More Than Comics Read Free Page B

loved her. I’d put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into them, and it was easily my best work. I was proud of what we’d created together.
    “Another thing I love about Misfit Squad is how diverse it is,” Christie continued. “There are characters of all different races, queer characters, even overweight and disabled characters. You don’t see those too often in comics.”
    “That was really important to both of us.” Tara glanced at me and I nodded. “We wanted to tell a story that had characters who weren’t typical superheroes, and that included some who weren’t white or straight or didn’t have ideal bodies.”
    I leaned in to the mic and added, “And we wanted to make sure lots of different people could read the book and see themselves in it. That’s something I never had when I was growing up and reading comics as a Mexican kid.”
    “Great point,” Christie said.
    Over the next few minutes she continued to ask us about the books and what was next for the series, before opening the panel to questions from the audience. In the middle of the room dozens of people scrambled to get in line in front of a microphone. Who knew so many people would have questions for us?
    One of the Comic-Con volunteers waved a guy in a Green Lantern t-shirt to the mic. “Hey,” he said. “Big fan of both Misfit Squad and Villain Complex. My question is for Hector. How do you balance being both a successful comic book artist and a drummer in a popular band? Is there one you consider your focus and the other your hobby, or are they both equal to you?”
    “Good question,” Tara said, turning to me. “I’m curious about this, too.”
    Damn, these people didn’t mess around. They couldn’t have started me off with an easy one?
    His question was something I’d started to worry about with the band going on tour this month and preparing to record our second album soon. Tara and I hadn’t discussed it, but with her starting a new job too it was something we’d have to address at some point if we wanted to do more than three books.
    “They’re equally important to me. I don’t consider myself a drummer first and an artist second, or vice versa. I’m both all the time. Sometimes it’s tough to find time to do both, and maybe it’ll be even harder now, but I’ll always find a way to make them each a priority. If you love doing something, if you feel drawn to it above everything else, nothing can stop you from pursuing it. I’m just weird because I feel that way about two things.” I rubbed the back of my neck. I hadn’t meant to talk so much, and worried I’d sounded stupid or boring. “I hope that answers your question.”
    “Thank you,” the guy said, and was replaced at the mic by a girl in a Villain Complex shirt.
    “Hi Hector! I just wanted to know, what is Jared like in person? And is he here, by any chance?”
    In the back of the room, Jared sank lower in his chair and covered his mouth, trying not to laugh. Of course he would love that question, damn egomaniac. I wanted to roll my eyes but I kept my expression as neutral as I could while I answered. “Jared is a great guy and a very talented musician. Next question.”
    The girl looked disappointed but the Comic-Con volunteer shuffled her off and brought up the next girl, this one in a Sailor Moon costume.
    “So now that Jared’s taken, you’re the only single guy in the band, right?” She batted her eyelashes at me suggestively, and a few people in the audience hooted.
    I stared at her for a beat. “Is that really your question?”
    She giggled. “Well, if you are single, do you want to go out later?”
    I had no response to this. I wasn’t used to being hit on like Jared or Kyle. My eyes found my friends again, who all looked like they were trying not to die of laughter. Yeah, laugh it up, assholes.
    Tara patted me on the arm while smiling at the audience, as though she was amused by the question. “He’s single and he’s quite a catch,