I'm really excited to share an interview with the extremely talented PA, Jorge Muniz. While working as a PA, he has found the time to create a really cool and fun study tool! Many of us are visual learners, and if you have trouble remembering the essential pearls, then you need this book! There are a few days left in his Kickstarter campaign, so you still have a chance to be one of the first to jump on board.
What is your name?
Jorge Muniz
How long have you been a PA?
In 2013, I graduated from the Nova Southeastern University's PA program located in Orlando, Florida. Two weeks after graduating, a large group of us took the PANCE. I’m proud to say we all passed. Immediately afterwards, I began practicing as a PA in the hospital as I had secured a position in orthopedic surgery during my clinical rotations.
What inspired you to create Medcomic?
I've loved cartoons since I was a little kid. As a PA student, I realized that being in the medical field gave me the opportunity to channel my creative energy while helping my classmates study for exams.
My artwork has been influenced by the cartoons I watched as a child, which relied heavily on physical humor and facial expressions. I believe the animation seen on television today has changed a lot from cartoons like Looney Tunes that were produced in the 1940s and 1950s. I remember watching many of those reruns. Another inspiration and influence on my art has been the work of Mike Krahulik. He’s the graphic artist behind the popular video game webcomic Penny Arcade.
What do you hope to accomplish with Medcomic?
Medcomic’s mission is to make studying medicine fun and entertaining. Part of my vision for Medcomic is to expand the concept so that it becomes more comprehensive. There are plans to introduce new features and apps in the future. The first book is weeks shy of being released and there are countless ideas and possibilities to add more volumes to the Medcomic library.
What is your favorite comic that you've created?
How long does it take you to create a single comic?
One comic takes approximately 12 hours to produce. Part of that time is dedicated to reviewing the topic and gathering information that’s relevant for students to know for exam purposes. Sketching the concept and producing a comic takes time and patience. There have been instances where I’ll throw away an idea midway of completion if I feel it isn’t going to result in something that meets my standards. I always try to think, “ If I were a student, would I find this illustration useful?” There’s a value of quality over quantity.
How do you find time to do something like create a comic book while practicing as a PA?
I’ve produced most of my artwork on my days off by waking up early and working on an illustration all day. It’s a bit of a sacrifice, but it’s gratifying that I continue to help many students with the cartoons I’ve been able to produce thus far.
How can we find out more information about Medcomic and help to spread the word?
For more information, visit Medcomic.com. At the time of this writing, a Kickstarter campaign has been launched to help publish the first Medcomic book. This book will propel Medcomic into academic circles and make an impact on how traditional medicine is taught. It will also help establish a foundation for additional projects that I’m excited to share more details about in the future.
I truly appreciate everyone’s support to make the Medcomic book a reality. You can contribute by pledging or by sharing the campaign with friends and colleagues on Facebook and Twitter. Please visit Medcomic's Kickstarter page to support this project! Thanks.
Update! Medcomic's kickstarter was successful, and you can now purchase it on Amazon. (Affiliate link)
