Jose “Nino” Mesarina, or more precisely Nino Mesarina, as he is known to fans and friends alike was born on the Southside of Chicago on April 23. Nino draws and creates his own comics along with doing other artwork for other publications. Nino, has also had a few of his pieces in art galleries.Nino, was a full time semi-pro blues guitarist and has played in several places in clubs and bars throughout Chicago. He has semi-retired from that side of the business, but plays time to time upon request.Nino, was one of the first artists in Chicago to work for, “INSTANT PRESS COMICS,” which is where he drew his own creation The Unbelievable Laundry Detergent Man, a.k.a ULDM. Nino is also the creator of the comic and character, “It’s RALPHY-BOY! ” Nino, is the president and founder of 209 Ave. Comics. 209 Ave. Comics published It’s RALPHY-BOY, The full color ULDM guide and the ULDM activity book comic.Also 209 ave. published the international full POLISH comic book. Nino, has worked with many studios, such as Estrada Media where he did a cover for the original Serials featuring their title character Goodboy on the cover. He does fan art, has been featured on several TV shows, radio, blogs and newspaper interviews. Nino has fans in Texas, Boston, NYC, Michigan Memphis and abroad in such countries in Poland and Austria. His work has sporadically been televised across the United States. He has been a guest in many comic shops and conventions and enjoys in story signings. Nino, can be seen in many comic books, bars and TV shows throughout the Chicago area. If you ask any artist living out in that area about Nino, they will tell you they personally know him, he’s just that cool!
Chuck Fresh
Chuck Fresh is the American-born son of Latvian immigrants. His parents. along with the rest of his melting pot neighborhood, all had strangely delightful accents, many of which Chuck emulated on the telephone and in drive-thrus to unsuspecting victims. Little did he know those characterizations would someday lead to a very lucrative career! Fresh became one of Philadelphia’s leading DJ’s. Today he’s one of the top voice over talents in the world, currently an announcer on Sirius XM radio. Fresh wrote the published books Party Games and How To Be A DJ, along with 15 other self-published titles based on his crazy experiences. Pursuing a career in marketing with Time-Life in the early 2000’s, Fresh learned the music, book, and film business. He opened a marketing company which helped several folks achieve prominence in sales and performance. Fresh is the writer and producer of three indie music projects, so he’s well aware of indie music industry trends. Along with Felicia B, Fresh produces and co-hosts the hit podcast and national radio program, Indie Originals Live.
Jake Estrada
Jake Estrada entered the field back in 2005 by first publishing his now classic hero Bocas. His first comic, Bocas, centered on a Hispanic character, and there are six books in that series. His other books include Estrada Media Serials 1, Estrada Media Serials 2, Bridgeton Nights, You Cannot Silence Me: The Unauthorized Pedro Albizu Campos Story, Tainos, Motorist vs. Bocas 1, Motorist vs. Bocas 2, The Human Virus , Screw Phillips, Maestro, Space Coast Comixx and many other titles. Jake Estrada was born in Philadelphia, PA. Jake’s mother saw that her son loved to perform and produce art so she enrolled him at a young age in the Lighthouse, a Philadelphia center for young kids to create art and theater productions. He holds degrees in both Multimedia Design and Criminal Justice Administration. Jake has worked professionally as an underground comic book artist since 2005. Jake has published over 120 comics.
