Juan Espinosa took his family to Alex’s Kids Comic Con at his workplace, Bronx Community College, wanting them to see Spidey and Bats. What he got was a book to read, pros to question, a podcast to listen to, and then, with the help of a loving and supportive family, he launched a comic that celebrates the every man as hero, portrays diversity as the fact of American life that it is, and shows us all that the dream is possible.
Episode #112 is a fun interview, a treasure trove of practical experience and advice for creatives, and an inspiration for Alex and Chris because one of ours is Telling The Damn Story for himself!
Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award. Chris Ryan, Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels.
Alex Simmons is an award-winning freelance writer, comic book creator, playwright, teaching artist, and educational consultant. He’s written for Disney Books, Penguin Press, Simon and Schuster, Marvel, DC, and Archie Comics. Simmons is the creator of the acclaimed adventure comic book series, Blackjack. As a teaching artist, Simmons has created and taught creative arts workshops for students and educators in the US, Europe, West Indies, and Africa.
Simmons has served on panels and delivered lectures on children’s entertainment mediums, as well as empowering young people through the arts. Simmons founded the annual family event, Kids Comic Con, as well as three comic arts exhibits, which have traveled abroad. He is currently developing a comics and creative arts program for children all over the world.
During the past 35 years, Simmons has participated as a member of arts and education boards for several New York State nonprofit organizations, as well as one in Nigeria.
As a teaching artist Simmons has worked with youth through the Bronx Community College, the Christopher Barron Live Life Foundation, Apollo Theater In-School Arts Program, Henkel McCoy, Upward Bound, New York Council on the Arts, Children’s Art Carnival, Wings Academy, and NYU Creative Arts Team, to name a few.
He has been a panelist at many literacy and arts events, and he has been a guest speaker at numerous colleges and educational institutions here and abroad.
Guys, This was a great episode, lots of fun and also very inspiring. What JUAN Espinoza has accomplished in such a short time is just amazing. I also loved learning about how his friends and family support him and actually participate in creating his comic. When I first saw “Adventures of a System Admin”, I was very excited because I had never seen a comic that I could do fully relate to (as I am also in IT). Best wishes to JUAN and his team, and looking forward to more issues!
SimmonsHereAndNow 
Guys, This was a great episode, lots of fun and also very inspiring. What JUAN Espinoza has accomplished in such a short time is just amazing. I also loved learning about how his friends and family support him and actually participate in creating his comic. When I first saw “Adventures of a System Admin”, I was very excited because I had never seen a comic that I could do fully relate to (as I am also in IT). Best wishes to JUAN and his team, and looking forward to more issues!