Creator of the Month: ACO

The idea behind AWA is that by putting creators first, we all benefit. Our tagline says it all: “Where the best creators do their best work, for you.” We think the quality of our original stories backs that up, and our fans, critics, and the industry seem to agree with us.

Our “Creator of the Month” program lets us spotlight a different writer, artist, colorist, letterer or more each month, allowing you to get a glimpse into what makes them tick. (What’s more, you may ask? As you may know, AWA is venturing into film and TV, so you may just see a director or other movie auteur show up on these pages over time, too!)

Creator of the Month – July
ACO
Artist
American Ronin, The Madness
Follow ACO on Instagram @acocomicart

What is your favorite comic character or fictional character of all time? Why?
Spider-man and Son Goku, both accompanied me in my childhood and made me love comics.

Who most influenced you in the world of comics?
There are too many artists, is impossible to me select only one. Although the work of Steranko and Frank Miller made me think about things that I had never done before. And I always loved the Joe, Adam, and Andy Kubert art.

Who most influenced you outside of the world of comics?
Cinema, painting, graphic design, videogames, animation, so many names in so many areas that it is impossible to specify.

Tell me about your favorite story/panel/art page from an AWA series you’ve worked on.
One page from American Ronin #1 where the Ronin is using his special skills and has a lot of mini-panels over and around him.

Tell me about a favorite story/panel/art page from an AWA series you did NOT work on.
There are a lot of fantastic stories and art. I really liked Year Zero, Trojan, Hotell, Chariot and I really loved the Marcelo Frusin art in Sacrament.

If you were a comic book character, would you rather be the hero or the villain? And why?
I think I’d rather be the hero. I wouldn’t want to see myself as a villain.

What’s your favorite comic book or graphic novel?
I couldn´t say only one. Impossible. In fact, I love all the 90´s comics “garbage”.

What’s your favorite moment in comics ever?
The first time Son Goku transformed into a Super Saiyan. It’s the most epic thing I saw as a kid, totally unexpected.

What’s your favorite comic book genre?
Superheroes, for sure.

Would you rather be invisible or have the ability to fly?
I would prefer invisibility. Flying must be complicated, trying to locate a destination from so high up must be chaotic, and besides, I would be very cold above the clouds.

Do you think you could survive in a zombie apocalypse?
I want to believe so, but I would surely die in the first 24 hours doing something very stupid.

Do you listen to music while you’re creating?
I prefer podcasts.

What is your favorite song or band?
I am very eclectic with music. I like a bit of everything. Each moment asks for a different genre, group, or song.

What is the best advice you ever got?
Do not put silverware into a microwave.

Dog person, cat person, or…?
Cats.

Where is your happy place?
Any place where my wife and family are.

Tell us one of your guilty pleasures.
I like watching videos of pimples exploding, it relaxes me.

If you were stranded on an island with any 3 people — real or fictional, living or dead — who would you pick?
I would pick my wife, Henry Cavill and The Doctor Manhattan.

What’s the last movie you watched?
The Flash. I’m looking forward to seeing Barbie and Oppenheimer though.

What’s the last comic you read?
Contrition by Carlos Portela and Keko.

What is your favorite type of pizza/pizza topping?
Basil, prosciutto and mozzarella.

If you could have anything in the world for a last meal, what would it be?
Grilled pork ribs (Churrasco) and white rice.

What do you want fans to know about you?
I just want them to read my comics, I just want that. The creators are more boring than you think, and there are already too many narcissists in the world.