Halloween ComicFest: Lea Hernandez Unmasks The Garlicks

Successfully crashing a party can be a tricky affair—especially when said party is being put on by monsters! Disguised as a vampire alpaca, Olive slips into a spooky shindig held on Halloween Eve only to meet Vourdain, an intriguing fellow in an equally silly costume. But what will happen to the pair when the party is over? Don't miss out on this special The Garlicks side-story found only in this Halloween ComicFest mini!

Halloween ComicFest: What is your favorite part about your Halloween ComicFest comic?

Lea Hernandez: Doing a "Garlicks" story that I wanted to tell but couldn't fit in a different book, and it's exciting to me to reach so many readers!

Halloween ComicFest: What can we expect to see in terms of story and art in your Halloween ComicFest title?

Lea Hernandez: The Garlicks is the illustrated diary of a tween-age vampire, Pandora, along the lines The Dork Diaries. "How I Met Your Monster" is meant to look like Pandora's early panel-to-panel comics work. Very meta. I've also learned a LOT from drawing Teen Titans Go for DC Comics, and it's improved my character acting and storytelling.

Halloween ComicFest: What is your favorite Halloween memory?

Lea Hernandez: I have two: when my kids were two and four and I made them super-cool matching Godzilla costumes, and the second time I went to the Halloween event on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. So. Much. Creativity.

Halloween ComicFest: What has been your best (or worst!) Halloween costume?

Lea Hernandez: I often have grand plans, then deadlines get in the way. THIS year, I'm hoping to have a Rose Quartz from Steven Universe costume ready. I've already got the wig!

Halloween ComicFest: Tell HCF fans why they should pick up your comic first during the event.

Lea Hernandez: I can't! It's like choosing to eat Krackel or Special Dark first! Put all your HCF comics in a bag and pick one at random—you can't go wrong! But, ok, if you know someone (even yourself), especially a girl, who loves comics where they're represented, and who like funny and adventurous stories with a supernatural touch—my comic is for you!

Halloween ComicFest: What are your favorite Halloween, Monster or Horror-themed comics?

Lea Hernandez: Any of the Scary Godmother books! Gantz is really good sci-fi horror, but definitely NOT for kids!

Halloween ComicFest: What are you doing for Halloween this year?

Lea Hernandez: Cosplaying as Rose Quartz and being a guest at Comickaze in Los Angeles, and signing comics at Nostalgic Books and Comics in San Gabriel!

Halloween ComicFest: What other titles would you associate with your HCF book? “If a comic readers likes ____, they should pick up my HCF Title?”

Lea Hernandez: Scary Godmother, The Dork Diaries, Smile, Drama.

Halloween ComicFest: What is a Halloween tradition you have?

Lea Hernandez: To have an awesome Halloween, whether it's big or small!