Palookapress

Update

2009-09-30T21:21:00.000-07:00

Well a lot has happen since the last posting. A ton of personal struggle way to many to mention and I don't want this blog to be filled of doom and gloom. If you want that, FOX news and lots of other networks can help you in that department. First thing would be, the second book of Luchadores in Space is three pages from being completed. Also I entered a contest recently, an American idol type scenario. The difference being I am doing comic strips not singing lol Without going into much detail I moved onto the 2nd round from 5000 entries its down to 250. Next elimination takes place around Oct 12th which will narrow down to 50. Keeping fingers crossed, but really it is a blast to make it to 250 and I pumped this out in two days!!!!! I was not going to enter for several reasons, but my wife gave me the look and talk, so I pushed on. Now the latest I am going to do my first 24 hour comic day this Sat Oct 3rd. So meaning I will start 10 am that morning and push to 10 am next morning. Hopefully having completed a 24 page comic book. The twist for me is, I am having several friends through Face book myspace etc send in ideas. Although I am not going to see any of these ideas until the morning of the event. All ideas will be put in a hat and I will pull from it. The idea chosen will be what I create a 24 page comic about. Tons have been coming in from comic people and people that might have never read a comic but just want to take part. These can be vague in fact the more vague even better. i.e. Space cowboy and a talking plant. My buddy Dan Burke will podcasting live on talkshoe.com on his show the comics cafe. I will be on there for sure and he has been sending ideas according to my wife that are just awesome:). If anyone does follow this blog and wants to get into the fun, send them to Damian70@comcast.net

Good Day

2009-08-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a while so why not give an update. Well first and foremost the health is not 100%. I am working on that and hoping for the best. Taking that out of the mix. Past days have been great. I have been at home with my daughter a lot and it's been fun. She really grounds me, she makes me stay true and keeps me a good person. Funny thing is that little girl has no idea she is doing this. I love her so much and wish to give her the stars and the moon. My comic is going well. I am on page 8 coloring so we are getting there, it's though taking a full color book on, but will get there. Today though thanks to my friend Richard Dominguez I found out that his comic page which Includes Latino Super heros will be included on the " War of the Independence " graphic novel. Which means the " Luchadores in Space " will be there as well. This is crazy insane!!! To think this group of five guys are not even a year old and our now going to rub elbows with guys that have been around for 20 years. This is an awesome day :)

Update

2009-07-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

Well just noticed it's been a while ...whew time flies.....well book#2 is finished ( well pencil and inks lol still have to color) Looks like I will take a shot at this Oni Press talent search. Mainly for the practice. The story line is something I would not normally try so will see how it will comes out. Job wise I am miserable I hate it, Yes I know the famous " at least you got a job " UGHHHH!! that line is so old it's got mold on it. Just hope something else comes to shine. Oh comic gods in the sky please show me the way. Sorry to sound to negative. I do have a lot of projects I want to get at. The Luchadores first story arc will be good for at least 4 to 5 more books. Also have a Neo Tokyo story I want to do, a kinda of Ghost busters meets Dexter. Still have " Gutter Skipping all in my head that story writes it self. Thinking of changing the name to " Daddy-o's not sure though. Also still want to do an all Black and white Manga book I had in my head. Lastly Teetesy UGGGGHHHH my buddy I have not forgotten you. In fact thinking of doing a four page bonus story in the back of Luchadores #2 not sure yet maybe it's own ash can. That's a good catch up for now

Captain Cure

2009-05-02T22:00:00.000-07:00

Free comic book was great. Thanks to Adam and Andy again for making it that way (if they could only ask Storm from the X-men to do something about the weather lol) Nice seeing the comic people again as always. I did meet this very awesome individual today named Ty. He created a character and story called Captain Cure. A quick run down of the story a child is stricken with cancer and while being exposed to the Chemo he gains super powers. He then begins his battle with the evil dreaded Cancer and his goons sick and tired. I was very fortunate to meet Ty today. Unlike a few of the people I have come across in this industry that are more concerned about their ego and who is stroking them. Ty could not be further from this. You see Ty was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2007. Rather than just roll over he put this book together and is out to help any way he can. He in my eyes is a true hero and hope that everyone gets to someday meet Ty. I feel that much more richer in life for crossing paths with him today. See soon Amigo.

OLYMPIA COMIC FEST

2009-04-26T10:07:00.000-07:00

Looks like I am headed to the Olympia Comic fest in June. Don't know what to expect, but will hope for the best. It will only be for one day so the drive up alone will be nice. I have heard of a big comic community up there so hope to make some new friends. Mean time I am back to work on the 2nd issue :) . I did not think I would get back to it so quick. The love and high I got from the Stump Town show was so immense that how could I not. The story is writing itself and I think I might have the whole second issue all roughed out. If so then Page 1 will begin tomorrow :) .

POST STUMP TOWN COMIC FEST 2009

2009-04-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

Well the show has come and gone. Even today being Monday and the start of the week. I have a feeling of complete joy :). Currently I am doing the dance of joy naked.... Yes not a pretty sight but I can not help myself still in glee. I met so so so many cool, supportive and awesome people to many to mention. The staff was AWESOME!!!!!!!! from bringing the waters around to the slightest issue they took care of. Cosmic Monkey again AWESOME!!!!! Even though I was stuffed, how can you pass up the vast amount of various peanut butter sandwich's and doughnuts:). Andy and Adam make Stump Town that much more special !!!!! Shannon those trophies will be talked about for ever ( just wish I had the cop one lol) Way to many memories made and I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. See ya next year, which means I better get cracking :)

Fan Art

2009-04-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

In the mail yesterday I received my first fan art. I was super impressed, not to mention really humbled. The art was really good. The thought that someone found enjoyment in what you did enough to take their time and draw you something. This is was an amazing feeling, and might be what fuels people like me to not give up and continue forward. The word Fan though for some reason I have always had a problem with. Think I might just call them Amigo's since I consider them friends. So might just call that section of the book Amigo Art :)....

Stump Town Comic Fest

2009-04-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

The show is getting closer. This weekend to be exact, I could not be more anxious. I really do not know what to expect. Who will be there, how is my book going to be received? Saying I am not nervous would be lying. I think after getting this first show done and under my belt future shows wont be as nerve racking. We will just have to see, but my mind sure is going 100 mph. None of it bad just excitement, wanting to meet new people. Seeing new people get enjoyment from my book as I sit down and plot book #2.

Gorgeous Day!!!!!

2009-04-06T12:24:00.000-07:00

Today the weather was almost perfect ( a slight cool breeze and that would have been it) Went on a long walk with my daughter. She was in very good spirits and really well behaved at the market. Which was amazing considering all the distractions in ref to Easter all around. The whole way I was able to reflect on things that have happen and things that might. Gotta say given all the gloom and doom going on I am doing pretty well. Looking back on 08 and seeing what I have done with 09 man a lot has happen. I am happy :) !!! Don't get me wrong things are not perfect and might never be. Still work for the Stalin iron fist corp America. I so SO SO SO SO HATE THAT PLACE!!!! Right now I just want to focus on what it does on the positive. It pays the mortgage, allows my daughter a nice back yard to play in, and funded my book to be printed. All things considered I am content. Continue to surround myself with positive people and weed out the negative ones. Oh yes and on the Twitter thing LOL. Boy my mind works in evil ways sometimes lol. I plan to start leaving the most obscure non-making sense entries. One to see if anyone notices and two I want to see if they band me from Twitter :). So those who even read this will have a heads up lol.

Better spirits

2009-04-05T12:33:00.000-07:00

Well things seem to be turning for the better. This is similar to when I have been out of work in the past. When you want a call back for a job no one is calling. Then all of a sudden you got an interview for the job and land the job. Then more employers are wanting you WTF!!!!! Before then no one was calling, it's like they are all in this lol. Did they all get together and say okay now lets call this guy who has been waiting. I had not heard about my book for a while, and began to really get in the dumps about it. Then just yesterday I heard from my good friend Steve who said he just got the book and thought it was amazing!!! He is going to do a video review of it. I can hardley wait Steve knows his stuff and has been in print before so it's an honor. Also got an e-mail back from Eddie Ching lives. I value his points and views and he could not say enough good about it. This has given me a HUGE boost. Friends and family I think will always say something you did is good. God bless them for it a lot of times it is all you have. Although you have to know their is vested interest, and no one is to blame for that. I mean that is just love who can be faulted for that. Now to get the awesome feed back from people that are as one with the medium and the industry. That is the icing on the cake and no matter what happens with the book. I do not think I guy could ask for much more. " That will do pig....that will do..."

To Tweet or not to Tweet that is the Question

2009-03-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Well the task of getting the word out continues. Does it ever really end???? Probably not, so I am making a point to keep this blog active as possible. I just activated a twitter account and I still can't get my head around it. Keeping people posted about events, trip, etc. I can see. Slowly though I am finding that through a sea of so called " Tweets " I rarely find anything of worth. Talking about how you want to gain followers to increase some sort of self worth is, well........pathetic!!!!!! Also sorry but nobody really cares that you took a pooh and that you had to use other means than toilet paper to wipe. Maybe I am flowing the wrong people. Though Face book is not much different. I mean I can't count how many times I am being poked by something or being invited to a jolly good game of ham tossing. Does anybody just e-mail anymore???????

Stumptown comicfest

2009-03-28T21:43:00.000-07:00

Well the show is getting closer. Looking at the forums you would think I was the only one excited about the show. I guess it makes sense since this will be my first show as an exhibitor. I have no idea what to expect. Everyone that has seen the book love it and can't say enough good about it. Still not a true test I think, since these are all friends/co-workers. I am not discounting their praise, in fact no matter what this is all a humbling experience. Watching them smile and laugh at different times while they read. Very amazing to say the least. I just hope that I don't let you guys down. I hope to be more active on here, and I can't believe it but I might even start using twitter ugggghhh.

Promoting

2009-03-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well this was the part not explained in the book making process. Getting the word out, much less getting anyone to look at your work is tougher than I thought. Granted I have not been to my first show as an exhibitor yet, so I hope that will clear some of the clouds. This is not a sign of packing it in NO SIR!!!!! I am in it for the long haul. There are way to many stories and to many characters that still have yet to be shown. This is just all new and unfamiliar waters, but we march on. Some friends in this industry like Javier Hernandez and Richard Dominguez have been great mentors. These guys have been at it a long time and I am sure I could here them saying in the back ground "Si se puede" . So I will, and as long as my health allows me I will continue to try and make people laugh.

About Me

2009-03-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

I've been artistic all my life. It's never anything that I learned in a class. I just liked to draw & was good at it. Up until my later teens, I chalked it up to a hobby. You know, no different than my friends who liked to play sports, skateboard, ski or act. I liked to draw.... As I got closer to becoming an adult, I realized that it really was more than a "hobby". It was quickly becoming my passion...something in me...a part of who I was, not just a pass time. Unfortunately, I ignored that direction & followed something a little more expected of me. I joined the military and spent 4 years in the United States Navy, serving in Desert Storm. I also spent time in other places, spreading peace....ya right. I hate war! Not because I serviced in them, resulting in time loss with my family, but because I just don't believe in it. Beyond that, I don't and will not discuss it.

Once I finished my term in the Navy, I went to school to study in graphic design. Now mind you, this was the very early 90's & graphic design was all that was really seriously offered in school. So I went for it! Even though it wasn't my interest....time passed and I graduated. I landed a job in graphic design, married, quit my job & moved to Washington state in less than 2 years. Once in Washington state, I started working corporate jobs..nothing that had to do with graphic design. It took little or no time for me to get lost in the ties and latte's. I put down my pencil, and wouldn't pick it up again for 8 years. In 2005, I divorced and found myself kinda just standing still in time...wondering what I was gonna do now? I had this moment, where I realized, "I'm on my own". There is no one to tell me that my desire to draw & be somebody was "cute, but a "waste of time"as a responsible man. I could actually do what I wanted...I could prioritize how ever I'd like. If I wanted to draw and not work for food or home, then so be it! I was so scared...but in a good way. I had been out of the loop for so long. I had no idea how far the industry had advanced. I mean, I remained a friend of the graphic novels & comic art. I kept tabs on the careers of my heroes, old and new. Heroes like, Robert Crumb, Jim Lee, Jack Kirby & Jim Mahfood (to name a few). But if asked what my plans were to make myself successfully known like these guys...I had no answer. My only plan was to dust off the art supplies, buy a WACOM, a new art table, an easle, some pens, pencils, erasers, paper & computer with a scanner and work at reconnecting with an old friend...myself.