On Friday the 13th I went to The Comic Bug, in Manhattan Beach, to pick up some weekly comics and was treated to a nice surprise. A local artist Ruben Martinez was setting up a table to sell and sign some of his prints and books. I was going to buy some comics, but once I looked at his stuff I decided to buy his stuff instead.

He was very friendly – offering to draw a sketch in his The After Life book for me and signing all of the pieces I bought. He also told me about his experience with Stan Lee (I asked) and about his next water color book he is working on.

The art is a mix of cartoony and dark, even twisted at times. The best term to describe it is “fun”. It is truly fun art.

March of the Sugar Squash Goblin

This is my favorite print that Ruben was selling and signing on the 13th. I wish I would have bought more copies so I could give them as gifts. Next time…

SUGAR SQUASH GOBLIN by ~RM73 on deviantART

Bots

This piece was not with him, but I would love to get a print of it. “Bots” is a great example of his work. Cartoonesk robots of all sorts. Very Clamptastic!

BOTS by ~RM73 on deviantART

Ruben is turning into one of my favorite artists and I just recently was introduced to his art. You can view a whole gallery of Ruben Martinez’s work at his online gallery.

The Comic Bug

I would like to note that thanks to Mike Wellman and Jun Goeku of The Comic Bug, I and many others are able to meet great up and coming artists and books which I would not know about otherwise. If you are in the area check out their shop. They have a TV, sofas, mainstream and indie comics, and many more rare items that will make you smile. Thank you Mike, Jun, and Adam (other main staffer) for the great shop and service. See the shop for yourself here!