We have a newcomer in our deck, the creator of Aquila The Almighty! Erick Pedrucci. As the legend tells it, Aquila is a young lad with the ability of flight from any winged creature due to the oath he made as the guardian of wildlife. His heroism is put to the test when he embrarks on a quest to find a missing village child. Is this giving Ferngully? Princess Mononoke?

We had to sit down and get the details on this hot commidty, roll the clip!

Saturday AM: Hello and thank you for taking the time to sit down with us. Could you be so kind to introduce yourself?

Erick: Hello! My name is Erick, and I’m from Brazil. I’m an artist and I’m currently working on a new manga series called GUN+BONE. I’m passionate about Manga and everything that surrounds it, and in my free time, I enjoy playing sports and read

Saturday AM: What inspired you to become an artist? What are some of your inspirations?

Erick: I’ve always loved making art, but what truly inspired me to become an artist is its ability to communicate emotions and ideas through still images. In manga/comics, for example, one image can resonate with readers long after they’ve seen it. I find it incredibly cool that a single picture can create a lasting impact on the viewer—something unmatched even by animation or movies, which have more resources to engage audiences.

Saturday AM: Could you tell us what your comic is about? What’s the lore behind it?

Erick:  GUN+BONE is a bloody, violent, supernatural western that blends intense action with dark, mystical forces. It’s inspired by Hellsing and Trigun but has its own place within Saturday AM’s diverse manga lineup. The story follows characters battling supernatural threats in a brutal, lawless frontier. There’s also a connection to Brazil’s “Cangaço” western genre, drawing from the harsh landscapes of the northeast and the legendary outlaws of that region. Like the Cangaço’s themes of survival and justice, GUN+BONE combines gritty western elements with supernatural action in a rugged, unforgiving world.

Saturday AM: How do you stay consistent with art? Whats your routine when you sketch? What are some of your art goals?

Erick: I stick to a daily routine, even if it’s just simple sketches. Consistency is key, so I make it a habit to draw, regardless of my inspiration. I begin with quick shapes to warm up, then work on the composition, focusing on flow and energy before adding details. Music helps me concentrate. I aim to refine my storytelling and explore new ideas to push my creative limits.

Saturday AM: Its Hispanic Heritage Month, is your culture apart of your series or art? Whats the comic book industry like where youre from?

Erick: Although Brazil isn’t a Hispanic country—speaking Portuguese rather than Spanish—we share rich cultural connections with our Latin American neighbors. As I grew as an artist, my culture naturally infused my work, making it essential to share my unique perspective. In my comic, GUN+BONE, I explore themes of struggle and resilience, drawing from the region’s vibrant storytelling traditions.

While the Brazilian comic industry is smaller than those in North America or Japan, it’s steadily growing, with creators finding innovative ways to connect with the global market.

Saturday AM: You were featured in Saturday AM #151 how has that shaped you as an artist? How did it feel to be featured? because not many make the cut.

Erick: Being featured in Saturday AM #151 with “Aquila, the Mighty” was a pivotal moment in my artistic journey. It reinforced my appreciation for storytelling and the impact of art. Sharing the spotlight with such talented creators was incredibly validating and inspired me to push my creative boundaries. This experience has strengthened my commitment to sharing my unique voice and stories with the world.

Saturday AM: What are some hardships youve faced as a comic artist? Did you ever want to quit art and pursue something else?

Erick: As a comic artist, I’ve faced challenges like self-doubt and balancing my passion with financial stability. I’ve often questioned my abilities during tough times, but my love for storytelling always brings me back. Each setback teaches me resilience and strengthens my commitment to my craft. Creating art isn’t just a job; it’s essential to who I am.

Saturday AM: Last one, could you give a piece of advice for any of our readers?

Erick: To anyone pursuing their passion, embrace the journey and stay committed. As a saying in my culture goes, “Dripping water wears away stone.” Keep pushing forward, even when it’s tough, and remember that improvement comes with practice. Surround yourself with a supportive community, seek feedback, and learn from others. Most importantly, stay true to your unique voice and vision—your perspective is what makes you special.

Wasn’t that grand? Can’t wait to see what Erick has up his sleeve next.

The post Erick Pedrucci: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage appeared first on Saturday AM.

The post Tony Dawkins: Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month appeared first on Saturday AM.

In *Gunhild, Volume 2*, the gods have refused to heed her warnings about the impending Ragnarok, so she goes against their wishes and hatches her own plan to save mankind.

With the new volume set to drop on March 28th, we had to sit down with the mastermind behind the Norse mythological tale, Fred Tornager, to talk about the next volume!

Hello Fred! Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Could you please tell us who you are?

I’m Fred Tornager, Danish manga artist and creator of Gunhild, a Norse Mythology adventure.

What inspired you to create Gunhild? What is it about? If you could describe it by naming two other series what would it be?

I’ve always liked Norse Mythology and wanted to create a story in a world where the gods and myths were real.

The character of Gunhild came from wanting a main character who’d be relatable to me in the sense of feeling like a black sheep, in our childhood. I made Gunhild a Jotun, a personification of nature, to differentiate her from her human village and to tie her to the gods.

In the story, she wants to prevent Ragnarok, the world’s end, but has trouble being taken seriously as a Jotun, leading her to want to become a god to gain respect and influence.

It’s not an action series but the fact that it’s an adventure story is definitely inspired by One Piece and though it’s got nothing to do with horror, the Supernatural tv-series is probably an early influence as a road trip show about meeting famous mythological beings and giving them a funny twist.

How long have you been planning to create Gunhild? I know creating a story is very hard. When did you know you were ready?

I’ve wanted to make up a story in a Norse Mythology world for a while, but it wasn’t until the Summer of Manga applications 2020 I decided to make up a proper story for that purpose.

Having that concrete goal of wanting to appeal to a foreign market, by highlighting my own background and culture, sure helped. Also the deadline, it forced me to shoot my shot and hope for the best.

What are some of the themes in Gunhild? Is it a reflection of your childhood in a way? What made you choose Norse Mythology?

I guess the main theme is that you don’t have to be great to be good enough. In other words: You don’t got to be a god to change the world. It’s something I didn’t realize in my youth and I still see too many not understand that fact.

I like having mythology as a starting off point as a lot of world building is already made for you. I have a personal and cultural connection to specifically Norse Mythology and I like how due to the knowledge of it being very limited, I’ve got a lot of freedom for personal interpretation.

How did you develop your art style? What are some of your inspirations?

As a manga collector since childhood I’ve had a lot of inspirations through the years.

One Piece has made me appreciate simplicity and colors. Demizu Posuka illustrates these environments, which look incredible and perfect but on closer inspection, they’re really quite sketchy, which taught me that perfection isn’t real.

Moving on to animation there’s Wander Over Yonder which taught me to implement a certain fluidity in my art and the character designs made by Vivziepop inspire me to really push my own designs and create strong silhouettes.

Being an artist and a writer is both equally difficult. How do you stay so consistent with your goals?

My goals are to meet the deadline and create something satisfying and fun for both the readers and me. I’m very anti perfection, I’m sure that’s the main reason why. Lol.

I set off some time for my work and does the best to my abilities within that timeframe, and whatever comes of it, will be. I also taught myself to work fast that way, which is more and more helpful, the better I get.

How many volumes of Gunhild do you plan to create?

I’m working on the third volume now and hope to finish off strong with volume four.

How do you create a good pacing with your story? How do you create relatable characters? Have you wanted to quit creating before?

I think of each chapter as a mini story, like a 1-hour TV-episode, and a volume as an overarching story, like a movie.

If I relate to a part of a character or base an aspect on a person in my life, it’s usually relatable.

When I get a bit overwhelmed with adult life, I daydream about an alternate universe, in which art, or any creation never interested me, and I could live a simple life completely different from my actual life.

Paradoxically, thoughts like that spring from my interest in different stories, so long story short: No, I can’t quit creating, I’m literally obsessed and have too many stories to tell in a lifetime.

What’s next for Gunhild? What do you hope to accomplish more with the series?

I hope to get Gunhild translated and introduced to more young readers around the world!
I want the series to be as popular as it can possibly be.

What’s a piece of advice you can give to your readers who want to be like you?

Don’t be like me, be like you, haha

There we have it folks – a peak behind the curtain to see what drives Fred to share this amazing story with the world! I personally can’t wait to get my hands on Vol 2, but what about you? Are you going to grab a copy? If you haven’t gotten caught up with the story thus far check out GUNHILD VOL 1 RIGHT HERE 

GET GUNHILD VOL. 2 RIGHT HERE 

The post Gunhild Vol 2 Release: A Talk with Creator Fred Tornager appeared first on Saturday AM.

They touch on the inception of the character, history of the series, the artstyle, and MUCH MORE.  Heres a little snippet from the tell all interview:

IG: Well, it’s pretty classic. Fred starts by thinking about the events of the chapters then we discuss it. Then he writes the script, which I adapt into a storyboard. And I finalize the page with the help of the artistic team (i.e., my assistants).

FLJ: Sure! As I said, Saturday AM is a Black-owned company that normalizes diversity in manga. Clock Striker is uniquely a Saturday AM title, in that it’s the first Black female lead heroine in shonen manga ever. It’s also one of our most popular series and best-selling titles, and it has racked up some great reviews and award nominations. So, it’s something I definitely take a great deal of pride in and spend a comparable amount of time working on, as it’s a core part of our business.

My schedule has always been crazy, but after a decade in corporate America, I’m big on meetings and team dynamics. Essentially, I start the week with a meeting with Issaka, and we plan out Clock Striker work for the week, be it scripts, plot concerns, dialogue, or marketing.

After that, I will focus on our core business from new business dealings, sales, deadlines, invoices, etc. Likewise, I set aside time for one-on-ones with creators and individual meetings with our partners across Sandisk, Quarto, Atsuko, and more.

Check out the full Comic Book Yeti interview right HERE

Catch up with Clock Striker Vol. 1 with Vol. 2 coming later this year! 

Buy Clock Striker Vol. 1 

Pre Order Clock Striker Vol. 2

The post Comic Book Yeti: Clock Striker Interview appeared first on Saturday AM.

Jones reflected on what inspired Saturday AM’s inception, saying,

“I’ve always wanted to participate in this beautiful art form, but as I got older—I wanted to see more black and brown characters.”

This desire for inclusivity and diversity has been at the heart of everything we do at Saturday AM.

One of the questions asked during the interview was about what sets Saturday AM apart from other manga publishers. Jones emphasized our commitment to diverse creators and content. He highlighted our exclusive manga series and the groundbreaking representation we bring to the industry.

We’ve been thrilled to see the positive responses from our readers, particularly to series like CLOCK STRIKER, which features a black female lead. Jones shared,

“The love we got… was simply overwhelming and emotionally gratifying!”

It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do.

You can check out the full interview over at the SLJ website right HERE 

Hey, click that link below to check out the amazing series they mention in this interview!

The post Celebrating Diversity: Saturday AM Interviews with SLJ appeared first on Saturday AM.

Next up we have a creator who had so much time on his hands I nearly couldn’t catch him for this interview. See its Issaka Galadima one of the masterminds behind Clock Striker. Did yall catch the time joke, it’s a double entendre.

Anyways lets jump into it!

Saturday AM: How has your experience as a Black creator influenced your creative process and the themes you explore in your work?

Issaka: Honestly, it’s been a game changer. I grew up in Niger Republic, a country that has a culture full of positivity, and that colors everything I do, bringing in stories and vibes that feel fresh (I hope lol) and real, and makes my work pop with authenticity and heart.

Saturday AM: Can you share a specific moment or experience where your identity as a Black creator intersected with challenges or obstacles within your industry?

Issaka: Interestingly enough, I’ve been fortunate not to face obstacles in the industry because of my identity. So far, it’s been a smooth journey on that front, with the roadblocks and challenges being more about the usual ups and downs of the creative process and the lack of freetime rather than anything to do with my identity as a Black creator.

Saturday AM: In what ways do you navigate the complexities of diversity and representation in your creative projects?

Issaka: It’s all about being real and breaking those clichés. I make sure my characters are as layered and varied as people are in real life.

Saturday AM: How do you address or challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Black creators and their work?

Issaka: When it comes to tackling those old stereotypes and misconceptions, I like to mix a bit of humor with truth in my work. I try to create characters and stories that feel so real and relatable, anyone holding onto clichés starts to see just how outdated they are. It’s like, “Come on, we’re way more diverse and interesting than that!” I aim to make my audience think, “Wow, I had no idea,” and leave them with a new appreciation for the richness of our stories.

Saturday AM: Have you encountered instances of racism or discrimination in your career, and if so, how have you responded or overcome them?

Issaka: Not gonna lie, it’s rough out there sometimes (lot of trolls here and there). But I channel that negativity into determination. I keep my head up, surround myself with positive vibes, and use it as fuel to prove them wrong. It’s about showing up, standing tall, and making sure my work speaks volumes.

Saturday AM: What aspirations or goals do you have for yourself and the broader Black creative community in terms of representation and recognition within your industry?

Issaka: I’m aiming high—not just for me but for all Black creatives. It’s about making the industry reflect the real world, with all its beautiful diversity. We’ve made some strides, but there’s so much more to do. And I’m here for it, pushing for that change every day.

Saturday AM: Being apart of the comic book industry, has it been everything you thought it was? Was are some things you you enjoy, somethings you wish you could change?

Issaka: Jumping into comics has been a wild ride! There’s so much to love—the creativity, the community, the chance to bring my wildest ideas to life. I truly love is the creative freedom and the chance to connect with fans who get just as excited about these stories as I do.
But if there’s one thing I could wave a magic wand over, it would be to ensure that more artists can actually make a living from their art. It’s heartbreaking to see incredibly talented folks juggle their passion with day jobs just to make ends meet. I dream of a world where artists are more valued and compensated in a way that reflects their contribution to our culture and society.

Saturday AM: How do you use your platform and voice as a Black creator to advocate for social justice and equity in your field and beyond?

Issaka: It’s mainly through the stories I tell. Spreading universal values like kindness, empathy, and understanding.
I aim to weave these themes into the fabric of every chapter, hoping they resonate far and wide, and creating narratives that not only entertain but also educate and inspire positive change.

Saturday AM: Can you give a piece of advice for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Issaka: If you’re looking to walk this path, here’s the deal: stay true to you. Your unique voice? That’s your superpower. Tell the stories that fire you up and never stop learning and growing. And remember, your work matters, your voice is needed, and heck yes, you belong here.

Looks like our time has ran out ladies and gents catch y’all tomorrow!

And don’t forget to BUY CLOCK STRIKER VOL 1 

or to PREORDER CLOCK STRIKER VOL 2 

The post Celebrating Black Creators: Issaka Galadima appeared first on Saturday AM.

We have one of the OGs of Saturday AM, Raymond Brown everyone! Let’s see what kind of punch he’s packing!

Saturday AM: How has your experience as a Black creator influenced your creative process and the themes you explore in your work?

Raymond: It made me realize the importance of representation. I grew up in an era where most of heroes depicted in mainstream media were not people of color. It never really bothered me much because it was all that I knew. But, since becoming a creator, I’ve seen first-hand the joy fans experience when they see characters that speak to their community.

Saturday AM: Can you share a specific moment or experience where your identity as a Black creator intersected with challenges or obstacles within your industry?   

Raymond: In my opinion, as black creators, we tend to have to be EXCEPTIONAL at the craft to be taken seriously by the industry. There’s a ton of “Gate keeping” in this space, but I find that work hard, Consistency, and staying professional will doors for you.

Saturday AM: In what ways do you navigate the complexities of diversity and representation in your creative projects?

Raymond: Live life. Weird, answer I know, but I find that’s it easier to draw from life experiences than my imagination sometimes. I make it a point to interact with people that aren’t like me, and it opens my mind to create all sorts of different characters in my work.

Saturday AM: How do you address or challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about Black creators and their work?

Raymond: Research and education. Learn what potentially hurtful stereotypes might arise in whatever story I’m telling and avoid it like them plague.

Saturday AM: Have you encountered instances of racism or discrimination in your career, and if so, how have you responded or overcome them?

Raymond: The racism that I’ve personally faced hasn’t been overt, but very subtle. As I mentioned before, this industry has a lot of gatekeepers. If your background doesn’t line up with theirs or their buddies, they tend to ignore your work regardless of quality. The key to overcoming this is to continue to produce good work and eventually you’ll find your lane.

Saturday AM: What aspirations or goals do you have for yourself and the broader Black creative community in terms of representation and recognition within your industry?

Raymond: To have more black writers and artists’ voices represented in main stream media.

Saturday AM: Being apart of the comic book industry, has it been everything you thought it was? Was are some things you you enjoy, somethings you wish you could change?

Raymond: I learned the being a part of the comic book industry is A LOT of work! You really have to love what you do and have a solid support group in order to stay sane.

Saturday AM: How do you use your platform and voice as a Black creator to advocate for social justice and equity in your field and beyond?

Raymond: Doing my best to create cool stories and characters with unlikely heroes.

Saturday AM: Can you give a piece of advice for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Raymond: Don’t get caught up by your own hype, but don’t be too hard on yourself either. Be confident in what you’re doing, but also be willing to learn from people that have what you want.

Check out Raymond’s Series Bully Eater and his recent appearance in Saturday Annual 2024 AVAILABLE NOW!

The post Celebrating Black Creators: Raymond Brown appeared first on Saturday AM.

A woman who already deserves a star on the walk of fame, we have Stephanie Williams! Her work has been featured in Marvel, Syfy Wire, NPR and more! She is currently working with Apple Black’s Whyt Manga on the prequel series Apple Black Origins: Holy Spectrum and The Spectre. Give this woman her flowers! We had the chance to catch Stephanie and get an inside look at her life as a top notch writer lets hear what she has to say:

Saturday AM: What initially inspired you to pursue a career in writing, particularly within the realms of comic books and video games?

Stephanie: It was a combination of things, but if I had to keep it short, it was my love for the medium. I’ve been reading comics for as long as I can remember, going way back to when I made sure I was the first to grab the Sunday paper because I wanted the weekly comic strips. What, or I should say, who inspired me to be ambitious enough to tell stories in this medium were all of the fantastic Black women romance authors who showed me that Black women can be multifaceted and perfect but still be loved wholly. The way they wrote their heroines made me crave that type of representation in mainstream comics.

Saturday AM: Can you share a memorable experience or moment from your time working at Marvel and DC that had a significant impact on you as a writer?

Stephanie: I’ll speak about an experience at DC since that was my first significant work as a comic pro, my time working on both Nubia and the Amazons and Nubia: Queen of the Amazons. My experience with editorial set the stage for what I should expect, and anything less was worth speaking up about. My editors on both books were highly encouraging and provided the needed feedback essential for my growth as a comic writer. My thoughts and creative desires were heard and fully supported by the editorial team, and I’m thankful that was one of my earlier experiences in my career.

Saturday AM: How do you navigate and overcome any challenges or hardships you’ve faced as a black woman in the predominantly male-dominated industries of comic book and video game writing?

Stephanie: This industry, comics, is one of many I’ve worked in. Before making my career shift, I worked as a research scientist. As you can imagine, it’s also an industry full of people who would like to remind me every chance they get that I wasn’t supposed to be there, and how dare I believe I had a right to exist in that space. The hardships I faced there are no different than the ones I’ve encountered in the comic book industry. I have a robust support system, loved ones I can vent my frustrations to and be openly vulnerable with when I need to break, and the space to put myself back together again. It’s a daily practice to stay confident in who I am and what I’m capable of despite knowing I have to work twice as hard to get a fraction of the recognition for my achievements.

Saturday AM: What sources of inspiration do you draw upon when developing characters and storylines, especially those featuring diverse representation?

Stephanie: Again, I have to mention Black romance novels. They’ve always been a source of inspiration for me. I also draw upon real-life experiences and how I can transform them and use them to make my characters relatable, even if they and their stories are extraordinary.

Saturday AM: Have you encountered any specific instances of discrimination or bias in your professional journey, and if so, how did you handle them?

Stephanie: I have, but it’s been of the insidious variety, where it’s just enough for me to know what it is but passive enough to make me gaslight myself into believing that’s not what’s happening. I handle those situations by giving myself as much grace as possible and figuring out the next best steps since all instances vary.

Saturday AM: What advice would you give to aspiring black female writers who aspire to break into the comic book and video game industries?

Stephanie: Get a dependable support system. You’re going to need people around you who have your best interest at heart, will be in the trenches with you, and will allow you the safe space to speak about your frustrations, your aspirations, and everything in between.

Saturday AM: Can you discuss a project or character you’ve worked on that holds personal significance to you, and what it means to see your creative vision come to life?

Stephanie: I’m actually working on that very thing right now. I’m finally working on my first creator-owned project, and it’s been the thing that’s brought all the highs and lows I’ve experienced so far into sharp clarity. It means the world to me because this particular story is near and dear to my heart, and the fact that it received an immediate yes from the publisher to whom I pitched it has restored and reaffirmed me in a way I didn’t know I needed. It should be out sometime next year.

Saturday AM: How do you approach the balance between staying true to established characters and narratives while also introducing fresh perspectives and interpretations?

Stephanie: I approach it with care and respect. The framework is already there, and if it’s sturdy, there is no need for me to tear it down; I only need to add my personal touches in a way that aligns with what’s already there, which inherently is going to make it fresh because I’m the first me to do it.

Saturday AM: In what ways do you believe diversity and inclusion are essential for the future of storytelling within the comic book and video game mediums?

Stephanie: It’s of the utmost importance. The comic book medium provides a unique snapshot of history, and therefore, the storytelling should be as diverse as possible so that when it’s time to look back, it’s not all from the same biased viewpoint.

Saturday AM: What has your experience been like with Saturday AM?

Stephanie: Working with Saturday AM has been an enlightening journey for me. It provided me with the opportunity to interact with diverse perspectives and ideas that have broadened my understanding of the industry. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to the dynamic and diverse storytelling taking place at Saturday AM.

Check out Stephanie’s other works right HERE 

Don’t Forget to PRE ORDER Her adaption of APPLE BLACK ORIGINS: THE SPECTRUM AND THE SPECTRE RIGHT HERE

The post Celebrating Black Creators: Stephanie Williams appeared first on Saturday AM.

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Idle began to draw when he was still in school. He said, “I kept getting predicted really good grades, which I rarely achieved, but I ended up in gifted and talented classes.” As a result, he said he was surrounded by “cool, clever people,” and he began to use drawing as a way to relate to them. “I was a kid who watched anime and drew stuff, so that’s what I did. And it was one of those things that all the kids seemed to respond to.”  While it remained a hobby, Idle recalls other kids would come to him with art requests.

“I remember, when I was at school, I’d buy notebooks, and during class when I probably should have been listening and doing work, I would be there scribbling a comic… I’d fill notebooks with these stories, and I’d make them up as I went along,”

Read the full interview HERE

Follow Bon Idle on social media at @iambonidle and immerse yourself in the tokusatsu-style adventure that awaits!

HENSHIN VOL. 1 OUT NOW!

The post Bon Idle Talks Henshin on Comicosity: Power Rangers, Tokusatsu, and Crafting Diverse Narratives! appeared first on Saturday AM.