Press release:
Tony C. De Zuniga --Gifted Artist at the Crucible Gallery
by Fay A. Olympia, Stockton, CA
Tony De Zuñiga is a legend among American comic book aficionados and industry insiders. The characters he has drawn through the years are a veritable superhero pantheon spanning the parallel universes of DC and Marvel: Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Supergirl, Conan the Barbarian, the Incredible Hulk, the X-Men, Thor, the Punisher, Blade and Red Sonia.
He created the look and illustrated the stories of Western anti-hero Jonah Hex in collaboration with writer John Albano. He designed and drew the Black Orchid, a female superhero created by Sheldon Mayer.
Then, as the Information Age dawned and comic books lost ground to video and computer games, De Zuñiga seamlessly moved into the world of conceptual design and direction, allowing a new generation to enjoy his artistic visions as they immersed themselves in Sonic the Hedgehog, Die Hard Arcade and other video games.
In retirement, he continues to make his mark, this time as a respected painter of compelling artwork, reaping awards and top prizes at California art shows and building a growing clientèle for his portraiture. He remains a favorite at comic book conventions, always happy to sign his drawings or swiftly draw Spiderman for an admiring young fan.
His fellow artists and illustrators have praised him for his powerful images of strong, beautiful women and fantastic female characters as shown in two self-published volumes of his conceptual art, brilliantly showcasing De Zuñiga’s take on the feminine form.
Yet, beyond his work as artist and illustrator, De Zuñiga’s greatest contributions may well stem from a leadership informed by a generous and inclusive nature, giving Filipinos everywhere another reason to be proud of culture, country and compatriot.
In the 1960s, as the cost of comic book production became increasingly prohibitive, DC Comics began re-issuing old stories in new book formats rather than develop new material.
Dismayed at this turn of events in his industry, De Zuñiga remembered his talented colleagues back in the Philippines and in a groundbreaking proposal, suggested that DC outsource their art work. They did so and were able to publish fresh material to the delight of their readers.
Marvel later made good use of Filipino talent as well with De Zuñiga’s help and connections.
Through his efforts, illustrators in the Philippines were thus able to break into the US comic book industry in what could well be one of the earliest instances of telecommuting and a harbinger of today’s global workforce.
Well before the age of email and downloadable jpeg files, artwork was sent to New York from Manila-based artists via express air mail.
It was the start of a strong Filipino artistic presence in US comics for years to come, paving the way for other Filipino graphic artists and animators who now work for such companies as Disney, Pixar and Lucasfilm, and on CGI productions such as “Hoodwinked.”
Filipino-American and other Asian-American publications in California’s Central Valley, where De Zuñiga has resided since his retirement, have also benefited from his generosity. He has done numerous cover art works and comic strips for free to help jump start fledgling publications.
Along with the SEGA President’s Award of Excellence which he received in 1997, De Zuñiga has been recognized by his community with the Award of Distinction conferred by the Philippine Consulate in New York which honored him as an Outstanding Filipino Artist in America. He was also the recipient of the 2002 Gawad Parangal Artist of the Year Award.
His one-man show in Manila this year has been a long time coming for this artist whose distinctive vision and magnanimous spirit are a credit to his people and an inspiration to other Filipinos who have the power to help their compatriots and fellow human beings.
His opening exhibit at the Crucible Gallery will be on the 16th of January, 6pm. The exhibit will be on view until January 28, 2007. The Crucible Gallery is located at the 4th floor Building A, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. For details call Chari or Inas at 635-6061
The invitation Card
the gallery
artworks for sale, priced at P4,000 to P6,000, prints priced at P1000, portfolio book priced at P500 and P250
Tony De Zuniga interviewed by media people
some of the comic characters artwork priced at P10k and P12k while paintings go for P100k each
Me and Cybertronian resident Mark Cerbo
Gerry Alanguilan of Komikero.com, the first one who release the news about the exhibit
Me asking for a autograph :)
He doesn't believed to me at the first place that the name I used is "Az", which he told me seriously that he used that "Az" or "Adz" as initials to his works. I told him seriously too, means that Az for Azrael, then later on they all laughed, they thought I was joking. Abe Ocampo and Rico Rival joked on me too, it was funny and hanging out with them in a short while is a blast! talking about comics and also Tony De Zuniga comments about the Manga comic creating industry. Which he answered it and yes he was right!
Mini con lover Mark Cerbo, Me, and the Misters :Tony De Zuniga, Rico Rival and Abe Ocampo
Tony De Zuniga will go to the USA after 3 weeks, I invited him for ToyCon and said that he will attend and join if he's here in Manila by that date of June 2007.
I bought one portfolio book.
Lace and Michelle, stormtroopers of Starbucks and Mag:net cafe :)
the legendary Superhero
// I almost forgot about this exhibit and my memory refreshed during that afternoon which I panic and went home in Pasig to prepare for the exhibit. I got only few shots of the opening of the exhibit I got busy during a vast chit chats and talkies to people I know, and having a flash back conversation with Sandy Sansolis, owner of Comic Odyssey, which we got to talk again after 10+ years, when I was a totoy back then when I affiliated and joined his store in Market Place branch, which we hold anime and manga merchandise for almost a month there, after he went to the USA, I decided to move back out of the store, coz its too early for me to do serious business that time. the opening is one kind of semi-reunion with people I know. Leinil Yu and Yai was there too, I asked them about their comments and experience during their comic convention participation in France last year. and All I can image when they narrate their wonderful experience is pasta-pasta comics comics and Mona Lisa. Gerry and Ilyn joked on me about getting big.. hahhah at first I didnt get Ilyn's comment about :hey az, your following gerry!, then I realize whats the thing I was following.hhahahha , Lace and my sis left me there at the exhibit area, they went shopping for those expensive magazines at the mag:net, wearing her Princess Hours outfit hahhaahaha. also Mark Cerbo with me, planning our war against the Decepticons this summer. //
related blog posts:
Philippine Komiks Message Board
http://komikero.proboards107.com/index.cgi?board=cnews&action=display&thread=1168243459&page=2
DA news by J.Becaro
http://news.deviantart.com/article/25155/
For the Love of Filipino Comics
http://fortheloveoffilipinocomics.blogspot.com/2007/01/tony-dezuigas-superheroes-tony.html
Usapang Komiks
http://usapang-komiks.blogspot.com/2007/01/may-pagiging-superhero-kay-tony-de.html
Rusty Banana Forge
http://joelchua.com/blog/?p=274
Komikero Journal
http://alanguilan.com/sanpablo/2007/01/tony-dezuniga-exhibit-jess-jodloman.html
Komikero Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n2dl-iudnE
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