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Latin American Folklore Makes it’s Way into Comics

Posted by Sam Kressin in Animation, Comic Books

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AsustoI’ve known artist and animator Franco Cespedes for several years now. He is a fantastic artist, and has been working with me on an incredible new Worlds Deadliest project that should showcase by the end of this year. In the meantime, Franco has put out an awesome 4 issue mini-series on ComiXology titled, “Asusto.”

Asusto is based on classic Costa Rican and Latin American folktales, stories that have been passed down for generations. Asusto quickly focuses in on Chito, a violent man with a quick temper who doesn’t for a second believe any of the local folklore, but soon finds himself battling for his life. Franco has put together a quickly paced, action packed, thriller / horror saga, showcasing his take on several legendary Latin American tales.

The cartooning and illustration work of Franco Cespedes is excellent. His characters are extremely animated, expressive, and filled with emotion. This is a fast and fun read, filled with Devil Dogs (El Cadjos), She Monsters (La Segua), Headless Priests (El Padre Sin Cabeza) and a host of craziness. Just 99 cents per a 26 pg issue, for a total of three dollars and ninety six cents for the entire series, you can’t go wrong. You can pick up all four issues right here on comiXology. Asusto is available in both English and Spanish pick up a copy here; https://www.comixology.com/Asusto-1/digital-comic/77059

Spike The Bull Dog

Posted by Sam Kressin in Animation, Book Reviews

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Making his first appearance in a 1942 MGM Tom and Jerry cartoon titled “Dog Trouble” Spike the Bulldog has traveled across multiple business and marketing platforms throughout the years. This all begins with a simple how to draw book published in the 1940s.

Spike’s most famous pose comes from a book titled, “Animation: Learn How to Draw Animated Cartoons” The picture below is from the second edition of the book. Blair did not create the character but he used Spike and several other Characters he had animated while working at MGM and Disney Studios to explain the finer points of animation.

Spike the Bull Dog

After publication of the first edition of Preston Blair’s book, “Animation” the rights to use some of these characters were revoked and Blair was forced to go back and change his illustrations to make the characters “generic” and legal to use. Pictured is below are the original, “Spike the Bull Dog” drawings included in the first edition of Blair’s book .

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