Everyone is familiar with Art Baltazar from his work on Tiny Titans, Itty Bitty Hellboy (with frequent collaborator Franco), Action Cat, and many other all-ages titles, but have you ever heard of YAHGZ?
YAHGZ is actually the first comic that Baltazar created when he was trying to break into the business and it is finally seeing the light of day after over thirty years courtesy of Papercutz. With a second volume out and a third on the way, it is high time that the world learned all about the land of Yahgz (and his many other upcoming projects) in this exclusive interview.
How has Yahgz developed over the years and what has the journey been like in creating and publishing the long gestating story?
Art Baltazar: My gosh. The journey has been epic. YAHGZ is the first comic I made when I started self-publishing back in 1992. It was called The Cray-Baby Adventures then. The characters were based on art supplies. Crays being crayons and Gwashes being gouache paint. The story was an all out war between two species that were sharing the planet filled with magic and mystery and mayhem.
After graduating college in 1992, I showed my portfolio to many of the comic companies in the comic industry. Just about all of them told me I wasn’t good enough. They told me to go back to school and learn how to draw. Very discouraging. Until one editor asked to see my sketchbook. My sketchbook was filled with cartoon doodles and sketches and characters. He encouraged me by saying, “why are you trying to draw like everybody else? You’re a cartoonist. Publish your own damn comic!” So, the self-publishing idea was unlocked, and I decided to draw the characters I created while I was in college.
Then 30 years later, I had an opportunity to show my publisher (Papercutz) something new. I thought about the story that has been in my brain since the early 1990’s. I rewrote, redrew, and retold the story in a fresh new way using my 30+ Famous Cartoonist comic book experience.
They liked it…and YAHGZ was born!
You have worked in all sorts of genres, but YAHGZ is your most fantasy-based comic. What elements stand out more in YAHGZ and a fantasy story (even one based on an island)?
Baltazar: I love magical stories. I love when there is a mystery to their world. I love when there is a Force, or a Ring, or a Wizard, or a big threat the characters are not aware of. I also like family tree and family heirloom stuff. Like my father before me and his father before him…and so forth. I also like the big powerful crazy bad guy who creates chaos and peril for our heroes. Surprise twists and turns are cool too. I love when a story starts a certain way and ends up going in a direction you could never predict. Oh. and a bit of cartooning as well. HA!
You introduce many new characters in “The Gwash War”. Do you have a favorite addition to the cast of characters?
Baltazar: I love SLIP DOOJER! He is such a heel turn type of character. Can he be trusted? Is he a good guy? How is he a king? He’s so fun to write…especially his dialogue. I love writing dialogue. Fun fact. I designed Slip Doojer to look like a squeezie cheese container.
Are you more of a Cray or Yahgeez?
Baltazar: Awesome. I think I am more of a Cray. The character Craymeez is actually based on me. Cray-Me…get it? At the time I wrote this way back when, I was searching for my Cray Stick of Joy. I even got whacked in the eye similar to Craymeez’s scar. Just like Craymeez, I am always looking for the next adventure. His was finding the Cray Stick, mine is making the next comic. It’s true.
What can you tell us about your work on Cat in the Hat: Cat Out of Water? Was it intimidating to work on a Suess character?.
Baltazar: Wow what a gig. When I first got the email asking me if I was interested I said…YES! Absolutely! Like many kids, I grew up reading Dr. Suess books. I loved his characters and his art and his rhyming. But then I thought, when I make these books, do I have to rhyme? Do I have to draw like Suess? I got a little scared until they told me they wanted me to make comics the way I make them. My stories, my character designs and no rhyming. I’m IN! I can do that! Henceforth history was made. The first CAT in the HAT graphic novel ever! In stores now!!
What can we expect from your upcoming Flash Gordon comic with Franco?
Baltazar: Wow! Definitely lots of PEW PEW!! We are both fans of Flash Gordon! I grew up watching the serials as well as the cartoon show. When prepping for this I went and watched all the serials and cartoons again. Lots of the situations and stories and characters come from that. There are even a few movie references here and there. Watch Out for the spikey floor! We took our own zany, cartoony, funny twists and made the world of Flash Gordon something memorable.
Other projects?
Baltazar: YES! I am always working on something. Currently working on YAHGZ Book 3 The Mystic Orb! The conclusion to the epic trilogy! Also, I am finishing up CAT in the HAT Book 2! AAANNNND… I am working alongside wrestler Christopher Daniels from AEW fame on our team-up comic with Action Cat that should be soon!
But wait! There is more! I partnered up with COMICBOOKS For Kids (CB4K) children’s charity and we are making comics exclusively for kids in hospitals. The comic is called COMICBOOKS for Kids! #1. We plan on publishing several times a year. Everything I said here is absolutely true. PLUS! I am publishing my own comics on a somewhat monthly basis exclusively for my website (ARTBALTAZAR.COM) and conventions and stuff like that. Also true. Wow that is lots of stuff! I may need some help from the YAHGEEZ.
No fighting. No crying. Be nice to each other. Wake up and do the things that make you happy.
Both volumes of Yahgz are now available at your local bookstore or comic shop.
