2026 Creative Mussel Portfolio
Creative Mussel is the indie publisher of MeSseD Comics, St. Malo: First Filipinos in North America, The Intrusion, Filipino Assassin: The Untold Story of Vincent Manago Hambright, Dr. Skintag, Grassman: Ohio’s Favorite Cryptid and The Goat: Pope Lick Creek Monster. and other creative projects. Now in it's ninth year, Creative Mussel seeks to be a publisher that supports diverse artists, promotes creators and makes untold stories accessible.
History is being rewritten—in panels and ink!
With the help of Artswave, we've decided to start tackling a new, untold story following the Manilamen of St. Malo, bringing light to the first Asian settlement in North America.
Creative Mussel: Crisscrossing the State with Support
We're crisscrossing the state to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month by sharing our stories -- St. Malo and Filipino Assassin -- to these incredible festivals across Ohio. The team and I will be on the ground next month sharing these amazing underrepresented narratives and connecting with audiences new and old.
The Paris Catacombs
There is a profound, heavy beauty in the Catacombs that demands a specific kind of silence. Seeing the remains that built Paris's history coupled with the graffiti within allows one to feel the full scale of the city's history and culture.
#4: Fact Behind the Fiction – Working with Historian Mākialani Kanewa-Mariano on St. Malo
Better fiction is built on historical fact. That belief led me to a crucial collaboration that has shaped the very foundation of this comic.
#3 A Ghostly Glimpse: Stephanie Syjuco’s Murals Inspire the St. Malo Comic
My latest research trip in January 2025 was a truly transporting experience. I was thrilled to witness Stephanie Syjuco’s amazing St. Malo murals across the city of New Orleans.
#2: Drawing from Heritage—Why St. Malo Needed to Be Told
The research for St. Malo was about digging up history, but the act of creation was about filling it with life, humor, and heart.
From Carving to Comic - Hailey Clemens Artist Spotlight
Discover more about the striking pin-up artwork featured inside The Goat: Pope Lick Creek Monster.
#1 Journey to St. Malo—Unearthing the First Asian Village in North America
Sometimes, inspiration finds you when you least expect it. My journey into the world of St. Malo began with a casual conversation at a comic convention.
Behind the Scenes of Dr. Skintag
Want to see the spooky behind-the-scenes work that comes before reaching the Cryptid Corner? Here's a look into the initial thumbnails of our newest release: Dr. Skintag.
