A BIG Rebranding!
A new era starts now. Welcome, Voz Comics.
Hello everyone,
Today marks a significant milestone for me, as the day has arrived when I will change the name of my publication here on Substack.
Starting today, A Raptor in the Big Leagues is no more. We are now Voz Comics!
Why?
A Raptor in the Big Leagues began in 2019, several years before I started pursuing my dream of becoming a comic book writer. It was a place to discuss my passion for comic books and connect with readers and creators, aiming to build a community of English-speaking individuals and encourage me to write for them and engage in interaction. I was a lurker in many communities and wanted to participate more and share my voice, and this was my way of doing so. I’ve always been more of a writer than a content creator, and I’ve only recently started recording myself in video form.
I thought about the name because I saw myself as an underdog in this industry. A random guy from Latin America trying to establish a name in a foreign country, talking about comics in a language that’s not my own, but with the drive to succeed. The raptor is a basketball reference, indicating that I’m coming out of nowhere but am ready and determined to take it all.
December 10th, 2021, was a special day—one of the highlights of my Substack—when I was mentioned in a conversation with Ryan Stegman, Scott Snyder, Chip Zdarsky, Griffin Sheridan, and Ethan S. Parker. They’re all creators I admire, and now I have the honor of calling them peers and friends. Remember, I wasn’t a writer back then. I was just a fan.
At the end of 2022, I decided to quit my job and chase my dreams, starting a career and following my passion for creating comic books. It’s been almost three years since, and three weeks ago, I felt that the raptor premonition was embodied at the Ringo Awards nomination announcement:
This is precisely what I envisioned when I created A Raptor in the Big Leagues. I don’t know if I’ll win (remember, pros, that you can vote here), but I do feel like I’m no longer a raptor. I’m no longer an outsider or a minor player. I may not be the biggest, but I’ve earned a name and have put myself and my work up there with the pros. I’m very proud.
In the meantime, I created my own imprint, Voz Comics, which I believe better encapsulates my current mission and identity. It’s all about new voices, new stories, and challenging the status quo. That’s what I aim to do now with my work, which is why I’ve decided to change the name.
I can’t say much about the future, but next year will be big for me, and for Voz Comics, and I’m super excited for you to check it out. One of those projects to come out next year is The Childless!
The Childless: a 120-page Comic Book Anthology
A graphic novel set in a dystopian world where children of separated parents are sacrificed in the name of family values.
We have a few less than 60 hours remaining on this project, and I would appreciate it if you could check it out. It’s all that I love when creating comics:
Over 40 creators from diverse backgrounds and orientations.
Themes that mix darkness, social commentary, engaging stories, and characters that will make you think.
Awesome covers!
Phil Falco from Lifeline Comics said it best: The Childless is the sort of "The Handmaid’s Tale"-like dystopia that feels both impossible, yet somehow not distant enough from some of the conversations being had in this political climate.
I’ve seen people rally for indie comic books, and we are less than 35% of the way to our goal. These last hours are crucial, so please consider backing it. And if you have, thank you so much. Please leave a comment and share it! I promise that what we’re building in this project is something special.
That’s it for today! Thank you for being here. I’m just getting started and will return soon to share more about the projects I’m working on.
Until then, stay awesome and go read something!
Animo y ganas amigo mio! 👊🏽💪🏽✊🏽