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SAM ROMERO

Sam Romero is a professional cartoonist and illustrator born, raised, and based in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His works range from political cartooning, to caricature, to comics. With a keen sense of humor and a passion for advocacy, his artwork addresses multiple social justice topics, largely centering on issues of poverty and marginalization. Sam began his artistic advocacy work by helping found and promote Tent State University (2003), a protest encampment based at Rutgers University. He has participated in local beautification efforts, including the Albus Cavus riverside restoration project (2006) where artists from across New Jersey were invited to do sanctioned graffiti work. Sam's political cartoons were featured in New Brunswick Today and was its primary editorial feature (2011-2014). Sam also has done mural work, and his Martin Luther King commemorative mural has been recognized by the City of New Brunswick (2016) through the official establishment of Martin Luther King Corner in honor of Dr. King's legacy memorialized in his artwork.

For coLAB Arts, Sam is working with NeighborCorps Re-Entry Services, producing a graphic novel memoir documenting the stories and experiences of individuals who have previously been incarcerated at Middlesex County Jail, and those that volunteer for NeighborCorps.

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2019-07-10 Sam Romero

Here’s a shot of my workspace. My new graphics card comes in today. It’s a real pain making comics without one, but here it is. :)

I met this ex-inmate outside of the jail one day and he asked to borrow my phone to call for a ride home. I asked what his deal was and he said he spent a year in jail on a weapons charge.

I met this ex-inmate outside of the jail one day and he asked to borrow my phone to call for a ride home. I asked what his deal was and he said he spent a year in jail on a weapons charge.

Part of the interview process for ex-inmates who access Neighborcorps services is guidance on future career prospects. This ex-inmate had an interest in political work, which I could relate to given my own history as an organizer at Rutgers

Part of the interview process for ex-inmates who access Neighborcorps services is guidance on future career prospects. This ex-inmate had an interest in political work, which I could relate to given my own history as an organizer at Rutgers

I went to volunteer orientation at the Middlesex County Jail where my peers were an Alcoholics Anonymous volunteer and some church lady. The church lady really couldn’t stop talking.

I went to volunteer orientation at the Middlesex County Jail where my peers were an Alcoholics Anonymous volunteer and some church lady. The church lady really couldn’t stop talking.

Page 4 work in progress! Ink and flats all set!

Page 4 work in progress! Ink and flats all set!

Neighborly Cover

Tentatively titled comics cover. It’s a bit more subdued than the last piece.

Work in progress shot of page 1.

Work in progress shot of page 1.

Quick snapshot of comics line art before coloring process.

Quick snapshot of comics line art before coloring process.

Color layout for page 2 of our comics work. Each page gets roughed out in pencils first, then inks, then colors, and finally lettering.

Color layout for page 2 of our comics work. Each page gets roughed out in pencils first, then inks, then colors, and finally lettering.

Full page before lettering process.

Full page before lettering process.