Creative Mussel Portfolio

Creative Mussel is the indie publisher of MeSseD Comics, 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. 

Publisher Jay B. Kalagayan is a Filipino American creator and publisher of Creative Mussel. Jay’s work has been published with Corpse Flower Press, Sol-Con Anthology through Ohio State University, Columbus Scribbler, Xavier University Newswire, Citybeat and The World Toilet Organization. Jay is the recipient of a People's Liberty Project Grant and ArtsWave's Black and Brown Artist Grant. He created "MeSseD Tunnel Tour," an immersive comic book experience that takes audiences on a three-story descent underground.

Our flagship book, MeSseD, the nickname for the Metropolitan Sewer District, brings sewer management to science fiction. The Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) processes over one billion gallons of wastewater from over ten thousand miles of pipes a day. Tough sewer worker Lilliput is our guide to the wet, weird and wild world under our feet.

Launched in November 2016, MeSseD has become one of the most popular comic books in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Cincinnati Citybeat named us 2017 Best of Cincinnati Staff Pick: “Best Reason to Get Your Mind in the Gutter.”

The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote,"Lilliput... is tough and enterprising. She is fearless and unflappable... a hero for all of us."

MeSseD an original comic written by Jay B. Kalagayan (Columbus, Cincinnati) with illustrations by Dylan Speeg (Cincinnati). The books are printed in Ohio by Seemless Printing.

"I was inspired by my daughters to create a strong character that happens to be female and happens to be Asian," says creator Jay B. Kalagayan, "So when I bring my daughters to the comic book store they see someone who looks like them on the shelves."

MeSseD Comics has printed four volumes (seasons) with over 21 chapters. Here's a link to our store!

Here's what they are saying about us ... click here for our more media reviews!

Putting a spotlight on hidden histories is our graphic comic book:

Filipino Assassin: The Untold Story of Vincent Manago Hambright

In the late 1920s, Vincent Manago Hambright, "The Filipino Assassin," boxes his way to fame in the Midwest. This graphic comic book charts his rise, military service, and tragic death in 1946, highlighting the struggles of Filipino Americans against racial prejudice.

“The fact that there are hidden histories, there are different historic figures that might speak better to your roots, your history, I think that makes history come alive and makes you want to learn more.” -Kalagayan said in Cincinnati Enquirer feature on Filipino Assassin.

Cryptid Corner

We'll also feature local, hidden histories with Cincinnati Cabinet of Curiosities, Volumes 1-3.  Additionally, we'll exhibit books offering diverse takes on cryptids, including Grassman, Ohio’s Favorite Cryptid, Dr. Skintag, The Goat: Pope Lick Creek Monster and St. Malo.

Artwork by Rialin Jose, Tim Fuller, Kevin Necessary, Ethan Pope, and Feriowind.

Creative Mussel travels to different shows to talk to fans, meet new readers and bring MeSseD and other comics to the masses. Here is a picture of our table set up.

Creative Mussel has appeared at The Filipino American International Book Festival (CA), Filipinx American Comic & Book Festival (NY), Cleveland Asian Festival (OH), Heroes Con (NC), Motor City Comic Con (MI), Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (OH), BIPOC POP (TX), Cincinnati Comic Expo, Anime Ohio, Indiana Comic Con, Gem City Comic Con (OH), NOICE: Norfolk's Original Indie Comics Expo (VA), Lake Erie Ink's 10th Annual Kid's Comic Con (OH), Fan Expo New Orleans (LA), Asian Food Fest (OH), Crafty Supermarket (OH), Ohioana Book Festival, Tidewater Comic Con (VA), Cincinnati Book by the Banks, Genghis Con (Cleveland, Ohio), the Cincinnati Fringe Festival and the WWETT Show - Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show.

Creative Mussel tries to bring our stories to life with from our Lilliput character model doing cosplay at cons, immersive tunnel tours five stories underground, selfies with sewer worms, character models sharing playlists and weird photo ops like our filament filter!

Still thinking outside the box, Creative Mussel collaborated with Heavy Hinges to create an animated video for their song Ms. Right.

We have commissioned other artists for their unique interpretation on our original IP including renowned artists like David Mack and Kevin Necessary as well as up-in-comers like Clint Basinger, Jme Foronda, Michelle Littlejohn, Zakiyya, and many others.