Most kids are passionate about one thing or another. We see them as insignificant most of the time, but when a kid finds something they absolutely love they stick with it, even into adulthood.
That passion for Javier Hernandez is comic books. Hernandez has been passionate about the caped crusaders, super heroes and villains since he was a boy, crediting his passion to his older brother.
"My older brother Albert handed me his box of comics when I was about 8 or 9. It was a treasure trove of late 60s/early 70s gems, featuring Iron Man, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, Batman and others," says Hernandez. "I was just amazed with these heroes and their dazzling adventures, battling an ever-increasing assortment of oddball maniacs!"
Hernandez is a teacher, and full-time cartoonist and co-founder/creative director of the Latino Comics Expo, which takes place this year at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco, Calif., June 1 and 2.
The expo started three years ago through casual conversation between Hernandez and Ricardo Padilla after Padilla expressed frustrations over a Mexican American Museum in the city that fell through.
"I commented that, while I couldn't do anything about that Museum, we could try to at least have a Latino comics show of some sort," said Hernandez. "That's the point where the light bulb flashes over your head and thinking 'Yeah, the Latino Comics Expo!'"
From the beginning Hernandez and Padilla wanted to make sure that the mission of the Latino Comics Expo was to provide a platform for Latino creators, or people exploring Latino themes in their books and after three successful years of the expo it looks like the two co-founders did just that.
This year's expo will showcase some of the biggest Latino names in the comic industry as well as some up and comers. "We've got several first-time exhibitors with us this year," says Hernandez. The expo will also offer workshops and panels that the public can take part in.
This is just the beginning for the expo Hernandez expresses hope for a bigger future and this year the founders of Latino Comics Expo has seen one of their dreams come to fruition.
"From the beginning we hoped to expand the Expo to other cities, and in fact this August 17 & 18 we'll be bringing the Expo to the Los Angeles market. Our event is being held at the Museum of Latin American Art, and we're going to have more than double the creators attending."
Hernandez also hopes to reward the future comic book artist by hosting a Latino Comics Award or offer educational help to the young talents.
"My own wish list for the future? Some type of Latino Comics Award, and also a scholarship/grant program of some sort to help people fund their comics projects," said Hernandez. "And way down the line, I sure wouldn't mind if we were able to establish a Latino Comics Museum. But for right now, there's plenty of work just continuing to expand and improve the Expo."
If you happen to be in the San Francisco, Calif., area check out the Latino Comics Expo. All events are open to the public and are included with paid admission to the Cartoon Art Museum at 655 Mission Street.
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