Eric Esquivel is a Los Angeles-based writer and storyteller working in the fields of Animation, Comic Books, Journalism, and Prose. He is a graduate of The National Hispanic Media Coalition's Playwright and Screenwriter programs, and his previous clients include Archie Comics, Boom Studios, DC Comics, Dynamite, Endemol Shine Boomdog, Fox News Latino, Frederator Books, Heavy Metal Magazine, IDW, Moonstone Books, Nickelodeon Magazine, Papercutz, Spookshow Records, Starburns Industries, Tidalwave Productions, and Zenscope. His favorite character of all time is Superman, and he had the honor of writing the character in A Very DC Rebirth Holiday Special, which is available on hoopla now! In 2023, Eric will take over writing duties for Tidalwave Production's Judo Girl comic book and will also have several short stories published by the world-famous publisher of "pulp fiction," Airship 27. He lives in Koreatown with his cat and girlfriend.
How long have you been a patron at Felipe de Neve Library? What other branches do you like to visit?
I've been a patron of Felipe de Neve for about four years. Anything you've read of mine, there's a good chance that it was written within arm's reach of the "Graphic Novel New Releases" shelf. I sometimes spice things up by visiting the Central Library or Pio Pico—but Felipe De Neve is my personal Batcave.
What do you use the library for? What is your favorite section of the library? Favorite authors?
The library is an invaluable resource for my career. Whenever I'm pitching on a new assignment, I do a deep dive into what's been done before by checking out as many books in the genre as I can find.
In addition to being a freelance writer, I also work with The Arts For Healing and Justice Network, teaching Reading, Writing, and Art classes at the various Juvenile Detention Facilities around Los Angeles. Because I'm an educator, one of my librarian pals hooked me up with a Teacher Library Card, which allows me to check out more books than I normally would be able to for a longer amount of time. That has been immensely valuable to me when I'm cookin' up new lesson plans.
In addition to the Graphic Novel shelves, my favorite genres to "check out" when I'm at the library are Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Crime. I read a lot of the old Pulp authors, like Robert E. Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, L. Sprague de Camp, Forrest J. Ackerman, etc.
Are you working on any book or project now that you'd like to share?
If you use the Hoopla app to read your comics digitally, I've got a Superman Christmas comic in the A Very DC Rebirth Holiday Special graphic novel that is included in the "Christmas Comics For Kids" curated category. I'm currently writing for Tidalwave Productions' The Bold And The Brave and Tidalwave Presents comic series. Next year, I'm going to write a bunch of comics featuring my favorite character in their superhero pantheon: Judo Girl! I've also recently sold some non-comic short stories to a pulp fiction publisher called Airship 27. The first one hits shelves in 2023. It's called John Henry vs. the Vampires, and it'll appear in Pulp Mythology Volume 4.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I can't thank the Los Angeles Public Library enough for always providing the inspiration I need to keep my career going. Not to get too heavy, but—when I was a kid, I grew up in a rough neighborhood where I couldn't safely hang out and play. So I made frequent trips to the library on my way to get out of the house and experience the world. It's a habit I've never quit.