2019 San Diego Comic-con

I had a blast at this year’s Comic-con. I dressed up as Lando Calrissian and made blue Cloud City Margaritas!

Grasiela Rodriguez
Two Landos for the price of one!
San Diego Comicon
View from the Hilton Bayfront.
Bride of Chucky
These collectible dolls were a hoot! I love the Bride of Chucky and the other Chucky movies.
Annabel & Pennywise
Pennywise and Annabelle collectible dolls.
Jordan Peele's Us
These were my favorite cosplayers this year, they came dressed up as the “Tethered” from Jordan Peele’s “Us”. They were great, I also captured them on my osmo pocket. I’ll have to post the footage from that when I download it.
Jordan Peele's Us
Oh-Oh, they see me!
Jordan Peele's Us
Here they come!
Hotel del Coronado
On the last day of Comicon, we visited the Hotel del Coronado, across the San Diego Bay. The wooden Victorian beach resort is the second-largest wooden structure in the United States (after the Tillamook Air Museum in Tillamook, Oregon) and was designated a California Historical Landmark in 1970 and a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

2019 Wondercon

I had a great time at this year’s Wondercon (as usual).


All ready to enter Artist Alley to check out all of the cool art and everyone’s new books.

The Batmobile, driven by Michael Keaton, the original conceptual illustrations for this design were drafted by Julian Caldow, under direction from Tim Burton and Anton Furst. It’s my personal opinion that the Michael Keaton batman had the best everything!

There is absolutely no denying the impact that Batman has had on pop culture. Bruce Wayne first appeared in Detective Comics #27 on March 30, 1939, which means the actual date of the 80th anniversary falls squarely during WonderCon Anaheim 2019.

A little Game of Thrones cosplay outside on the steps in front of the fountain.

Caught the panel for Jordan Peel’s new Twilight Zone reboot, with some of the producers, composers, and staff, moderated by Ginnifer Goodwin.

Before heading out, I had to have the 24K gold-plated ice cream cone at Snowopolis in Anaheim, CA.

2019 Latino Comics Expo

This was my table for a minute, I borrowed my neighbor’s Lowrider sign so I could step away and see the cool lowrider show outside.
This is the picture I took with David Gonzalez, the creator of the “Homies” collectibles. I got a signed print of his art.
A group shot of all of the artists who participated in this year’s event.
I got some amazing GoPro footage of this event, check it out below.

2019 San Diego Comic Fest

View of Artist Alley from the third floor at the Four Points by Sheraton.
My new mermaid magnetic prints.
Dinner with friends and cartoonists in San Diego.
On my drive home from San Diego, I couldn’t help noticing the famous California “Superbloom” of wild poppies that have sprung up all over our hills and mountains due to the abundant rain that has fallen over the past few months.
I even got out of my car to see our beautiful California poppies up close.

My Trip to “Tales From La Vida” Art Exhibit in Columbus, Ohio

Highlights from my trip to view the “Tales From La Vida” art exhibit last weekend in Columbus, Ohio.

Banners outside the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.
The art exhibit took place on the grounds of the Ohio State University at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. There were beautiful banners hanging outside around campus.
Outside the Museum.
Standing outside, in front of the museum.
The exhibit wall inside the museum.
The first wall on the left, with an intro to the exhibit. It’s a wall version of the book cover art by Jason Gonzalez, it looks fabulous!
Professor Frederick Luis Aldama
Professor Frederick Luis Aldama, the editor of “Tales From La Vida” gave tours of selected artworks, after giving a short presentation which was part of the Community Festival which raised funds for CRIS and ETSS.
Standing in front of my artwork.
There I was! My selfie next to my contribution. I didn’t want to leave, it was amazing to see the works exhibited together.
Some of my works on display.
Some of my other works on display alongside the TFLV Anthology.
Artists Ivan Velez and Juan Argil.
TFLV artists Ivan Velez and Juan Argil showcasing some of their other works.
Artist J.M. Hunter
Artist J.M. Hunter with some of his prints and other works.
The Melt Bar & Gril
After the show, I stopped by the “Melt” bar and grill for one of their famous grilled cheese sandwiches, I had the Macaroni & Cheese Grilled Cheese Sandwich…Can you say AWESOME!
Jeni's Ice Cream Parlor.
Before leaving, I absolutely had to stop by Jeni’s Ice Cream for a scoop of goat cheese & cherry ice cream on their home-made waffle cones with a hint of sea salt. I love Ohio. I can hardly wait to return.

Tales from La Vida Art Show

I wanted to share this walk-through video and art show information of the “Tales from La Vida” art show, currently on display at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. I am super-excited to be a part of it and plan to fly out sometime before March to see it. Click on the image to link to their webpage.

Dates/TimesNovember 3, 2018 – March 31, 2019 (Closed Mondays, during exhibit installations, and holidays. Before your visit, see hours for all closings).LocationRobinson Gallery, Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
Sullivant Hall, 1813 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43210

This exhibition features autobiographical short stories situated within the language, culture, and history that inform Latinx identity and life. The work showcases the huge variety of styles and worldviews of today’s Latinx comics creators, including such legendary artists as Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez, Roberta Gregory, and Kat Fajardo. The exhibition is presented in conjunction with the publication of Tales from la Vida: A Latinx Comics Anthology, edited by Dr. Frederick Luis Aldama and published by the Ohio State University Press.
My contribution to the work, look for me in Chapter 6!
And here is my framed work in the show!

Check out a walk-through of the show, mine is at the 1:36 mark!

Tales from la Vida

Tales from la Vida – A Latinx Comics Anthology Edited by Frederick Luis Aldama

I am super excited to have contributed art & story to this anthology. In the Latinx comics community, there is much to celebrate today, with more Latinx comic book artists than ever before. The story worlds of these artists reach and transform visual and storytelling genres. Tales from la Vida celebrates this space by bringing together more than eighty contributions by extraordinary Latinx creators. Their short visual-verbal narratives spring from autobiographical experience as situated within the language, culture, and history that inform Latinx identity and life. Tales from la Vida showcases the huge variety of styles and worldviews of today’s Latinx comic book and visual creators.

Frederick Luis Aldama is the author, coauthor, and editor of over thirty books, including recently Long Stories Cut Short: Fictions from the Borderlands and Latinx Superheroes in Mainstream Comics. He is Arts & Humanities Distinguished Professor, University Distinguished Scholar, and Director of the award-winning LASER (Latinx Space for Enrichment & Research) at The Ohio State University.

My compliments to Jason Gonzalez (La Mano del Destino) for the incredible cover art. Check out his work here: www.CastleAndKeyPublications.com

Look for me in Chapter Six!

Order your copy here:

Ohio State University Press

2018 San Diego Comic Con

I had a great time exhibiting at this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego.

My table partner this year was Cartoon Flophouse’s Michael Aushenker. We are kind of goofing off in this picture.

With our visitor, Frederick Luis Aldama who is a Professor of English and Distinguished Scholar at The Ohio State University. He teaches courses on Latinx & Latin American culture including literature, film, TV, music, sports, video games, and comic books. He is the author and editor of thirty-four books, including the Eisner Award-winning “Latinx Superheroes in Mainstream Comics.” Of course, this photo was taken approximately 8 or so hours before winning his Eisner Award at the 2018 Comic-Con! Congratulations Profe, we are so proud of you!

The Korean ice cream that I picked up at SomiSomi, San Diego. It’s black sesame & taro swirl with happy toppings. The waffle cone is shaped like a goldfish!

Wakanda Forever! These costumes were awesome.

The Grady twins were one of my favorite costumes.

Just for fun, the Tightrope Girl from Disney’s Haunted Mansion.

Black Heroes Matter, the Pink Panther!

The highlight of the convention for me was meeting Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer. (Eric Singer though!)

Before leaving San Diego, I had to stop at the Boba Bar for a fruit “puffle” made with a delicious waffle, pineapple ice cream, fresh fruit and drizzled with honey. The perfect ending to the perfect day.

Attack of the Comic Books at Sorensen Library

Over the weekend I attended Sorensen Library’s “Attack of the Comic Books” event for Free Comic Book Day. I was tasked with participating in a “Diversity” community chalk project with the kids. We chalked on paper and it got kind of messy!

I started the project by introducing the color wheel and color theory concepts to the kids.

Then I invited them up to help chalk a “diverse” superhero universe while enjoying the nice air-conditioned room.

At the end of the color theory lesson, we took the project outside and finished it up.

This is a timelapse that I took with my new Hero GoPro camera.