Len Peralta is an internet cartoonist who believes in making art affordable for everyone. He has created his own zombie alphabet font, participated in Rifftrax Live events, and provided the official poster for W00tstock 2009. His art has also been featured in “New Yorker” magazine, and he has worked with many musicians, including Jonathan Coulton and Paul and Storm. In 2010, Peralta started the one-year Geek A Week project, where he drew a trading card for 52 famous and influential “geeks,” including Felicia Day, Wil Wheaton, and Stan Lee.
Q. First of all, getting a Monster by Mail seems like a perfect Valentine’s Day gift. How do I get one?
Good question! Simply go to Monsterbymail.com and place your order. Bring your creativity because you’ll be asked to name your monster when your order it.
Q. What is the weirdest name or suggestion you have ever gotten for a monster?
Molly: kickass destructo-cyborg thing, with a triangular ukulele that shoots beams of love. And also fire, it shoots fire. (LOLcat sidekick optional.)
Ordered by internet musician and friend, Molly Lewis.
Q. How did you get involved in the 700 Hoboes Project, and did you get to name your own hoboes?
I saw a post on Boing Boing from Mark Frauenfelder calling for 700 artists to draw the 700 hoboes from John Hodgman‘s literary project. I dove into it immediately and between me and about a dozen other artists, we drew all 700 including the extra 100 hoboes in the paperback edition. Sadly, I did not get to name any of my own hoboes. They were all written by Hodgman.
Q. Do you prefer cute monsters, sexy monsters, or super scary monsters?
Can I like all three? Actually, I prefer funny monsters because I’m a goofball at heart.
Q. I’m a bit of a font-ophile. Was it difficult to create your own zombie font?
YES! I had never done that before and didn’t know what I was doing. I was answering a challenge put forth by fellow artist Adam “apelad” Koford. He was doing an illustrated alphabet and I wanted to do something similar with zombies. It seems pretty popular still. The site gets a lot of hits.
Q. What is your definition of a perfect day?
Getting up, eating breakfast, and then drawing and coloring all day on projects that actually pay. I’m very fortunate to be able to do just that.
Q. If you were a monster, what monster would you be?
I’d probably be a laundry monster. I’m a freak about washing, folding and taking care of my family’s laundry.
Q. Anything else you want to talk about that I failed to mention?
Make sure you visit my Geek A Week project and pick up the cards at Thinkgeek!
To learn more about Len Peralta, visit his website, fan him on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter.