New Podcast! My Wonder Con Schedule!

It’s been a minute. Some cool things are happening behind the scenes over at Barajas Manor, so let’s get right to it.

First, big thanks to Hector Rodriguez III for being my latest guest on the Latinx Press Podcast. I met Hector at the Latino Comics Expo back in 2019. He has a passion to write and draw comics in a league of his own. That’s something you can’t teach—and I have a lot of respect for that.

You can listen to our conversation on Spotify, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts—or become a monthly or founding member to watch the Substack exclusive video chat.

Yes, I am going to Wonder Con.

henryjbarajas

A post shared by Henry Barajas (@henryjbarajas)

But I will be masked to avoid COVID or any bugs that are getting passed around.

If you want to see me, here’s where I’ll be on Friday and Saturday only:

1. I’m signing exclusively at the National Cartoonist Society booth on Friday and Saturday only.
   Friday - 2-4:30 p.m.
   Saturday - 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2. I’ll be at the Creators Assemble networking event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 24th.

3. Lastly, you will find me generously giving other panelist time to speak as I nod and agree with (some) of the things they say at the Diversity in Film, TV, Games, Comics: How You Can Help at 6:30 p.m. in Room 208 on Saturday, March 25th.

This week in Milford…

This week of Gil Thorp was one I have been waiting for like a parent on Christmas morning. I know it’s hard to believe but I have never coached a game in my life—and yet I write a comic strip about a high school athletics director. I have been reading books by coaches. My favorite so far has been A Season on the Reservation: My Soujourn With the White Mountain Apaches by

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

.

Emmett Tays invites his friend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to help Coach Thorp take on Valley Tech at their next big game. Rod Whigham & Henry Barajas. Gil Thorp Comic © 2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

Mr. Abdul-Jabbar’s book gave me a window into what a new coach goes through. He eloquently describes the growing pains of not only what the Alchesay Falcons high school basketball team endures, but also shares how the community and land changed him—and what his life was like after one of the most memorable NBA careers of all time. I’m confident it’s at your local library, but I hope you can snag a copy from a bookshop that isn’t Amazon.

I hope he is not offended by this because I wanted to honor him and what he did for the Native kids on the rez. I know he likes comics and Lord of The Rings, so I assumed he would appreciate the homage.

NPR Botches Layoff Announcement

Let me preface this by saying that I have contributed to NPR in the past—and I have been featured on All Things Considered. It pains me to even comment on the horrible events leading up to laying off 10% of its workforce. One of my friends—who will remain nameless—was one of the folks that lost their job. But they could’ve issued the news in a less stressful matter.

Not THAT Karen, thank you @karenbates

It was a good run—21years—but it’s just about done. Tough economic realities meant NPR had to let go of some 100 employees. I was among that number. I am sad that I won’t be working with some of the fabulous people who make NPR. But I am grateful to have work that meant so much.

Louder Than A Riot @LouderThanARiot

The hardest part is that our szn is about misogynoir queer, trans, Black women face in hip-hop. Yet w/in NPR, the majority impacted in these layoffs were queer, poc staff & programs. NPR has claimed qtpoc ppl are the same ppl they are trying to reach with their "North Star". 3/4

Hey Boo Topaki @GeeDee215

Truly wild that my employer is approaching pending layoff announcements like they’re a sneaker drop

I, for one, have been laid off from a job that I valued—and it sucks. If it weren’t for my friend’s passing a week before getting the pink slip, I would’ve reacted very differently. My heart goes out to all those who were let go and the folks behind the mic and scenes that need to keep making the donuts, as they say.

If you do enjoy NPR, please consider backing your favorite podcasts and donate during your favorite segment in the upcoming Summer pledge drive. While you’re at it, pay for local journalism!

WIN THIS HELM GREYCASTLE #1 CGC 9.0!

Henry Barajas 🐀 @HenryBarajas

I'm giving away this Helm Greycastle #1* slabbed 9.0! All you have to do is subscribe to my @SubstackInc! No purchase is required! There will be a winner announced on April 5, 2023! Subscribe here 👉🏽 henrybarajas.substack.com *The bike is not included.

I am giving this 9.0 CGC slabbed copy of Helm Greycastle #1 away to a random lucky subscriber. You do not have to pay or be a monthly/founding member to enter! All you have to do is subscribe to the newsletter and you’re golden, ponyboy.

Already signed up? Great! You’re entered and you have nothing to worry about.

In closing…

Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to me. I will leave you with the new music video for Lucy Dacus’ Nightshift aka my favorite song.