Hector Rodriguez III, creator of El Peso Hero and founder of Texas Latino Comic Con, joins Holy Grails with Absolute Heaven to talk about honoring your heritage, promoting representation, and finding inspiration even in difficult times. We discuss what it means to create a story with soul, and why every comic needs a message, and how staying true to your heritage through your work is important. We also cover:

-Why representation in comics matters, especially for young readers

-Finding inspiration during difficult times

-The fan support that helped fund his most recent Kickstarter campaign

-A classroom moment where Hector saw a child find empowerment, rather than fear, in seeing her own experiences reflected in his work

Watch: To watch the film his late brother helped create, visit YouTube: https://youtu.be/thkt6o3iktc?si=gGMRwOoBquQzqs1n

Connect with Hector, LinkTree available in his IG Bio.
Instagram: @el_peso_hero, @TXLatinoComics, @MaskedRepublic, @ChispaComics, @MuchoMasMedia
TikTok: @hector_rodriguez_iii

This series explores some of the supernatural folklore of New Orleans, specifically zombies and where the mythology actually comes from. We get into what makes Crescent City Monsters unique including the regional lore. We discuss free will and how much control these characters actually have over their own fate, death as a throughline across the series, and the process of building a comic as an indie creator. If you're into world building, indie comics, or horror with some cultural weight behind it, this one's for you!

Crescent City Monsters by Newton Lilavois Kickstarter lasts til Sept 18! Check out the limited editions:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dreamfury/crescent-city-monsters-the-rise-of-kingsley

Socials: @dreamfurycomics

In this episode, I share how mental health, chronic pain, and Batman Rebirth led to me starting this podcast. I talk about depression, Spravato, juggling ADHD medication around treatment, and the time/energy/and some of the monetary cost of starting this project. I speak a lot about nonlinear paths. Nonlinear careers, nonlinear projects, and apparently nonlinear healing too. So that's cute :)

Some things bringing me joy lately: Dungeon Crawler Carl audiobook, rewatching Buffy, reading...everything I can get my hands on, comics and books. Audiobooks especially. Writing. A TON of writing.

Mental health resources: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 (US) Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to 741741 NAMI HelpLine. 1-800-950-6264, for general mental health support and referrals, not for crisis. Psychology Today's therapist finder, for anyone looking for a provider

In this episode, I speak to comic book artist Mike Choi about his path from studying IT at UT Austin to going full time into comic books. He shares how his love of the medium became his way into the industry, and some of the experiences that shaped who he is today. We also get into his creator owned comic, Gochugaru, a project with a surprising inspiration behind it: Boygenius's SNL performance. It carries themes of suspending disbelief, rising up against an oppressive power, and....well I can't say anything else because of spoilers. But book 1 is out now and more to come!

Key takeaways: You can find inspiration anywhere. You can't go wrong by trying. Don't be scared of a detour.

ig: @mikechoiart

tiktok: @mikechoiart

shop: https://mikechoiart.bigcartel.com/

John Avina is a comic book writer and founder of Avina Comics. He's a Chicago native, mortician, and a driving force for Hispanic representation in comics. We talk about the weird, funny, and surprisingly practical ways we cope with grief and loss.

In the funeral home, John is face-to-face with death constantly. With a blend of humor, horror, and respect, he treats grief as a source of inspiration (and as a friend). Laughing at grief isn't the same as dismissing it.

We also indulge in some truly Holy Grails talk...Batman, Constantine, Supernatural, and of course Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Stories about death, demons, and the afterlife end up being some of the best grief processing tools out there. Plus, John breaks down his ADHD-friendly creative process.

In this episode:
A BIG BUFFY SPOILER SORRY!

• Grief, death, and finding the humor in it
• Comics as a way to process and as a source of comfort/familiarity during hard times
• Hispanic representation in comics
• ADHD and creative work
• Deep fandom talk: Supernatural, Constantine, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and Gilmore Girls?)

Follow John's work: Avina Comics
IG: @avinacomics
TikTok: @avina_comics
Website: avinacomics.com

TJ Sterling, founder of RAE Comics, joins me to talk about his path from Grand Rapids to NY to LA. He shares about growing up a nerd with a super mom who encouraged him to read with comics, and what it took to build an independent publishing company from scratch. If you're a creative in need of a pep talk, or looking for advice on where to start and staying focused while betting on yourself, this one's for you.

ALSO I'm not sure why capcut heard SOZOMAIKA and put Selena Gomez in the captions...

Lilyia built a career as a full-time digital artist. Then chronic pain and a botched back surgery forced her into retirement. Since then, she's had an incredible recovery and has spent 2026 rebuilding her business, all while using her platform to give back through charity work.This story is for any creative who's had to sideline their passion because of life circumstances. Lilyia's story about is about resilience and being a positive force no matter what the world throws at you. 🎨Linktree: https://linktr.ee/lilyia_artInstagram: @Lilyia_ArtYoutube:    / @lilyia   Twitch:   / lilyia  

Caleb Towns shares his journey from comic book fan and theater kid in Virginia, to Los Angeles-based comic commentator, actor, and content creator. He discusses the LA creative scene, comic book etiquette, the importance of positive critique. He also gives me feedback to stop me from going under should I ever open a comic book store ;)

Comic creatives are driving the entertainment industry and providing a valuable human service by giving us an art form that helps us understand life, process it, and connect with others. We talked about all of it.

IG: @comicbookviking

IG: @Thecomicbug https://www.thecomicbug.com/locations/

IG: @nonsensicalcreations

IG: @thecomicden

IG: @heropanelpodcast

Tony Moy is an international watercolorist, comic artist, and writer. His credits include Disney Star Wars, Marvel Snap, DC, Image, Hit Point Press, and others. He has been published in various books and has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.In 4forty2nd, Book 1 of 3, Tony tells the story of the Japanese American infantry unit in WW2 that rescued Texan soldiers captured behind enemy lines. During the course of their missions, 10,000 soldiers earned 18,000 medals. Many returned home from war only to find themselves heading back to internment camps.We talked about why Tony chose to watercolor every single panel by hand, how the project began during the rise in anti-Asian discrimination following COVID, and how reading Persepolis changed the way he thinks about comics and storytelling.Purchase your copy at 4forty2nd.com and follow Tony  @TonyMoy ​

Comic book cover artist Sukesha Ray shares her journey in the industry after being discovered as a graffiti artist in Miami. As her stage has grown, Sukesha has gone from driving across the US to flying across the world for conventions. Along the way, her craft has matured and she's learned some hard lessons. She opens upwith personal stories as well as practical advice for artists and fans on boundaries, gratitude, and staying healthy in the hustle.