History is being rewritten—in panels and ink!
We are incredibly honored to announce that our very own Jay B. Kalagayan is a recipient of the 2026 @artswave Inspire Art Grant! With this support, we're diving deep into a story that is rarely told in classrooms: the Manilamen of St. Malo. This historical fiction comic series will bring the first Asian settlement in North America to life, blending heritage with the power of visual storytelling. "Comics have a unique power to bridge the gap between dusty archives and living h
Crisscrossing the State with Support
Some big news to share! Creative Mussel is on the move this May thanks to a Professional Development and Project Support grant from the Ohio Arts Council ! 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. "Receiving
The Paris Catacombs
"There is a profound, heavy beauty in the Catacombs that demands a specific kind of silence. It’s one thing to read about the 18th-century evacuations of the Saints-Innocents, but to stand amidst that history is to feel the scale of Paris itself. Even as the graffiti caught my eye, I felt a deep sense of reverence for the sheer magnitude of the lives resting there. It’s a breathtaking reminder that beneath the streets we walk, there is a labyrinth of stories waiting to be tol
#4: Fact Behind the Fiction – Working with Historian Mākialani Kanewa-Mariano
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.
The Goat: Pope Lick Creek Monster PREVIEW
Get ready for an ALL NEW installment of the Cryptid Corner. We're here to give you a preview of this thrilling new series: The Goat: Pope Lick Creek Monster
