Three new pieces for KCRW's series Below the Ten, about life in South LA, by journalist and radio producer David Weinberg.
The three particular stories I illustrated are a part of a series called Peacemakers, about gangs and gang intervention, from the perspectives of a former LAPD officer, a former gang member, and an activist.
News and updates
Outstanding Comics of 2015
La Lucha was included in the Village Voice's Outstanding Comics of 2015. Woop!
"No matter what you're accomplishing in your life, you'll realize it's not enough when you read La Lucha (Verso, $17). Artist and writer Jon Sack tells the real-life saga of Mexican human rights lawyer Lucha Castro, who braves death threats and battles extravagantly corrupt officials to call the world's attention to the murders and mayhem endemic to a country ravaged by drug lords on one side of the border and an insatiable appetite for their product to its north. Sack's documentary-style drawings capture vistas of villages emptied of fearful residents and details of grief and determination on the faces of activists and family members, even as the criminals and the federal police who ineffectually pursue them remain anonymous behind black masks."
Tasers 101
This is a new piece about tasers for LA based radio station KCRW (which aired today on All Things Considered on NPR), with journalist George Lavender (twitter), called Tasers: A Firsthand Experience. It accompanies George's piece, Tasers 101, and describes his experience being tased at the LA County Sheriff's Office. My piece is at the top, followed by a written intro by George, and a soundcloud link where you can listen to the audio piece.
This...
London Launch May 1st
The London launch of La Lucha is this Friday, May 1st, at the Impact Club near King's Cross. Please see below. Wish I could be there...
Friday 1st May @ 6.30pm, Impact Hub, King's Cross, 34B York Way, London N1 9AB, United Kingdom.
Celebrating the launch of the graphic novel 'La Lucha', the first in a series of nonfiction graphic novels documenting the stories of human rights defenders at risk around the world.
Special guests on the night will include human rights defender Lucha Castro, Director of the Centre for Women's Rights, Chihuahua, Mexico, the protagonist of 'La Lucha'.
Autographed copies available on the night with a donation of £20 to support human rights defenders at risk.
"La Lucha: The Story of Lucha Castro and Human Rights in Mexico"
Drawn & Written by Jon Sack
Edited by Adam Shapiro
Preface by Lucha Castro
Refreshments served.
Host: Front Line Defenders
RSVP to campaigns@frontlinedefenders.org
La Lucha out now!!
As of March 31st, La Lucha is available to order or buy in stores. The release date in the UK is April 20th, but apparently if you order through the Book Depository, you can get it immediately (!).
Dancing with the Doctor Performance at CAM Raleigh
I'll be performing tonight at the Contemporary Art Museum (Raleigh, NC) in Sarah Anne Johnson's piece Dancing with the Doctor, about her grandmother's harrowing experience of being an unwitting participant in MK Ultra, a CIA funded project experimenting with mind control. Starts at 7pm tonight and tomorrow night, and 11am on Saturday.
La Lucha book release!
Finally, after 3 years of work, La Lucha, a graphic novel about human rights defenders in Mexico, is being published by Verso on the 31st of March. The book is part of a project initiated by Adam Shapiro at Frontline Defenders to use graphic novels to showcase the plight of human rights defenders across the world. It's been not only an incredible opportunity from the 'struggling artist' perspective, but a pleasure to work with Adam, Lucha and Verso on this project. Book tour dates are TBC, but should be happening soon. I'll be using this space to update with any upcoming events or publications.