. Well, not only did the instructor not offer any proof of what comics he made, but all he did was sit at the front of the class and told us to draw for a couple of hours! Luckily I had brought a comic book from home, and ended up drawing a picture of Avengers villain Orka!!

Even then, I felt that this man (who I could not find a credit for in any of my comics back home) was not a good teacher. I always promised myself that if I ever taught a class in comics, I would make sure I provided some decent instruction, and even give the kids copies of their books.


In the past, most of the kids I have taught have been around 13 years old. But this group, even at their younger ages, had a pretty good sense of composing their stories with creative choices in their layouts and compositions. It's really inspiring to see their skill levels at this comics creating thing that I love doing. Most already had characters they had created previously, and for the most part they would just proceed to craft their stories. I can see a few of these kids making comics professionally, or working in storyboarding or video games.


For me, the class provided a wealth of experience, mostly being exposed to a lot of creative artists. As a treat for the last session of class, I showed them the first 35 minutes or so of my film EL MUERTO (just enough to make sure they saw my cameo, it turns out!).

One of the mothers was kind enough to bring in homemade cupcakes and juice for the kids. It was really cool to see some of the kids carry on conversations between themselves about GODZILLA movies or the very specific poses the characters from DRAGONBALL Z would do to activate some of their powers. They reminded me of some of the similar conversations me and my friends have! One of the older kids (who goes by the nom de plume of "JB Comic"!) had looked me up online and started asking me about of the events I had done or comics I had created. I had some minor celebrity status going on in that class!


I'm glad to know that I was able to provide these kids with a pretty exciting experience overall, with an introductory instruction on creating comics, but also with a little time for fun. 

 An impromptu EL MUERTO drawing from Luke. Such a distinctive piece.


My next classes start in January. Class fee is $38, with a $5 supply fee paid directly to me. They're offering a %10 discount if you register by December 15. All classes are 5 week sessions.


Ages 6-12: Class is on Wed., from 5-7 pm, Jan 5 - Feb 2.
Ages 13-18: Class is on Thurs., 5:30-7:30pm, Jan 6 - Feb 3.


Pico Park, 9528 Beverly Boulevard, Pico Rivera, CA.
Phone: 562-801-4470

Look Mom, I'm a HOT PICK!!!

Holiday sale in the JAVZILLA Web Shop!

Hello friends and fans!


Been awhile since I last blogged here. Had a variety of things going on lately, in addition to giving myself a bit of a break after the many events I had going on during the month of October. I've used some of my 'down time' to catch up on watching movies and reading comics, and it's helped inspire me to evaluate certain things in my own storytelling that will help me move my art forward to where I want it to go.


More about that later, but for now I'd like to call your attention to some special pricing I'm offering in my Web Shop here on the blog. For the next week, from Sunday, December 5 through Saturday, December 11, I've cut prices on several of my products, so you can get some good discounts on comics, my sketchbook and the EL MUERTO DVD. The sale has been extended until Sunday, December 19th! I've also reduced my shipping fees to help convince you to spend some of that cash you keep holding onto!

If you want to get yourself a well-deserved holiday gift, or want to get one of your friends hip to my comics, this week is the place to shop! And unlike Black Friday, you don't have to sleep in a cold, dark parking lot overnight for the good prices! Start your holiday comic shopping here!


Thanks very much for your continued reading of my blog, and keep coming back for more JAVZILLA. A very Merry Christmas to all!

Agimat Sweet + Evil art show

GEEKS Comics in Whittier last night was the host to the 'Sweet + Evil' art show from Agimat Entertainment. Agimat is the endeavor of Adonna and Arvie Villanueva,  a couple whose products range from web comics to video games.

The art show was also a launch party for their newest video game release, E-VILLE, which is available via iTunes for play on the iPad and iPhone. E-VILLE is the follow-up to their first video game, SHADOWCANDY.

I realized once I got home I didn't take any photos of Arvie's paintings! But, Adonna and Arvie have done such a brilliant job in branding, their character were seen everywhere during the show. Paper dolls or custom cupcakes, they had their creations everywhere!

They also DJ Todd Tochiokaz (who doubles as a comic creator himself!) spinning tunes all night, as well as J-pop singer Stephanie Yanez:

CRYING MACHO MAN web comic creator Jose Cabrera actually voiced the main character in E-VILLE, Jim Bob! Here's Jose getting himself killed over and over again....

 

In addition to all this fun stuff, Agimat also had an open call to artists to customize DEEGO figures, a new line of blank vinyl dolls from Spanish toy maker DEEGO TOYS. The dolls had to be designed as one of Agimat's many characters, but the materials were open to whatever the artist wanted to use.

 My own contribution was to take their MUMMY character from the new E-VILLE game and dress him up in with the accessories from their ninja character HIRO from their first video game, SHADOWCANDY.

I

The show was a real event, and believe, I've been involved in plenty myself at GEEKS over the last 2 years or so, and I have to say that this one is one for the record books! Tons of great art, music, food, video games.... And lots of very friendly people to talk to. 

My 5th season: DIY comics and EL MUERTO

The other day I was talking to my friend and fellow artist Jim Lujan (cartoon filmmaker), and I was telling him about all of my current Day of the Dead events I had lined up, which I use as a place to sell my El Muerto comics. Jim told me that I was lucky to have a "5th season" in which to sell, what with the natural tie-in EL Muerto has to the Dia de Los Muertos celebration.

I immediately thought of the Taco Bell campaign, where they mention "The Fourthmeal, the meal between dinner and breakfast"! Yeah, I guess I do have an extra season in which to really market and sell my El Muerto brand. Just this past weekend, I was involved in two separate events that were very different in nature, but which were perfect places for me to be at.

On Friday, Oct. 29, I was in East LA for the FEAR FIESTA, the inaugural entry of a film festival honoring Latinos working in horror movies. The event was held at Casa 101 Theater, founded by playwright/screenwriter Josefina Lopez (REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES). EL MUERTO was chosen to be the Opening Night film, and myself and producer Larry Rattner were invited to speak at the Q&A following the screening.

 Me, with the first-ever FEAR FESTIVAL Award, and producer Larry Rattner with a Certificate of Appreciation.

We haven't had a public screening of the film since it's initial film festival run back in 2006-2008, and it was nice to be the Opening Night feature.


On Saturday, Oct. 30 I was in El Monte for the 1st ever Dia de Los Muertos El Monte, produced by the Nuvein Foundation. I'm on the Board of Directions of the Foundation, and have been working with them since about 2007. I was talking to fellow Board member Renato Aguirre one day about how we should host our own local Day of the Dead event, and next thing I know, we're forming a committee!


I could write a book on how much work it took to get the festival going. We had to contact the city government, council members, various art commissions, as well as propose the event to the Downtown El Monte Business Association (DEMBA). We had to reach out to the local vendors and businesses, contact the various schools in the area, mobilize local artists and performers. Then there were the various fundraisers and proposals to local businesses for sponsorships. Suffice to say, with everyone's tireless efforts, we had a show that surpassed all our expectations. Even the much dreaded rain that was predicted to fall that day only lasted until about 7am, the very morning we began setting up the venue at the parking lot.

 Grasiela Rodriguez, a fellow Board member, even ran an art show during the event, right out of a U-Haul truck she rented!!

Check out her blog for photographs of the exhibit! It was big hit with everyone. Great job, Gras!!

On Sunday, Halloween, I went back to FEAR FIESTA. At the Corazon del Pueblo gallery located a few doors down from the Casa 101 Theater they were holding a children's event. Some kid-friendly films were playing on a television, and I had volunteered to conduct my comic book demonstration where I have the kids in the audience participate in creating a one-page comic story. This turned out to be extremely popular, and I made sure each kid got a drawing to take home.


Here's a photo of me with the founder of Casa 101, Josefina Lopez, her husband Emmanuel Deleage, and their two children.

Josefina actually talked to me about a project she wanted my input on, and I in turn suggested what a cool idea it would be to create some type of El Muerto stage play!


The El Monte festival was my 3rd Dia de Los Muertos event in a week, and I did a pretty good amount of business. This has always been a key point of mine in that I reach new readers all the time at these type of events. Some are comic fans already, who have not heard of my comic book. But most are folks who don't read comics, much less attend comic shops or conventions. People in the comics biz are always saying that publishers have to reach out beyond the comics base, something I've been doing actively since I started publishing my own work back in 1998.


I had events every single weekend in the month of October. A solo art show at GEEKS Comics, spent a weekend at the Latino Book & Family Festival and spent another weekend in San Francisco for the Alternative Press Expo. With this past weekend's EL MUERTO film screening, and 3 Dia de Los Muertos events the last two weekends, I can honestly say it's the busiest month in terms of the sheer number of events I've attended since I started as a self-publisher. Busy in terms of selling my work, and also making new fans. The inevitable 'networking' takes place too, potentially opening up new opportunities for me as an artist.


I do comic shows and other events all year long. But with my signature character based on Aztec mythology and the Day the Dead folklore, the whole 'season' surrounding the November 2nd celebration provided me with many outlets. Adding to the mix that mid-September through mid-October is Latino Heritage Month, I have a pretty good stretch of months in which to flourish. Those of us who make and publish our own comics have to take full advantage of opportunities like this, as well as see what events in the 'mainstream comics world' make sense to pursue as well.


I didn't create El Muerto because I saw an opportunity to capture an entire market through a comic book. I came up with the idea because I specifically wanted to use both Aztec mythology and the Day of the Dead folklore as elements in story. These were things I had great interest in, and I also thought that there was, in my opinion, and underwhelming use of these idea in the mainstream culture. The fact that I could use my creation in very advantageous situations is something that I, as a self-published artist, could not have resisted. Obviously, the way I conduct my self and my business is part of my branding, so sincerity and a genuine talent in connecting with people goes a long way.


For me, as with most of the DIY comics creators I know, our production and brand management runs all year long, for the most part. 7 days a week, 12 months a year! So getting that extra season is a very welcome opportunity and I build on that as much as I can.

Dia de El Ditko: Steve Ditko's birthday!

A very Happy Birthday to Steve Ditko, comic book creator extraordinaire!
 
(Mort Todd's colored version of his cover to DITKOMANIA #72)

Steve Ditko, as artist, is the co-creator of Spider-Man & Dr. Strange, and on his own has created such characters as The Creeper, The Question, Shade the Changing Man and his signature character, Mr. A.

 (Larry Blake's cover to DITKOMANIA #75)

Born November 2, 1927, Steve Ditko continues to create new comics, published by himself and Robin Snyder. His latest book was DITKO #5-FIVE ACT, featuring such characters as The Madman, The Outline and The Cape! At age 83 his physical output has slowed down, and he's not going to be drawing at the same level he was 20 or even 30 years ago. But his determination to create new stories, and publish them himself, remains for me a continued source of inspiration.

For the last year or two, I've been contributing to the DITKOMANIA zine on a regular basis. My most recent illustration was this one for their Halloween issue, featuring a review of Ditko's sole Tomb of Dracula story, published in the late 70s.

The fact that Ditko was born on November 2, the same day as my character Diego de La Muerto, a.k.a. El Muerto (which is also El Dia de Los Muertos) surprised me when I made the connection years ago. My first exposure to Ditko's work was back in the mid-seventies, with reprints of his early Spider-Man & Dr. Strange stories available in Marvel reprints at the time. His work has always struck me for it's combination of quirky cartooning and surreal imagery, combined with his knack for innovative storytelling devices and layouts.

Happy 83rd Birthday, Steve Ditko!

To order Ditko's self-published comics from the last 20 years or so, visit this page, courtesy of the Ditko Comics Web Blog run by BobH.


To order copies of the DITKOMANIA zine, edited & published by Rob Imes, visit this page.

Meet an El Muerto junior fan!

I'm currently teaching a comic book class at an after school program in Los Angeles. The class is once a week, and runs for an entire quarter.

Last week, one of my co-workers gave me this little paper doll: 

  
El Muerto with an awesome pompadour! This is from a young boy in the Arts & Craft class, who had recently seen EL MUERTO on cable. I was flattered that he picked El Muerto as a subject for his project. He doesn't even know that I'm teaching a class at the program, so it's not like he made it to show me.


Last night, my co-worker sent me to this photograph:

Last Friday they had a Halloween party at the school, and guess what our little Muerto fan asked for at the face-painting table?

I'm sure his only exposure to my character is through the movie, but we know the impact movies have on people in out modern culture. Whatever audiences a comic book can't reach, movies & television can more than make up for it. I've said it before, but even a relatively small production like our movie, once it hits circulation via television, attains a certain level of saturation in the public consciousness. Over the last month or so of non-stop events I've been exhibiting at, it's been very evident to me by the amount of people who stop by my table and say "Oh, I've seen this movie on TV" (which invariably leads to some comic sales) .


When I go back to the class on Tuesday, I'm going to give a small package of Muerto swag to my co-worker so she can give to this El Muerto fan. Believe me, if there were hundreds or even thousands of kids doing this, I'd have to hold back on the gift packs, but when I run across the occasional fan like this, I think it's certainly worth some type of appreciation on my part.


Moments like these are really uplifting to me. It's not the primary reason I create comic books, but it's certainly an after affect that I enjoy and appreciate.