Conversations with Comic Book Creators #3.3: Extra goodness with Jason Loo

I just couldn’t get enough of young Mr. Loo!! I’m sure you couldn’t either. Therefore, I offer you extra info along with various JPEGs for your perusing pleasure!

Did you know that before the PITIFUL HUMAN-LIZARD officially launched, Jason worked on Canadian’s elite task force against the insidious organization Cobra. I’m talking G.I. JOE!! Yo, Joe! Or is that snow? Jason wrote and illustrated the majority of three consecutive special one-shots released annually from 2010-2012. W5? This was done through Canadian Joe Con and printed/produced by Joe Canuck.

First story:

 

Second story:

 

Third story:

Fourth story: art only by Jason Loo

Fifth feature: how-to…

Profiles on certain characters:

The 2010 edition was 32 pages in total. The stories were connected chapters.

 

The following year, more G.I. JOE goodness 😀

Tale #1:

Tale #2:

Tale #3:

Tale #4:

Tale #5: brand new character created by a contestant

Tale #6: art only, written by another collaborator

Supplement number seven: PSA in the vein of the animated series.

 

 

The 2011 edition expanded by eight pages making it a total of 40 pages.

Sadly, I do not have this last issue. Hopefully, I can procure one at FANeXpo 2015 😉

Mr. Loo has been known to occasionally cosplay. My first memory of him was of Madrox, the Multiple Man from the X-Men universe!! I didn’t realize his real claim to fame since he portrayed himself as shy. I spotted him at Burlington Toy Fair in March 2013 but I can’t find those darn photos!! Aside from that, he was with the non-profit charity group X-Men of Toronto for approximately eighteen months. Little did I know that he dresses up as his own creation and has inspired others to don the costume or portray the rich compelling cast. Dates unknown for these photos.

Eager with anticipation, and another year prior to PHL hitting the shelves, Jason brought the horror-themed brainchild Grizzly Biker to life in MONSTROSITY vol. 1 by Alterna Comics. The silent road warrior’s first appearance has a mini-origin and an 8-page adventure. I was disheartened to not be able to order this through Diamond but within two weeks of learning of this, I snagged a copy at Page & Panel: the TCAF Shop >_<  Earlier today, in fact!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHL #1 was finally in stores by May 2014. Jason submitted another serving of the Grizzly Biker for MONSTROSITY vol. 2 again produced by Alterna Comics. I’ll speculate that this eight-page tale was “in the can” before the release cover-dated Dec. 2014.

Huzzah!! The Pitiful Human-Lizard slithered his way into comic shops all over the GTA and into the hearts of many. There have been five issues released so far within a fourteen-month span. I caught on a bit late but was fortunate enough to have attended the signing for the very latest (number five) just before the transition to Chapter House Publishing, Inc.

Much to my “chagrin”, I was completely clueless regarding two exclusive variants for the first issue as well as blanks that can be sketched by the writer & artist himself!! I’m keeping my fingers crossed at FANeXpo 2015 >_^

Number three came with two very exclusive comic shop variants: one from Gotham Central Comics & Collectibles‘ EH! Variant program; the other Mr. Loo’s mainstay: Silver Snail.

Check out my detailed review of issue number five.

In between all this fabulousness, young Mr. Loo was crafty enough to create mini-comics, a throwback to the 90’s craze. These four-page books have all-new material and feature the extended cast from the PHL universe. I am unsure of the exact order but I obtained three of the seven. The latest one featuring Grizzly Biker will be at FANeXpo 2015!! This savvy individual created the Made in Chinatown brand with friend and founder Darwin Santos. All pocket-size editions produced at Guerilla Printing.

 

As an artist, Jason is part of the OLA (Ontario League of Artists) and has been actively involved in TCAF (Toronto Comics Art Festival). You can copies of his books at their shop! He wrote a snippet of a favourable review for TORONTO COMICS ANTHOLOGY vol. 2 published by T.O. Comix. Grab the first trade as well. I bought them yesterday at TCAF Store ^_<

If you look really hard at the cover, you’ll spot PHL on the roof of the Flatiron Building.

Serendipity happens to us all. Imagine Mr. Loo’s delight in fulfilling one of his dreams: bringing Pitiful Human-Lizard together with Captain Canuck!! He wrote a non-team-up in the penultimate mini-comic but it will now became a reality!! Shifting over to Chapter House which recently acquired the creative rights for the Guardian of the True North along with a relaunched series, there are definite plans for these two do-gooders to join forces!! Jason states their first ‘official’ appearance as a duo is on the back of the kids menu at The Lakeview restaurant. The second ‘official’ appearance is from an entry in Toronto Life magazine.

Be it fan-requested or indulging in his own whims, enough sketches have been produced depicting this ‘odd’ pairing. Think back to how well it worked for Power Man and Iron Fist!!

Just for laughs, I leave you with one last illustration. An unofficial crossover between a green-skinned giantess and a green-outfitted amateur. Hopefully there won’t be a lawsuit ^_^

This third part was brought to you by an overzealous volunteer working at the very store that also has copies of all five issues. I’m simply a humble writer trying to propel local talent into the stratosphere.