The wheels keep on turning.

Yeah, inking can be tricky. Pick your poison.

How to survive working in retail #9, taking form right in front O´ya.

News about HTSWR.

Here we go. I leave you with a sneek peek of the upcoming issue of HOW TO SURVIVE WORKING IN RETAIL, this time it´s #9. More news coming soon. Cheers!

The whole issue in thumbnail form. Part 1

The whole issue in thumbnail form. Part 2

October update.

I just got back to work after two days off. Man, working sucks! I can spend almost 3 days, locked in my house, just working in my pages and my comic book related projects without any human contact at all. I only see my family when we eat, and then it´s every man for himself. I don´t need to go outside, hell, I don´t like to go out, I just want to stay in my room, drawing, inking, working on my art. That´s all I ask, why can´t it be like that all the time? --oh...yeah, because comics don´t pay shit-- fuck...

Anyway, here´s a peek of what comes out of those labor intensive days. Make sure to look out for it.

Here´s another thing that no one cares about

I keep answering questions that nodoby bother to ask me.

I´m sure this subject has kept all of you awake at night. I know you are all asking yourselves:

There you go, now you can all die in peace. Fucken A!

Did I mention that we are in the app store?

Nope? Then check this out:



And maybe you might want to also take a look at the picture bellow to see how we rank:



I don´t need to say that my brothers and I are exultant with joy. But hey...we are!
Good times. ^_^

NEW YORK COMIC-CON 2011 is here!!

And for the second year in a row so are 3 GUYS MAKING COMICS!
I promised before, and because I´m a man of my word here you have the covers for our brand new book:


Just like last year you´ll be able to grab a copy of our newest issue of HOW TO SURVIVE WORKING IN RETAIL (in this case #7) along with all the previous ones.

Look for our booth and make sure to stop by and say hi to Ronnie and Markell, they are going to be more than pleased to sell and sign the books for you.



Let me remind you that the SKETCH VARIANT will be available ONLY during the show, from then on you´ll get the book with the regular cover.

Enjoy the CON, I´ll see you soon!

Make way for HTSWR #7.

Good news on the horizon. 3 Guys Making Comics are getting ready for the 2011 edition of New York comic-con and to make it a really sweet deal we are releasing the new issue of HOW TO SURVIVE WORKING IN RETAIL, Number 7!

It´s been a while since the book hit the shelves last March but things got really complicated for all of us, and since we have no back up from anyone life outside of comics comes first. But now the book it´s on the final stages of production and we are already working hard on the last issues of this first story arc that will conclude on issue 10.

Currently issue 1 it´s like on its SEVENTH print and like all the other issues it´s available in the states from COAST TO COAST and online on multiple places. We are also revamping the 3GMC website and don´t forget you can also follow us on Facebook. We are pushing hard to keep this baby of ours in the shelves and we really appreciate all the comments and all the fans we´ve been gathering all through this year. All the people have been extremelly kind when they talk about the look of the book and my art.

Thanks a bunch for that, I will continue to improve as I keep drawing, and that is because you are all there. THANKS.


Here´s also a nice pic from the store DEWEY´S in Madison NJ, if you see the book and want to shoot us a pic of the display or of yourself with it we will post it on the website and in FB.

Stay tunned, there are a lot of exciting things comming up in the near future.

Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa.

When I´m working on something I always try to stay on top of my own game. I assume a lot of responsabilities and I never hesítate when I need to point a finger at somebody because they are not doing their job.
This might be a virtue to some and a serious flaw to others. Choose your side, I really don´t care.

Still, in the past, whenever “HOW TO SURVIVE WORKING IN RETAIL” has been forced to suffer some kind of delay it has been always because either Ronnie (writer/creator) and/or myself (artista/editor/co-creator) have been too busy living our life outside of comics.

You know, the one that pays the bills.

Throw into that concoction some work, family, personal tragedies, a relentless weather and what not and you´ll end up with a modest comic book (that turns out to be pretty ambitious BTW!) coming out without a regular Schedule and whenever its authors can pull an issue out of their collective ass.

This is the case for HTSWR #7. It´s been a while since #6 came out, and it seems that its going to take a bit longer before it can see daylight.
But I just want to make sure y´all know, this it´s all because of me. This time around it´s nobody´s fault but mine.

Trying to avoid coming up with silly excuses I just want to paint you a picture of what my life has become.

I´m working two jobs, one of them six days a week from midnight till 8 a.m. The other one just before going to the first one on the weekends. I´m also studying to become an English teacher and between clases and the mid term exams I´m really swimming in shit.

I´m also developing a project for a new graphic novel along a very talented writer from Uruguay that is pending approval. I commited myself in a long term Project for an icomic and I keep doing work for my good friends at Hadron Colliderscope whenever I have the chance.

I also happen to be in the middle of an unforgiving Winter in a house with no central heat. For you to have a beeter idea, when I sit at the drawing table ready to draw, the paper it´s so cold that it freezes my hands.
Now don´t get me wrong. I don´t want anyone to feel sorry for me (I take care of that just fine), I just want people to understand the reasons behind this issue´s lateness.


The book is completely drawn. All the pages are done in pencil and I started with the inking. I do what I can whenever I have the time. That´s the truth, plain and simple.
In the mean time 3 GUYS MAKING COMICS it´s growing up big time, too much for such a small company in fact. The book is getting terrific reviews and praise from pros and readers alike. They see the same potential in it that we saw back in the table of a dinner almost two years ago when all the planning started.

We are working on the digital versión of the book for ipad and android. We are remodeling the website to be completely new and we are also working in an upcoming Graphic Novel collecting all the issues of the series so far. Conventions are coming and going and we try to be present in as many as we can.

We do appreciate your support and pratronage, especially me. I´ve been told time and time again how much you folks like and enjoy the art. Thanks very much for that, really, I mean it. That means the world to me.

Besides, hey, DC and MARVEL are getting late with almost all their books, right?
Look at THE DARK NIGHT, AVENGERS: THE CHILDRENS CRUSADE, BATMAN Inc. BATMAN AND ROBIN, DEADPOOL MAX, BATWOMAN and maybe a few more that I can´t remember right now. They are the BIG ones and can´t keep a Schedule. How can we?
LOL, anyway. I hope to have shed some light in this matter. Not that it is a big problema in the world right now, it´s just that is a big thing for us, because this book is our Little baby. And its all a labor of love.

Our love for comics.

More to come.

How to survive working in retail # 6

Its making its way towards your friendly comic book store. If they don´t have it Just ask for it. Check 3guysmakingcomics.com for more info. GO COMICS!!

HTSWR back on track

I'm happy to tell that the new issue of the series (#6) it's on its way to the shelves. Summer time it's very hard over here, really hot, very difficult to work under such conditions.


Slowly but surely the book it's taking shape and the pages are on their final stages. I've been also doing some more work for the blog and that also keeps me very happy.


You will see all that in the upcoming weeks. I will also keep you posted on the release date of HOW TO SURVIVE WORKING IN RETAIL #6.
More to come.

Short brake on HTSWR--

New York Comic-Con 2010 it's coming

And we are running towards it head on. Look for the guys at our booth and stop to say hi. Since you're there take the chance to pick up all five of our issues.

That's right, FIVE!!

On sept. 22nd Issue 4 it's hitting the stands but while at the con you will be able to pick up a copy with an exclusive sketch cover available NOWHERE else.


And while you're at it, you can also pick up Issue 5, to be released at the con before anywhere else. It will also have an exclusive cover available there.


Both Exclusives are going to be available ONLY at the show and hopefully never again. You better take your chance to grab them while they last. Also, you can get them signed by the guys. I won't be attending because to make it simple, I won't even be in the states for the event.

We'll have more info in the upcoming days along with some images to start to get you salivating for the books.

The people from Hadron Colliderscope will also be around, be sure to check them out too and you might get some of my art over there too.

If you are attending make sure to enjoy the show!
More to come.

The Process behind HTSWR

Here's a little peek at what goes into making an issue of the book.
It all starts with Ronnie's script. Right after I get it I make notes on it about what works and what might need some redoing. I usually shoot it back to Ronnie so he can fix it and then I will get a new draft. Sometimes I just work stuff out as I see fit, making changes that will allow for a better pacing or that will improve the storytelling. Here's an example:



Then I start right away with the breakdowns and the thumbnails. I always like to work this way, it allows me to envision the story as a whole and as the thumbs start piling up I can actually see how the story flows.



Next is the pancil stage, where I take the thumbnail and start making the art on the actual board. Sometimes I re-size the thumbs and light trace them into the board. Here is where I make whatever changes need to be done to get the best out of the art. Many times the changes are very noticeable as I might change entire panels or camera angles.



Finally, the inks come into the picture. I'm the first one to admit that inking is not my strongest suit. Not only I found it redundant with today's technology, I just don't like to do it because it's drawing everything twice. I like to do pretty tight pencils but sometimes I can do some things looser because I'm the same one that is going to ink it. More changes might be made at this stage, and here is where the blacks are laid down.



The last stage comes after scanning the page and tweaking it digitally. Sometimes things are added as in post-production (details, repeating backrgrownds, effects) and then it's straight to Illustrator to do the lettering. After all that has been done, the page is complete and ready for print.



For most of the issues I keep thumbs, pencils and Inks, at some point I will put all of this into a cohesive sketchbook. I'm rounding up issue 5 so hopefully I'm gonna be putting up some pages soon as a preview.

More to come.

HTSWR #4 almost ready

I've been working like a madman to speed up the completion of the new issue. Yesterday I finished the inks and today I scanned everything, the lettering phase it's just around the corner and then off to the press so you can get it.

Since I was so rabid at work this time I didn't save any of the pencils (I know, dumb mistake) but since this was a particularly excruciating experience I was more concerned about finishing it than to save material for the upcomig sketchbook.

Anyway, here I leave you a couple of pages as always for you to take a little glimpse of what is in store for our beloved cast of anti-workers.

I will be back soon with some more material. Until then, have a good life.

"How to survive working in retail #2"

IT´S FINALLY DONE!!!!!!

Right now you can look at it through Flickr, soon it will be available in stores such as Midtown Comics, Jim Hanley´s Universe, Forbidden Planet and more all along NJ and America.


Make sure to ask for it and buy at least two copies to support this independent effort to make comics.


I hope you enjoy it when you read it and rest assured that there is more on the way, as I finish this I´m starting work on issue 3.


Thanks to all the people that shows interest and support us through all this. And specially to the readers for their patience. I really hope you enjoy it, we make it from our hearts ^_^

P.S: Here are some pics of my new studio in transition, it´s called "La cochambre" which roughly translates as "one hell of a mess"



Thanks again, and as usual...
more to come.

HOW TO SURVIVE WORKING IN RETAIL #2 PREVIEW:

And after what to me seemed like a very long time, I’m able and happy to share a few things of this work (still in progress) to you. This is taking a lot longer that we originally expected, first because of Script complications, then because of me moving out of the country, then because of my lack of sense when packing, then because of the heat, and so on, the list keeps going on, but that’s not the point.

The point is; this is a labor of love and even though we put all from ourselves to do it complications will always arise. Hopefully for #3 we will be back on track.

What we have here are a couple of inked but not finished pages and some sketches. Right now the book is half way done, so I hope that this will be enough to wet your appetite. Just talking for myself, I really hope you like what we have so far, it’s gonna be a great issue and I can’t wait to get it done and ready for you to buy it.

Please join us in this, the joy of comics and don’t forget to pest your local comic book store about this very particular book. We’ll see you in the shelves!

More to come ^_^

HTSWR #2 will be out in 2010.

I’m warming up to start what seems to be a very exciting issue. Here’s a first look at Jess and her band ‘Time stands still’, they will make their debut in number 2. Thanks for all the support and for making this such a viable project (an also, my best selling book)



More to come.

HTSWR @ Midtown Comics.

The first issue of the book is back on the shelves. After going to a second printing we are back in stores. We started expanding and now we are available in numerous stores all over NJ, now it’s time to take over the big apple. Special thanks to all the people at Midtown, their support is instrumental in getting the word out. This is hands down the best store I have ever known, my heart goes out to them.

Right now you can enjoy "How to survive working in retail #1" in its entirety through the link to flickr. My team and I are working to get a website running very soon. we plan to have all the issues, contact, sketches and more content available for you. For now though, you can read it all here and become a part of the 3 guys making comics phenomenon.