We recently connected with Ismael Galvan and have shared our conversation below.

Ismael , appreciate you joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

We wrote Tamale Guy as a comic book that initially comes across as a traditional Chicano story. However, once the reader gets settled, we introduced elements that rattle those old school notions. We didn’t give the reader a chance to “misunderstand” us by making the first move, and then letting them figure out the story for themselves. I’ve heard some wild interpretations that I refuse to correct. In the beginning, I actually told a reader that his conspiracy theory was wrong and that we meant to say something else. The guy told me he disagreed! I thought that was amazing. The story has taken on a life beyond our intentions.

The only misunderstanding that I’d like to clear up is how much work goes into making a comic. Readers want the next issue, which is great. But, sometimes we get the feeling that people think we can knock out a fully crafted comic book in a weekend. It’s a ton of work! The writing, planning, illustrating, coloring, and all the technical computer stuff is done entirely by us. We’re working on something that will stand the test of time.

Ismael , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Triple OG Comics consists of Vince Vargas and me, Ish Galvan. Each of us brings a different skill set to the table. Vince is an experienced spray-can muralist, and I’m an illustrator and writer. Obviously, this is the shortened version. We both have decades of artistic experience and did the college thing. Vince is probably more into street culture, while I dive into a lot of nerd stuff. Our common ground is that we’re both Chicanos who grew up in the Westcoast and have a lifelong obsession with art and Chicano culture.

We love lowriders, graffiti, and hip-hop. But, that’s only one part of the equation. We can just as easily steer the conversation towards literature and history. I think that’s why our readers and clients come from such a diverse background. They know we can shift gears quickly and in an authentic way. Our business focuses on comics, design, and writing. The thing I’m most proud of in co-founding Triple OG Comics is that we always produce quality work while keeping true to ourselves. I’m convinced that’s what draws people to us.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Our mission is to increase Chicano representation in the comic book world. We’ve already made our mark by creating the first “tamalero” (tamale vendor) comic book in history. That shows that there’s still so much room to do something new. I know many people in our community feel that comics are not for them, and to an extent they’re right. The majority of characters and stories just don’t connect with them. We created “Tamale Guy” specifically for people who look like us and share a cultural experience. Yet, this isn’t something exclusive. We want to share this with anyone who wants to see what we’re all about. In doing so, we’ll be able to influence other subcultures through our work who otherwise probably wouldn’t have contact with us.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Your life really changes when you decide to become a professional creative/artist. There are so many challenges inside and outside of yourself that are going to test how serious you are about achieving your dream. When I was younger, I thought being a professional artist was entirely based on your technical ability. The reality is more complicated. All these external demands have shaped me into a version of myself that I respect. In a way, you start becoming your own art project that you’re constantly working on.

Of course, it’s great to have people tell me they enjoyed reading Tamale Guy or one of my books. The whole point is to create something for that’s meaningful to yourself and then let people into your world. It’s sort of like writing a journal and then letting anyone read it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tripleogcomics.com/
• Instagram: @tripleogcomics
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tripleogcomics
• Other: Ish Galvan Instagram @cool_stuffmanVince Vargas Instagram @invinceable760