When it came to bringing DISECTO’S character to life, it was more of DISECTO bringing me to life. A big part of me doing all this is for me to learn about myself and what I’m going through to make myself a better person and artist and that’s what comic characters should do for you.

Amongst every superhero and villain, each character created has their own unique person personality, struggles and superpowers. Have you discovered your superpower yet? There are many types of superheroes, from the HULK to SPIDERMAN. Not to mention, your parents, police officers, teachers, favorite players, military troops and anyone making a positive difference in your life.

The GORILLA-RILLA is a big inspiration for RAIDERS LEGACY 51. A superhero can be anyone who inspires you and lights that fire in you – an eternal flame (AL). I would like to share a personal story that inspired me to keep creating and to not give up in here. A superhero story.

One morning on my way to work, I came across a WWII magazine laying on a prison table. I took a quick glance at it and put it in my folder to look at it at a later time. I was in the process of creating DISECTO, so I knew the reference in the magazine would be useful for the WWII time period. Later that day, I was having a bad day after work. It was hot and it was just one of those days. There is nothing inspiring about getting eight cents an hour and working in the blazing heat all day.

In prison, they have this thing called unlocks. Meaning; your building door should open on time every hour to get in or out. On this particular day, the correctional officer in charge of opening the door on time was on the late train. It went from 1 minute to 5, 10, 30 and the next thing you knew the hot asphalt we were standing on felt like 120 degrees. It was extremely hot and it was starting to get frustrating. I wanted to get back to my prison cell so I could shower and get ready for my self-help group later on in the day.

Nobody wants to be in a small room with a bunch of other guys trying to learn, and everyone is sweaty and stanky. You can’t learn or focus like that. As I was there burning up and keeping my comments to myself, the heat started to get some other guys waiting with me all riled up. I needed something to help me stay focus and on point. I could not let the heat get the best of me. So instead of joining the angry birds and tweeting a bunch of negativity that was created by the lazy officer. I grabbed my stuff and found a sit-up bench to sit on.

Keep in mind, everything made in prison is made out of metal and steel, so I basically sat on a hot grill ready to sizzle my buns. It was so hot, I could not even feel the heat anymore. After separating myself from all the negative energy, I pulled out that WWII magazine I found laying on the table in the morning.

Saving time in prison is critical when your in RILLABILITATION mode, so I took advantage of the situation to skim through the WWII magazine for references. As I was looking for clothing references for my next paintings, I had no idea what was going to happen next. Find out how DISECTO’S character brought me to life an inspired me to create regardless of my situation.

Stay tuned and JUST CREATE BABY!

Get Your Playbook Ready!

The 2022 (Issue 2) season is here. Raiders Legacy 51 is proud to present more exclusive behind the scene action from the REAL BLACK HOLE. If there is something you would like to see or hear from artist Angel Ruelas send your request to:

Angel Ruelas P-45278
Facility C5 – 236L
P.O. BOX 1905
Tehachapi, CA 93581

JUST CREATE BABY!

Before getting into issue 2, I want to give a special Raider thank you to everyone who has taken the time to support the development of Raiders Legacy 51.

For those who don’t know, there was a lot of hard work put into issue 1 and the Raiders Legacy 51 website off the ground. In order to make this Raider project happen, I had to pre-write all my blog material three months in advance before the Raiders season even started just in case there were any headaches or setbacks that come with sending mail from THE REAL BLACK HOLE.

First off, all mail sent from a prison facility is like crossing the border, “anything goes.” Not only does all the outgoing mail get re-read and checked for any terrorist threats and contraband, but imagine a 49er fan who is a correctional officer reading, your Raider mail, and all your hard work magically disappear’s “POOF” just like magic.

I’m not saying that’s what happens in the Real Black Hole, where everything is done by the rule book. I’m just saying to imagine, what if? So sending material 3 months in advance is a must just in case I have to re-do a painting or re-write some material for the blog. In the end, my main goal is to get everything out ahead of time so my social media manager can be prepared in advance and ready to publish whatever is necessary from new storyline material to new blog content.

I mention this, so “you” the reader can get a clear picture of why my blog writings are not in real-time. Most blogs publish in real-time where the publisher could respond back to the comments and post being made by their audience. For me, I won’t know or hear how my website or social media is doing until weeks later because of my situation.

The only way for me to see a comment or post from someone supporting me is if the comments or posts are copied and sent to me through the mail via: horseback, snail mail, or a bit of good luck with that. So this is where a big Raider thank you comes in because without all of you supporting me I would still be staring at these concrete walls trying to turn these cracks into masterpieces.

With that said, there has been a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes and it’s all your hard work this is inspiring me to JUST CREATE BABY! Thank you for all your support and I can’t wait to get into issue 2. As for the painting I created for this publishing, it’s dedicated to all men and women who served and are currently serving to protect this great country. It’s called; ONE NATION ONE TEAM

When I created this painting I was just thinking about how we would all be better off if we all took the time to work with each other because at the end of the day it’s all about helping each other out. I know these things are not easy to understand, but if you have a special gift, talent, and have the means to inspire someone, share that talent and help someone shine like that star in the painting I created.

Everyone has a place and responsibility in this great country.

Be a service to your community.

JUST CREATE BABY!

Who is Disecto?

Now, here comes the fun part about doing all this. This is why I enjoy giving you all the behind-the-scenes action, because to create something you have to go through the processes and learn how to enjoy all the ups and downs.

In this case; I’m still learning how to create a comic book.

I did not realize I was painting a bunch of storyboard scenes when I first started. But after reading a book called; MARVEL UNIVERSE by Stan Lee, I was able to get a better understanding of what it takes to make a real comic book.

You will see more of a comic book format coming in one of our TOP SECRET projects called; “RISE OF THE RILLA.”

But for now, let’s get into the creation of issue 2, Who is Disecto?

JUST CREATE BABY!

How Did I Come Up with the Name Disecto?

It was the Raiders VS. Chicago Bears game when ex-Raider K. Mack was tearing apart the Raiders offense. I had just finished creating issue 1, “The Chosen One,” and I was trying to figure out a name for my next character. I already knew my next character was going to be in charge of AREA 51, but what was his role, name, and superpower going to be?

It was the 4th quarter and on the sidelines, you could see the Raiders offensive coordinator looking at his iPad with a punch of papers in his hand trying to figure out how to stop the MACK truck. As I was in the prison day room watching the game, I kept hearing Raider fans say, “stop running the ball to Mack’s side”; “the Mack attack is out of control, he’s just dissecting things out..”

Next thing you know, I’m saying dissect in my head over and over then I finally said; ohhhh… DISECTO…

That’s it… DISECTO, was the perfect name for my next character because I needed a character from AREA 51 and his superpower was going to be able to handle TOP SECRET situations and dissect things out.

So “BOOM” (J.M.) the name DISECTO was created.

JUST CREATE BABY!

FROM THE ARTIST OF RAIDERS LEGACY 51

After 90 days of quarantine, I was finally able to get a picture taken of some current developments. Here are a few shots of me working on some up and coming artwork. A lot of fans ask me how do I develop my paintings? So I wanted to showcase a painting happening at it’s middle stage and I can’t wait to completed. For those of you taking the time to follow and support Raiders Legacy 51 THANK YOU!!

Because there is a lot going on behind the scenes to bring you the next chapter of sports entertainment.

The Raiders Legacy 51 Team is currently working on the Blog, Website and our apparel line, not to mention getting ready to introduce a new character to the Raiders Legacy 51 team…

It’s getting Rilla than Rilla!

Stay tuned and don’t hesitate to send in your thoughts, suggestions and questions.

Just Create Baby!

RAIDER SACRIFICE

The BLACK HOLE was under attack and the DARK PRINCE was getting closer to find the RAIDER ARMOR.

The RAIDER FEDERATION got through SKULL VALLEY and found more than just THE CHOSEN ONE.

They found their leader of the RAIDER FEDERATION, ”ALDAVIS.”

But the RAIDER FEDERATION could only hold off the DARK PRINCE for so long, so ALDAVIS knew it was time to sen THE CHOSEN ONE back to EARTH with the RAIDER ARMOR.

It was time for the RAIDER SACRIFICE…

Creating the RAIDER SACRIFICE was really cool painting because it challenged me as an artist to try to create a painting with some emotion and feeling into it.

I wanted to show the that expression of this is it!,,Its time for THE CHOSEN ONE to be the next RAIDER LEGEND.

As I was creating the RAIDER SACRIFICE I also had my own personal moments as an artist, because I was to complete my first issue.

When I first started creating this comic book project, I really did not have any sense of direction, but just to try it and see what happens.

I also put a lot of hard work and thought into this project and to see it get done was huge for me, because when you’re in the REAL BLACK HOLE, sometimes you have to create your own finish lines and set your own goals and dreams.
I could reflect back when I was just a youngster reading comic books and I would just think to my self on how Cool it would be to make my own comic book and super hero one day.

To actually see it get done is a real feeling, because it just makes you want to work harder to continue to do better.

Like I said from the start, this is a TRY it, FAIL at it and LEARN by doing art project.

And I am still learning and seeing things in my art work and productions I know that could be better.

But in order to see your mistakes, you have to put your ideas and work out there for people to give you feedback and comments, regardless if they are negative or positive.

So enclosing with ISSUE 1 and behind the scenes action, I would like to end with ISSUE 1 by saying thank you to everyone who supported me and put up with me through this artistic journey I’ve been on. I know my determination and dedication to get this project done at times could have been a little bit selfish of me always worried about some ALIEN PROJECT.

I could remember in the beginning of starting this art project when I called my parents one night and I told them I had an idea that we could do as a family to get through the COVID-19 lockdown.

My pop asked me, what is it?

I told my parents I got this idea to make a RAIDER comic book about some RAIDER aliens and AREA 51.

I remember hearing my pop’s tell my mom in the background, I think our son lost it and he’s starting to go crazy in there…

With that said, whatever your dreams are, if you work hard at it and your mind to it, anything is possible, because we all have the ability to JUST CREATE BABY!

So now that I built a character platform for your RAIDER character to exist in, do you think you got what it takes to follow THE CHOSEN ONE, because I would like to put your RAIDER character or rival character in my up and coming ISSUES.

All you have to do is make your character and continue to follow and I will create your story line as the RAIDER LEGACY 51 COLLECTION continues.

This is just the beginning…

STAY TUNED FOR THE RELEASE OF ISSUE 2…

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?

When it comes to the RAIDER shield, what does the RAIDER shield represent and wher does it come from?

I’ve been a RAIDER fan for years and no one has ever mentioned the purpose of the RAIDER shield or what it represents to me, so I thought it would be cool to call the RAIDER shield and two words, ”RAIDER ARMOR.”

Not only will the RAIDER ARMOR bring purpose to my story line, but I wanted to let the RAIDER fans know, it’s our responsibility as fans to protect the RAIDER ARMOR, because the RAIDER shield is more than just a RAIDER shield, it’s everything a RAIDER fan represents.

But where did the RAIDER ARMOR come from?

What was the reason to protect it?

Would THE CHOSEN ONE be able to handle such a mission?

My character also could not get to EARTH by just jumping or flying, so that’s when I created the RAIDER FORCE ONE.

A big part of creating the RAIDER FORCE ONE, is because I would use it as part of my story line in ISSUE 3.

I also thought it was pretty cool to paint my own UFO.

Was THE CHOSEN ONE ready to go to EARTH?

When it came to the RAIDER BORN painting, this is when things started to get real, creating a storyline in 10 paintings is like putting a puzzle together.

When I did SKULL VALLEY, I learned as the creator, producer, artist, and story teller, I have the power to take my storyline anywhere I want it to go or not go.

Up until SCENE 8 RAIDER BORN, I was just letting my imagination flow, I was not really doing my homework on the what ifs and possibilities of this or that.

I was just having fun with this new art project I was doing, because I did not know how to make a comic book or story line. So I had this mindset of I’ll just learn as I go.

And like John Madden use to say when someone hits you, ”BOOM…” You, get hit really hard and put on your back.

That’s what happened after creating SKULL VALLEY.

For every artist or new artist who reads this, it’s important to know, there’s going to be a point and time when what your doing starts to breath some real energy into your art work and creation.

But in order to feel that moment, you have to put in the work…

When I finished doing SKULL VALLEY and made it to SCENE 8 RAIDER BORN,

I could remember laying out all 8 paintings on my concrete floor and I

would stand and look down at them like I was really putting a comic movie together.

I would go over every scene in my head, word for word and imagine what was going to happen next.

And then it happened.

It was time to introduce THE CHOSEN ONE, but with a twist of painting tribute to the one who started all, Mr. Al Davis…

It’s like I had this calling to keep the RAIDER LEGEND alive.

When creating RAIDER BORN, I knew I had to make the creator of RAIDER FEDERATION,

“AL DAVIS,” as THE CHOSEN ONE was reaching for RAIDER destiny.

My favorite part of creating RAIDER BORN was trying to create that inside the cave effect. I like the way the light shines through the cave door to bring focus to the alter.

When it came to my story line I wanted to include a little bit of history of the past that I feel has gotten lost over the years from an educational stand point.

I think we can learn a lot from our history from trying to understand the importance of all the artwork left behind, even on the cave walls.

Being creative, art has always been a key to learning and growing, so I wanted to include that in my story line.

Was THE CHOSEN ONE ready to become the next RAIDER LEGEND?

Original RAIDER BORN painting sketch

When it comes to the RAIDERS, the RAIDER NATION is known for all their skulls and bones, so I wanted to figure out a way to incorporate that theme into my story line.

That’s where the idea of creating SKULL VALLEY came from.

There’s this book called; THE TOLKEIN YEARS of THE BROTHERS HILDEBRANDT, which has been like an art bible for me.

If your an artist and your looking for some inspiration to create, getting that book is a must have for any artist.

There’s been times when I’ve been lost or had no sense of any direction and as soon as I open that book up, it’s like they created that book for me. They knew the game plan and were nice enough to share their behind the scenes action for other artist to get inspired.

So here I am trying to do the same for other artist with the little that I know. My goal is just to inspire other artist to keep creating.

Creating SKULL VALLEY allowed me to create more of a foundation for what I was trying to do that.

As I am creating these paintings and scenes, I’m also thinking about the future, I think that it would be really cool if my idea was turned into a comic movie.

So as I was creating SKULL VALLEY, I was imagining the RAIDER FEDERATION going through SKULL VALLEY like an actual movie scene. I could picture the ground filled with skulls and the rocky valley mountains moving trying to intimidate anyone who tries to walk through them.

What I enjoyed most about SKULL VALLEY, is the history behind it and being able to talk about the RAIDER ARMOR. The discovery of the RAIDER ARMOR and the purpose behind it was really important for my story line.

But who was the RAIDER Legend to discover the RAIDER ARMOR?

Was there more to the SKULL VALLEY Legend?

Or will the RAIDER FEDERATION come up empty handed in their search for THE CHOSEN ONE?

Original SKULL VALLEY painting sketch.

Introduction my main character is key, but I did not want to take away from that right moment and time, because I was still building up the anticipation of the perfect moment to introduce my character.

So I wanted to do a painting to show the RAIDER FEDERATION taking a look into the future.

But what did the RAIDER FEDERATION really see?

Was there something more in the SKULL VALLEY?

When I was creating THE CHOSEN ONE painting, I was watching a BRUCE LEE movie, which inspired me to do a mirror affect on the eyes. If you look at the eyes around the crystal ball, you will see the reflection of THE CHOSEN ONE on each eye.

BRUCE LEE had ENTER THE DRAGON and I had ENTER THE CHOSEN ONE.

What will the RAIDER FEDERATION find in SKULL VALLEY?

Original Chosen One painting sketch.

After creating the SILVER AND BLACK WAR I was starting to build some confidence and momentum which is really important as an artist because sometimes we give up on our ideas and projects before they even get started.

When I first thought about creating a comic book, there was moments of doubt and the possibility of failure. What I have learned in life is that you can’t grow if you don’t fall or make mistakes.

After completing my 4th painting, I was starting to tell my self, ”Hey I might have something here.”

I could remember laying the paintings on my floor so I could see how my story line was coming along and I would ask my celly, “so what do you think?” and my celly would say; ”when is THE CHOSEN ONE coming in?”

Well, before THE CHOSEN ONE could come in, I had to figure out a way to introduce my main character.

This is where the RAIDER FEDERATION plays a major role in my story line, because creating the RAIDER FEDERATION will allow me to use them as a tool to carry my story line in any direction I wanted to g.

But go where and why?
The RAIDER FEDERATION needed a purpose to come to life.

The RAIDER FEDERATION needed to protect the BLACK HOLE and RAIDER ARMOR.

But how?
I wanted to use this painting and scene to make some major points but I wanted to explain who the RAIDER FEDERATION was, why it was created and their purpose. Which was eventually find THE CHOSEN ONE.

When creating the RAIDER FEDERATION HISTORY painting, I wanted to show the RAIDER FEDERATION having a secret meeting and looking into a silver crystal ball. I wanted that war feel and like the main generals from the RAIDER FEDERATION were making big decisions.

What will the RAIDER FEDERATION find in the silver crystal ball? Or was it to late to save the BLACK HOLE from destruction.

RAIDER FEDERATION SKETCH

Imagine someone telling you to describe your whole life in 10 words, because that’s what I was trying to do with ISSUE 1.

I was to describe and tell a whole story with just 10 paintings.

So far I have created a home for my character to come to life, a villain who’s trying to destroy it and the RAIDER FEDERATION to protect it.

Which only leads to one thing, WAR…

But how does an artist get inspired to paint such a scene?

Part of this BLOG is for me to tell you how I get inspired and my process as an artist, when I’m trying to create something.

Being I don’t have access to the internet where I could I just could google, “War paintings from famous artists.” I’m forced to go old school and create my own file and records of references I might need down the road.

So when it came to creating the SILVER AND BLACK WAR, I dug out my personal archives and pulled out my file which read WAR SCENES.

When I pulled out my WAR SCENE file , there was a picture of a painting I had stored over 15 years ago. It was a picture of a painting called, ”The Battle Of Issus, by Albrecht Altdorfer.”

But when I checked my file, It was not there… Knowing I had this reference picture in my property someplace, I was forced to go through all my property and not only did I find my reference picture, but I also came across some old mural pictures I had thought I lost a long time ago.

The pictures I found were of an old battle scene we had painted to paid tribute to the U.S. Veterans and New Life K-9 Dog Program.

The New Life K-9 Dog Program, is a service dog program where inmates get the chance to volunteer and train dogs which then are given to Veterans as service dogs.

We were given the opportunity to paint a mural and we created a mural called the PRICE OF FREEDOM.

If you look at ”THE BATTLE OF ISSUS,” you will see how we used the destroyed building as a reference for the mural project.

When It came to creating the SILVER AND BLACK WAR, I really liked the way THE BATTLE OF ISSUS showed everything in one shot. I was amazed on all the detail and how the artist used perspective to tel a whole story.

That’s what I was trying to create with the SILVER AND BLACK WAR.

All I had to do Is throw in some UFO’S, and a bunch of crazy RAIDER aliens going to battle and now I had a story line to work with.

But what will the RAIDER FEDERATION do next to protect the BLACK HOLE and RAIDER ARMOR?

Will they find THE CHOSEN ONE in time ?