ENZO GARZA
Happy Friday the 13th! The new issue of Throwin’ Rocks At Camp Blood is now available. Kid Jason and Gutt face a horrible scarecrow in this one! 12 pages (6 Enzo & 6 Abbot) B&W dedicated to Beta Voorhees II. Click the link below to get yourself a copy!
THROWIN’ ROCKS AT CAMP BLOOD PART IV
CB Clerk and I just came back from Permanent Damage Portland and had one hell of a time at the show. I’ve never been to Portland before (CB hadn’t either), so it was a good opportunity to experience that “It’s Portland” attitude. Big thanks to Keenan Marshall Keller and Floating World Comics (damn fine shop) for the putting on a stellar show. Too many great peeps at this one, looking forward to more Damage!
Exorcism Eggs (collab w/ CB Clerk) and Gutt Ghost: Till We Meet Again or Sometime Before That
CB Clerk and her amazing CUM shirt.
Patrick Ian Rooks and Taylor showing off the first Gutt tattoo ever placed on human flesh.
I recently heard that some people hate the term “Throwback Thursdays” and that caught me by surprise. Sure, people just don’t like certain things and that’s okay but the #tbt seemed like an odd target for disdain. Let me now attempt to win over that hateful heart by offering a throwback Thursday featuring Gutt Ghost... because how can you hate GG? Well, okay, there are plenty and PLENTY of characters in the world of Gutt that hate GG so maybe I get it now.
Anyways, here’s the first illustration I ever did for “Gutt Ghost”, meaning this was me establishing his name and look in preparation for the first mini comic back in 2016. Notice I intended him to always be in a foul mood but realistically he’s not ALWAYS in a foul mood. I mean, really, Gutt Ghost is all of us so it’s understandable about that foul mood every now and then. Didn’t he eat a guy in that first mini comic? Yeah, let’s not talk about that.
Looks like I also abandoned that “bottom of sheets spike when angry” idea but I’ll probably return to that idea someday down the line. What makes this character fun is because GG has been around forever I can play around with the idea of different versions of Gutt (y’know, like how I touched on that in the Sawbuck issue). I think this is also why I always welcomed others to share their interpretations of Gutt.
Anyways, last month (June) marked 5 years of Gutt Ghost so even though we’re starting a month late, here’s to a year long celebration of Gutt Ghost!
And there they are, all 31 days of Gutt Ghostober in one place.
I’m damn proud for making it through the month and keeping up with the challenge. It’s been fun and, at times, challenging (some of these characters I’d never drawn before). Shhhh Is alone was a nightmare! I came up with the name last year but never made it to that day. When it came time to think up that character I was drawing blanks. Like, what the hell is a Shhhh Is?! Ask me some time and I’ll tell you how that one manifested into the horrifying beauty it became.
To all those artist who joined me this year and made it through, even if you’re behind, I can’t thank you enough. That anyone cares to take on the world of GG will always mean a lot to me. Seriously, you all are amazing. I’m gathering the names of those who participated and you will be handsomely rewarded for your work. Not only are you getting that new GG mini comic, printed up only for you, the Ghostober Gang, I’ll be making something very special for you folks in addition to the comic.
As for this crazy bunch, the 31 ghosts, ghouls, and wild weirdos, I’m happy to see them all together. Looks like some kind of cast poster for an animated show. Here’s to the 31 Gutt Ghostober, and to 31 more, and 31 more after that times forever!
I reckon I could have titled this post “From MegaCon to Heavy Metal” as MegaCon 2016 was the first place Gutt Ghost was seen outside of a single post in 2015 (or further back to a high school art class circa 1999). More specifically, it was in the form of an 11 x 17 art print that Gutt Ghost made his first appearance there at MegaCon. Much like the image above (one on the right), that’s all there was. That print did so well at the show that I had to get more printed the first night. Soon I realized this ghost with guts character should probably be my main focus here on out.
At the time I had already purchased a table to Heroes Con in NC and knew I wanted to have a mini comic completed for the upcoming show. Originally, I wanted to make a comic with a character named Mik-Viktor but, as with many things, I didn’t get that one done in time. That meant my focus would now be Gutt Ghost and Heroes 2016 saw the first GG comic produced. It was short, simple, and somehow it worked. Don’t get wrong, I loved making the comic, it just never occurred to me to devote my time and energy to that weird character. Honestly, he didn’t even have the name Gutt Ghost until that first mini comic. Now you see why the title “From Heroes Con to Heavy Metal” works better. Gutt Ghost truly started at Heroes Con 2016.
Where does that put us now? Well, today (9/2) remains a special day due to the very reason that 4 years ago, in Denver, Colorado at 6:35 pm, I received a message, through Facebook, from Jeff Krelitz. I’ll admit, at the time, I had no idea who Jeff was but his message instantly grabbed my attention. Add to that I remember exactly where I was when I got the message. I was in Denver for Riot Fest. The “Original” Misfits were reuniting for their first show in decades and it was a big deal. Even though the first part of that trip was a mess (a taxi from the Denver airport to the city of Denver wasn’t cheap in 2016), I was excited. Now, the excitement of the trip, with its plans to visit Mile High Comics and finally see the Misfits play a show, was instantly amplified by a message received by someone named Jeff.
The very expensive taxi had just arrived in Denver and I recall it was then that the message came through. Stopping me in my dead in my tracks as I began to exit the taxi, I quickly read the message. Now, one thing to keep in mind is Gutt Ghost, which only existed as a small, 6 page comic, had only been around for 3 months. At the time I had done 2 shows, maybe 3, and that was it. The general consensus was people enjoyed Gutt Ghost though I didn’t expect anything to move as fast as it was about to.
”I love Gutt Ghost. Is there an actual story we could look at for the magazine?”
There it was, this message from Jeff Krelitz. Who is Jeff and what magazine was he talking about? One quick jump to his profile page and my questions were answered. “Co-CEO at Heavy Metal Magazine”. Heavy Metal Magazine? Unreal. All I had were those 6 pages, so naturally that’s what I sent. It was then 26 days later I got a reply. 26 grueling, self-doubt filled days. You see, this was Heavy Metal and suddenly the weight of that hit me. Why on earth would I think it was okay to send those 6 amateur pages to Heavy fuckin’ Metal?! We’re talking about the same magazine that printed Moebius. “I’m a joke” and figured I would never hear back. Well, as it typical goes with self doubt, I was wrong. 26 days later Jeff messaged me back and we soon spoke on the phone. At the time Grant Morrison was publisher at Heavy Metal and Jeff told me about how Grant had reacted to the phrase Gutt Ghost. “What the fuck is a Gutt Ghost?” he said. Nonetheless, Grant was all for it and it was followed by Jeff asking me “How would you like to be in Heavy Metal?”. Unreal. Here was that lighting strike I’d heard about. It was happening and for me and this weird ghost with guts.
There are many milestones in the currently small history of Gutt Ghost. This remains a big one for me and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity Jeff and Grant gave me. It welcomed me into the Heavy Metal fold, gave Gutt Ghost more exposure, and ultimately lead to there being an actual Gutt Ghost comic published by Scout Comics (thanks to James Haick). I can’t imagine a time where Gutt Ghost won’t be present. Even if the world stops spinning and the sun suddenly stops shining, I’ll still be making Gutt Ghost comics. So, here’s to those guts and all them funny books about that ghost… with guts.
The next one-shot of Gutt Ghost, a collaboration with Richard Rivera, hits comic shops this November and solicits for the new issue are now available. This one sees good ol’ Gutt begrudgingly teamed up with Stabbity Bunny after an interdimensional mishap.
Make sure to contact your local comic shop with code SEP201415 to reserve a copy!
The next issue of Gutt Ghost comes out in April and solicitations are here! Add to it the masterful Mike Mignola has done a cover for the issue! Pre-order the new issue at your local comic shop with code FEB201964. Now, check out the synopsis below for GUTT GHOST: TROUBLE WITH THE SAWBUCK SKELETON SOCIETY.
Gutt Ghost finds himself mistakenly in debt to a long standing organization cloaked in violence and hellfire. Welcome the Sawbuck Skeleton Society with their horrific means to advance an undead agenda and collect on all living debts in a most violent way. Can good ol' Gutt talk his way out of this one or will he have to call upon some unlikely friends to get him out of this bone hacking predicament?!
Alright, just between you and me, this is my favorite issue to date. It features some new characters I think you’re gonna love and some weird turns for Gutt Ghost. I love it and dare say it’s my best to date!
Cover A by Mike Mignola
SURPRISE!!! My collaboration with Knee High Horror is here. Meaning there’s new Gutt Ghost merch now in shop with the “Horrid & HellFiend” shirt and enamel pins. Get into the spirit and grab yours via https://garza.bigcartel.com/ and https://www.etsy.com/shop/kneehighhorror/
Gutt Ghost is going back to print!
That’s right, the first issue is getting a second printing with more Pizza Ghoul on the cover! Add to that it’s new comic Wednesday and the perfect opportunity to visit your local comic shop with code JUL198446 and order up!
I’ll update the actual street date soon!
I didn’t expect to see the first issue sell out before it even hit the comic shop shelf but it did! Thanks to everyone who picked up a copy and has supported Gutt Ghost along the way!
Here it is, the first issue of Gutt Ghost that was originally supposed to be released today. Unfortunately, it's a bit delayed. I poured my heart and soul into this one and wanted to make a really great issue. So, I apologize for the lateness but I guarantee you're gonna really dig it.
Nonetheless, it's estimated to release about a month from today but I'll keep you all in the loop with updates as soon as everything is confirmed. I love this issue and I promise it's worth the wait!
The first Gutt Ghost comic debuted at Heroes Con 2016 and I'll be returning again this year with more intestinal goodness. My thanks to everyone who picked up a copy and to those who have supported it ever since. I’ll have some new pins and mini comics as well as other oddball items.
Find me at Indie Island (table 1209) and as always, pizza is warmly welcomed.
If you've never seen the results of an individual flexing their planetary power over the properties of precarious paper then you've not yet TRULY lived. Yes, I speak of the might that is AusGerCo. Paper Action Figures and his wondrous creations.
Gaze upon those perfect paper GUTS!
It's not the final cover but it's happening. This June the first Gutt Ghost one-shot by Scout Comics, with new story, will be hitting comic shops. Gutt Ghost: Til We Meet Again #1 is now available to order via the code APR191924 through your local shop!
While I'm bummed I couldn't make it out to this year's DINK Comic & Art Expo, I am thrilled to see this STELLAR Gutt Ghost cosplay spotted at the show! THIS is what the character is all about to me. Seeing Gutt through the eyes of others. Seriously, everything about this is perfect. Bravo to the individual and their BEYOND AWESOME Gutt Ghost getup.
If you're out there and reading this, I owe you a colored commission for your killer cosplay.
It's the spring of 1986 and months prior a beautiful medley hit #1 on the Billboard charts. Not only did the song reach top ratings in our hearts, it also reminded us what friends are for. In good times and bad times, Gutt Ghost is always there for his friends including a particular kid from Crystal Lake who finds himself down in the dumps and 6ft below.
6 pages, full color with new cover and additional content! This mini comic is a precursor to a full GG/F13 comic releasing July 13th, 2018.
Available via www.garza.bigcartel.com
Years ago I came across this Westview Baptist church sign and immediately was reminded of that unstoppable force named Jason Voorhees. A u-turn and the quick snap of the picture and so was born one of my favorite Friday the 13th memes. Even if you think it's dumb, I don't care because whatever lies ahead... he is already there.
Tomorrow! Friday the 13th! I'll be placing up the Gutt Ghost F13 colored mini. This is the mini comic released last year (10/13/17) in conjunction with the GG/F13 enamel pin... 'cept this is fully colored with additional content and new cover!
It's all going down at 1 pm EST tomorrow, 04/13/18, in the shop!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I'll not be attending Dink Comic & Art Expo this year. I'm saddened by this as DINK has become one of my favorite shows. Nonetheless, I'm all setup to attend next year.
Hope everyone going this weekend has a great time! Support indie creators and buy lots of comics!!
Flyer done for a Tooth and the Enamels reunion show that went down last weekend. I've always wanted to illustrate a Tooth ever since seeing the band back in 2010 as they opened for the Misfits. It was a great show and I still have the 7" purchased before the show (that somehow survived the show).
There's a mini comic that was also done for the show. I didn't get a chance to finish it as planned but released it that night anyways. There's 30 copies of the B&W mini out there. I've plans to finish it completely and color it up. I'll post about it once finished. For now, enjoy that gross chaos with tits!