An update on the comic...

A few people have asked me recently, " How's the comic going?" And my usual answer is, " okay. Going slow though." Which, I guess, is true. 

For those not in the know ( and if ya Don't know now you know) in short I'm writing/drawing / eventually self-publishing my own comic. Eventually I might turn it into a whole graphic novel but I want to see how this first comic does. And the process on how to do it. 

 This project started last year in fall semester at DVC. I learned about a comic book contest given by the school through my English class. My comic was about My Uncle. There were around 100 entries. I was one of 12 winners. I won some art supplies and went to an award ceremony. It was hella cool to say the least. And while my artistic ability is lacking ( i hope to improve on this) they liked the story and the way it was written. 

The subject matter is serious and, at times, heartbreaking (it's not easy to write) but his story is one that people to relate to. Everyone, at some point, has seen someone they love in pain.

Because of the award and the encouragement ( both from the teachers who've read it and my famiy at home) I kept writing . Kept drawing. 

Progress , with work & school, has been slow but now in summer I start what I feel is the last section (chapter?) before I attempt to self publish.

Formatting and self publishing is something I don't really know ANYTHING about so it might take some time. 

I'm using a medium which I've loved my whole life, yet never thought I'd be creating something in. But more than that it simply feels good to be writing again.

When I do publish. I will let you know. Bring money. Haha. 

Thank you for reading. Thank you for your support.

Tommy

Time to get some work done

Working on the comic...

What's better than comics ? HOW'S ABOUT FREE COMICS !!

What's better than comics? HOW'S ABOUT FREE COMICS !!

While getting my award they had stacks of free comics and I was told I could take whatever I wanted. I picked up a few things I'd never heard of/never read. I was happy with my picks.

- Stumptown: I had no idea what it was about . This was the fourth issue of what looked to be a good detective story, I'd be interested in checking out the other issues. Artwork was fantastic .This story is set in Portland and features characters from the writers other works.

The Sixth Gun: like Stumptown, I went into reading The Sixth Gun not knowing anything and read a good issue # 1 . A supernatural western that was real interesting. I, no doubt, want to read more.

Two great reads Oni Press !!

Got one other thing ...

I remember the show Tales From The Crypt from when it was on HBO way back in the day , I think in the 1980s. I never read the comic before and I was looking forward to checking out the old stories.

Tommy Valdespino... Award winning Writer !!!

Been waiting for a LONG time to write this : TOMMY VALDESPINO , award winning writer!!

The James O'Keefe Prize for Graphic Literature was a contest open to any student at DVC. The objective was to create a comic ( could be one page, could be several - up to you) about anything . ANYTHING. I found out about this in my English class ( The graphic novel as literature. Awesome class) and wrote & drew a personal comic about my Uncle Bobby.
There were over 100 entries . Ya boy was one of 12 winners.
I won " The Newcomer" award and went to an award ceremony ( Mel went too ). They called my name and people clapped.
There was no cash prize but I did get some art supplies. And my comic was published online.
You can read it ... Here :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94493972@N08/sets/72157633106908328/

( This is just a bit of what i now have... a #TOMexclusive if you will...)

More than anything else when my comic was mentioned they talked about how well it was written. The fact that they enjoyed something I wrote.. And that it was even CONSIDERED to win anything, let alone that IT ACTUALLY DID win something... . THAT, more than anything else, was the best part of what I took from this months long experience.

When, not if, I get this published & into stores... I'll let you know...

Thank you for reading and your support.
Tommy