hellkitty.com

Biography

Pia Guerra was born in New Jersey in 1971.

When she was ten years old her cousin left a copy of X-Men #128 at her house and from there a love of the comics medium began.

Through the 1990s Pia worked on various independent titles including the Bruiser, Sinnamon, Slip, Weird Business, Asylum, and a series of gaming manuals for White Wolf's Masquerade, Changeling and Werewolf lines.

In early 2001 Pia got a call from Vertigo editor Heidi MacDonald asking if she would be interested in trying out for a book called Y - The Last Man written by Brian K. Vaughan. After submitting her samples Pia landed a job as penciller and co-creator on the massive project.

Since it's release in July of 2002 response to the book has been overwhelmingly positive. Y has been translated into several different languages for foreign markets including Europe, Scandinavia and Indonesia. Y - The Last Man has received praise from critics, numerous Eisner nominations, nominations for the Harvey Award and the Prix du Scenario at the prestigious Angouleme comic festival and was named Best Book of 2003 by Wizard Magazine. Pia won the Shuster Award for Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Artist of 2006, in 2008 she won two Eisners, one for Best Penciler/Inker Team with Jose Marzan Jr. and the other for Best Continuing Series as co-creator along with Brian and Jose. There is a movie option in the works.

Pia lives with her very talented husband, writer Ian Boothby (Futurama, Simpsons comics) and three mostly lovable cats August, Charlie and Kinsey. When not freaking out over deadlines Pia likes to work on her scale model Victorian dollhouse and hang out with her sister Vicky.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Y ended? Why can't I find the last trade?

Y went 60 issues, as promised. The trade will be coming out in June of 2008. We went bi-monthly for the last arc so that's why there's a delay, sorry about that. You can check with your local comic shop or bookstore to order a copy or to find out when they'll be getting them in.

Will you be selling any pages from Y?

Yes. Go to The Hellkitty Store to see them. We're doing a few pages at a time to allow for things like work. And no, we won't be taking requests for pages. What you see is what's for sale that week. Sorry.

Do you do commissions/sketches?

I'm not doing commisions right now due to scheduling on other projects so here's what I'll do.

If you send me a backing board I will draw a quick convention style sketch for you for free (you read right, free). It won't be fancy, just the same kind of sketch I'd do for anyone at a con.

Here's what you need to do.

Send your backing board and request (example "I would like a picture of Ampersand please") along with a self addressed stamped envelope to the following:

Pia Guerra
#169 - 2416 Main Street
Vancouver, BC
Canada
V5T 3E2

If you are from Canada please add a few stamps to the return envelope. People from the US or other countries can send me those international coupon thingies (NO MONEY!) if you can't get those don't worry, it doesn't cost THAT much for me to send boards in the mail. Of course if I suddenly become inundated with requests I may change that policy. Please, please put a note on your package saying DO NOT BEND. The PO box I get my mail from will sometimes bend envelopes in order to cram it into that little mailbox and this will ruin your backing board. If you can, add a stiff board of cardboard in there that I include with the return art, just to be safe.

I promise to get these requests done as soon as posible. Those who have already sent stuff out I am currently working on them, sorry for the delay. If you've had an address change or need to contact me about your request you can drop me an e-mail at hellkitty3@hotmail.com and I'll do my best to get back to you asap.

Oh, and if your request is personalised please don't let me see it turn up on e-bay. It's incredibly tacky considering I've taken the time away from work to give you a free sketch. And those thinking of buying one on e-bay, come on.

What is a backing board anyway?

Backing boards are the acid free pieces of white cardboard you get with bagged comics to keep them from bending. If you don't have one of these you can send a sheet of bristol or art paper. 8x10 or thereabouts is a good size, it keeps postage low and reduces the chances of it getting mangled by the post office. Don't forget to add a piece of stiff cardboard for added security!

I think your blog is screwy, I can't see certain sections on my Mac.

I just learned of this glich, trying to figure it out but my coding sucks. Any Mac mavens who can figure out what's wrong please send me an e-mail letting me know how to fix it.

I saw an interview with you the other day and I really feel you'd be perfect for this book idea I have.

I'm currently attached to IDW's Doctor Who and won't be available until the end of the year. Sorry.

Can you give me information on submitting work to comic book companies?

The best advice I can offer here is to put together three to six sample pages (photocopies, no originals) of your BEST sequential art. The idea is to show off your range so make the pages interesting. Make certain you put your name and address on the back of each page in case the pages get shuffled about. The last thing you want is an editor discovering a random page, loving your work but having no idea who to contact.

Pick a title you feel best suits your style and look at the credits box, there you will see the name of the editor and possibly an assistant editor. Get the address off the disclaimer bar and send your samples c/o of the editor or assistant editor along with a brief letter stating your interest in submitting work and a self addressed stamped envelope. You won't be guaranteed a response but if they do have an interest the SASE will make sure you hear it.

Conventions are also a good way to get your stuff seen. It's a great place to talk to other creators and get feedback. You may also run into editors willing to look at work. If you do, keep it short, show only your best work and LISTEN. Take whatever critiques/advice they give you and WALK AWAY. You'll probably be running into these people again and again in the future and you want to be sure you leave them with a consistent, professional impression of yourself. Many newbies get overly defensive of their work and in the process make asses of themselves (believe me, I've done it myself). You can bitch and complain with friends about your interview later.

Remember, there aren't a whole lot of bridges in this business so don't go burning them all willy-nilly and then wonder why you're not getting gigs.

Good luck!

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