Meet Keenan Marshall Keller

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keenan Marshall Keller.

Keenan Marshall, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
-Moved to Los Angeles in 2001.
–Met my wife here and married in 2005.
-Toured with several of her bands back and forth across America for a couple years reading comics in the van, lugging heavy equipment and slanging merch at the shows. (Alaska!/Static Static/Smelly Tongues)

In 2007, I started self-publishing my first zines while starting to curate art shows around L.A., one of which was at SHOWCAVE The Night Gallery, (a small gallery in Echo Park) where after the opening, I joined on as Co-Director. I curated/co-curated numerous art shows, performances and screening events.

Involving artists, musicians, comedians and weirdos from all over the world. After 14 months, I left the gallery in late 2009 to start focusing on self-publishing and art. That summer I drew my first comic ever. Galactic Breakdown #1, which I started to look for a possible publisher for…  That lead to me joining the micro-publisher, Drippy Bone Books as Co-Director.

With Drippy Bone Books (along with artists Mario Zoots and Kristy Foom) and I released my own works, including the underground comix series, GALACTIC BREAKDOWN and my still unfinished Force Majeure, while publishing art zines and comix from varied artists including Aleksandra Waliszewska, Box Brown, Derek M Ballard, Victor Cayro, Austin English, Josh Bayer, Pat Aulisio, Shannon Keller, Gordon Magnin, and many others…

I continued to curate shows across L.A. on occasion including my underground comix group show FREAK SCENE, which had shows in both L.A. (Synchronicity) and Philadelphia (Space 1026) and the 20th Anniversary Le Derneir Cri show (world renown French DIY screenprint publisher) in Los Angeles.

In 2013, I started work co-creating/writing a new comics series with artist Tom Neely (Henry and Glenn Forever) called, The HUMANS. It was picked up by IMAGE COMICS in 2014, and we released ten issues and two graphic novel collections since then with more to come. In 2015, my son was born.

As of right now, Tom Neely and I are hard at work on the next HUMANS series (also to be released by IMAGE Comics) and I am also in the process of collaborating with Portland artist/creator Alex Delaney on a new comic, VENGEANCE is for the LIVING which will be seeking a publisher soon. I continue to write, draw and publish comix in L.A. with several other projects I can’t speak about just yet.

Has it been a smooth road?
There are always struggles. Constant, fluctuating struggles, Money, Self-doubt. The reality of the comics industry both artistically and economically. Interpersonal social conflicts and clashes of personalities with collaborators and peers. Depression, both personal and professionally. Having a child is the newest “struggle.” Life is struggling, art is the overcoming of it.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
In L.A. I’ve met so many amazing people and made so many friends over the years. I’ve found the old troupe of “L.A. is FAKE” to be misleading…

While, yes a large portion of the cities people and industries are fake and empty, it is because of this, that people outside those worlds find each other much easier than other cities I’ve lived in…

In L.A., people will let you know they are a douche-bag within several seconds of meeting them, making it easy to move on and find people of worth… I love the weather and food too.

I dislike the pollution and trash.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenanmarshallkeller/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humansforlife/

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.