What Does Comic Mean To Me
From my earliest childhood, comics have been a constant presence. My mother used them to teach me to read, and extraordinary stories by the two publishing giants immediately captured my attention. They taught me a sense of right and wrong, serving as a surrogate family during the difficult times of my youth and adolescence when my mental illness dangerously progressed. Comics were always a vital means of both escape and grounding myself in reality. This motivated me to seek opportunities helping out at local comic stores, hoping to share the knowledge and wonder they had brought me with others.
During my late teens, working through hardships meant separating from people who were detrimental to me, and my focus deepened on comics. I would read constantly, using it as an escape. My curiosity expanded beyond the "Big Two" of my youth with the rise of independent publishers. New universes and creators fueled my imagination, and I became driven to learn everything about creating these products. I began to write, color line art, first in mixed media and later digitally. The turn of the millennium allowed me to meet many creators in person and online, sharing their passion for this art form.
After many attempts to join the industry I had cherished since childhood, I was invited to join TRIBE Studio Comics, initially as a colorist and then a letterer. I soon expanded my role to include writing and design. All the while, I continued reading and accumulating a substantial collection of comics and pop culture items. My goal was to leverage all I had learned to provide a sense of community in comics for others who are, or have been, depressed or lost.
Now, I co-own TRIBE Studio Comics alongside fabulous and good-mannered people I've considered friends for a long time. We continue to create outlandish and nostalgic comics aimed at inspiring the next generation of creators. While I still read comics, I've transitioned mainly to digital due to a lack of physical space in my home. I will always be grateful to so many and look forward to countless days and nights spent reading a good comic, whether it's from new, old, or extinct publishing houses.
