This year’s Mocca Arts Fest (March 15-16) announced in February will feature some incredible creators at the 2025 event. In anticipation of the Comic Arts Festival in New York City, Beat was caught up in Jaime Hernandez, co-creator of Love and the Rockets. He will appear on Sunday, March 16th, 2025 on a spotlight panel hosted by Marc Sobel, author of Leading Love and The Lockets and the Love and Rockets Companion.
Indie comic icon Hernandez’s “Locas” storyline records the lives, love, joy and heartbreak of Maggie, hope, and their diverse group of friends. The publication of the Love and Rockets series has been developed for over four years and is also included in his new graphic novel, Life Drawing. At Mocca ’25, Hernandez signs at the Fantagraphics booth. He will also appear in the “Ink Rivers: Burns, Hernandez & Tomeen & Tomeen” panel on Saturday, March 15th from 3-4pm, and the “Jime Hernandez of the Spotlight” panel on Sunday, March 16th from 1:30-2:30pm.
Check out the interview below and come out at Mocca Fest if this is your interest!
Ollie Kaplan: At this point in your career, you are being praised in the industry for your work in the field of indie comics. What stands out most when you look back on your life and work? For example, are there any highlights or pitfalls? Is there anything you could have changed? etc.
Jaime Hernandez: I’m very pleased with everything about it, it contains mistakes and nothing will change.
Kaplan: Can you tell us more about the process of creating the latest “Love and Rocket” entry: Life Drawing?
Hernandez: Until you see it become something, it’s not a complete book. And I find a way to make no sense to it all when I wrap it.
Kaplan: What’s next for the “Locas” saga?
Hernandez: Characters either deal with it as they get older or don’t deal with it.
Kaplan: Do you want to see what messages your readers will receive from your work in 2025?
Hernandez: I’m still here and I hope work still stands up.
Photo Credit: Fantagraphics
Kaplan: Why do you think indie comics are so important now?
Hernandez: I don’t know if they are there, but I hope so.
Kaplan: The Bauhaus rock band was inspired by the name “Love and Rocket.” Please tell us more about the interactions between comics and underground music scenes.
Hernandez: That’s all about creating art the way you want, even if someone tells you you can’t.
Kaplan: What do you have for Mocca ’25 comic book fans? For fans who are unable to attend this year, can you watch the discussion in the Spotlight Panel on Sunday, March 16th?
Hernandez: There is a new collection (life drawing) and a new issue (Love and Rockets #16).
Kaplan: What are you looking forward to about this year’s festival?
Hernandez: Meet fans from a different time zone.
Kaplan: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Hernandez: Sorry, my answer is always shorter than the question.
Check out the sample panel for depictions below:
Photo Credit: FantagraphsPhoto Credit: Fantagraphs
(Featured image: Jordan Crane)
At Mocca ’25, Jaime Hernandez signs with Fantagraphics Tables 007-011 at Metropolitan Pavilion. If you would like to participate in Mock Cafe St 2025 in New York, click here.
For more information about Beat coverage for Mocca 2025, click here.
Like this:
Like loading…
