The Raven Mocker

The Tonal of my mind Vs the Nagual of my heart...

2010-03-18T04:01:00.000-07:00

Ive been away from this blog for quite sometime, but now I have decided to return to it, to get the cricks our of my writing and to vent, which is what I usually will use it for...so lets get right into it as I discuss whatever is on my mind...in this case...envy and jealousy in the El Paso artistic community...

Others would love nothing more than your failure, others would sell their very souls to damn you and curse you with some sort of karmatic retribution, but there is no such thing, there is nothing other than what you decide and what you choose...

They sit in their little web of deceit and polish their shiny armor of diseased ideas, when the green tarnish that is their own jealousy will never, ever be rubbed out...

They are little men of little thought and fragile vision who would quickly bring their wrath down upon those who would question their humility and borrowed ideas. Christ like they are not, martyrs they can only hope to become in the eyes of those who have fallen for their charismatic chicanery.

Why am I writing about this you may ask, because we all have come across these petty tyrants, the ones with the Napoleonic complex, although they try to hide it as best as they can in others inadequacies, I'm not saying I'm a saint, but dammit, I am what I am, and I can be bad at times...but to blame one's inferiorities on others strengths and believe this to be truth, well then...who is the real asshole there?

Your withered beliefs that what you do is just and true is what condemns your attempts at the fantastic to failure, what attracts those with mediocrity running through their veins to join your caustic cause, you may trace your lineage to the upper echelon of greatness, and yet, your own disastrous meagerness is what you stare at in the mirror each morning, when the noose would be a welcome and admirable alternative to the irrefutable shortcomings you possess!

Why this, why now you may ask? Because I sometimes find all of these items present in my own life, in my personality, in the mirror when I dare look into it, but at least I realize that where I’m going, I may need these traits to survive, when others would prefer to hide them under the veil of self important decency.

A spiritual misgiving that by preaching the word with the lights on and not knowing the darkness, that one’s own dark tendencies will not be revealed. Do not reject that which you are, just like a coin, there are two sides to everyone and in knowing so, one can better accept who they are and live a better life.

The Tonal and the Nagual, the light and the dark, what rests on top of the table and what lies below?

Auld Lang Syne

2007-12-31T13:48:00.000-08:00

Auld Lang Syne

What does it mean, where does it come from? Hell, Wikipedia it like I did and figure it out, but I know what it means to me.

Plainly it means that for the sake of our long friendship(s) we should join hands here and now, as the old year dies and share a drink together in the spirit of good will. To expand on that meaning, Auld Lang Syne means that we should not forget our old friends and celebrate reunion with them.

Look forward to the New Year, be prepared for whatever it may bring and of course, never fail to remember those that fill our lives with happiness and joy and those that have come and gone and are no longer with us.

Forget petty differences, forgive transgressions, and forego slights of the past. Resolve that this year will be better than the past, and that as we continue to walk the path of understanding and compassion, that we will ALL try to get along and make the most of what we have!

SO for Auld Lang Syne, I raise a glass (Guiness in this case) and drink to all of you, past, present, and future friends...for I have a long memory...and I will never forget!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Norman Rockwell Sings the X-Mas Blues...

2007-12-18T14:14:00.000-08:00

I have this strange obsession, first off, I can’t stand X-mas, but not for the reason you would think, the commercialization of X-mas...When actuality it's Christmas, but that is an entirely different story…I’m talking about my strange obsession with Christmas music, it’s this weird occurrence that happens at this time every year, where the local easy listening radio station decides that it would be a good idea to play holiday music nonstop from the day after Thanksgiving aka: Black Friday, all the way up until the year dies a slow painful death, January 1st.

I dunno when or why it started, but I love Christmas music, it’s the only thing that I really dig during these lean cold months when the world drifts off to sleep and prepares itself for the long and torturous months of January until March…long periods of nothing but recovering from holiday trauma, breaking all the New Year resolutions and harboring resentment for the groundhog that may or may not drop dead of sheer terror if it sees it’s own shadow…but I digress, Christmas music captures the essence of Christmas, what it really means, the holiday is played out, it has been obliterated to the point where if we say Merry Christmas to anyone, it’s more like an insult than a well wish. I mean don’t get me wrong, there are some terrible Christmas songs that I have come across, like the horrid and emotional terrorism song “Christmas Shoes” good God, who ever came up with this tragic ballad really wanted to reach into your chest and pull out your heart and eat it like a baby Jesus cookie! (For those of you not in the know, the “shoes” in question are being bought by a little boy who wants them for his dying mother so that she can look good for Jesus when she goes to meet him later that night) However, there are old standbys that really make Christmas music the addiction that I feed every year. Jazz classics, Nat King Cole’s rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” tops my list of must have Christmas music, and of course, the one album that I’ve had since I was 5 years old and realized how painful X-mas can be and how beautiful as well, A Carpenter’s Christmas or Christmas Portrait. I believe that I have been in love with Karen Carpenter since then and this album shows you exactly how emotionally scarred your memories of Christmas are.

Of course there’s Sinatra, Dino, Burl Ives, and my personal bizarre fave, David Bowie and Bing Crosby singing the Little Drummer Boy, the video is even weirder. Through and through, Christmas music makes it all tolerable and I’m able to cope with the horrors that come with the empty promises that Christmas reinforces, Peace on Earth and Good Will towards your fellow man. Something that shouldn’t be reserved for the end of the year, but should exist all throughout the year, constantly and without want for reward or corroboration of how humble you may appear to be.

So suck on that for awhile, the fact that we are all failing in the Christmas spirit department and only Christmas music can remind us of where we should be and how we should get there…so stay away from the “Christmas Shoes”, and pop in that version of “Frosty the Snowman” by Jimmy Durante, listen to some jazz as the snow falls, cuddle up to the one you love, and go to sleep early because I’m meeting you at the Rescue Mission tomorrow so we can help those that really need to be reminded that there is such a thing as the spirit of giving. As you drive to and from your destination tomorrow, remember that you can do something for your fellow man, not just on Christmas, but everyday. No amount of talking can replace action.

And all of this came from listening to Christmas music…crazy huh?

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY..THE AFTERMATH!!!

2007-05-11T17:42:00.000-07:00

Adventure…Excitement…all these things were experienced at FCBD and it rocked!!!!

I wanna thank my brothers in arms, the 656ers (O.Lee, Panch, Marcos, Allesandro and Rex) and my primo Daniel Campos and my clone Juan Muro for drawing, mingling, and helping this rockstar sell out of EL VALIENTE #1!!!

That’s right ladies and germs, EL VALIENTE #1 ahs sold out! More issues are on the way for those of you interested, but in the mean time, check out all the mayhem that was the best FREE COMIC BOOK DAY to date!!!

Here are some of the images we took with more to come!!!

See Ya Next Year!!!

The Rockstar demands Evian and offerings of Suicide Girls!

Allesandro & the mighty Panch give the camera some love!

Marcos, Pancho, Rex, Campos, and Muro hard at work drawing up them sketches!

Resident Underground artist Rex! Emo-Cholo, he'll shiv you and feel bad about it!

Together again for the first time! Campos, Rebel's owner Mike, and yours truly

656ers in the Hiz-ouse! Pancho, Mike, Olee, and Pinche Rex!

Mike and the Legend himself Juan Muro!

Thanx to Allesandro, the only one bright enough to remember his camera!

mingling with the fans....

Olee works his pencilling magic.

Pancho shows off his exploding hands technique.

Marcos captures the moment

Hard at work, or hardly working?

Olee demands the paparazzi begone!

If there was ever a crew to take down the mainstream...THIS IS IT!!!

EL VALIENTE #1, ZOMG!, and P4P Saturday May 5th Free Comic Book Day!!!

2007-05-01T19:07:00.000-07:00

MASKED LUCHADOR “EL VALIENTE” SAVES HOMETOWN FROM PROFESSOR TERROR IN NEW COMIC BOOK SERIES DEBUTING THIS MAY!!!

EL VALIENTE makes his comicsdebut in EL VALIENTE #1, a story of action, adventure and full blown fun.

Project 4 Publishing and Adversary Comix is proud to announce the premiere of El Paso’s own original hometown hero, EL VALIENTE! The first book of the series, introduces readers to the Masked Monster slayer known as EL VALIENTE, a larger than life hero who crosses the globe and beyond, defending humanity from the threat of evil in the form of, werewolves, mummies, Nazis, ninjas, robots and even Dracula!

Ray Ramos, the creator and writer of the series is an El Paso native and hopes that the series already written well into issue 4 will be a hit and a blessing to El Paso. “I have seen other heroes referred to as “hometown heroes” but how many of them could actually go toe to toe with Superman if given the chance?”

”There are a ton of stories and legends that surround the Juarez/El Paso area, and I want to showcase the mythology of El Paso. Don’t be surprised to see EL VALIENTE take on La Llorona or the San Elizario Man Dog, or the coven of vampires that live in the caves below the Franklin Mountain Star!”

The premise of the first issue involves two tales for the price of one. First EL VALIENTE takes on his arch enemy PROFESSOR TERROR miles above the earth and his hordes of Galactic Ninjas, and also a Robot Mummy. In the second tale of the first issue, VALIENTE fights Dracula and his legion of monster cohorts. Also featured is a gallery of pin ups contributed by local legendary artists.

"I'm thrilled to be bringing El VALIENTE to the public," said Ray Ramos, "This genre of action-adventure which has been labeled “Mex-Ploitation” is something that I have been a fan of for years, ever since my childhood when I would watch legends like El Santo and Blue Demon fight off monsters in their campy but classic movies!”

EL VALIENTE #1 will arrive at comic book stores in El Paso in May, 2007. It will be distributed locally at first with hopes of finding national distribution soon.

“At the moment I’m talking to some distributors and a few people have seen the book and the reviews for it speak of EL VALIENTE really well, they call it a mix of everything that is great in comics. I have a MySpace dedicated to EL VALIENTE and also the Project 4 Publishing website showcases the book and my good friends that publish comics in Juarez, 656 Comics have lent a hand in the creation of the book.” Ramos adds, “There has even been some talk with some Major toy companies and they are interested in making an EL VALIENTE toy!”

As the debut for the comic book charges forward on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY slated for May 5th 2007, Project 4 Publishing has much in store for the masked luchador which publishes local independent books.

The best and most up-to-date information will always be available at http://www.myspace.com/valiant_1

and here's the newspaper article!!!

http://www.elpasotimes.com/living/ci_5805145

ZOMG! is an experimental comic with the main goal of uniting all the great local talent that El Paso and Juarez has to offer. The underlying goal is to promote the truth of comics, that comics are a way for one to express themselves in a medium that lends itself to total expression if done right.

The term ZOMG! means nothing, but means everything at the same time, like the proverbial double sided coin. ZOMG! was published specifically to see what the best of El Paso and Juarez can offer and to show the up and comers and next generation to the comic scene in El Paso, the shoes they have to fill. ZOMG!

The stories featured in ZOMG! are by Juan Muro (Grips, Tiger X, Fusion X), Daniel Campos (Renegades, KISS4K), 656 Comics (Meksmen, Infestacion, Las Chicas Clave), Ray Ramos (The Dark Vigil, DUSK), Roberto Muro (Grips) and Ruben Dario(Las Chicas Clave).

ZOMG! will be exclusively available on Free Comic Book Day at Rebels Comics which is located at 10781 Pebble Hills Suite B, in El Paso, TX from 12 noon to 6 p.m. There will be free giveaways of comics, sketches, and ice cream, a HeroClix tournament, music, fun and mayhem!!!

for more info about ZOMG!, send your questions to zomgthecomic@gmail.com

Project IV Publishing will be available for the festivities also on Free Comic Book Day on the West side, and the Northeast of El Paso! Justin Carmona, and Sirac, the writer/artist team responsible for Hired Gun will be at All Star Comics located at 4406 Dyer St, El Paso, TX, along with artist Rudy Vasquez.

On the West side, at the Time Capsule located at 6501 N Mesa St Ste D, El Paso, TX Hugo Cantu, creator of the upcoming Draum sci-fi comic book will be on hand. Also, artist Joey Lee Cabral and artist James McVann will be handing out free sketches!

They will be handing out free copies of the Project 4 Publishing Preview Book, featuring previews of what P4P has to offer including DRAUM and EL VALIENTE!!!

Pass by the above mentioned shops and pick up a copy!!!

For more info visit the Project 4 website: www.project4publishing.com

Hope to see you all out and about on MAY 5th for one of the best FREE COMIC BOOK DAY ever!!!

EL VALIENTE...EL GATO NEGRO...WAR!!!

2007-01-26T17:36:00.000-08:00

I'M BACK BABY!!!

It's been a rocky couple of months, sad to see people go, and new people excitingly arrive as the new year begins! What a great way to start the year with some worthwhile and exciting news in the world of EL VALIENTE!!!

I've been talking to Richard Dominguez for a few months and a couple of weeks ago, he posted on his MySpace blog: EL GATO NEGRO
that EL GATO NEGRO would be involved in the mega Indie crossover event of 2008 known as WAR OF THE INDEPENDENTS written by Dave Ryan and published by RED ANVIL COMICS & ARCANA.

I was happy for him seeing as how EL GATO is one of the Hispanic heroes who inspired EL VALIENTE. The Deadline to submit for the crossover, since it was open to any and all Indie publishers and creators was January 1st. So I had no idea that I could have submitted EL VALIENTE to participate in the war, most of these Indie characters are going to have cameos and a few iconic Indie characters such as ERIK LARSEN's SAVAGE DRAGON, JIM VALENTINO's SHADOWHAWK, BILLY TUCCI's SHI, MIKE ALLRED's MADMAN, JOE LISNER's CRY FOR DAWN and other more established characters would have more of a spotlight in the crossover.

To my surprise Richard contacted me and asked if El VALIENTE would like to be involved in the war effort alongside...EL GATO NEGRO!!!

I was ecstatic and quickly agreed to enlist “the Big V Man”. So later this year; the team-up you knew had to happen is going down. Richard will be writing EL GATO NEGRO/EL VALIENTE in a pivotal chapter of WAR OF THE INDEPENDENTS. The story is still in its initial stages but will feature THE NOCTURNAL WARRIOR & THE MASKED MONSTER SLAYER battling demonic forces in Mexico and it will lead into the crossover WAR OF THE INDEPENDENTS in 2008!!!

For more info on the WAR, visit Dave’s ComicSpace at: RED ANVIL COMICS

More news on the GATO/VALIENTE crossover as it develops and the war begins!

ARRIBA LOS TECNICOS!!!

5 PAGE PREVIEW OF EL VALIENTE #1!!!

2006-10-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

The long awaited release of the cult hit EL VALIENTE is coming soon...

In the meantime, here is a 5 page preview of what's in store for our favorite masked luchador...

ARRIBA LOS TECNICOS!!!

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE!!!

Also check out these fantastic books by Valiente's friends
656 COMICS!!!

LOS MEKSMEN by 656 Comics

INFESTACION by 656 Comics

CRONICAS DE KARMESI

2006-09-15T22:36:00.000-07:00

I am proud to announce my involvement in the upcoming anthology “CRONICAS DE KARMESI” by my brothers in arms, the 656ers over at

656 Comics

!

Cronicas de Karmesi will be different short stories set in the real world about a man who has seen too much and decides to take the law into his own hands. The main character, KARMESI is this man. Armed with only two guns and his knowledge of the criminal mind, KARMESI will explore real world occurrences that are based on true stories.

The art chores are being handled by different artists, and the young fellow I’m working with is Gustavo Cosio aka: Monkey-Cosio. His art is gorgeous and lends itself well to the story I’m telling, but please judge for yourself and stop by his Deviant art site just click here --->

Monkey-Cosio

A sample of his work is up at the top of this entry, I am honored to be working with such awesome talent!

If you’re a fan of SIN CITY, 100 BULLETS, and crime noir stories, this will be a book worth picking up. I’ll keep you posted as details become available.

And just in case you're curious as to what KARMESI means, it's a deep shade of red, a crimson...like blood...

Mediocrity & The Deep Green Sea

2006-08-16T14:41:00.000-07:00

J. W. Waterhouse "NYMPHS FINDING THE HEAD OF ORPHEUS" -1900

I’ve been in that mood lately, going over my life’s accomplishments, my life goals, and figuring shit out. Interesting how much things have changed in the few years since I last had an epiphany of sorts if it may be called that. Also thinking on how much I’ve matured and yet remain the same. Some would say I haven’t matured at all, and that makes me think about these past acquaintances that would say that and where they are now, and how they are still trying to delude themselves into thinking that living in complacency and producing mediocrity is proof that their soul is not dead and that they can still compete with the risk takers, with those of us that have decided to grab life by the balls and fuck it all to shit!

Don’t get me wrong, I have always aligned myself with those that can produce unequaled pieces of creativity, but those that can stand by their convictions and continue even after things start taking turns for the worst, well those are the ones that I consider true friends, and not past acquaintances, and I would stand with them now if they merely asked. Times are tough now though, the world is a shit-hole and everyone in it is out for themselves. At times however, hope shines through the black veil that has engulfed the earth, and small shafts of light pierce the darkness. It gives me optimism in this hedo-masochistic-misogynistic society, although hope is hard to come by if it’s at the end of a gun barrel or the whistle of bombs dropping over your fucking head!

Mediocrity, that’s the poison, the one that infects and convinces you to settle, to stop striving and relax and let the current pull you under, breathe out your last breath and sink into the deep green sea. Screw that shit to hell, it’s sink or swim time, and I am definitely not going down without a fight!

I am not normal, and I never advertised as being so. Others have tried their damnedest to categorize me, to put me in a nice little file where they can further understand me or begin to comprehend why I do the things I do, and they fail. They fail to do so because it’s the one aspect of their lives that they cannot control, the variable, the wildcard. So what have they done? They have tried their hardest to make me the bad guy, to make me the one behind all the woes in their lives, “If only I didn’t know him, everything would have been just as I wanted it.” Or, “Why do you still talk to him? He’s an asshole, the devil, evil incarnate!” Or am I just the reflection of all their wants and desires? Am I what they have always wanted in their lives and yet can never attain? That last part was completely true y the way, an acquaintance’s wife, who I introduced to him, actually said that shit to another friend of mine!

I remember a few years ago, a friend of mine, now an acquaintance, was happily married. I was without concern and without attachments; I truly embodied the poetic archetype of living off the air and the generosity of friends. He, however, was disappointed that he had chosen his path in life and wanted my path. He told me, “I am jealous of you because you truly are a poet; you have adventures, and excitement. You have no care in the world. I wish I had your life.” I responded by telling him that he should be happy because he had the one thing that has always eluded me, peace and love. He added, “Well I’d give that up for your life!” A few months later, he divorced his wife, and she stole his comic book collection (On a side note, this acquaintance is now on his third marriage!). He then started living the proverbial artist’s life, as he had admired the life I lead. He couldn’t take it; he could not live that way, and cursed me for tempting him with it although he had mentioned he would give it all up just to experience it. “How can you live like this?” he said to me. I told him I never pursued it, it just was a natural evolution of my situations, of living as the incarnate word of poetry.

I have suffered tremendously for my art and I do have an Ego about my work, it's healthy to have pride in what one loves and does. I have seen things that no one should see in their lifetime and felt even more. But that was my choice; it was the burden I chose to carry. If I had had my way early in my life I would have married my high school sweet heart and opened up a baby making factory. But that was not the path I chose through my own decisions, we are all products of our decisions, and to blame someone else for the mistakes you have made in your life, or the failed attempts you have sought, well that’s a cop out and a way to not accept responsibility for your actions. Basically you’re a pussy, and you get what you deserve!

Now things are pretty much the same, I am still the word incarnate, but I have apprehensions. I get this feeling that I am running out of time, and that I have to have more determination in my pursuits, and if I fail it will weigh heavier upon my life because of my current situation. This is total mad bullshit, and I have to convince myself that it is wrong to think this way. I have been pummeled by reality, by responsibility, and though I accept responsibility, I do not and will not accept mediocrity! I will continue to do things my way, the right way, and not accept the rumors that I am running out of time and to join the status quo.

So what exactly was I trying to say with this whole diatribe? I dunno…I’m still thinking about swimming or sinking…

SDCC: The Aftermath con't

2006-08-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

Die Nazi Scum!!!

Keep it going!

Pinchi Silvestri

Lara Croft the NEW Hired Gun!!!

Honestly, this kinda scares me...

P4P Crew...P4P?

The Man Himself...Stan Lee!!!

'Lil Boba & 'Lil Trooper

The Madness!!! The Madness!!! (Is that you in the corner Campos?)

SDCC: The Aftermath...

2006-08-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

I survived...but just barely!

It's been a little more than a week and the fallout from the con is still heavy in the air...i'm not sure what that means, but it sounded cool...

So without further ado!

SDCC in images...but sadly most of them were damaged by our good friends at San Deigo Airport Security...word to the wise...always hand them your camera BEFORE you go through the search checkpoint!!! Oh No sir...your camera won't get damaged or your images won't get erased from the memory...BULLSHIT!!!

THESE ARE THE ONES THAT SURVIVED!!!

The View from our table!

Zatanna

Your Friendly Neighborhood Web-Slinger!

Pinchi Zombies!!!

Luckily Pinchi Shaun of the Dead and Pinchi Ghostbusters were nearby!

Legend of Dragoon I believe...

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2006!!!

2006-07-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

I dunno how many of you hell-cowpokes out there have ever been…the question arises…so you do comics? Have you ever been…to the San Diego Comic-Con?!!!

And your answer?

Well I have been fortunate to have attended a few times and had a blast each time…for those of you not in the know, the SDCC is THE biggest comic book/pop culture convention that takes place each year. Anyone who is anyone goes to the SDCC, others refer to the Wizard World Con as the con to be at, but like Coke and Pepsi, one is always a little better than the other, not to knock the WWC, but I feel the SDCC is way better, more spectacular, more publicity, more gusto!

So this year, me and a couple of guys who fancy themselves artists and writers, have decided to throw in and attend the con, not only that, but we are going to have a table to sell our wares and promote our artistic endeavors…

First off we have my offering that I’ve been working on entitled, THE LEGEND OF EL VALIENTE and for our bilingual bloggers, LA LEYENDA DE EL VALIENTE! I have been working on this concept for the past few years, to integrate a wrestling concept into a superhero cliche that can kick some ass, even SUPERMAN! (Don’t believe me? I found a way! heh) Valiente is all about the cool aspects of comics, the myth, the madmen, the monsters, and the damsel in distress, and of course, the larger than life hero that risks his life against all odds to save the day. It’s fun, it’s pulp, it has elements of EC comics horror, along with action and adventure in the vein of old time comics from the 50’s through 70’s! If you’re curious please come visit us at the Project IV Publishing table at the con, located in the Small Press area “S3” ask about El Valiente and we’ll hook you up with the SDCC EL VALIENTE edition for only 150 centavos…that’s $1.50 for all you monolingual amigos…and if you can’t get to the con but are interested in a copy of the mini, please feel free to email me at herosvalor@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you with all the details to get you a copy of the book!

Next up we have HIRED GUN 2: THE HEAD HUNTERS the follow up to last years SDCC offering by Carmona and crew about the adventures of everyone’s down on his luck hitman Sticks. Carmona delivers a bigger tale to last years story, with a 32 page book at the same price of $3 bucks! I haven’t received my copy to review yet, but I promise I won’t pull any punches when it comes to the review and what I thought of the story…Usually Carmona is good about what he writes, meticulous about the details, and of course Sirac is a perfectionist when it comes to the art chores, so be sure to check me out in a week when I’ve returned from SDCC for a complete review!

And finally, I’m happy to announce that the INFESTACION will also be in effect or rather, it will infect the SDCC. The 656ers have been kind enough to hook me up with some copies of their book and I’m gonna pimp their wares at the con. If you like zombie action in the vein of Fulci and Romero, you need to pick up this book, some of it is in Spanish but the book rocks though the art and storytelling. If you want more info about the 656ers then be sure to click on the link included in the link box to the right of the page, and if you want a copy of the book, which is in limited supply, be sure to ask for me, Ray, on Thursday or Saturday at our table in the Small Press area table, “S3” unfortunately i don't have an image for the cover but head on over to www.o-lee-a.deviantart.com for more info!

That’s it for this week, I gotta hurry up and pack and find my chones before I forget them like last time! Catch you guys on the flip side, and see you at the San Diego Comic-Con!!!

Make Mine Madness!!!

p.s.
don;t forget to pick up Civil War #3...Somebody dies!!!

EL Valiente en...BUENOS DIAS!

2006-06-18T23:32:00.000-07:00

So here we go, the long awaited El Valiente mini movie!!!
This is the first of various mini movies we have planned...the first one is entitled "El Valiente en: BUENOS DIAS"
please take the time to check it out and be sure to email me if you have any comments about the film!
I want to also take this time to thank everyone who came by our table at the Nacho Libre premiere! Thanx for picking up issues of Fusiion X in which EL Valiente makes his first stateside appearance! I hope you guys enjoyed the book and all the stories contained therein, and I also hope you enjoyed the goodies you got along with purchase of the book, your posters, and also sketches, and if you were lucky enough to get a picture taken with El Valiente himself!!!
El Valiente had a blast of a time and he's hoping to be at the next premiere which should be SUPERMAN RETURNS!

Post your commentary up on the blog or email me at Orpheushadow@yahoo.com or Project4Publishing@yahoo.com and title the subject line EL Valiente!

and now...enjoy the film!!!

El Valiente Teaser - TEASER DOS!!!

2006-06-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

So here it is, a day late and a dollar short, but here nonetheless.
I managed to steal this advance copy from the director, seeing as he has a thing about perfection...this is a sort of Teaser TEASER...I hope you enjoy it...the file is rather large so give it a good while to load...that's what I get for trying to do this myself..heh...but it's well worth the wait...also, please excuse the resolution of the piece, it is as of yet unfinished and so it looks pretty raw...

next up...El Valiente...THE MOVIE!!!

Free Comic Book Day Hijinks!

2006-05-07T15:42:00.000-07:00

SO Free Comic Book Day has come and gone and what an excellent and action packed day it was on both fronts of the Project 4 Publishing maelstrom of mayhem we unleashed on the little town of El Paso...There was action, drama, romance, reunions, intrigue, and COMICS!!!
For those of you who attended both signings held at the Time Capsule (or Time Machine according to the El Paso Times) and ALL Star Comics, thank you and I hope you got your free sketches and goodies at both locales...The photos I'm putting up are a few of the ones that were taken at the Time Capsule, and I would have taken more but we were overrun with FCBDers that I had to put the camera down and sign away my life to many of the fans in the form of autographs, you know they caught them autographs because they don;t sign themselves, heh...Arriba Los Technicos!!!
I want to take the time to thank our illustrious hosts for FCBD, the pride of the west side, John Pretiger at the Time Capsule located at 6501-D North Mesa in El Paso TX. and of course the mainstay of the Northeast Brad Wilson of All-Star Comics located at 4406 Dyer also in EL Paso. These gentlemen were kind enough to allow us to set up a mini home away from home and get down to business dispensing tons of free Project IV goodies to the masses that invaded for their FCBD fix on Saturday may 6th!!! I'll be posting more images from FCBD as I get them, but these are a few for you to peruse. It was a fantastic and exciting turn out this year and it was good to see so many new faces along with familiar ones, hopefully we'll see more of you for the debut of Fusion X the anthology at the premiere of X3 at the end of May...WHEEEEEE!!!

Bye the way, head on over to my comic review blog, The Hit List for my review of all, yes all the FCBD offerings that I managed to snag in between signings and chatting...I'm gonna make up for lost time..heh... www.thehitlists.blogspot.com

Hugo discusses the finer points of Rapidographs, and the art of inking...

New members of the El Valiente Fan Club "Los Ninos Heroes!"

The infamous "Cute Mouse" sketch!

My good friends Leonore and Dan Campos, along with my son, the infamous Anais Nikolai.

The legend himself Juan Muro, happy with the progress of inks on his current page, or perhaps happy at the box of tea someone left on the table?

Our honored host for this year's FCBD John Pretiger of the TIME CAPSULE, for all the best memorabilia in El Paso and of course comics visit John if you're in town at 6501-D North Mesa!

El Valiente teaser trailer #1

2006-03-05T19:43:00.000-08:00

This summer El Valiente will premiere and we have quite a few other projects dealing with everyone's favorite luchador, that's masked wrestler to you not in the know...here is a teaser trailer produced by my good friends at This Time Tomorrow Productions...enjoy it and please, post comments on the trailer...another trailer is coming son, so stay tuned to this website for more!!!
Double click below and give it a minute to load.
(or click play once and view it here!)

Where's Hired Gun???

2006-03-02T15:41:00.000-08:00

I bet you're asking yourself that question, hmmm??? well that is if you frequent this site, if not then you wouldn't even know hired gun existed...Hired Gun is going through it's remodeling phase, they're getting a bigger and badder website to showcase not just Hired Gun, but all the other projects we have coming down the pipeline...Hired Gun will return, along with EL Valiente, DRAUM, The Outpost, FusionX, and other little fun projekts (as i like to call them) we are getting ready to launch...in preparation for the big dance, down in good ole San Diego...oh and Wizard World Dallas, if i can convince these guys to drive down...heh....

Jack Black + Lucha Libre = AWESOME!!!

2006-02-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

From the director of Napoleon Dynamite, you know it's gonna be good...GOSH!!!
check out the trailer at the website!!!, Forget Superman Returns or X-3!!!
Nacho Libre!!! CHECK IT OUT!!! http://www.nacholibre.com/

El Valiente PROMO (test)

2006-02-17T12:05:00.000-08:00

Just something i've been working on for the upcoming EL Valiente comic, i want to give that old Mex-ploitation movie feel to it, hopefully i can pull it off...i'll probably take this off as the actual promo piece comes together...a work in progress!

EL Valiente webcomic

2006-02-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

I've been working on this for awhile and I finally was able to acquire a decent digital cam. These little web comics will be a type of question and answer section on my blog. If you have any questions that are keeping you up at night, as El Valiente, and he'll answer them in a frank and courteous manner...Yeah right!
Keep your eyes for peeled for the webcomic premiering soon!

Adversary Comix

2006-01-31T14:30:00.000-08:00

Still alive and well, yet extremely toned down. We have reworked the hiearchy and are still going strong, releasing books as we find time and funds to do so. Currently i'm working on a few projects that are coming together nicely, hopefully they will be completed in time for con season. I have managed to gather together awesome art teams and i am also working with incredible people that know how comics need to be done.
The word adversary is a tricky word to understand. The reason it was chosen is not for the fact that it evokes images of the devil or of armies clashing in distant lands, but because we need to have an under-dog to cheer for, some one that no matter what the odds may be, there has to be a way to win, there has to be a way to overcome the impossible...that is why we are the adversary...
stay tuned for more...

Poetry! yeah I write it...

2006-01-30T15:34:00.001-08:00

Here's one of my latest...

Belief and Technique for Modern Prose
(Based on Kerouac’s list)

1. secret statements written on plain white napkins acquired at 2:45 a.m. in greasy spoon of your choice (grease stains optional)
2. be open to interpretation, and be open minded to everything, conservative neo-fascist Republicans need not apply
3. at least once- drink obscenely but never in front of one’s own house (results may vary)
4. love your life thoroughly and if possible, every night
5. if it is not felt it will not form
6. do not dumb down the sainthood of the mind
7. always breathe in deeply and exhale fully, without want
8. write without limits but never limitless
9. never erase unspeakable individual visions
10. no time for poets, but exactly what is
11. do not confuse inspiration as a heart murmur
12. fixate, obsess, and dream but always with pencil, never with fear, bullets, or hate
13. never mind your P’s & Q’s, but alliterate connotive onomatopoetic free formed punctuation
14. like Kerouac, be an old beat ahead of time
15. voice your story of the world, not His-story or Her-story
16. make the center of attention the why within the why, not the I within the I
17. scribble down memories, remembrances, reveries, and adventures for yourself to be amazed at such exploits
18. be concise inner eye reflections, in deep dormant of unfathomable oceans of expressions
19. accept loss forever, but never be accepted by loss
20. trust the sacred outline of existence, the shape of the Creator’s shadow
21. draft many versions of the flood of visions that survive unbroken within your mind’s eye
22. memorize a thesaurus
23. never lose count of how many sunsets and dawns break overhead
24. never be afraid to share your fears, and exhibit your knowledge
25. inscribe for humanity the exactness of your psyche and carve your own niche in lowercase letters
26. reality TV. is a bad book no one wrote but everyone’s read
27. loneliness is an inhuman condition, admire disposition in wavering bleakness
28. engrave, mark feral, unruly, untainted, passionate, morality under your fingernails
29. you’re a genius instigator all the time, and a mad man perpetually
30. be a drinker with a writing problem and give credit to heavenly father who is your AA sponsor

2006-01-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

El Valiente! Copyright Ray Ramos 2005

So it's finally coming out, i've been working on this book for a little more than 2 years now, trying to sharpen up on all my knowledge about Mex-ploitation and cool stories i want to tell set in this genre, and trying not to re-hash already cliched stories or situations, and i think i've finally managed it...a few years ago a friend and i had the brilliant idea to incorporate true Mexican wrestling and put in a post-modern setting, i mean this had been done before in other ways in Mexico's comicbook history, called "revistas" over there, and also a few attempts on this side of the border, but never like this, i've tried to incorporate different story telling elements and art styles to give it that familiar but different look. The art is awesome, supplied by my friend Elmer Pasaoa, this guy is going to explode on the scene soon, and i'm proud to have him on the book...i will update you as i get further along the creation of the book and i mean the printing, the story is done and the inks are dry, the lettering phase is underway and as i get more done i'll let you know when it'll be coming out!

if you want to post you comments, you're free to do so here, or head on over to the publisher's website www.hiredgunthecomic.com and post your comments there...

i'll talk more about Mex-ploitation in another blog if it's piqued your curiosity...but be prepared, the time of El Valiente is upon us...

My Ugly Mug

2006-01-26T16:48:00.000-08:00

Ramos

i decided to post up a pic of myself at one of my more sober and clean moments, actually i think i was a bit drunk this day, and no, i am not in Los Lonely Boys or Los Lobos, no matter what you may have heard...heh...actually i think i kinda look like...Tom Selleck..heh...

Comic book reviews and such...

2006-01-25T15:48:00.000-08:00

So i've decided to post up the reviews of the comics i'm currently reading, a few friends and I have a comicbook "company" and we usually post up our reviews on that website, if you want to take a look at them this is the addy www.hiredgunthecomic.com

here's my review of what i'm currently reading...

303
6 issue mini-series
Story: Garth Ennis
Art: Jacen Burrows
Color: Greg Waller
Cover: Jacen Burrows
Publisher: Avatar Press
Mature Readers

So this Ex Spetnaz Russian Colonel decides to take an antique 303 British Army rifle and walk from Afghanistan to America and kill a very important governmental figure. Can any one guess who will be assassinated?
That’s the premise of Garth Ennis’ comic 303 from Avatar Press, and it’s one that fits in nicely with existing reality. Ennis fills in the blanks as to how to go about killing someone worth killing, especially a world leader. First off show how much of a bad ass this character is and then give him a mission that is not only insane but pretty much impossible. That’s where the 303 rifle comes into play. Ennis’ imagination shows how one man with one gun can change the status quo for the entire world. The Russian Colonel has no name, and for the task he has embarked on, he doesn’t need one. All he knows is that he needs to fulfill this mission no matter who or what gets in his way. His chosen weapon is an antiquated rifle that’s been around for nearly 100 years. They don’t make them like that anymore and Ennis throws in some historical reference on the rifle that I found fascinating. The historical facts show how this rifle and others like it helped soldiers shape the outcome of war in different parts of the world. This one rifle made a huge impact on warfare and how they just don’t make them this reliable anymore. The Colonel is also cut from the same cloth, old school and hard line tactics. He does not waver and is not impressed by new recruits, he is there to do a job, killing folks, and he does his job well and without mistakes.
From the battle ravaged deserts of Afghanistan, the Colonel begins his march, his mission. The body count piles up as the Colonel walks the path of what he feels will be his redemption to every single person he has murdered, for everything he’s ever done wrong or perhaps, for what the world has made him do. We realize early on that the Russian has been born for war and for the craft of death. All his enemies follow him everywhere he goes, like silent ghosts that do not really haunt him, but are there as a reminder of what he does and what he needs to do. That is until he reaches America, that’s right he gets to America with the rifle, but in the middle of the southwest, on another desert much like Afghanistan, he meets someone much like him, a cop who has problems realizing his place in the world other than being the strong arm of the law. The law is all this sheriff has and he intends to uphold it even when this stranger with a strange rifle comes through town. When the two meet, we’re left asking if the Russian will complete his mission or if the law will prevail.
Jacen Burrows provides the art and the book looks awesome for it. I discovered Burrows when he drew Warren Ellis’ SCARS for Avatar Press and I have followed his work ever since. Don’t get me wrong, this comic is about war and the art brings those images vividly to life. Burrows captures the atrocities of war as well as the human emotions that run rampant in that setting. The Colonel’s story unfolds in spectacular widescreen shots provided by Burrows’ art. The gore is highly detailed, not just a red splotch on the page, but entrails and tissue is delivered to the eye in dramatic fashion.
The books were a bit late in coming out but I was finally able to acquire the full story recently. Ennis delivered what I had hoped for, a raw story, full of action and brilliant imagery. This is Ennis at his best, no holds barred, take no prisoners and tell it like it is. It made want to know more about this mysterious Russian who had killed so many people that the ghosts followed him around everywhere he went.
So go out and find copies of 303 before the NSA and Homeland Security get wind that someone has dared speak out in comic book form on what I think should be done in order to save the world from itself. It’s rare nowadays to find a comic where the story makes you think of how things would be if someone decided to change the world. This series delivered an answer to that question. Ennis delivers war in comic book form as well as redemption from those atrocities in a twisted way. Maybe in a few weeks, as long as the government isn’t listening, I’ll start shopping around for an antique model 303, and one lone bullet, because, usually it’s up to a lone gunman and God as his witness to right the wrongs of madmen and tyrants…

BLOG?

2006-01-24T14:18:00.000-08:00

So blog huh?

i guess is had to copy one of my influences and try my hand at this supposed ingenious tool to speak one's mind at the speed of light...i call it a sham but f@!k it i guess i'll be a hack and ride this trick pony till it dries up.

if you want to check out my friend's blog head on over to his blog spot http://malowriter.blogspot.com/ and check out what he's got to say...

well i guess i've got to get it out of my system...blog blog blog blog blog blog blog blog...kinda like spam huh? spam spam spam spam spam spam...hmmm??? both of those are now internet jargon...conspiracy?

to whoever is reading this, i guess i'll post again tomorrow if i have something witty or earnest to say...i doubt it, so i'll probably be back with more bull spit to paste up here on this nice little blog site...hmmm??? maybe i'll have something meaningful to post...well...we'll see...