By Joel Langton
A Del Rio native had two unique experiences this past week. He released his first comic book, Dry Foot, and had his first comic book sell out.
Jarred Lujan’s comic book, published by Mad Cave Studios, was released Tuesday and sold out on Thursday.
“We’re going back for a second edition,” said Lujan, a member of the Del Rio High School class of 2009.
Lujan clawed his way into the comic book author’s ranks by winning a contest. Mad Cave’s website, www.madcavestudios.com, said the contest’s goal is very simple: “running this talent search we are hoping to give aspiring creators the opportunity that many people can only dream of; working on a published comic book!”
Lujan said he was hopeful of a sell out, but self doubt still crept in despite the fact he and the publisher put in a ton of work letting readers and comic book stores know the title was coming.
“There’s always a piece of you that has some doubt,” he said. “So, it did surprise me, even if ,just a little bit. I’m grateful for the support and reception we received,” he said.
Lujan said it was a pleasure working with Mad Cave Studios and his assigned artist, Orlando Caicedo, who also won the artist portion of the contest.
“He and I gel super well together and working with him on the book was probably one of the best parts,” Lujan said.
The contest hasn’t positioned Lujan, who runs a restaurant, to quit his day job yet.
“I work a day job while also writing comics, and since Dry Foot got announced, I have been fortunate enough to have more comics work to do,” Lujan said. “I live out here in West Texas, where I’ve been for just over eleven years since I left Del Rio.”
To buy a copy of the 2nd edition, visit a local comic book shop or www.madcavestudios.com .
To watch a video interview with Lujan and Caicedo at Mainframe Comic Con, go here and go to the 1 hour and 30 minute mark.
Here is Lujan’s biography from www.Lujanwrites.com:
Jarred was born and raised three miles from Mexico, in the small border town of Del Rio, Texas. He moved at the age of 18 to attend Angelo State University, where he graduated Cum Laude with two Bachelor of Arts degrees: one in Philosophy, the other in Political Science. Since then, he has remained in west Texas with his girlfriend, Amanda, and their very adorable dog, Boba. He was a winner of the 2019 Mad Cave Studios Talent Search.
Jarred’s interests besides comics are existential philosophy, cooking, biking, and the Wu-Tang Clan.
You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram under @jarredlujan.
