Beat City

May 3, 2025

Beat City

Writer & Illustrator

Beat City Comix

2025

Project Synopsis

In the vibrant yet suffocating world of Beat City, where creativity is stifled by the iron grip of a tyrannical corporation, teenage dreamer Elsie dares to imagine becoming a graffiti artist, igniting a rebellion alongside her loyal friends Ben and Anne. As they navigate the city’s gritty streets, they stumble upon a hidden realm beneath the surface, harboring a magical substance that transforms thoughts into reality.

With courage and imagination as their guides, this daring trio embarks on an epic quest to harness the power of this extraordinary resource, challenging the oppressive forces of Boggle and striving to restore joy and self-expression to their city. Join them as they paint the path to freedom, one stroke at a time, in a tale that celebrates the resilience of art and the power of friendship.

CHARACTERS

ELSIE

Meet Elsie, the spirited heartbeat of Beat City, where her vibrant imagination bursts forth like the spray paint she dreams of wielding. Recently uprooted from her familiar life to care for her ailing mother, this plucky teenager channels her empathy into her art, forging a deep connection with the mysterious Goo that thrives beneath the city’s surface. With her friends Ben and Anne by her side, Elsie embodies the fierce resilience of youth, daring to challenge the oppressive forces that seek to stifle creativity. As she navigates the gritty streets, she transforms her visions into stunning reality, breathing life into every wall and alley, and painting a path to freedom that inspires everyone around her.

BEN

Ben is a street-smart teenage boy molded by the gritty underbelly of Beat City, where every alley and rooftop tells a tale of survival and rebellion. With his keen mind and sharp instincts, he navigates the urban landscape with a mix of caution and audacity, driven by an insatiable disdain for the oppressive Beat City Police Force. As a graffiti artist, he transforms the dullness of the city into vibrant bursts of color, using his art as both expression and weapon against the corporate tyranny that looms over them. His deep understanding of Beat City’s layout and culture allows him to outmaneuver threats and connect with others who share his dream of freedom, making him not just a survivor but a pivotal force in the quest to reclaim their city.

ANNE

Anne is a fierce spirit wrapped in a wild heart, an orphan who has thrived on the fringes of Beat City, turning the concrete jungle into her playground of chaos and color. With a sharp wit and an insatiable appetite for mischief, she dances through the streets, leaving her mark as a graffiti artist who challenges authority with every vibrant stroke. The city’s shadows have become her home, where she and Ben have forged an unbreakable bond, creating their own little family amidst the turmoil. Together, they thrive on the thrill of rebellion, plotting playful escapades that disrupt the status quo and paint a brighter future in a world yearning for change. Anne’s headstrong nature and untamed creativity embody the heart of their quest, reminding everyone that within the darkest corners of the city, art and friendship can ignite the flames of hope and freedom.

JOHNNY LAW

Johnny Law stands as the unwavering sentinel of Beat City, a figure molded by years of gritty detective work and unyielding determination. With a keen mind perpetually tuned to unraveling the mysteries that shroud his city, he finds himself on a relentless quest to track down a rogue science experiment that has escaped the clutches of its creators. His suit, sharp and impeccably clean, contrasts starkly with the vibrant chaos of graffiti that he despises, a constant reminder of the artistic rebellion he seeks to suppress. Driven by an unwavering loyalty to his corporate masters, Johnny’s resolve hardens with each passing day, his focus razor-sharp as he navigates the shadows where creativity meets lawlessness. In the heart of a city where dreams clash with oppression, he embodies the struggle between duty and the unquenchable thirst for freedom that lingers in the air.

DOCTOR J

Doctor J, the enigmatic voice of the underground, broadcasts from the shadowy corners of Beat City, weaving a spell of defiance and hope through each crackling transmission. Cloaked in mystery, he becomes a beacon for street artists, skillfully evading the watchful eyes of the oppressive forces that clamp down on creativity, offering vital information about the cops and their movements. His signature blend of wit and wisdom captivates listeners, making him not just a DJ, but the very lifeblood of the rebellious community that seeks to reclaim their artistic freedom. Amidst the chaos, he stands as a stalwart leader in the resistance, rallying the artists to band together and paint their dreams across the grey canvas of their city, transforming rebellion into a vibrant symphony of color and sound.

SAM SIMOLEON

In the shadows of Beat City, where whispers of rebellion collide with the oppressive weight of conformity, Sam Simolean reigns as the elusive architect of fear and control. Cloaked in anonymity, this enigmatic CEO of Boggle Inc. wields a power that seeps into the very fabric of the city, his influence extending from the glittering towers of corporate dominance to the crumbling alleys where hope flickers dimly. With a shrewd mind and calculative precision, he orchestrates a regime that stifles creativity and crushes dissent, leaving citizens to navigate a world that feels increasingly like a labyrinth of despair. Yet, beneath the façade of cold ambition, there lies an unspoken tension, as the artistic pulse of Beat City beats defiantly against the bleak monotony he seeks to impose, hinting at the cracks in his carefully constructed empire and the potential for a vibrant uprising in a city yearning to reclaim its spirit.

The World

The people of Beat City were once simple, but travelled out from their caves to create the vibrant civilization of Beat City.

But one day, the Captains of Industry came and began to mine all of the city’s natural resources to amass power.

Slowly, the mining of Beat city took its toll. Though the city became a technological marvel, its citizens lost their vitality.

The Process

Pencil Drawings

Inked Pages

Coming Soon

Beat City is a labor of love, a story that has been with me a long time. I’m glad to finally be putting pen to paper and creating on the page for all to see. Stay tned for more exciting developments, and for published comic books for sale!

The Astronaut’s Journey

Apr 20, 2024

The Astronaut’s Journey

Co-Author | Co-Illustrator

Uth Story Group

2023

Project Synopsis

Embark on an interstellar adventure with “The Astronaut’s Journey,” a captivating activity and coloring book that seamlessly combines storytelling with interactive puzzles and educational fun. Follow our brave space scavenger as he explores the eerie corridors of an abandoned ship, meticulously looting for valuable parts while uncovering hidden surprises lurking in the shadows. Each page invites children to engage with the story through exciting challenges that weave together logic and creativity, encouraging them to solve puzzles that help propel our hero forward. As they color vibrant scenes of cosmic exploration, young readers will not only develop critical thinking skills but also spark their imaginations, transforming learning into an unforgettable quest among the stars.

THE ACTIVITY BOOK

STORY + PUZZLES

This exciting kids activity book blends brain-teasing puzzles with a thrilling, interactive narrative. As readers turn each page, they’ll solve mazes, decode secret messages, complete word searches, and crack riddles — all to help the main characters on their journey. Each puzzle unlocks the next part of the tale, making kids active participants in the story, not just readers.

THUMBNAILS

This series of thumbnail drawings by Henry Cram outlines the visual pacing of an interactive activity book, mapping out the flow of story, puzzles, and page compositions. Each sketch captures key beats in the narrative, ensuring a balanced rhythm between action, problem-solving, and quiet moments — all while guiding the reader’s eye and maintaining engagement from start to finish.

CONCEPT ART

This concept art series explores the imaginative world of The Astronaut’s Journey. On display are early designs and variations of the brave protagonist, his loyal robot companion, and the unique starships they pilot across the galaxy. From bold silhouettes to expressive details, each piece captures the playful spirit and wonder of space exploration, showcasing the visual development process behind the book’s characters and settings.

The UTH Series

Jan 1, 2024

The UTH Series

Co-Writer | Co-Artist

Uth Story Group

2023

Who is Uth?

Meet Uth, a little planet with big emotions. Sometimes, Uth feels overwhelmed, especially by a stormy feeling called anxiety. But Uth isn’t alone.

As Uth explores their world and learns from their friends, they begin to discover that emotions—even the tough ones—are part of what makes them whole. With curiosity, kindness, and a little help from nature, Uth learns how to listen to their feelings, understand them, and gently let them go.

A heartwarming series about mindfulness, emotional resilience, and the beauty of self-discovery, Uth is a tender guide for children learning to navigate their own inner universe.

Art by J Salvador

THE SERIES

Book #1

“I HAVE ANXIETY”

THE STORY

Uth is a small planet with a very big feeling: anxiety. Sometimes it feels like his worries are spinning out of orbit — too many thoughts, too fast, all at once. Uth doesn’t know how to make it stop… until three unexpected visitors arrive to help.

A calm cave painter teaches Uth how to slow down and express his feelings through art. A wise fish shows him how to breathe deeply and ride the waves of his thoughts. And a kind farming mushroom helps Uth create simple routines that make each day feel a little more manageable.

Through gentle lessons and quiet discoveries, Uth learns that anxiety doesn’t have to control him — and that with the right tools, support, and self-understanding, he can feel safe, strong, and whole.

I Have Anxiety is a heartfelt, hopeful story for children learning to understand and manage big emotions — with the comforting reminder that they’re never alone.

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THE UTH BOOTH

TABLING

Tabling with the Uth zines at zine fests and DIY fairs has been an incredibly rewarding and joyful experience. The community is vibrant, welcoming, and full of curiosity — people of all ages stop by to connect, share stories, and talk about their own experiences with emotions like anxiety. The response to Uth has been overwhelmingly positive, with readers resonating deeply with the little planet’s journey and often saying, “I feel like Uth!” There’s something special about seeing kids and grown-ups alike light up when they flip through the pages, finding both comfort and creativity in the story. Being part of such a supportive, handmade art scene makes every fair feel like a celebration of shared feelings and imaginative healing.

Early Beat City Comic Strips

Jan 1, 2018

Early Beat City Comic Strips

Writer & Illustrator

Beat City Comix

2017

Project Synopsis

This early series of Beat City comic strips was my first real attempt at finding the voices of the three main characters — Elsie, Ben, and Anne. Through these short, self-contained moments, I began to explore how they speak, interact, and bounce off each other, both emotionally and rhythmically. It was also a chance to experiment with color and tone, using palette shifts to reflect mood, music, and movement. These strips may be rough around the edges, but they were important steps in getting the ball rolling — building character, setting the vibe, and starting to sketch out the heart of Beat City.

THE COMIC STRIPS

INTRODUCING THE WORLD

The first Beat City comic strips served as a gateway into the world — a place pulsing with rhythm, personality, and a bit of chaos. These early strips were less about plot and more about atmosphere: glimpses into street corners, cluttered apartments, and late-night diners where Elsie, Ben, and Anne first started to come alive. Through quick exchanges, visual gags, and stylized pacing, I began to establish the tone of the city itself — quirky, fast-talking, a little rough around the edges but full of heart. These strips were my way of sketching out Beat City as a living, breathing place — one beat at a time.

Monomyth in 17 Easy Steps

Jan 1, 2017

Monomyth in 17 Easy Steps

Writer & Illustrator

Self-Published Zine

2018

Project Synopsis

The Monomyth in 17 Easy Steps is a satirical comic zine that reimagines Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey through the lens of a disgruntled office worker who’s finally had enough. On a particularly soul-crushing Monday, he quits — and thus begins his absurd, mythic quest through copy rooms, cubicle labyrinths, and existential coffee breaks. Zany, humorous, and surprisingly insightful, this zine playfully breaks down the classic monomyth structure in 17 punchy, illustrated steps, making ancient storytelling theory feel hilariously modern (and mildly caffeinated).

THE HERO’S JOURNEY

TRANSLATING WITH HUMOR

At the start of this production, I was put in charge of testing various methods to create the natural terrains of the entire show. This was a fun time of experimentation. There are a lot of tried and true ways that we use in stop motion to achieve certain looks, but they can sometimes start to look rote. We wanted to challenge ourselves to try something new, and make the “normal” things to be made in a totally new way.

For example, we experimented with using dyed wood chips and sawdust for our grass textures. I was in charge of the early tests to determine the proper look and scale of this important terrain texture. In the end we ended up using a combination of both, dyed green and yellow, to achieve the grass at various different scales.

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