3rd Annual Latino Comics Expo

The Cartoon Art Museum hosts the Third Annual Latino Comics Expo on June 1-2, 2013!

Attendance included with paid admission to the Cartoon Art Museum

SPECIAL 2-DAY ADMISSION AVAILABLE FOR $10 – IN ADVANCE OR AT THE DOOR

Press Release:

The Latino Comics Expo, the nation’s first convention focusing on Latino creators and Latino-themed subject matter, returns for its third consecutive year at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, from Saturday, June 1 to Sunday, June 2, 2013. Mario Hernandez (Love & Rockets) highlights an all-star line-up of artists and writers including Rafael Navarro (Sonambulo), Octavio Rodriguez (Pixar), Gabrielle Gamboa (Miss Lonelyhearts), Liz Mayorga (Spunky Cat Comix), Javier Hernandez (El Muerto), Jose Cabrera (Crying Macho Man), Daniel Parada (Zotz), Crystal Gonzalez (In the Dark), Jaime Crespo (Tortilla), Grasiela Rodriguez (Spadra), and many others.

“When Ricardo Padilla and I first started the Expo, we weren’t sure just how big the demand would be for a comic convention focusing on Latino creators and subject matter” says Expo co-founder Javier Hernandez. “But the response from attendees, as well as the artists, has been an enthusiastic affirmation of our dream.”

A special attraction this year are a variety of panels being offered to the public, including Professor Frederick Aldama (Your Brain on Latino Comics), who will discuss his new book Multimediated Latinos: Film, Television, Web, Comics and Latinos in the 21st Century. Filmmaker Jim Lujan, recipient of this year’s Bill Plympton Award for Indie Animation, will make his first appearance at the Expo, screening a selection of his animated films. For creative individuals seeking to produce their own work, Nathan Sabri and Jacob Kaufman, lawyers with the firm Morrison & Foerster, will lead a panel and answer questions regarding Intellectual Property and Copyright Law. There will also be a workshop for kids, where participants create their own comics.

This Year’s Latino Comics Expo is Dedicated to the Memory & Spirit of Spain Rodriguez, who passed away last year, and who was kind enough to participate in our 2012 Expo.

All events are open to the public and are included with paid admission to the Cartoon Art Museum at 655 Mission Street, near Yerba Buena Gardens between New Montgomery and Third Street in San Francisco.

The Latino Comics Expo was co-founded by Ricardo Padilla and Javier Hernandez to provide a showcase for Latino creators and others to share their work with the public. Through published comics, webcomics, graphic novels and other visual mediums, the Expo seeks to share the Latino-American experience through the diversity of the artists and their works.

The Cartoon Art Museum, founded in 1984, is the only museum in the western United States dedicated to cartoons and comics in all their forms. The museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study and exhibition of original cartoon art in all forms to benefit historians, cartoonists, journalists, artists, collectors and the general public.

New Human Fly Graphic Novel to Debut at SDCC 2013

Press Release:

NEW “HUMAN FLY” GRAPHIC NOVEL, INSPIRED BY THE UPCOMING MOVIE, TO DEBUT AT SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2013

Masked daredevil The Human Fly has just pulled off the ultimate stunt – he’s come back from the dead. 

Popularized by a 1970s Marvel Comic, the stuntman superhero will return to comic books in July 2013, with a worldwide debut at San Diego Comic-Con.

The comic book is part of a multi-media revival of the real-life costumed daredevil which will include animated cartoons, apparel, and a motion picture to be directed by by Steven Goldmann (Trailer Park of Terror) and produced by Alan Brewer (Playing For Keeps) and Blaine McManus (Sailboat) with co-Executive Producer Joel Eisenberg (April Showers) from a screenplay by Tony Babinski. The film is currently in pre-production.

Inspired by a true story, The Human Fly tells the tale of Joe, a young sausage maker who bets it all on an alleged Hollywood stuntman who claims that 60% of his body has been remade of steel after a near fatal car crash. With their first stunt – riding the back of DC-8 jet while in flight – the Human Fly quickly becomes one of the fastest-rising celebrities of the late 70‘s, taking Joe, his buddies, and all his money along for the ride of their lives!

The new graphic novel-format comic book will feature the talents of a who’s who of L.A.’s comic book scene as well as a gallery of pin-ups by veteran artists who worked on the original 1977-78 Marvel series.

Cartoonist Michael Aushenker (“El Gato, Crime Mangler,” “Bart Simpson”) will edit the trade paperback anthology, which will include collaborations by Aushenker and his “Gumby’s Gang Starring Pokey” artist, Rafael Navarro (“Sonambulo”); “The Human Fly” screenwriter Babinski and Javier Hernandez (“El Muerto, Aztec Zombie”); and writer/producer Steve Kriozere (creator of Cinemax’s TV series “Femme Fatale”) with artist Jason Baroody (“Combat Jacks”); and “Trailer Park of Terror” creators Christopher March and James Dracoules.

Original “Human Fly” cover artists and inkers contributing pinups will include Bob Layton, Al Milgrom, Don Perlin and Steve Leialoha, as will longtime “Unknown Soldier” and “Incredible Hulk” artist Gerry Talaoc, Steve Butler (“Web of Spider-Man”), John Heebink (“Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), current Marvel alum Nelson Faro DeCastro (“Iron Man,” “X-Men,” “The Thing”), and alternative comics star Jim Rugg (“Afrodisiac”). Layton will provide the cover art.

While the original Marvel series only ran for 19 issues, the Human Fly has grown a cult following over the decades.Babinski, Goldmann, and Brewer plan to sequel-ize the new graphic novel, as well as post original web comics on their official website, http://www.thehumanflymovie.com.

CA – From Screen to Page and Back

Cartoonists Michael Aushenker (Bart Simpson, Gumby’s Gang Starring Pokey), Rhode Montijo (Pablo’s Inferno, Happy Tree Friends), Rafael Navarro (Gumby’s Gang Starring Pokey), and Gumby comics editor Mel Smith will talk about their work and sign comics at the Schulz Museum on Sunday September 2, 2012 at 1:00pm.

Free with museum admission.

Charles M. Schulz Museum
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403

CA – Fantastic 4th Blast Off

Press Release:

Fun for the whole family as Gumby and Captain America appear in person to meet and greet the kiddies while local cartoonists sign their family-friendly comics on Sunday July 3rd from 10am to 6pm! Cartoonists will include Michael Aushenker (“Cartoon Flophouse”) and Rafael Navarro (“Sonambulo”), the co-creators of “Gumby’s Gang Starring Pokey”, Carlos Saldana (“Burrito”), Will Caulfield (“Bat-Bat”), Jose Cabrera (“Crying Macho Man”), “Ghettomation” animator Jim Lujan, Grasiela Rodriguez (“Lunatic Fringe”), and the Agimat team (the comic strip “Shadow Candy,” the video game “Sugar Rush”).

For the more mature and twisted crowd, Richard Carradine and Lisa Strouss, co-founders of GHOULA (Ghost Hunters of Urban Los Angeles), will sign copies of GHOULA Comix #1, which features work by many of the cartoonists in attendance.

Hi De Ho Comics
350 Broadway Street, Laguna Beach, CA 92651-4336

CA – Monsterverse Signing

Kerry Gammill, Chris Moreno, Rafael Navarro, Charlie Largent and more sign on October 29th at 7pm.

Meltdown Comics kicks off celebrating Halloween early with Monsterverse Entertainment and the pre-release of its first issue of its “BELA LUGOSI’S TALES FROM THE GRAVE” horror comic book series! Special contributor guests: Publisher/artist Kerry Gammill! West Coast Editor/writer Sam F. Park. Artists Chris Moreno, Rafael Navarro and Charlie Largent!

Friday, October 29, 2010 · 7:00pm – 10:00pm

Meltdown Comics
7522 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

CA – FCBD: The Comic Bug

THE COMIC BUG AND LOS ANGELES’ BIGGEST COMIC COMPANIES TEAM UP FOR FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 
 
LOS ANGELES, Calif., April 13, 2010 – The Comic Bug is participating in FREE COMIC BOOK DAY on Saturday, May 1st.  In addition to handing out thousands of comic books, this year, the Manhattan Beach store is hosting creators from every major L.A. based publisher.
 
“We’re fortunate to be based in a city that’s overflowing with talented comic book writers and artists,” said store owner Jun Goeku.  “What better time for the creators to introduce potential new readers to the fantastic tales they weave than Free Comic Book Day?”
 
Among the participating creators and publishers are:  BOOM! STUDIOS’ Michael Alan Nelson (Dingo, Hexed, 28 Days Later), ARCHAIA’S Jeff Stokely (Fraggle Rock), TOP COW’S Rob Levin (Broken Trinity, Witchblade, Darkness) and Rahsan Ekedal (The Crazies, The Cleaners, Warhammer 40,000), Ninth Circle’s Rafael Navarro (Sonambulo, The Batman, Marvel Super Hero Squad), Marvel and DC’s Scott Koblish (Marvel Adventures: Iron Man, Final Crisis Legion of Super-Heroes), Bongo’s Phil Ortiz (The Simpsons), and Aspen Comics Vince Hernandez (Dellec, Soulfire, Fathom), David Wohl (Executive Assistant Iris, Witchblade and many more) and Peter Steigerwald (Soulfire, NBC’s Heroes and many more).
 
“Judging by the line-up, we’re looking at a team of individuals who have cut quite a swath through the comics industry,” co-owner/promotions director Mike Wellman stated.  “A world without Witchblade, Fraggle Rock comics and Batman cartoons would be a very sad place indeed.  That said, I’d like to thank them all not only for taking time out of their schedules to meet with fans, but for doing what they do in the first place!  They are today’s myth-makers.” 
 
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY will be held at The Comic Bug on Saturday, May 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  However, many of the artists and writers will be taking shifts throughout the day.  Check The Comic Bug’s website for a particular creator’s schedule. The Comic Bug is located at 1807 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
 
For more information about The Comic Bug, go to www.thecomicbug.com.  For more information on Free Comic Book Day, visit www.freecomicbookday.com .