From Skateboards to Storyboards: Ruben Najera on Resilience, Creativity, and Finding His Place in Comics
Ruben Najera's journey from professional skateboarding to comic book writing is a testament to resilience and artistic evolution. Rooted in his Mexican heritage and the lessons of his skateboarding days, Ruben’s path into the world of comics reflects an unyielding commitment to his craft. In this interview, Ruben shares the grit and determination that led him through countless rejections to a career working with names like Archie Comics and even the iconic band Linkin Park, offering insights into the creative process and the power of staying true to one’s passions.
What's a typical day in your life look like?:
I get to work on the current project that I’m hired for. Sometimes my comic book work sometimes consist on lettering pages for comics. At the moment I have about four scripts I’m working on so there’s deadlines for each.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?:
When you finally get to see the book in person on the shelf of a comic book store in finished product.
How would you say your upbringing and cultural background contributed to your career aspirations?:
I think more than anything my past as a skateboarder helped me in a sense that it taught me to get back up when I would fall and to keep trying until I landed my trick. I utilized this on my comic book career when I would get rejected a bunch of times but I kept trying until I got my first published book.
What would you say is a common question or concern you get from your clients/followers?:
Sometimes I have people that want to break into the comic book industry but express feelings on how difficult it is to get published or noticed, but I always tell them that determination, resilience is key and that in my time in this industry I have witnessed that the number one most important thing to get hired is that you always turn your work in on time and that you never miss the deadline. Because this business relies heavily on release dates and putting out their books on time.
What would you say has been your biggest obstacle in launching a successful career? How have you overcome it?:
The biggest obstacle was getting my foot in the door. It took many, many years and lots of rejection from publishers, but the moment I got published the work started to pour in. Perseverance is key.
What is the phrase, sentence, or conversation that stopped you in your tracks and changed your outlook in life?:
In my hometown I have one mentor and comic book creator I look up to, his name is Dave Garcia. He worked on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Tick comic books many years ago.I recently saw him not too long ago and he told me that I was doing a good job and that the ball is in my court. Which in reference means that my time is NOW. The same way he had his career when he was younger, that now it’s my time and my dream of being a comic book writer is happening in real life. It’s become a reality. After he told me those things it made me realize that I need to be more present. It made me realize that I need to work harder than ever right now because I’m building my legacy in this time right now.
If you had the choice to go back to your past or fast forward to your future, which one would you choose? Why?:
Neither. I need to learn to be more present and work my hardest at what’s in front of me because that in turn is what will nurture my future.
What are you committed to doing no matter what happens?:
Writing the best stories I possibly can.
Where might you be found on a Saturday afternoon with no plans?:
I’ve never not had something to do in the last 10 years, but if there happens to be a comic convention that I wasn’t invited to that is near me or a comic book shop, you might find me exploring one of the two.
If you were to meet 10 year old you, what would you say to them?:
Stop wasting time, start doing what you dream of doing because it’s gonna take a while to get there because it’s gonna start chipping away at the mountain.
What is something you’re willing to start all over again?:
I wouldn’t start anything all over again, if anything I would start with a new beginning quicker.
When are you the happiest?:
I recently realized when I think I am the happiest and that is when I finally get to hear a song that’s finished that I made or when I get to see a comic book on a store shelf. Seeing ideas on physical things I find genuinely makes me smile.
What is stopping you?:
Nothing’s stopping me.
Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you prioritize self care?:
Self care is something I’m working on. I need to be better at it. I need to take steps on making sure I’m less stressed out. I’m a work in progress on this.
Same goes for imposter syndrome. How do you combat those feelings (if any)?:
I don’t have any imposter syndrome. I know my place in the comic book industry. I am a working professional and I’ve worked super hard to get into the position I am right now.
How do you stay connected to your culture, heritage, and community?:
A lot of my heritage and knowledge of my Mexican upbringing I attribute to the time I spent living with my abuelitos while I was in elementary school. I learned quite a bit from them, I miss them every day. It’s the memories I’ve gained.
What would 18-year-old you say about where you are at in life now?:
He would say, ‘holy shit dude!”
What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life?:
Everything that I’ve got going on right now in this very moment, which includes my upcoming comic book for the band Linkin Park as well as my current original comic book published by Blood Moon Comics called Calaguerra and my current progress recording my first musical studio album and recently buying my own house.
Drink 🫖
What is Ruben’s go-to drink?
I like raspberry iced tea. I’ve been drinking it since I was a kid. I think it’s the most consistent drink I’ve had my entire life.
Listening To 🎧
What is Ruben listening to at the moment?
Because I’ve been writing the comic book on Linkin Park, there’s been a lot of Linkin Park on my playlist. Aside from that I’ve been listening a lot to Elliot Smith, I think he’s a fantastic song writer.
Your Truth 🗣️
What is a Ruben’s truth?
Comic books in my opinion are the greatest form of storytelling because you can create a million dollar box office story. The possibilities are limitless. You can tell a story in outer space, or you can go back to the time of dinosaurs, you can literally do what ever you want. As far as who inspires me, my local comic book hero Dave García.
As to where I’m going, I have many titles on the way, I’m building an entire universe of characters.
Your Plug 🔌
What is Ruben plugging today?
There are not that many Mexican superheros to begin with let alone an existing Mexican superhero team. I’m helping change that. My market is truly the world because I intent to get this not only as a full comic book series but eventually we will make a pilot down the line with the goal of getting this comic book turned into a movie or tv series that will reach at a world scale.
More about Ruben Najera
Former professional skateboarder and stunt-man turned comic book writer Ruben Najera hails from the city of El Centro California located in the Imperial Valley, bordering county to Mexico. He got his break into the comic book industry with Archie comics on the title The Best Archie Comic Ever. He currently has work published with Archie, M House Publishing, and Blood Moon Comics and his other current work on the up coming Linkin Park book with 10 Ton Press.