Tag: books

  • The Souls of Black Folk, Redesigned

    The Souls of Black Folk, Redesigned

    At long last, I can reveal a new version of W.E.B. Du Bois’ classic work The Souls of Black Folk that I hope will inspire and enlighten modern audiences.

    Originally published in 1903, The Souls of Black Folk is a collection of essays on race. Specifically, it focuses on the experiences of black African slaves and their descendants as they navigate post-Reconstruction American society. Each chapter is prefaced by several bars of what du Bois calls a “sorrow song,” a piece of vocal music originating in black American culture that we today would call a “spiritual.” The essays contain historical analyses, anecdotes from Du Bois’ life, and cautionary tales from the black experience. Some of the observations Du Bois made are (sadly) still relevant almost 125 years later, and it was this realization that inspired my redesign.

    The cover to Glen Isip Design's 2026 edition of "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. du Bois.
    Detail of the back cover to Glen Isip Design's 2026 edition of "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. du Bois.
    Detail of a text page from Glen Isip Design's 2026 edition of "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. du Bois.
    The inside cover to Glen Isip Design's 2026 edition of "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. du Bois.
    The cover to Glen Isip Design's 2026 edition of "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. du Bois.
    A detail from Glen Isip Design's 2026 edition of "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. du Bois.
    A view of Glen Isip Design's 2026 edition of "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. du Bois.
    A view of the interior pages from Glen Isip Design's 2026 edition of "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. du Bois.

    This version of the book is intended to visually refresh the text and make it feel more contemporary. The cover features French flaps that hide an illustration I created specifically for the book. The image is reminiscent of a starfield and nebulae, and is intentionally designed to come into greater clarity the closer and longer you look at it. The front cover has a die cut to let the image show through the front, giving a hint of its complexity and inviting the reader to take a longer look at what they might ordinarily pass over.

    For more about this project and a sample of Chapter 1, head over to the book’s design page.

  • Filipinx-American Comic & Book Festival is THIS SUNDAY!

    Filipinx-American Comic & Book Festival is THIS SUNDAY!

    Hello again! This Sunday, June 1, you’ll be able to find my work at the Filipinx-American Comic and Book Fest in New York City. This event features the print debut of three of my art projects: Four Worlds, Valentine’s Day, and the newly-arrived Kelly Ranger. Also available will be some remaining copies of Create, Destroy, Repeat.

    Valentine’s Day tells the story of four knights defecting to a neighboring state. One final enemy lies between them and new lives, but can any of them defeat this new foe? And what are the consequences of victory? This one-shot contains the webcomic Valentine’s Day and its epilogue.

    Four Worlds follows a hapless author as he travels through different realms of his own creation. Between the demons, monsters, gangsters, and the actual afterlife, will he ever find his way home? This book collects a single Inktober’s worth of illustrations.

    Kelly Ranger sees a girl’s dream of becoming a fashionable, magic-wielding Princess of Justice thwarted when a magic crystal turns her into a masked superhero instead. Another collection of Inktober illustrations, with several new revisions to the art and story.

    Create, Destroy, Repeat: A Comic Anthology of Rebirth and Redemption features eleven stories showcasing characters who face life-changing scenarios. My story Giver is included.

    Also on display will be a copy of Trash 2 Transit, a comic I wrote and illustrated for Benchmark Education. The story follows three school-aged cousins who build themselves bicycles out of scrap metal. Will their creations lead to a transportation revolution? Find out here! Trash 2 Transit is designed for classroom use, so if you’re a teacher, pick up some copies over at Benchmark Education.

    The Filipinx-American Comic and Book Fest will be held on the same day as the Philippine Independence Day Parade: Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 12:30 – 5:30pm at Coppa Nomad, 21 East 27th Street, New York City. Admission is free.

  • Find my books at the Filipinx-American Comic and Book Fest!

    Find my books at the Filipinx-American Comic and Book Fest!

    Hello there! In less than two weeks you’ll be able to find my work at the Filipinx-American Comic and Book Fest in New York City. This event features the print debut of two of my art projects: Four Worlds and Valentine’s Day. Also available will be some remaining copies of Create, Destroy, Repeat.

    Valentine’s Day tells the story of four knights defecting to a neighboring state. One final enemy lies between them and new lives, but can any of them defeat this new foe? And what are the consequences of victory? This one-shot contains the webcomic Valentine’s Day and its epilogue.

    Four Worlds follows a hapless author as he travels through different realms of his own creation. Between the demons, monsters, gangsters, and the actual afterlife, will he ever find his way home? This book collects a single Inktober’s worth of illustrations.

    Create, Destroy, Repeat: A Comic Anthology of Rebirth and Redemption features eleven stories showcasing characters who face life-changing scenarios. My story Giver is included.

    Also on display will be a copy of Trash 2 Transit, a comic I wrote and illustrated for Benchmark Education. The story follows three school-aged cousins who build themselves bicycles out of scrap metal. Will their creations lead to a transportation revolution? Find out here! Trash 2 Transit is designed for classroom use, so if you’re a teacher, pick up some copies over at Benchmark Education.

    But that’s not all! There will be a fifth entry at the fair, a new revision of an existing collection. Learn more in the coming weeks!

    The Filipinx-American Comic and Book Fest will be held on the same day as the Philippine Independence Day Parade: Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 12:30 – 5:30pm at Coppa Nomad, 21 East 27th Street, New York City. Admission is free.

  • Valentine’s Day Print Edition, and More

    Valentine’s Day Print Edition, and More

    Happy to announce that I’ll be releasing Valentine’s Day as my first self-published book. The physical edition will be 32 black and white pages containing the original story as well as the three-page epilogue. More details about availability will be coming soon, but the book will likely be a small print run, made available in Q1 2025. I’m just excited to make good on a soft New Year’s Resolution of mine (from 2024, whoops), which was to print at least one book.

    Valentine’s Day is story of four soldiers who defect to a foreign nation, only to discover one final, deadly obstacle in their way. Their fate will reveal an unlikely hero and a valuable lesson. The entire comic is available to read, for free, right here and now, though only until February 14, 2025.

    I’m also planning to release a second book before the end of 2025. Not much I can say about it except it will be another self-published collection of my art from my Instagram page.