(Photo courtesy Brian Slaski)

Since getting into the webcomics biz, I have had one friend the entire time that I could count on through it all. That man couldn’t be reached for comment, but it’s Jamie Noguchi’s birthday. Jamie is one of the unsung heroes of comics whose stuff you have undoubtedly run across.

He started drawing comics back in 2001 with a horrible comic called Titanium Moose. He’d kill me if I linked to it, but it comes up when you Google. It’s just amazing to see how far it’s come.

He spent two years as a professional colorist with Udon Entertainment collective, but left after rough hours and no chances to draw his own things made him seek other opportunities.

He was the awesomely amazing artist and half the team behind Erfworld, which under his time there was named one of Time Mazine’s top 10 graphic novels of 2007. Because he’s that awesome.  Again, he left this project as it was starting to become more about the rules of the world and less about the story he wanted to tell.

He’s worked on countless projects with and for other artists including Applegeeks, Goats, Johnny Wander, coloring a poster for Axe Cop, doing a guest comic for me, doing poster art for Peelander Z, and who knows how many others.

He runs more blogs than I know what do do with including his latest comic endeavor, an office comedy romance strip starring an annoyed asian graphic designer named Kane. It’s called Yellow Peril and you should be reading it Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Oh, and after having helped him move a few years back, I can testify to the fact that he owns more little figurines and toys than anyone I know in his tiny-ass apartment.

The man is one of the unsung heroes of comics. I mean how many times do you have to be almost-famous until you’re making it happen full time (like I know he wants to do?) I feel for the guy. I really do. And on this, the anniversary of his birth, I invite you to check out the man’s work. Follow him up. Consider buying some of his things, or at least keeping your eyes out for the man. He’s going to be famous soon and you’ll want to be able to say you knew him when. SO GO READ HIS COMIC NOW.

Happy birthday, Jamie Noguchi. Go get that shit.