En La Mesa: by Cafe Con Leche Nerds: Recent Episodes
Cafe Con Leche Nerds
A podcast for and by Latinx nerds talking about Latinidad, comics, pop culture, Comic-Con, cosplay and nerd stuff. We will be speaking to industry and independent writers and creators in the comic industry and pop culture about representation and community.
When Lissette Feliciano founded her production company, Look at the Moon Pictures, she wanted to create projects that meant something to her and to her clients. In following her conscious and heart, she received the approval of one of the most iconic women in modern culture: Lynda Carter.
“The first person I called was my mom,” Feliciano — who is of Ecuadorian decent — said excitedly adding that to her, her mother is her own real-life Wonder Woman.
Feliciano, through Zen Media, created several commercials for the Navy Exchange, a a retail store chain owned and operated by the United States Navy. One in particular focused on a young boy, a Wonder Woman toy and how it helped him connect with his deployed mother.
After it’s release, Carter learned of the commercial and shared it on her social media pages saying, “So heartwarming! Thinking of all those serving our country who can’t be with their families this holiday season.”
“To get that kind of validation from Lynda Carter — thee Wonder Woman — it’s amazing,” she said.
With support from her partner, the filmmaker took a leap of faith after realizing she could no longer work for productions companies that created misogynistic and toxic content.
Feliciano sat down with Cafe con Leche Nerds for our latest podcast and spoke about the importance of creating spaces for women of color within the entertainment industry, how perceived disadvantages could actually be an advantage and the time while she was in elementary school she wrote to the president of the United States to scold him about immigration laws.
When comic book artist and creator Melina Chavarria learned both of her sons were on the autism spectrum, she said she felt a bit lost.
She had to learn how to become her children’s advocate while constantly educating herself about the condition.
Then while at comic book convention, she met fellow artist and mother, Tanya Sotelo who also had a child on the spectrum.
Together, along with the help of Luis Antonio Pichardo with DSTL Arts, the Los Angeles-area moms created a zine — Aurtistic — that help those with autism and their families find their voice through art.
“Aurtistic Zine is a DSTL Arts publication focused on acceptance and showcasing the diverse talents of autistic individuals as well as their family members. With this zine we hope to provide a platform that highlights the strengths of the autism community. We want to show the individual as a whole person and not just a missing piece to a puzzle.”
DSTL Arts
For our latest podcast Kate Sánchez of ‘But Why Tho?‘ geek community joins us to talk about the recent casting news for two ‘Star Wars’ television series on Disney’s upcoming streaming platform.
Listen in as Sánchez and our own Beatriz Valenzuela chat about Latinx representation within the ‘Star Wars’ franchise, Latina love for Leia, more alien representation and cucumber Gatorade.
A uniquely Mexican tabletop RPG will soon allow participants to play as the mythical Nahuales as they hunt down, kill and make tacos out of colonizing angels in modern-day Mexico.
The RPG, “Nahual,” is based on the popular comic book series and universe created by Edgar Clement, “Operación Bolívar,” which follows Leónides Arcangel, an angel hunter.
In a recent Skype interview we speak to the game creator, Miguel Angel Espinoza, about his game, the connection Latinos have with spirituality and the unknown, being fully funded in an hour of launching his Kickstarter and the reception his game have received worldwide.To contact Espinoza about reserving a copy of the game, visit his Twitter or his Kickstarter campaign.
With Halloween just around the corner, reporter Beatriz Valenzuela and Gloria Alva, manager of comic book shop, A Shop Called Quest in Redlands, sat down to discuss Latinx folklore and legends in comics.
Listen in as they discuss the current Vertigo hit, “Border Town,” “Hellboy in Mexico” and “¡Fantasmagoría!” among others and how that representation feels familiar for Latinx readers. They also talk about some of the leyendas told to them as young girls growing up in Latinx households.
Vertigo’s “Border Town” continues to be a great comic book with a refreshing look at issues not only affecting the Latinx community but also putting a spotlight on current events and issues.
This week i am joined by Tony Maher, an art professor at Cal State San Bernardino, Fullerton College and Antelope Valley College. He is a big fan of comics even naming his corgies Friday and Jarvis.
Henry Barajas is kickstarting a tell-all comic about a real American hero, his great-grandfather, Ramon Jaurigue a.k.a.,Tata Rambo who fought in World War II and came home to Tucson, Arizona where he took up the political fight to improve living conditions for indigenous people and Latinos in his community.
“The is story is about my great-grandfather, Ramon Jauregui, a World War II veteran, … a political activist and hes’ someone I have looked up to my entire life,” said Henry Barajas, creator of the graphic novel, “La Voz de M.A.Y.O. Tata Rambo,” in his Kickstarter video.
Together with Jason “Gonzo” Gonzalez and editor Claire Napier, Barajas hopes not only to tell the story of his hero, his Tata, but present readers with a piece of often neglected history about the struggle of the native people of Tucson.
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This years panel hosted by Fanbase Press at Long Beach Comic Con was highlighting the new voices of Latinx artists in the comic book industry.
The panel was hosted by Javier Hernandez who is the creator of “El Muerto” and has recently released “Dazed of the Dead” which is a 20th anniversary edition of his comic.
Erik M. Esquivel whose new title, “Border Town,” has received accolades and praise. It’s the 1st book released under the DC Vertigo relaunch.
Melina Chavarria, a Chicana Writer and co-creator of “The Magic Glasses,” a story about a young Latina gamer who grows up in South Central Los Angeles.
Sebastian Kadlecik, creator of the Eisner-nominated “Quince,” about girl who comes into her super powers on the day of her quinceañera and with the help of her abuela, learns how to use her new gifts.
Kristen Parraz co-owner of Hi De Ho Comics, the oldest comic book shop in Los Angeles county, and co-host of Comadres y Comics podcast which aims to introduce people to Latinx creators, stories and characters.
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Walking through the crowded aisles of San Diego Comic-Con’s Artist Alley, we ran into renowned artist and Southern California native Bobby Breed.
Breed is a talented freelance artist who’s worked on a wide range of projects including comic books, non-sports card, gaming, TV and movie production companies. His work has been featured by UpperDeck Co./Marvel, IDW, Counterpoint Comics, Red Stylo Media, Unstoppable Cards, TidalWave/BlueWater Productions and MNS Cards.
We had lunch with Breed and spoke about his art, how “Gargoyles” aided his return to comics, Martian Manhunter and more. We hope you enjoy!
We sat down with Gus Vazquez — the artist who worked on Big Hero 6, Suicide Squad, Conan and Sasquatch Detective — at Palm Springs Comic Expo and spoke about how he got into comics, being Latino and Latinos and women of color in comics. We also discuss Hurricane Maria and how the nerd community came together to support the island.