Writing comics for a physical newspaper was at the top of my list of dream jobs for basically my entire life, and one that I’ve had the privilege of fulfilling for the past couple years I’ve been at the Texan. Editing comics and managing illustrations was also probably on that list too, maybe, but I think I could have never appreciated how much the experience would mean to me until this semester. Whether working with authors for illustrations or waiting for InDesign to open so I can edit each comic page, I’ve never felt luckier to have a job in my life.

Seeing the comics department grow and evolve in the over two years I’ve been drawing for it has been a treat, and without the foundation laid by editors like Alexa and Breyona, I don’t know if I would have had a clue on how a system like this is run. Of course the biggest credit in this regard goes to our last editor, Clara, who I had the privilege of working directly under, made drawing for Comics an absolute joy and who I’ve tried my very best to live up to this semester. I’ve almost forgiven your defection to the Travesty. Almost.

I’d first like to extend my thanks to my associate editor Elizabeth, who is also graduating this semester. You managed to keep up a weekly series of illustrations while always being on deck for any random, last minute job I needed your help with, but that just meant I got to hang out and see more of your process in real time down in the Basement.

Yesenia, Maria, and Angela, thank you for bringing drinks and sweets to our meetings and pumping out a ridiculous number of short-notice illos, headers and comics this semester.

I’d like to thank my staffers, new and returning, for helping keep this whole engine running this semester while creating some wonderful works of art. Special shout out to those who hung out in the Basement outside of meeting hours and repped the comics department when I wasn’t there by making our little corner look busy.

Thank you Newton, Mazzy, Erika and everyone who looked over my pages before they got sent out to catch my typos and answer my millions of questions about how everything works.

To Peter, the photo department and the rest of the Texan staff, thank you for making me comfortable in my new role this semester and being a joy to work with.

Finally, I’d like to thank my Mom, Dad and Brother, and all others who have supported my art and comics journey ever since I was an itty bitty child drawing daily comic strips in my Wimpy Kid-branded journal and who encouraged me to apply to the Texan. I don’t think I would have ever imagined I’d actually get my stuff on newsprint at any point back then, much less put the whole page together.

I’d love to just keep working on the Daily Texan forever, but it’s probably important to give up room for the next generation of comic artists and illustrators, so fine – I guess I’ll apply for graduation and get out of your hair. For whoever comes next, as long as I’m in Austin I’ll keep an eye on that comics page to make sure I don’t have to find my way back and reclaim my throne! But I’m pretty sure the comics page is in great hands, and I’m excited to see where it goes from here. I’m going to miss everybody!