By David Rondinelli

Last month, Pronto Comics brought its semi-annual networking and creative workshop, Phrases to Pages (P2P) to Big Apple Con.

For those who have yet to attend, the main event at P2P is Pronto’s writing and drawing contest, in which aspiring writers and artists are paired up, given a phrase, and instructed to create a one-page comic based on a phrase. The work is then judged by professionals from the comics industry, and first, second, and third place winners receive prizes and get published in a special P2P comic book.

P2P Con Edition was the first time the event was held right at a comic convention, but it certainly won’t be the last!

The phrase this time was: “Oh the things you can do with a sorcerer’s stone.”

We were very fortunate to get some great judges, including the talented Jim Shaw, who co-founded Blu Trinity Comics. Shaw holds an Associate’s Degree in Studio Art and is the creator of such projects as Will Draw for Food. Here, he shares with us part of his comic book-making journey and what it was like judging P2P.

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Pronto Presents: Writer and Creator of Core – AG
By David Rondinelli

Core follows the story of Redd, a young boy who has a passion for robot battling, set against the backdrop of a futuristic world in which he lives a blue-collar life as a scavenger. However, a chance discovery sets Redd up for a quest that could take him from his humble life to an adventure among the stars.

AG himself, in cartoon form.

Before jumping into Pronto Comics’ new action/sci-fi world of Core, get to know the creator behind the book. Although his pen name is short and to the point, writer AG has been pursuing a lengthy journey of his own into the world of comics with his new book.

While growing up in New York, AG always had a passion for the comics and animation industry. Core is his first project in the industry, but it is his love of writing that has directed the ship he hopes will lead him to a steady professional career in comics.

Despite keeping a level of anonymity, AG is excited to have a project that anyone can check out and he looks forward to feedback from the Pronto community.

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Pronto Presents: Artist Miguelangel Ruiz
By David Rondinelli

Miguelangel Ruiz is one of the newest artists at Pronto Comics. His debut story, “The Black Skull Cowboy,” will be featured on Pronto’s website and in print in Deathology #4. Ruiz has developed a distinctive style that gives The Black Skull Cowboy a brittle, old-west look for his first solo tale featuring the character. Writer Steve Lucarelli collaborated with Ruiz on the project to craft a tale centered on bad blood between family ties that escalates into some dirty revenge.

Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ruiz moved to New York with his parents when he was 4 years old. His interest in art and comics developed early right along with his talent. After being accepted into the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (aka the Fame school), he continued his graduate studies in college with a focus on art history and studio art. Now an art teacher himself, Ruiz passes along his skills to his students while working on his own projects.

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Pronto Presents: Lawyer Dave Kozlowski
By David Rondinelli

Pronto Comics welcomes Dave Kozlowski as their new legal representative. Kozlowski is a Bridgeport, CT, native who, in addition to his law background, balances being a fan and a sports enthusiast by playing baseball, football—and Nintendo.

After graduating from Western Connecticut State University with a history degree, Dave bounced around the country working for a fraternity, waiting tables, and selling ad space in college sports program books. Along the way, he attended St. John’s University School of Law, then went on to clerk for a federal judge, worked in Manhattan at a national law firm, and recently opened his own law practice representing businesses and entrepreneurs.

With an already full background, it doesn’t end there for Kozlowski, as he is also a fiction writer.

For many creators, the business side of their art can be unfamiliar territory, but is nonetheless important. Kozlowski’s insights into the legal side of creating comics are a priceless tool that all up-and-coming creators should take to heart.

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Pronto Presents: Joe Wigfield
By David Rondinelli

Joe Wigfield is one of Pronto Comics’ newest artists. His work is featured in the third issue of Pronto’s ongoing horror anthology, Deathology #3, in which Wigfield draws the story “The Knock,” a tale about a young woman who goes to great lengths to resurrect her prince “charming.”

Wigfield grew up in central Pennsylvania, and later earned a degree in graphic design and computer animation from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. There, he developed both education and enthusiasm, and refined his illustration skills. Since then, he has gone onto work in commercial printing, as well as doing character and card designs to bolster his growing portfolio. His love of comics is still with him, as he aims to make it a full-time career as a penciler and inker.

Here, Wigfield opens up about his process, what he likes most about comics, and what you can catch him doing next.

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