Adam Wallenta

Adam Wallenta is a professional author/illustrator, editor and educator with almost 30 years of experience in the world of comics, working for companies such as Marvel Comics, DC Comic, Skyhorse Publishing and No Starch Press. Adam founded the independent publishing company, American Mule Entertainment in 1997 and published numerous titles over the years, including the official Public Enemy comic book series with co-creator, Chuck D from the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame inducted band. The National Science Foundation funded two volumes of his, Adventures of Geo series, which he created with his wife, Dr. Kanani Lee, to be used in elementary and middle schools nationwide to encourage reading and science. During this time, Adam was an instructor for the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and also worked as a K-6 Art Teacher in Connecticut. Adam is the founder of the “HipHop and Comics” panel, which has been a regular featured panel at comic conventions such as New York Comic Con and San Diego Comic Con with guests such a s DMC (Run DMC), Murs, DJ Lance (Yo Gabba Gabba) and more contributing to the discussion of how the two artforms and cultures have inspired each other. Adam’s most recent project is the multi-award-winning, all-ages Punk Taco graphic novel series that he created and self-published with his son Makana when he was 5-years-old. Punk Taco volume 1 was the winner of the 2019 Ringo Award for “Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel” and the 2019 Kids Comics Award for “Best Sci-Fi or Fantasy Book” at the Ann Arbor Comic Arts Festival. In 2023 Punk Taco Volume 2 was nominated for the Ringo Award for “Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel.” Adam is also currently an editor at Papercutz/Mad Cave Studios working on comics such as The Smurfs, Flash Gordon Adventures, Geronimo Stilton, The Inventor and more!