Concrete Jungle Comix Champions Industry

     In an age of corporate mega stores, rapidly expanding computer technology and global synergy, why would anyone create a comic strip about a regular guy in a niche industry like concrete. It may be that most of us identify more with that regular guy than what most popular cultural trends would have you believe. At least that's what the creators of Concrete Jungle Comix (CJ) think. And for the last year they have been molding this idea into single frame comic strips that combine everyday, suburban family life with the singular obsession of a young man that loves concrete.

     But why "concrete"? One could easily imagine something like this having a very limited appeal, so let's dig further into the thinking behind this new comic strip. "Concrete is a ubiquitous yet wonderful material that is taken for granted in society's mainstream. Concrete Jungle came to me as I was looking for a fun and colorful way to build awareness to this highly versatile and truly remarkable material.  Also being involved in a specialty concrete business I was looking for a common thread amongst those in different facets of the concrete industry to ignite unification and bridge the gap of young, forward thinking and cutting edge individuals with old school traditionalists. I found that common thread to be the obvious... concrete" says Michael Bustin, creator of the original idea behind the strip, and co-owner of Meld USA, a leader and innovator in the artisan precast concrete industry.

     Another idea lay less in industry and more behind the personal philosophy of co-creator Daniel Gallant, "Over the years I've worked with a lot of industries as an illustrator and graphic designer and have always found that no matter what type of business, you'll always find different types of people living the same sort of lives. The thing that makes them unique from each other is their obsessions. When Michael began talking to me about his concepts for a strip, it didn't take me long to realize that people will identify their own personal obsessions with the characters in Concrete Jungle." Together they believe that combining these ideas with a sort of matter-of-fact style humor becomes the universal formula for a much wider audience.

     But, at its root, Concrete Jungle is just straight up entertainment. "There are a lot of funny things that happen around me everyday. I think that people appreciate and respond to you finding that humor," says Bustin "A lot of the ideas behind Concrete Jungle were influenced by my childhood experiences.  My father, being in the construction industry, taught us how to build with our hands, stressed using a common sense approach when problem solving and to simply be ourselves.  Sure we would have a good time working on projects together, but because we could be so different we'd really get into some blowouts. But when you stand back from it, as long as it didn't get too serious, it could be funny as hell."  

     "One of the things that I find amazing," says Gallant "is that humor is found everywhere, especially related to work. They've really capitalized on it in the office environment, but I think it's a lot easier to bring concepts from the building industry home with you. That gives you a lot more subject matter you can tackle."

     There are big plans for the little stories of Concrete Jungle Comix. Bustin remarked, "I really believe that we can elevate concrete and all building industries while creating something that is very entertaining. We are poised to conquer the concrete industry and the mass market by syndicating the strip in both print and online. And keep an eye out for some very cool merchandise."

Concrete Jungle is currently being syndicated at concretenetwork.com and concretejunglecomix.com.

Concrete Jungle Productions
919-790-1749
4724-116 Hargrove Rd.
Raleigh,  NC  27616 

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