Javier Hernandez

Infobox Comics creator

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imagesize = 200px
caption = Hernandez exhibiting in San Diego, California
birthname = Javier Hernandez
birthdate = birth date and age|1966|4|23
location = Los Angeles, CA
deathdate =
deathplace =
nationality = American
area = Writer
Artist
Associate Producer
Radio host
alias =
notable works = "El Muerto"
"Manga Muerto"
"Demolition Dove
awards =

Javier Hernandez (born April 23, 1966) is an American artist, comic book creator, and radio host from Whittier, California. Perhaps best known for creating the popular series," ", the majority of his works are published through his privately-owned imprint, Los Comex. [ [http://smallworldpodcast.com/?p=581 SmallWorld podcast - comic book creator Javier Hernandez] ]

He began self-publishing in February 1998 and for the past ten years has exhibited at comic book conventions, book fairs, art festival, and has made numerous appearances at comic book shops. [ [http://www.elmuerto.com/index.php?page=bio ElMuerto.com - The Official Site of El Muerto, the Aztec Zombie!] ] He has also been a member of several creative groups such as Big Umbrella, P.A.C.A.S., and Cartoonistas. Hernandez is known to draw many of his creative influences from the original comics of his youth; particularly the works of Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko. He also cites successful self-published creators such as Carlos Saldaña and Richard Dominguez as inspirations. [ [http://javiersblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Richard%20Dominguez JAVZILLA - Radio show keeps rolling forward! (Interview with Richard Dominguez)] ]

Biography

Early life

Javier Hernandez was born on born April 23, 1967, in Los Angeles, California, a year later moving with his family to Whittier, California which he now proudly calls his hometown. His early introduction to comic books came when his older brother, who had long grown out of comic book collecting, had left his books to Javier. He would later credit the comics of the '60s and '70s as his artistic inspirations. Lucha Libre had an early influence on him, as well as such television staples as "Speed Racer", "The Addams Family", "Giant Robot" and "The Six Million Dollar Man".

Comic book career

Hernandez conceived El Muerto sometime in the early '90s, a character originally intended to be part of a group of Mexican-American superheroes. Later abandoning other members of the group, he began to focus on El Muerto's character development. El Muerto would later become a unique blend of Mexican and Chicano folklore, Aztec mythology and mysticism, and comic book pop culture. The character continued to appear in sketchbook to sketchbook until his public debut in a xeroxed black-and-white comic book entitled "Daze of the Dead: The Numero Uno Edition" (February 1998) which recounted the character's origin story. El Muerto was once Diego de la Muerte, a young man who while in route to a local Dia de los Muertos celebration is abducted and sacrificed by the Aztec gods of death and destiny, and later sent back to the land of the living a year after his death, with supernatural powers. Hernandez would later re-issue the story under the Big Umbrella imprint, formed by both himself and fellow comic creators Rafael Navarro, Michael Aushenker, Ted Seko, and Rhode Montijo. [ [http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/b/bigumbre.htm International Hero - Big Umbrella Comics] ] [ [http://www.elmuerto.com/index.php?page=bio ElMuerto.com - The Official Site of El Muerto, the Aztec Zombie!] ] Big Umbrella later disbanded sometime in 2003, citing problems in the market-place, and El Muerto has since reverted to its Los Comex imprint. The initial series of El Muerto was met with critical success and the character's popularity has led to appearances and adaptations in other media, including a live-action film starring Wilmer Valderrama, for which Hernandez is credited as associate-producer. [ [http://www.horroryearbook.com/2007/04/04/javier-hernandez-el-muerto-interview/ Javier Hernandez - El Muerto - Interview at horroryearbook.com] ] [ [http://www.efavata.com/CBM/elMuerto.htm Comic Book Movies - El Muerto] ]

Hernandez surprised fans in 2008 with the creation of a political comic book character, Demolition Dove. The character made his public debut in a preview sketchbook at the 2008 San Gabriel Comic-Con, which included the short story, “"A Tale of Two Parties"”. [ [http://javiersblog.blogspot.com/2008/03/demotlion-dove-debuts-at-supermarket-at.htm JAVZILLA - Demolition Dove debuts at SUPERMARKET!] ] Following issues are to be published under the Xomix Comix imprint formed by both himself and creator Ted Seko. [ [http://www.myspace.com/demolition_dove Demolition Dove- the official MySpace page!] ] [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wavYjapxwV4 Ted Seko interview at YouTube.com] ] He has made it quite clear the comic will neither be pro-left or pro-right, and ensures there will be enough content to offend both parties. The character's visual identity was very much inspired by the tough guy archtypes of Hollywood films such as "Dirty Harry", "Mad Max", and "Death Wish". In July 2008, Xomix Comix released an animated trailer for the new series on [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z4Dp82SuF8 YouTube.]

Podcast-radio personality

Planet Comic Book Radio

Hernandez currently produces and hosts the radio-podcast show, Planet Comic Book Radio, which broadcasts live every Tuesday at 5:00 pm PST from the Digital Business and Design College in El Monte, California [ [http://javiersblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/listen-to-my-interview-from-cinnews.html JAVZILLA - Listen to my interview from CinNews] ] [ [http://javiersblog.blogspot.com/2007/11/planet-comic-book-radio-launches.html JAVZILLA - I give thanks that PLANET COMIC BOOK RADIO launched!] ] and is hosted by PerspectiveRadio.com with support from the Nuvein Foundation. [ [http://dbdla.com/education/index.php Digital Business and Design College - Home] ] [ [http://www.perspectiveradio.com perspectiveradio.com - PLANET COMIC BOOK RADIO] ] Weekly podcasts are archived at the show's [http://www.planetcomicbookradio.com official site] and are currently available on Itunes.

Javiland

Hernandez announced his intention on to begin his own live community podcast on [http://www.talkshoe.com TalkShoe.com] entitled, Javiland. [ [http://web.me.com/enrique.diaz/PCBR/Podcast/Entries/2008/8/21_pcbr_081908_Nuvein_3rd_Annual_Gala%2C_Cartoonistas%2C_Javiland.html Planet Comic Book Radio: Javiland] ] The focus of the show is on self-published comics and how they are made. Hernandez along with other veteran comic creators will offer sage advice to those interested in the comic book industry. Fans may call-in directly to the show or use the live chat application to ask questions. The first show aired on August 31, 2008 with subsequent episodes scheduled to air every Sunday at 6:00 pm PST.

ee also

*Professional Amigos of Comic Art Society
* [http://www.cartoonistas.com Cartoonistas]

External links

* [http://www.elmuerto.com Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/javier_hernandez Official MySpace]
* [http://www.myspace.com/planetcomicbookradio Planet Comic Book Radio]
* [http://www.javiersblog.blogspot.com JAVZILLA (official blog)]
* [http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/24098 JAVILAND (interactive podcast)]
* [http://www.javilandtalk.blogspot.com/ JAVILAND (companion blog)]