Eben Burgoon on creating comics and opportunities for collaboration
Eben Burgoon used to want to work in foreign intelligence or for the State Department.
His career as a comics writer, artist and programs manager might seem like a far cry from that dream, but Burgoon’s international relations degree from Chico State influences his philosophy and work.
His career as a comics writer, artist and programs manager might seem like a far cry from that dream, but Burgoon’s international relations degree from Chico State influences his philosophy and work.
Burgoon says his studies inspired his first webcomic, “Eben07: Covert Custodian,” which was about spies and their janitorial staff, who were tasked with fixing post-mission messes; such as cleaning up after a volcanic explosion.
His degree also informs how he creates opportunities for others, including how he gave regional and emerging artists their first paid jobs working on his comic “B-Squad: Soldiers of Misfortune.”
“It’s better to make a tide that raises all ships than worry about the wind in your own sails,” Burgoon says. “If you work with other people and you collaborate and you check your ego and really want to work together, where you can end up is much further than what you can do by yourself.”
Burgoon grew up in the San Luis Obispo area and had a voracious appetite for comics, especially in sixth grade. But as he got older, Burgoon says he was discouraged from reading them.
“It’s really a shame, because there’s a lot of beautiful storytelling within the medium,” Burgoon says. “I fell into that trap just like a lot of people do.”
Nowadays, Burgoon doesn’t just write and illustrate comics. He also teaches comic book and visual storytelling workshops at schools, libraries and comic book conventions.
Burgoon says Sacramento is one of the biggest regions for comic book shops and fandom. That’s partly why he proposed the Crocker Art Museum host a comic book convention back in 2012.
In an elevator, with two people from the Crocker’s education department, Burgoon says he pitched the idea of bridging different groups. He explained that people who love comic books but aren’t comfortable with museums could come to a convention and discover the Crocker’s welcoming environment. Meanwhile, museum patrons could get exposed to the craft of comics and explore the medium with local creators.
Eventually, the staff said yes to Burgoon’s idea and the first CrockerCon happened in 2013. The museum has continued the event and held the 10th annual CrockerCon in 2024, drawing nearly 1,200 attendees.
“Basically, what I had pitched in that elevator happened in year 10,” Burgoon says. “And it was really, really beautiful.”
The success of CrockerCon led to the museum offering Burgoon his job as public programs manager. His role involves outreach programs and the ArtMixes, which are monthly party events at the museum that can involve live performances and art activities. He says he loves the Crocker and cares about the work it’s doing.
“We can really change the paradigm of how Sacramento engages with art,” Burgoon says. “I think we’re really a strong emerging city. The films are getting a lot of the attention, but there are just so many outstanding artists in Sacramento of all sorts of disciplines and I think they’re just ready to have their big moment.”
When he isn’t working at the Crocker, Burgoon can be found at his studio at the Sierra 2 Center in Curtis Park. Although it isn’t the State Department, his career has taken him to other countries including China, Germany, Egypt, Italy and Lithuania.
His degree also informs how he creates opportunities for others, including how he gave regional and emerging artists their first paid jobs working on his comic “B-Squad: Soldiers of Misfortune.”
“It’s better to make a tide that raises all ships than worry about the wind in your own sails,” Burgoon says. “If you work with other people and you collaborate and you check your ego and really want to work together, where you can end up is much further than what you can do by yourself.”
Burgoon grew up in the San Luis Obispo area and had a voracious appetite for comics, especially in sixth grade. But as he got older, Burgoon says he was discouraged from reading them.
“It’s really a shame, because there’s a lot of beautiful storytelling within the medium,” Burgoon says. “I fell into that trap just like a lot of people do.”
Nowadays, Burgoon doesn’t just write and illustrate comics. He also teaches comic book and visual storytelling workshops at schools, libraries and comic book conventions.
Burgoon says Sacramento is one of the biggest regions for comic book shops and fandom. That’s partly why he proposed the Crocker Art Museum host a comic book convention back in 2012.
In an elevator, with two people from the Crocker’s education department, Burgoon says he pitched the idea of bridging different groups. He explained that people who love comic books but aren’t comfortable with museums could come to a convention and discover the Crocker’s welcoming environment. Meanwhile, museum patrons could get exposed to the craft of comics and explore the medium with local creators.
Eventually, the staff said yes to Burgoon’s idea and the first CrockerCon happened in 2013. The museum has continued the event and held the 10th annual CrockerCon in 2024, drawing nearly 1,200 attendees.
“Basically, what I had pitched in that elevator happened in year 10,” Burgoon says. “And it was really, really beautiful.”
The success of CrockerCon led to the museum offering Burgoon his job as public programs manager. His role involves outreach programs and the ArtMixes, which are monthly party events at the museum that can involve live performances and art activities. He says he loves the Crocker and cares about the work it’s doing.
“We can really change the paradigm of how Sacramento engages with art,” Burgoon says. “I think we’re really a strong emerging city. The films are getting a lot of the attention, but there are just so many outstanding artists in Sacramento of all sorts of disciplines and I think they’re just ready to have their big moment.”
When he isn’t working at the Crocker, Burgoon can be found at his studio at the Sierra 2 Center in Curtis Park. Although it isn’t the State Department, his career has taken him to other countries including China, Germany, Egypt, Italy and Lithuania.