Life's Tough, Superheroes Are TOUGHER!

Colleen Doran has worked in the world of comic books since she was a teenager.  She’s had the good fortune to work on some great collaborations in that time.  In a recent interview for the Superheroes are Tougher podcast, she sat down with hosts Stephen Shamus and Alex Rae. She talked about her career and shared stories and anecdotes about some of those great collaborative experiences she’s had. Colleen’s career is not just about comic books; her artistry illustrates many different projects, including comics, graphic novels, books, and magazines… hundreds of projects, in fact.  She’s worked with Neil Gaiman, Stan Lee, Anne Rice, and Tori Amos, to name a few.  She was regarded as a “weirdo” when she first began her career because she worked illustrating comics. Not a big fan of multitasking, she feels that when you concentrate on one thing and give it your all, you do much better. Her own project, A Distant Soil, has been described as a space opera graphic novel series.  It is written and illustrated by Colleen and is funded through her Patreon account.  This series is being created by popular demand! Recounting the differences between the beginnings of her career and conditions for women that work in the industry now, she remarks that she is more grateful now than ever.  Tune in for this epic podcast session! To learn more about Colleen Doran, check out her website. To learn about more Superheroes, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Superheroes Are Tougher! At https://www.lifestough.com/podcast/superheroes/. Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.

He’s worked in underground comics, then for DC, and then for Marvel.  He shares the secrets of his progression and his work history in a recent podcast.  He sat down with Stephen Shamus and Alex Rae of ACE Universe and told them that the original goal was not to suck!  He’s paid his dues and doesn’t suck anymore! Larry gained a chance to hone his art working with some legends during his stint in underground comics. In those days, that was where newcomers worked to get their start. For a year or so, he took a break and tried his hand at acting.  At that time, it was hard for Asian American actors to get acting roles except for the available stereotypical roles. While working at DC Comics, someone told him he was “settling” instead of pushing through to the next level. They encouraged him to take the risks that are inherent in pursuing art as a career.  Soon, he got an editorial job at DC and then got his first penciling job there, an eight-page horror story called Sinister House of Secrets.  Unfortunately, when it came time for DC to do a round of lay-offs, Larry was in the “last-hired” category and got cut from the company. It wasn’t long until he heard of an editorial position at Marvel and signed on with them.  Larry talks about the famous GI Joe “silent issue,” a comic book without words that tells the story without lettering. It was written and drawn in three days.  He’s surprised that people still talk about it and bring it for him to autograph. When asked what he’s always wanted to do but hasn’t had the chance to, he answered that he always wanted to draw funny animals and that he’s a big fan of Uncle Scrooge.  Larry says he never got a chance to work with animals, only Superheroes. As far as his everyday Superheroes go, he is grateful for everyone that helped him along his career path and considers them to be Superheroes in his life. He’s thankful that he’s always had help and encouragement from other artists. Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.

Angélique Roché learned a lot about storytelling in Law School and studying journalism.  That’s right; Angélique is a licensed attorney.  She began her legal career in politics, then shifted to philanthropy. Angélique sat down and talked with the hosts of the Superheroes are Tougher podcast, Stephen Shamus and Alex Rae, and spoke about her journey as a self-described fandom nerd. Whether you’ve heard her on the Marvel Voices podcast, or one of the other many podcasts and panels she’s been a part of, either as a moderator or panelist, there’s no mistaking her talent. You’ll be amazed by her obvious love of talent and culture and her in-depth knowledge of the industry. When asked who her real-life superheroes are, she answers without hesitation that she has three… Her Mom, Her Maternal Grandfather, and… Prince.  She shares her reasons for choosing all three and some exciting things you may not know about Prince.     The discussion led to talk of superheroes and anti-heroes. They all agree that everyone loves a good anti-hero.  Angélique explains that the whole face of superheroes is changing… not just race, gender, or geography.  She feels that superhero characters have opened up to be genuine and authentic, based on culture. To learn more about Angélique Roché check out her website. To learn about more Superheroes, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Superheroes Are Tougher! At https://www.lifestough.com/podcast/superheroes/. Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.

From the time he was a young boy, Frank Caliendo has been a fan of Superheroes and Comic Books.  Recently, on the Life’s Tough, But Superheroes are Tougher podcast, he talks with Stephen Shamus and Alex Rae about how culture influences Superheroes, and Superheroes, in turn, influence culture. Comic Books have always given insight into different aspects of society.  Superhero films remain popular and relevant because the themes that run through them provide something for everyone… adults and kids alike! Superhero movies stand the test of time and remain relatable because the extraordinary characters are also flawed. They give the example of Superman… who always does the right thing but is flawed nonetheless. There is always an element of politics in Superhero movies and TV shows that gives the nod to current issues. With the release of Black Panther and Wonder Woman, we are seeing popular cultural themes being played out. To learn more about Frank Caliendo, check out his website. To learn about more Superheroes, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Superheroes Are Tougher! Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.

Frank Caliendo is a long-time fan of Superheroes, dating back to when he was a kid watching Super Friends on TV.  He got into comic books when his grandfather would take him to the store and buy him comics.  He especially liked Iron Man, Spiderman, and Hulk. For a time, his son was interested in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Still, as he grew older, he wanted to go to the movies with his friends… a natural progression for teenagers.  Frank’s daughter, however, was drawn in by the Dark Knight series and soon became a fan of Guardian of the Galaxy and other Marvel films. It wasn’t long before Frank was attending ACE Universe shows with his daughter, and they were meeting superheroes and the actors who played them. However, it was often difficult to tell the difference! Frank relates how the two of them love going to the shows and meeting these fascinating iconic people.  Although Frank is a comedian and impressionist, not everyone recognizes him right away… so he has fun doing impressions while they figure it out. To learn more about Frank Caliendo, check out his website. To learn about more Superheroes, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Superheroes Are Tougher! Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.

Daniel Mancini works as a manager for Inspire Entertainment. He notes that they don’t have a ton of clients… because they are very focused on the talent they represent. The hosts of the Superheroes are Tougher podcast, Stephen Shamus and Alex Rae, had the opportunity to interview Daniel and get his thoughts on various aspects of the Superhero world. Although he was born in Los Angeles, Daniel spent most of his time growing up in the UK. He maintained his US passport, though. After trying a few different careers in the UK, he used that passport to return to Los Angeles and give the management business a try. He’s been with Inspire for ten years now. He manages Oscar Isaac, who plays Moon Knight for Marvel, and Anthony Mackie, who plays Falcon in the Marvel lineup. He appreciates the fact the Marvel makes it a priority to hire genuine acting talent for their films. When asked about the popularity of Superhero films, Daniel reminds us that when families are spending their entertainment dollars, it’s not an inexpensive proposition. They want to find movies that offer something for each family member, and the Marvel movies do just that! Classic themes of good guys and bad guys translate into real life. Daniel remarks that we tend to think of first responders and other everyday people as Superheroes, and they are… But, he also notes that people can be Superheroes by using words and their voices to reassure and encourage others in life. Something as simple as offering a kind word can make a difference in someone’s life. To learn about more Superheroes, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Superheroes Are Tougher! At https://www.lifestough.com/podcast/superheroes/. Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.

Following in his famous father’s footsteps was a tall order for John Romita Jr., but he’s made a huge name for himself at both DC and Marvel. He sat down recently with hosts of the Superheroes are Tougher podcast, Stephen Shamus and Alex Rae, and shared his thoughts on competition, comics, and everyday heroes. Growing up, John’s Dad, artist John Romita Sr.- responsible for so many iconic covers for Marvel, wanted John to be a fine artist and go into advertising.  Instead, John Jr. started early in the comic book industry and earned a name for himself. He says his Dad taught him to “keep your hands in your pockets, your mouth shut, and do your job.” In terms of competition and naysayers, he also learned from his father that there’s always going to be someone better and that there’s an opportunity to learn from that.  He’s come to understand that you just shouldn’t pay attention to nasty people. Having a good time and loving your work is what matters. John relates that the point of his work is storytelling and that it’s not just drawing fancy pictures.  He learned from icon Stan Lee that finding the perfect balance between fantasy and reality is what makes for a good story. Stephen asks him some interesting questions on the podcast. You’ll learn about particular stories John can relate to. Find out which character he hasn’t worked on but would like to… and why. They talk about the intersection between comics and film and the effect it has on the industry. When asked about everyday superheroes, John mentions his relationships with Cops, Firemen, Teachers, and those in the military, and the superheroic things they do every day.  Learn why he’s married to a superhero… it will surprise you!   To learn more about the work of John Romita Jr., check out Marvel Comics or DC Comics. To learn about more Superheroes, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Superheroes Are Tougher! At https://www.lifestough.com/podcast/superheroes/.   Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.

It’s tough enough to “make it” in one creative industry, let alone two!  In the premiere episode of our Life’s Tough… Superheroes Are Tougher podcast, hosts Stephen Shamus and Alex Rae sat down and talked to the multi-talented Billy Martin, artist and musician. They spoke about the challenges and rewards of pursuing success through two career paths. Billy started his musical career as a senior in high school with the band Good Charlotte.  They worked through the early days connecting with fans and building a solid foundation.  This fan base supported them for the first couple of years, until things really started to take off for Good Charlotte. For most people, fulfilling that dream would be enough.  But, Billy had another passion… his artwork.  Blending that line between the creative aspects of art and music, Billy is now a featured artist at the Comic Con experiential venues put on by Stephen and Alex of Ace Universe.  He draws for Marvel, amongst others, and has helped develop a line of toys with Hasbro that will come to market soon. Billy talks to us about being true to your originality and uniqueness while being willing to experiment. He relates that you don’t have room to grow unless you try new things. At the same time, it’s important to remember that without the fans… nothing happens.  You can’t skip steps. You must build that foundation to be successful. As successful as Billy has been, he keeps his two careers separate and insists that his music and art each stand on their own merits. He remarks that it’s easier to get into the field in both cases than it is to last.  Thus, the importance of evolving. To learn more about Billy Martin as an artist and musician, go to www.TheBillyMartin.com. Or, you can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheBillyMartin. Billy’s band, Good Charlotte, can be found on Spotify.  To learn about more Superheroes, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Superheroes Are Tougher! At https://www.lifestough.com/podcast/superheroes/. Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.

It’s tough enough to “make it” in one creative industry, let alone two!  In the premiere episode of our Life’s Tough… Superheroes Are Tougher podcast, hosts Stephen Shamus and Alex Rae sat down and talked to the multi-talented Billy Martin, artist and musician. They spoke about the challenges and rewards of pursuing success through two career paths. Billy started his musical career as a senior in high school with the band Good Charlotte.  They worked through the early days connecting with fans and building a solid foundation.  This fan base supported them for the first couple of years, until things really started to take off for Good Charlotte. For most people, fulfilling that dream would be enough.  But, Billy had another passion… his artwork.  Blending that line between the creative aspects of art and music, Billy is now a featured artist at the Comic Con experiential venues put on by Stephen and Alex of Ace Universe.  He draws for Marvel, amongst others, and has helped develop a line of toys with Hasbro that will come to market soon. Billy talks to us about being true to your originality and uniqueness while being willing to experiment. He relates that you don’t have room to grow unless you try new things. At the same time, it’s important to remember that without the fans… nothing happens.  You can’t skip steps. You must build that foundation to be successful. As successful as Billy has been, he keeps his two careers separate and insists that his music and art each stand on their own merits. He remarks that it’s easier to get into the field in both cases than it is to last.  Thus, the importance of evolving. To learn more about Billy Martin as an artist and musician, go to www.TheBillyMartin.com. Or, you can find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheBillyMartin. Billy’s band, Good Charlotte, can be found on Spotify.  To learn about more Superheroes, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Superheroes Are Tougher! At https://www.lifestough.com/podcast/superheroes/. Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.

His first exposure to comic books was his fascination with his grandmother’s collection.  She had been collecting comic books since the 1960s and had an extensive collection to admire.  When Harvey Tolibao sat down with the Superheroes Are Tougher podcast hosts, Stephen Shamus and Alex Rae, we learned a lot about his journey to success. You might say he had an advantage since his Dad was an artist and taught him a lot as a kid.  But, at the same time, his Father never wanted him to be an artist and discouraged him from choosing art as a career path. But Harvey’s interest in drawing was hard to dissuade him from, and his talent was undeniable. Harvey exploded on the comic book scene when he drew the twelfth issue of Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.  Since that time, he has illustrated for many top-tier publishers.  Today, you can enjoy the work he’s done for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse, Zenescope, and IDW… among others. He’s found great success through his talent and hard work, but his Dad still teases him about being “lucky.” During this podcast episode, Harvey, Stephen, and Alex delve into Asian-Influenced Superheroes' ideas and the possibility of Harvey creating an Asian character.  Harvey is a Filipino artist, and they discuss the fact that up until now, most superheroes have exemplified American values and culture. You’ll learn through listening to the podcast that Harvey has a great sense of humor as he tells of the adventures that he’s been through on the way to success.  To learn more about Harvey Tolibao, and gain more insight into the life of this artist and comic book illustrator, check out his Facebook page. To learn about more Superheroes, join us for new episodes of Life’s Tough: Superheroes Are Tougher! At https://www.lifestough.com/podcast/superheroes/. Stephen Shamus co-founded ACE Universe in Sept 2017 and has spearheaded the company’s growth and influence, reaching premier status in the comic-based experiential events production industry. His Co-Host, Alex Rae, is Director of Exhibitors, Artists, and Programming at ACE Universe.