Comicology Interview: Liezl Buenaventura

Comic book people know a ton of shit about a ton of shit. We’ve seen galaxies ripped apart, worlds eaten and invaded, heroes killed and villains foiled. We know what to do when zombies attack, when Cyclops shoots an optic blast, what to punch Superman with, and why Batman is so cranky. What people like me have very little experience with, however, are girls. Girls are a fucking mystery to us. We simply just don’t interact with them all that much. Women just don’t wander too far into the sacred comic book shop social circles.

Unfortunately, gentlemen, we have been infiltrated. I would like you to meet Liezl Buenaventura - a book artist. OH NOES! WHAT TO DO WHAT TO DO!?

No worries, my friends. I will take the bullet and try to understand this woman of which we speak.

Comicology: Hello, Liezl of the Buenaventura clan.

Liezl of the Buenaventura clan: Hello.

C: Were you a comic book fan as a kid, of course, assuming that women pass through childhood?

L: Well, I was always a huge fan of comic books when I was a kid, and after I got tired of my Archie’s Digest and Casper the Friendly Ghost, I graduated to reading Spider-man over my brother’s shoulder. He was a huge collector of Marvel titles (though Spidey was his favourite), and because I always wanted to hang out with him, I just ended up picking it up. Eventually, he outgrew his comic phase, but I never did. I’m a huge fan of Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Manga, and usually pick up whatever indy stuff I can.

C: How did you develop your artistic abilities? Did you always want to be an artist? This is, of course, assuming that women have things such as aspirations and goals.

L: I have a pretty comprehensive artistic background. I’ve drawn ever since I could hold a pencil, and I’ve always wanted to be some sort of artist. I have two degrees from the University of the Philippines’ College of Fine Arts (from Studio Arts: Painting and Visual Communication: Advertising), and I also spent some time studying in Japan. Though my professional thrust is primarily advertising design, I’m still holding on to the dream of being able to do comics full time one day.

C: How’d you get your break in the comic industry? You know, If I had the talent, I’d jump at the chance. I end up drawing fat stick figures on a good day.

L: Breaking into the biz happened through bull-headed determination and the willingness to keep coming back after tons of rejections. I did the Glasshouse workshop, the Glasshouse Portfolio Showings, mailing my stuff to various US publishers, emailing the indy publishers, posting at comic forums, etc. Most publishers who don’t like your stuff don’t even bother to tell you what they don’t like about your work, but I made sure I listened to the handful that got back to me. I kept my DA account active, posted my work actively, kept applying for indy gigs, and eventually people started getting back to me. Most of the people I’ve worked with before choose to go back to me because I submit on time, readily accept criticism and revisions, and generally because I really love doing this.

Pencils by John Howard, colored by Liezl Buenaventura

Eventually, I was able to find an agent who was willing to give me the time of day, and I’m currently represented by Jerry Livengood of Serendipity Art Sales. I still do primarily independent comics, but I’m always gunning for the big name studios… that’s the dream, after all!

C: I hear you’ve got a web comic. Didn’t even know girls knew about web comics. Share it with us. What’s it about?

L: My webcomic is  called “Finder, Incorporated“. It’s a cyber-punk comic set in the distant future, and published exclusively on BSC Reviews.com. The first 8 pages were penciled and inked by Nathan Ooten and written and colored by me, though after that I took over the drawing chores. It’s a lot of fun, and if you like science fiction adventures with an awkward teen hero, this is the webcomic for you. And best of all, it’s free!

C: And, as we all know, free makes everything exponentially better.

Tell us about Manhunt, please. And please, plug it here, if you wish.

Pencils and inks by Ryan Kent Paule, colored by Liezl Buenaventura

L: It’s a detective story about a couple of FBI agents searching for a deadly assassin. It’s got a lot of action, suspense, and some pretty interesting twists and turns. You can pick up a hard copy at Indy Planet, and a digital download will be available on Black Line comics very soon. It was written by Jeremy Scully, penciled by Ryan Kent Paule, inked by Bill Nichols, and colored by yours truly.

C: Oh, woah, we’ll totally be on the look out for that one. We’ve got this Comic Recommendation thread over at the TMB forums and we’ll pimp it out there. Okay, time to get our geek on. Favorite comic book character. Go.

L: That would have to be Cyclops, haha. I’m a huge fan of the X-Men, and I’m a sucker for the hero types. Batman would be a close second, but Bruce sometimes comes off as a bit of a jerk. It depends on whoever’s writing him, I guess.

Pencils and inks by Jade Gonzales, colored by Liezl Buenaventura

C: … YES!!! FINALLY! SOME LOVE FOR SLIM! *high five*

One super power you wish you had?  And what would you do with it?

L: Depressingly enough, I’d like a Green Lantern ring. Not because I want to save people or anything, but because I can use it to create everything I want/need at any given moment. Yeah, I’m not hero material, lol.

C: Actually, for the past few weeks, I’ve been debating whether I want that or an Iron Man suit more. Looks like Iron Man suit is winning, to be quite honest. Because then, I’d be able to pimp my suit out with bling.

L: Still, I’d rather have a GL ring because not only could it make me the Iron Man suit, it’d also make me a matching Gucci purse. Easy choice, really.

C: Well, my foremost consideration was the speed at which it would get me to work and back, really.

Most awesome super hero team ever?

Pencils and inks by Josh Medors, colored by Liezl Buenaventura

L: Does the Bat Clan count as a team? I used to follow the Batman, Nightwing, Robin, and Oracle (BOP) comics quite closely, but I didn’t like how RIP turned out. I was a bit disappointed with how it ended, and as much as I like Grayson as Batman, I found the whole thing rather dull.

C: The Bat Clan would count as a food group, if they really wanted to. Who would win in a game of chess - Cyclops or Batman?

L: Probably Batman! Cyke’s a master tactician, but Bruce is a deceptive bastard.

C: I would pay money to see a full TPB on it, if written by Geoff Johns.

Aaaaand I’m all out of retarded questions. Thank you very much for giving us the time, Ms. Lizz. We have all collectively learned something about girls this day, and for this we are forever grateful. Please feel free to plug whatever future projects you’ve got lined up.

Pencils by Billy Tan, colored by Liezl Buenaventura

L: Thanks, Bim! I’m sorry I kept you waiting on this interview for so long! For those interested in fantasy titles with magic mice (think Rats of Nimh but more fun), you may want to give the Oswald Chronicles: Fallen Gods a try. This was written by JD Calderone, penciled and inked by Jade Gonzalez, and colored by moi. Three issues have already been released (this story arc is complete), and are available for purchase at The Oswald Chronicles.

I’m also working on the next issue of Manhunt, plus some Star Wars pieces that will hopefully be present at Celebrations in the Miami Star Wars con in August. Here’s hoping, haha! You can check out my portfolio at liezlbuenaventura.com or view my latest pieces at (my agent’s better at updating, haha) Serendipity Art Sales

I also finished a 90+ page graphic novel called “Miracle” for Arcana Studios a few months ago, but I’m not sure when it’s slated to come out. I’ll update you when it does!

Today is a glorious day for comic book nerds all over the world. She could be the first of many girls to come into the sacred covenant of comic book geekery. All us nerds gotta brush up on our social skillz!