112 Things I Love About Arizona 1. Esso Coffeehouse 2. Clarkdale’s Train Station 3...
Russ Kazmierczak Jr.
Russ Kazmierczak, Jr. is a Phoenix-based cartoonist and the creator of Amazing Arizona Comics, a mini-comic book that satirizes local news, history, and culture with superhero adventure. He was the Phoenix New Times’ 2018 Best Storyteller and one of The Copper Courier’s “9 People Who Are Making A Difference in Arizona” in 2023. Russ has taught comics classes at Bookman’s in Phoenix and Mesa, Phoenix Art Museum, Gilbert HD South, and other venues throughout the Valley. Follow his work and inquire about his classes on Instagram @amazingazcomics.
The first person your hero should save is YOU.
If you don’t want to be bothered at a comic con, just sit behind a table in artist’s alley ...
If I liked Revelation, I LOVED Revolution. While I appreciate the attempt to mature MOTU, what appeals most to me is seeing the characters I've loved for...
So why isn't anyone telling stories anymore?
For all that artists have to offer, they're often the most hesitant of any industry, plagued by pretension, procrastination, or self-doubt.
What's that thing you REALLY want to make and deliver so you get paid?
Today's mantra is a celebration of this week's Thanksgiving holiday.
I've developed a few strategies for selling my comics ...
If you don't think art should have a cost, you don't think it has a value -- plain and simple.
Making art without a plan for distribution is like singing opera in the shower ...
Inktober is creating graphic art. Making comics is creating graphic art in the service of narrative. One is drawing pictures; one is telling a story. I'm not...
Frankly, if you don't have - or aren't developing - a conscious philosophy about making art, you aren't an artist. You're a hobbyist. That's okay, too ...
I've been working on a strategy for creative time management for years, and I recently had a revelation that I'm adapting as this week's mantra.
After the work itself, a bio is the most important thing you’ll create. It tells people who you are, and what you do.
Nothing is above your pay grade -- not when what you're making is PRICELESS.
I don't want to make something easily scrolled away. I don't want to make decor. I want to tell stories and create things that have legs ...
Among the many lessons I've learned from Batman over the years, these are the most prominent ...
Original is better than good.
When you default to the dream, it gets that much closer to reality.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem honors the legacy of Kevin Eastman's and Peter Laird's creations.
I make comics because I’m STARVING to make them – not because I’m just STARVING.
I make comics because I’m STARVING to make them – not because I’m just STARVING.
Repeat to yourself: This isn’t a side hustle. This is the MAIN GIG.
The lesson here is, even if your art isn’t meeting your standards, you can STILL sell it on the merit of why you’re making it at all. In other words, you don’t...
How can a comics self-publisher – or any independent artist in any medium – find an audience when AI threatens creatives everywhere?
“Good is good, but DONE is BETTER.”
Metrocenter announces its permanent closure, then Batman Forever director Joel Schumacher passes away.
DC movies have struggled to find a tonal consistency. Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of Harley Quinn) prescribes a bittersweet pill:...
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe family are experiencing a renaissance thanks to Netflix, Toy Hall of Fame nominations — and fans who have the power.
An incomplete toy is like a pending love story. Enter the thrift store.
I realized: this was like the old days. I was on the hunt. The feelings from all those years of toy hunting came rushing back to me. Now, I couldn't rest until...
How can Steve Benson’s firing from the Arizona Republic and Bill Maher’s tripling-down on his anti-comic books stance be linked?
Thor may be worthy - but He-Man has the power.
“The animal segment” is a classic staple of late night television.
April has been a hard month for late night talk show fans.
Where is Richard Simmons? Somewhere near the intersection of TMZ and The X-Files ...
The Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix is hosting a Sherlock Holmes Film Festival.
This weekend, comic book fans in the Metro Phoenix area have another opportunity to gather and celebrate their fandom at a new comic con, AZ Eventure Con.
Fans of Johnny Carson know who "the potato chip lady" is.
Why do millions of people around the world stay up late and turn their eyes to Times Square? Could it be that the ball itself represents the leaps and bounds...
Phoenix Tonight host: What can I do in the absence of The Late Show With Dave Letterman that would both honor its traditions and make it viable for a new...
In the spirit of "Movember," here is a list of exemplary facial hair in superhero comics.
Phoenix Tonight presents: An Evening with Ann Moses
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio's historic election defeat has been immortalized in classic comic fashion for Nerdvana by Amazing Arizona Comics.
What could possibly make this year's second annual Cottonwood Comic Book Show any different from its peers?
Phoenix Zine Fest organizer Brodie Hubbard talks to Nerdvana about the celebration of independent publishing.
First Friday Night Live is very much Phoenix's own SNL, with a dedicated group of performers and writers that produce and perform sketch comedy.
Untidy Secrets is a storytelling and zine swap event held every Final Friday at Ash Avenue Comics in Tempe, and is one of the series that has ignited the...
Phoenix may seem like just another major city stop on the Monkees’ 50th anniversary tour, but the Valley - and Arizona at large - boasts many key and quirky...
Did you know that the Monkees exist in the DC Universe?
The return of the Sign Spinner!
If you dig the arts, there's plenty to do this Saturday and Sunday.
This article on AdWeek got me thinking this week. Basically, Showtime solicited a bunch of artists to join a contest to generate art for an upcoming...
The Route 66 Of All Evil concludes!
As a comic book fan, I had to ask Kevin Eastman why their first issue was a little larger than a standard-sized comic.
The Route 66 Of All Evil continues!
The Route 66 Of All Evil continues!
Amazing Arizona Comics Online returns with a Northern Arizona adventure called The Route 66 Of All Evil!
This week's post celebrates the Super Bowl's arrival to the Valley.
This retrospective of former Gov. Jan Brewer's "strange term" concludes ...
Jan Brewer did a lot for Amazing Arizona Comics ...
Jan Brewer did a lot for Amazing Arizona Comics ...
Simpsons fans are guaranteed a great new year if it starts like this, with a Simpsons Trivia Night at Bragg’s Factory this Saturday, January 3. Form a...
This week concludes the merry misadventure with Zombie Santa.
Every Friday, the week’s worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic will be posted here for your reading enjoyment! Of course, please visit the...
Every Friday, the week’s worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic will be posted here for your reading enjoyment! Of course, please visit the...
Every Friday, the week’s worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic will be posted here for your reading enjoyment! Of course, please visit the...
Mention this strip at the Amazing Arizona Comics table in Artists' Alley at Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest for a free sketch!
This week, Zombie Santa returns to battle the heroes of Glendale Glitters, the Glitter Brothers!
This week concludes the introduction of Family Fun Bot, a real Arizona phenomenon, now turned super -- hero? villain?
The next few weeks will introduce Family Fun Bot, a real Arizona phenomenon, now turned super -- hero? villain?
Meet Family Fun Bot, a real Arizona phenomenon, now turned super -- hero? villain?
Every Friday, the week's worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic is posted here for your reading enjoyment!
Every Friday, the week's worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic is posted here for your reading enjoyment!
Every Friday, the week's worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic is posted here for your reading enjoyment!
Every Friday, the week's worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic is posted here for your reading enjoyment!
Every Friday, the week's worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic is posted here for your reading enjoyment!
Every Friday, the week's worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic is posted here for your reading enjoyment!
Every Friday, the week's worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic is posted here for your reading enjoyment!
Every Friday, the week's worth of Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic will be posted here for your reading enjoyment!
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet.
Yes, this is going to be one of those articles, where I use words like “icon” and “mythology” to describe silly spandex-wearing superheroes like Spider-Man...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to blog more. Hey, that’s no more self-indulgent than “lose weight,” okay? And, in fact...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
As 2012 drew to a close, the fate of America was still in the balance. Would we fall off of the Fiscal Cliff? According to this comic -- 2012 wasn't going down...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
Welcome to a special post-Christmas Webcomics Wednesday, continuing the adventures of Zombie Santa! You saw him resurrected on Halloween, but what does the...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
Fun Find Fridays is my series on the strange comic book related paraphernalia I’ve found at comic book shows, antique shops, swap meets, or buried in my closet...
Like many children and geeks, I spent Black Friday Weekend wondering which toys I’d like for Christmas. I’m an action figure man, and I’ve been wondering if...
The latest issue of Amazing Arizona Comics explores the consequences of Arizona's potential secession from the United States -- on a parallel Earth, where the...
Russ Kazmierczak Jr.: The collision of my interests in politics and superheroes spawned an epiphany: politicians and superheroes have a lot in common.