I don’t know the first time I officially met Avy, but I am so grateful we did meet. It’s funny because I was looking through old photos of EBABZ from 2013 and in the background is a picture of Avy. This is a good 5 or so years before we would actually meet, so it’s nice to be able to call her a friend today and to know we have always been sharing space.
Avy, has such a unique vision and voice. When she tells the story of how she created her Horror Comic set in Oakland ‘Nuthin’ Good Ever Happens at 4am’, I get really excited.
“It’s a horror story where the Black character can’t die first because all the characters are black.”
Avy’s signature ball point pen and marker combo always turns heads at conventions and zine fest. Not only is she an organizer for SF Zine Fest, but she is also the founder of Oakland Creates, a comic and zine celebration that takes place in December every year. You can also see Avy’s work in the Eisner Winning ‘Drawing Power’ Anthology and many others!
Avy’s technical and storytelling skills are evident, but what I admire most about her is, her spirit. Always looking out for the community and always giving. It truly is a pleasure to know her.
NUTHIN’ GOOD EVER HAPPENS AT 4A.M
WOAH ALLERGIES
AVY JETTER INTERVIEW 2020
Are you from the Bay Area or did you move here?
A: Born in Minneapolis Minnesota and moved to Richmond ca when I was three. Grew up in Richmond and moved to Oakland as an adult in the nineties.
If so, where in the Bay are you from?
A: Grew up in Richmond Ca.
When did you start making comics?
A: I started making comics as a kid (6-7 yrs old).
I have four older brothers who were deeply into comics and made mini comics themselves as a team. One brother would pencil, one brother would ink the drawings and another brother would color the comics and another brother would write the stories. I liked to watch them and attempt to make comics on my own and actually stopped making comics as I got older and switched to drawing other things and got into graffiti and acrylic and oil painting. I rediscovered comics about seven or eight years ago (2012) and have been making comics again since then.
How has your progression of your cartooning career impacted your life?
A: Making comics and zines has widened my audience by a huge margin. I make tie-dye and other textiles and make mixed media paintings so comics just appeals to a different crowd. I’ve met so many wonderful and creative people by making comics again. I’m engaged in the community in a more authentic way and I’ve become more socially aware and more likely to address social and personal issues in my art.
How have you grown since your earlier comics?
A: I’ve grown very much. I’m still a newbie and I’m loving the process of learning new techniques and how to express myself with pen and ink and how to tell a story in a more efficient way.
What are some of your most memorable moments of your career so far?
A: My top two memorable moments have to be tabling at San Francisco zine fest for the first time in 2012 and having folks actually read and buy my comic. The response was so warm and kind. The next moment was tabling at the first Black Comics and Arts Festival in San Francisco 2015. There was such a sense of reunion and reconciliation for all the Black creatives sharing space. Black comics artists celebrating each other in an authentic and uplifting way. I met so many talented folks that day whom I consider mentors now. The support that day left me so inspired.
What is different about The Bay Area comics scene compared to other places you have been?
A: Compared to other places the Bay Area has a much broader (types of comics makers) and larger Black and Brown comics community. There are (BL)erds, Black conservatives, wierdos, skaters,art professionals, trap art makers, Punks and street artists making zines. The Bay Area comics scene is diverse and large and growing larger. Still segregated by race and class the scene is developing and has a strong support base that has yet to find it’s footing.
Any comics recommendations?
A: I recommend comics by the BAylies artists. Also EunSoo Jeong who makes Koreangry,
Ben Passmore who made Your Black Friend and Bitter Root by David Walker and Chuck Brown and drawn by Sanford Greene.
Any cartoon/tv shows or movie recommendations?
A: I’m a horror and suspense thriller fan. Right now I’m watching Outcast on Cinemax based on the comic by Robert Kirkman and Paul Azaceta. I also recommend Mindhunter on Netflix. Every now and then I watch Hannibal on Netflix too. Of course I love The Walking Dead.
What influences your work?
A: My life and imagination. Everything around me like street signs and sounds, smells and sunsets and all the busyness of the city. I like to watch all types of horror movies from classic monster movies to really really bad B movies so I’m influenced a lot by them.
Some of my work is based on real life experiences that I’m processing emotionally like grief and racism or social awareness and personal development.
What do you want to do in comics in the next 5 years?
A: I’d like to travel more. If I can get into SPX or CAKE I’d love to do those shows. I want to write long graphic novel. I’m working on some aspects of that now.
What are you working on now?
A: Now I’m working on my comic Nuthin Good ever Happens at 4 am. I took a break and now I’m back to it working on issue number 7.
What does your work represent to you?
A: My work represents self expression. My work is part of my journey as a creative person.
My work is a catalyst and tool for communication and reconciliation. My work represents an outpouring of love and passion and a way to healing, joy and mindfulness.
Avy’s Comics For The BAYlies 2018.
Thank you so much to Avy for doing this interview. It’s important for me as someone who is here right now to not only archive and document comics history, but to shine light on what has been and still is here. Avy might not even realized the influence and joy she brings to the zine and comics community, but that doesn’t mean we don't . So, glad she could be a part of this.
Please check out her work
Peace and Love
-Lawrence