Wiki-Wiki-Wikipedia!

Much like Steve Martin in the Jerk, when he finds his name printed in the phone book...I can now jump up and down yelling "I AM SOMEBODY!!". Yup. It finally happened. I'm listed in Wikipedia. Fame and fortune is here. I'm going Rolex shopping this afternoon.

CHECK OUT THE WIKI-GOODNESS HERE!

The Nigerian Scam (art by me)

click for larger image

Here's my artwork for my good friend David Hopkins' minicomic "MINE ALL MINE". It was a collection of short stories he wrote, all dealing in one way or another with theft. A very cool concept, huh? I had a good time illustrating his one pager. It felt good delving into comics. I'd like to do more.

I'd really appreciate your feedback on the artwork. Do I have a future in comics? Is this the end of the line for our caped crusader?! Feel free to leave me a comment. Good, BAT, or ugly.

Lights, Camera, Acting!

Special Delivery; A short film written and directed by my friend Grasiella Rodriguez. She got some of her friends and family to act in this a couple of years ago. We had a really good time making this and obviously, we didn't take ourselves seriously. I play a doctor/surgeon. I filmed my parts at a dentist office. The gist of the film is that its a take on an old urban legend about a girl who swallows an octopus while surfing. I just ruined it for you. Watch it anyways.

Cartoonistas United

Jim Lujan, Jose Cabrera, Javier Hernandez, Ted Seko, Grasiella Rodriguez (front)

Our San Gabriel Valley Creators Group (dubbed the Cartoonistas) met on Friday. It was really fantastic and productive. We talked a lot about the highs and lows of being an indie creator and about the craft of creating art that is true to yourself. Some deep stuff. We also talked about the Exorcist vs Jaws- which is scarier. So, it was a balanced evening.

Kitchen Mural Art

Check out this cool mural art from the Kitchen in Hollywood. I discovered this on a walk in the area. They say nobody walks in LA, well...I must be a nobody, cuz I was walking. (This is the part where you're supposed to disagree with me and reaffirm my social status).

FbR Rewind!

Fanboy Radio is replaying the interview I did with them a while back. good times. I don't think I had even met my good friend, Scott Hinze, in person yet. Listen to the sounds of nerd love! I do remember it was a good interview (I'm on the 2nd half of the show). CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE RADIO GOODNESS!

Interview with a Jimpire

Yours truly being interviewed on Planet Comic Book Radio by Javier Hernandez. One of the most fun experiences I've ever had being interviewed. You can find both parts of the interview (mp3) HERE!

The Man

MAD magazine artist Sergio Aragones circa 1970s. I just love this pic. Could I play him in a movie? hmmmm....you tell me!

Hey man, I know these guys!

The Scotts. Kurtz and Hinze.

20 Questions

David Hopkins and I started this tradition of each year asking each other 20 random questions. Here is this years:

20 Questions for David Hopkins
1) Are you happy with your middle name...what is it?
Yep. Gregory. I'm named after my uncle. The name means "Watchman,"
which is freakin' cool.
2) Favorite sugared breakfast cereal.
Mellow Matties. It's a generic version of Lucky Charms.
3) Are you an early bird or night owl?
I'm a night owl, but I have to wake up early for work, so I'm kinda
both.
4) Favorite candy bar:
Snickers.
5) Japan or France? Just answer the question.
Dang. That is a difficult question. I'd happily visit Japan, but I would
live in France. Also, I'm a much bigger fan of French comics over manga.
6) Do you believe in ghosts?
I would like to say that I don't, but I kinda do.
7) Make up a name for a sitcom:
Doing It Right.
8) Song that makes you cry:
"Daughter" by Loudon Wainwright
9) Who is your favorite old guy?
Will Eisner. He's no longer with us, but I met him when he was old.
10) What was the very first comic you ever made?
In junior high, my friend Wim and I worked on a comic that was basically
crappy fan fiction. We made our own sequel to a graphic novel by Jim
Starlin and Jackson Guice called "X-Factor Special:
Prisoner of Love." It was pretty cheesy. We took turns drawing each
page.
11) Ever have a a ponytail?
Nope, but I had a mullet once.
12) Ever walk out of a movie you paid for?
There are some movies I've rented, which I couldn't finish. My Super
Ex-Girlfriend. However, I've never walked out of a movie at the theater.
Even though, I've been tempted. For the most part, I skip the movies
that look like they are going to suck.
13) If you were having coffee with Prince, what would you ask him?
I could care less about Prince. Never really listened to his music.
Maybe I'd ask him when he plans to retire.
14) Your latest obsession:
Battlestar Galactica. I'm watching season three on DVD.
15) Is there anything redneck about you?
Not really. I'm sort of the antithesis of a redneck. I live in Texas,
proud to be a Texan, but I never understood the humor behind Blue Collar
Comedy. Also, I once referred to it as a "NASCAR game." I think that
disqualifies me from redneck status.
16) What does it take to make you dance?
Music. That's all. I'm always looking for an excuse to dance.
17) Favorite bookstore:
Too many to choose. Half-Price Books in Dallas.
18) Sexiest body part on a woman:
The personality. It's not a body part, but anyone can look sexy with the
right attitude and a bit of confidence. I'm a sucker for the bookish
indie girl -- a hoodie, some Converse, and a geek-out obsession with
music, movies, and books, I'm done for.
19) How was your attendance in high school?
Decent. I would only miss one or two days a year.
20) Last time you yelled at a stranger:
Last year, in St. Louis, a car nearly ran me over while I was crossing
the street. I started yelling at the driver. My friends were rather
embarrassed. "Uh, David, we don't do that here..."

20 Questions for Jim Lujan
1) If you could "fight the power," who would you bring down?
I would bring down FM radio. I would reprogram it with a variety of music and talk that you don’t hear now. Right now its terrible…all the same stuff.
2) Your favorite curse word:
I’m gonna go with “pussy”. I cannot say that without smiling.
3) Worst meal you've ever had:
Western Bacon Cheeseburger in 1982. I threw up because of the stomach flu. Yum.
4) Can you change a tire? If so, proof?
I can and the proof is on my car right now.
5) Have you ever been in a fight?
I’m a peaceful guy. Haven’t been in a real fight since grade school.
6) Pitch an idea for a made-for-television movie.
Old men bounty hunters…the odd couple meets Dog.
7) Your favorite cartoon as a child:
UnderDog.
8) What movie makes you cry?
The ending of the Shawshank Redemption….and the Lion King father’s death scene.
9) What was the first cartoon you ever made?
Mayhem News (1996)
10) Worst hair cut:
Anytime I get it cut too short on the sides. My head looks like a friggin’ handball court…totally Frankenstein.
11) If you could ask John Waters one question, what would it be?
I’d ask him what he is embarrassed to admit he likes in pop culture.
12) Fame or money? You must choose.
Fame…because fame gets you perks.
13) Favorite Beatle:
Paul.
14) Who's the baddest bad ass celebrity (living or dead)?
Mohammed Ali
15) If you had $1000, where would you spend it?
I’d print up Jim Lujan Cartoon DVDs for sale and make my money back tenfold.
16) How much time do you spend drawing every day?
5 mins- hour. I skip days a lot. I need to draw more.
17) Most important political issue for you:
Quality affordable healthcare.
18) Worst year in public school:
Senior year. Most of my friends dropped out. Yes, I hung with some losers, for the most part.
19) Where will Jim be in five years?
Working on art FULL TIME.
20) How far is too far?
Picking on the defenseless. Now that’s just lame.

Ruben Martinez

Ruben Martinez draws so good....you will drop your pencils and walk out into traffic. Seriously, he's that good.

CLICK HERE TO SEE!

Even Macho Men Cry

Above is my tribute to the Crying Macho Man. Whats that? You haven't read CMM? Oh man, you are out of it. You dont even know what you are missing and it makes me sad. If you like my cartoons, then you will love CMM. I recently met Jose Cabrera, the creator of the strip, and we both discovered that we must have been conjoined twins separated at the orphanage. In other words, we get along. Check out Jose's (fakely sedated) interview below and check out CRYING MACHO MAN HERE!

Jim on Planet Comic Book Radio

CLICK TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW!

Radio Interview: Planet Comic Book (pt. 1)

Thats me on Planet Comic Book Radio.

I was interviewed by host Javier Hernandez. I attended the very entertaining SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COMIC BOOK FESTIVAL (in El Monte) and let me say that I had a blast. It was probably the most fun I've ever had at a show, and heres why: Creators, creators, creators. Everyone was friendly and when there werent fans at the tables asking for sketches, the creators totally were mingling amongst one another.

I got to see some familiar faces (Romo, George, Gras, Cousin Ted)and some other great folks like Jose Cabrera (Crying Macho Man), Michael Aushenker (El Gato Comics), Rafael Navarro (Sonambulo), Ted Seko (Xomic Comix), Mike Wellman (AtomicBasement.com) and many many more. It was truly a great experience and everyone was very sociable. It was a great opportunity for us SGV creators to connect and I hope there is more of it in the future.

Dont Hate the Game...Hate the Player

GAMEFACED!
Oh the joy! Another new cartoon. This one is a "tribute" to those fantasy card tournaments and to the players who play them, subsequently desrtoying their opponents to their very core. This one was inspired, again, by real life.

Yet ANOTHER New Cartoon!

I present to thee....ROTTEN TEENAGERS. The timeless tale of adolescence gone awry. Actually, this was inspired by my years spent in high school with friends bragging about how totally wasted they were and how they pushed the boundaries of human intoxication to limits never seen before. I think this happens in every generation, so the tale is timeless. It has a little surprise twist to it too. This is my third "shortie" style cartoon in a row. I'm enjoying doing these simple little scenario shorts. Feedback has been positive. I think I'm going to do some more of these "real life" experience cartoons. Names will be changed to protect the ignorant.

The Modern Masters

This is a part of my "stash". I sometimes lay these books on the ground and roll around in them naked (ouch...the papercuts!)These are books by/about some of my favorite artisits. I though tI might take a little time to share just why I enjoy their work so much. By the numbers(in no particular order) :

1) JOE OLLMAN- He's out of Canada and his writing is as impressive as his art. His character's gestures really add life to the stories. Cartoony in the best of ways, its like watching little mini-movies when you read his books. Really has a great eye for design. His work has a sweetness (not sugary)to it that is very addictive. Very inspiring. http://www.wagpress.com/

2) JOHN BYRNE-Like many growing up in the 80's, Byrne was the man. He defines the modern comic rockstar for me. If Byrne was doing his take on a character it was totally his own. I think he is singlehandedly responsible for the massive popularity of Wolverine, his version was so defining. Is that a good thing? Now we have Wolverine up the ying yang. Any way- his 70's/80's stuff is beyond compare. Byrne rocks! Google him.

3) DAN CLOWES- Clowes work shows the versatility of comics. His mood and attitude in his art is so non-fanboy that even someone who hates comics can get into his stuff. He has a spooky eye for clean, crisp design. His characters are some of my favorite pieces of art ever. He makes me want to be a better "artist"...not just a draw-er (I almost typed "drawer"). He's the one who got me re-interested in comic book art. Google him.

4) HARVEY KURTZMAN- In short, the greatest layouts in comics EVER. What a sense of spacing and framing this guy had. Amazing. His work in early MAD is legendary. His covers for TWO FISTED TALES and the other war comics are among my favorite art pieces. Genius design and perspective drawing. Harvey is the guy I try to emulate the most when I draw....I hope it shows. Google him, its worth it.

5) SERGIO ARRAGONES-Sergio was my first art hero. His work in MAD and GROO is brilliant. Attitude-wise, he's got the personality that I wish to have one day. Nobody can draw like Sergio. Such a unique and cool style. He is amazing in his detail. Everything is perfect yet cartoon. Confident but really humble. Sergio truly is a stud and a class act in real life. http://www.sergioaragones.com/

6)AL JAFFEE-Hands down the most underated artist in the world. He does so much more than the fold ins and Snappy Answers for MAD. His sense of humor is very much responsible for my own. I grew up with this guy. He and Sergio were like tutors to me as a kid. Jaffee's art is incredible. His characters always seemed to be posed in an "acting" shot. Great subtleties in his work. Nobody draws the "rich" like Al Jaffee. A legend. Google him.

7) JACK KIRBY- Just the king of comic artists. Period. Google him.

New Cartoon!

NEVER RAT

Never ever ever rat on your homeboy. Well, ok, maybe every now n' then? While I, in no way, have ever been a thug or a gangsta, I did have an experience that inspired this cartoon(although much less sinister). At the age of 6 or so, I was caught behaving badly in a supermarket. My friend (who was also caught) told me "lets make up a story. He was older, so I followed, as young followers do. After all- he was the professional criminal mastermind, right?

I stuck to my story....and he snitched me out. Sigh.

So I killed him with a tire iron. Hey, I was 6 yrs old, I couldn't get a gun. Enjoy the cartoon.

Dear FBI...I am totally joking. (it was a hammer)

Whammy!

One of my favorite songs (Whammy Kiss) by one of my favorite groups (B-52s). This was my favorite era for them....like 82-83. Whammy is a great album. In my humble opinion, their best. Go search it on iTunes. Check out the way Cindy Wilson dances (in yellow). She rocks so hard. "I aint foolin' gimme a refuelin'!"

El Muerto Lives!

El Muerto, as drawn by yours truly. El Muerto is the only superhero ever from Whittier, CA- at least I think so. I know Richard Nixon was from Yorba Linda or something...but that's beside the point. Javier Hernandez is just one of the many talented creators that populate the San Gabriel Valley area. Check out what Javier is up to by clicking here.

David Hopkins the Magic Viking

Every now and then I like to do a portrait of my friend, David Hopkins. why? Because he's just a fun guy to draw. David is a writer from Arlington, TX. He is also a magic viking that weilds a sword and controls the lightning with his bare hands. Oh yeh, he had me killed in one of his published stories (see Karma Incorporated/Viper comics) David can be found here.

Ain't She Sweet?

Yes, I constantly draw ugly girls....but once and a while I can make pretty pictures. Aaaaaaw.

San Gabriel...the Hidden Valley

Might be cool. Might go. I'm interested in meeting the creator of El Muerto, Javier Hernandez. He's doing some really cool stuff and is local . God bless the San Gabriel Valley.