Emerald City Comic Con 2022
Author: Xavier Scudder
On Thursday, August 18, 2022, I found myself in room SCC303 at the Emerald City Comic Con, eagerly awaiting the start of a panel that promised to be as unique as it was intriguing. Titled “From LUMPIAMovie to LUMPIA Comic Book: Origin of the Deep Fried Universe!”, the panel was a deep dive into the journey of the creators behind the award-winning movie Lumpia with a Vengeance, and its companion indie comic book series.
The panelists, including director Patricio Ginelsa, producer/artist Lawrence Iriarte, and cast members April Absynth, Earl Baylon, and Edward Baon, shared their experiences of crowdfunding their action comedy feature and the subsequent creation of the comic book series. The discussion was a testament to the power of community building and the importance of representation.
One of the key takeaways from the panel was the emphasis on diversity and the magic that happens when different ideas and talents come together. The panelists shared their experiences working on diverse sets, contrasting them with the more homogenous crews often seen in the professional world. They spoke about the familial atmosphere on their set, likening it to working with cousins and building a home together.
The panelists also discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their work. Despite the challenges, they found ways to collaborate and continue promoting their movie. They even created their live stream event, Lumpia Con, when they missed the San Diego Comic-Con.
Creating the Lumpia comic book was a dream come true for the team. They used the pandemic as an opportunity to bring together various artists in the industry and crowdfund their first comic book. The comic book was designed to fill the gap between the original Lumpia film and Lumpia with a Vengeance.
The panelists also shared their plans for future projects, including a comic book about the DJ world, which they have been developing for over 10 years. They spoke about their efforts to reach 100 followers on Kickstarter before launching the project, emphasizing the importance of community support in their work.
The panel ended with a reminder of the importance of community building and the power of diverse representation in media. The team’s journey from making a homemade movie with childhood friends to creating one of the most exciting universes, the Deep Fried Universe, was truly inspiring.
