The Red Salamander Zaruga profile picture

The Red Salamander Zaruga

The Antithesis of Reality

About Me


I like to think of myself as a dichotomy of ideals. Something of a walking contradiction. I swing back and forth between idealism and pragmatism, selflessness and selfishness, logic and romance. But in the end I think life is in the space between, and finding that balance is what existence is all about.

I'm a 3rd degree blackbelt in Taekwondo, and cofounder of the Saenghwal Taekwondo organization. I've trained in several different styles and disciplines, including Wun Hop Kuen Do with legendary martial artist Al Dacascos, who is like a grandfather to me. I try and take a little bit from everything I've learned and help use it to create a well rounded approach to martial arts. But ultimately, the more I learn, the more vast the gap becomes between what I know, and what remains to be known.
I also paint and draw. A small sample of my work can be found HERE . I don't do free work sadly, as I simply don't have the time. But hey, it never hurts to ask, right? And commissions are definitely open right now. Message me if you've got something in mind.Currently I'm developing the animated series Sun Storm Saga; a high action martial arts based fantasy about two cultures with opposing views and beliefs trying to survive in the wake of a cataclysm they helped cause. I've been in contact with some incredible people to help make this a reality, including Len Simon, art director of Titan AE, Anastasia and Spirit, and Mark Dacascos of Brotherhood of the Wolf Fame. We're still very much in pre-production phase right now, but I'm always looking for top notch illustrators that are interested in signing on for what is bound to be the next big animated epic, particularly an experienced comic penciller to marshall the Graphic Novel which will precede the series.
For more info on Sun Storm, plot synopses, preliminary sketches, premise overview, etc, send me a message, or check out The SUNSTORM SAGA pics page . Just remember that everything there is a work in progress and all artwork is in the concept phase done by the writing team to help the animators get a solid feel for what's going on in our heads. The site will continue to grow as more material is available.Short stories and serials are regularly added to my blog. Here are the ones that I've posted so far.
Wyrd of the Wolf A dark folk tale in the native American tradition. The earth and the wind call for a champion who can rid the land of the wicked creatures that have tainted it with their wickedness. Wolf must use his wits and cunning to overcome this new animal that seeks to subjugate the creatures of the forest.

Cinderklaas The image you know of Santa Claus is not what is true. The real story behind the demon of Christmas is far more sinister...

Franky Spanky Can a story be light-hearted and dark at the same time? This one can. A tale of woe, love, and tight volleyball pants, Franky Spanky runs the gamut of Hollywood cliche's, including such stalwarts and lockeroom ghosts, hot nubile co-eds, spandex golems and volleyball decapitations. Includes cameos from Catherine Zeta Jones AND Justin Timberlake! Fun for the whole family!

Steel Geisha A haunting tale of cybertech and Chinese spirits, Steel Geisha tells the story of Qian, operative of the Order of the Orchid, an ancient society burdened with the policing of the veil between the material world and the spiritual one.

Jewell of Denial - Exploding motorcycles, bad puns, and lesbian makeouts in every episode. What more needs to be said? Truly this is the greatest show in the history of ever!

New stories will be added from time to time, so be sure and subscribe!Also, for those of you with odd typing diseases, please use the free service below to leave your angry comments.
I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4

My Interests

Martial Arts of all disciplines, Art (particularly but not limited to fantasy and pinup), animation, philosophy, writing (mainly fantasy), humor.

I'd like to meet:

Pretty much anyone with a good head on their shoulders and an open minded outlook. Any fellow writers, artists or martial artists are always welcome. I love "talking shop" and am happy to share my own experiences, offer advice or receive criticism. And of course, anyone in the animation industry who has advice for me by all means, let me know.

Movies:

Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell movies are my guilty pleasure. I like twisted surreal fare like Dark City, and City of Lost Children. I love Fantasy like LotR and Neverending Story. Action like Indiana Jones, and the Jackie Chan library. Animated classics like The Lion King and Ninja Scroll. Psychological horror like Ju-On or Saw. Schlock horror, like Death Trance and Tremors. And above all, I love cheesy low budget Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror, which I will watch with glee while mercilessly ripping apart.

Television:

Avatar, The Simpsons, The Office, Adult Swim, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, South Park, My Name is Earl, Futurama, Family Guy...

Books:

Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Wayne Barlowe, George RR Martin, Terry Goodkind, Orson Scott Card, Nicole Wolfwood, Stephen Brust, Lois Bujold, Fred Saberhagen, Terry Brooks

Heroes:

We're all just people. I respect nearly everyone I get to know. Some people, I respect immensely.

My Blog

Triumph of the Human Something (part 1)

So, I know many of you have been waiting on the edge of your seat to hear the latest chapter in this crazy story of tragedy and triumph that is my life. It's really no different from a million other ...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:31:00 PST

A Friend In Dire Need

It wasn't so long ago that composer Mike Rivera and I first unveiled the Sunstorm Saga project, and the amazing soundtrack Mike has created for the series. Some of you had a chance to check out the li...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Sun, 02 Sep 2007 10:03:00 PST

"What have we done...?"

So, as has been noted several times by quite a few people, I haven't been around myspace all that much lately. This is a shame, because when you get down to it, a lot of the amazing things that I'm a...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Mon, 06 Aug 2007 06:42:00 PST

Zarugapalooza! - Part 6: Training Day

So, after the wild and crazy bikini and booze induced highs of the previous day, a lot of you are probably eagerly anticipating my comeuppance, in the form of a crippling hangover. Well haha suckers!...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Wed, 09 May 2007 07:11:00 PST

Zarugapalooza! - Part 5: Bikini Bonanza

That night I met up with Roger Yang, aka Raven, brilliant artist and zen master extraordinaire. Our initial meeting by phone was the stuff of legends. Or at least prayers. Because when Roger heard ...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Tue, 08 May 2007 04:59:00 PST

Zarugapalooza! - Part 4: You'll Never Work In This Town Again!

Friday would be a big day for me. I knew this because all of those precarious little project related meetings that had dropped off into obscurity on Wednesday began to realign themselves. It all sta...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Sat, 05 May 2007 09:33:00 PST

Hot Asian Pimp

Just a random exchange, typical for April and I, that needs to be saved for posterity.So, I walk into the living room with a smug and bemused look on my face.April: What's up honey?Tony: I'm not sur...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Fri, 04 May 2007 09:59:00 PST

Zarugapalooza! - Part 3: Barbie Hunt!

Shortly after the pool and orphan selling sessions, Steven and Linda zoomed off into the noonset to do something involving robes and nudity. I try not to ask questions. With nothing on the horizon f...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Fri, 04 May 2007 04:37:00 PST

Zarugapalooza! - Part 2: Forced Assisted Seppuku

The adventure continues, as adventures are wont to do, high above the earth in a plane approximately the size of my fist. You might think this a gross violation of physics to assume a man can ride th...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Thu, 03 May 2007 09:54:00 PST

Zarugapalooza - Part 1: Controlled Chaos

Unbeknownst to me (and beknownst to some) today kicks off the first leg of the epic Zarugapalooza 07 tour, with one incredible stops in the following US cities near you: Los Angeles. Book today!It's...
Posted by The Red Salamander Zaruga on Tue, 01 May 2007 08:17:00 PST