Mm. I just finished a brand new book. It was a grueling process to get through 20 pages, written, pencilled, inked and hand-lettered. And it was heavy subject matter. I spent weeks putting it off, and then I found a way to reach the end. And that ending was MoCCA.

I went to New York this weekend for the MoCCA festival, the indie-comics convention that the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art puts on. Thanks again to my tablemate Pranas. We had too much fun meeting and interacting with New York comics lovers, and eating Shake Shack burgers (You’re the best, Amy!)!! I met talented cartoonists, talked about The Village Voice article that came out that weekend, exchanged copies of “Luke Holds Off”, and enjoyed the comics culture that I most identify with. The comics blogs are all talking about how the show is all about the cartoonists, and it is. People making handmade printed books. Stapling sheets of paper together and saying “I did this”. That what comics are. It’s so simple, so basic. And when you’re in it, you forget that there’s a world that doesn’t know this kind of art and expression exists.

I’m always scared to travel to new places and stay in unknown neighborhoods. Who isn’t!? I stayed in Brooklyn with my good friend Andy Mai, and we had too much fun making fun of Asian people. We hit up a stand-up show in Williamsburg at the Knitting Factory that I’ve been dying to see ever since I found out who Hannibal Burress is. And the comedians made so many jokes about Asians. Wyatt Cenac brought up Asian people and he looked right at Andy and me to see us approve. Btw, Andy is hilarious and super talented. I am glad to see him with the success he has. Thanks so much for hosting me this weekend, man!

Next up is FLUKE in Athens. I was just there a couple weeks ago chatting with Patrick and Robert, and they are so excited for this year’s event. I saw Patton Oswalt perform at the 40 Watt club, which will be the exact same venue for the FLUKE festivities. I’ll be bringing more copies of “Luke Holds Off”, because nothing beats feeling proud of the work you’ve done. Come see me at my table, because I want to tell you “I did this”.

I love this show we do at Tantra. I get a breathable 20 minutes to explore jokes, and really set my own pace. And I get to hang out with a ton of stand-up friends. It’s a nice dark room to do comedy in, and all the performers usually have a ton of fun doing it. Chris Davison produces a cool show, so I’m sure it will be a night of everybody at the top of their game.

This poster was interesting to put together because its essentially two images. It’s kind of a comic in that way. I don’t usually design comedy illustrations this way, but with a different show should come a different design style. The last show at Tantra featured artwork from the awesome Julie Collins, and I knew I had a high bar to surpass. If you already know you’re attending, join the Facebook event!

The same week on Friday March 4th, I’ll be opening for King Rich at the Bay Street Theater.

Do you like comics that are in color? I hardly do any, but I did one for the latest issue of District Quarterly. The theme was food, so I drew some inspiration from life and got down to making delicious meals for myself to eat. Then I drew. That’s a fun process to create comics to: eat then draw. Pick yourself up an issue and check it out, or read it on the District Quarterly website here.

I gotta thank my girl, Katelan. She did an amazing job as editor for the past three issues, finding it in herself to publish my work in them. Not gonna lie, she’s got fantastic taste. In art, words, AND food. She’s going to my editor one day, when she’s tearing up the magazine industry and she needs some spot illustrations in GQ and Esquire.

Now, if you want to skip the whole reading the magazine in a flash player, you can read my comic page by clicking this link.

Next comedy show! February 10th, ya’ll!