Hanuka is Hot!

Posted: Monday, May 3, 2004
Posted By: Shawn Patty

Cartoonist Tomer Hanuka Quickly Becoming a Most In-Demand Illustrator

It is difficult not to come across cartoonist Tomer Hanuka’s work, with his illustrations recently adorning many of the most read publications in America. The New York based artist is quickly becoming one of the most sought after illustrators by Art Directors across the country. The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, TIME Magazine, New York Magazine, Flaunt, Vibe, étapes, Sony Music, DC Comics, and myriad other clients have made Tomer Hanuka one of the hardest working people in comics.

Tomer Hanuka’s peers are joining to laud his creativity. He has just been nominated as Best Cover Artist for The Harvey Awards, honoring excellence in the comics industry since 1988. Hanuka was recently honored with a Silver medal from the Society of Publication Designers, a Gold medal from the Society of Illustrators, and been selected to be included in the upcoming American Illustration annual.

Tomer and his twin brother Asaf, who together create the ongoing Bipolar comic book series for Alternative Comics, are profiled by industry record The Comics Journal #259 now hitting the stands. The next Heeb Magazine also features a double interview with both brothers. Asaf is scheduled to release his Hebrew collection of Pizzeria Kamikaze later this month of May. Tomer Hanuka was recently a Visiting Artist at the School of Visual Arts, at the Pratt Institute, and at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Tomer Hanuka will next appear with Alternative Comics at the MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Art Festival in New York this June 26 & 27.

Tomer Hanuka was born in Israel. After three years of mandatory Army service he moved to New York. Tomer and Asaf Hanuka are twins. They share a similar genetic structure but were raised in different places. This condition creates a special tension between their stories and styles and is the foundation of Bipolar. Asaf, with writer Etgar Keret is telling the story of Pizzeria Kamikaze about a guy with a broken heart who committed suicide only to find himself at Pizza Kamikaze, a regular day job in a world where everyone died before and now it's about passing time. Tomer is telling personal stories with a twisted time sense that will put you right now, a year ago, and in the future.

Readers can see advance preview pages from the upcoming September release of the Hanuka Brothers’ Bipolar series, and for more information about Tomer Hanuka, at his website at: http://www.thanuka.com – for more, visit publisher Alternative Comics at: http://www.indyworld.com/bipolar

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