Jim Rugg, by Jim Rugg Click image for larger version.

Jim Rugg, 27, is one of the most celebrated young cartoonists in the alternative comics field today. As the artist and co-writer of "Street Angel," published by Slave Labor Graphics, Rugg and partner Brian Maruca are reinventing the "invincible skateboarding, kung-fu fighting, preteen, vigilante" genre. Four issues into its run, "Street Angel" has become a must-read among comic book cognoscenti.

"Street Angel" began as a mini-comic before it found a major small press publisher last year. "It's been interesting to watch 'Street Angel' progress and become something with more depth," said Jennifer de Guzman, editor-in-chief at SLG. "It plays with the Silver Age comics kind of story, but they aren't making fun of it. They're paying homage to it."

Slave Labor Graphics publishes 15 titles, including "Nightmares and Fairy Tales," "Pirate Club" and "Serenity Rose." For more information about SLG, contact the publisher at www.slavelabor.com. For more on Rugg and Maruca, visit their Web site: www.streetangelcomics.com.

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Ed Piskor, by Ed Piskor Click image for larger version.

Ed Piskor, 22, is already well known to readers of Harvey Pekar's "American Splendor." Since November 2003, Piskor has been part of Pekar's inner circle of cartoonists that includes Robert Crumb, Mark Zingarelli and Gary Dumm. Random House recently published "American Splendor: Our Movie Year," featuring two stories illustrated by Piskor. The Munhall resident is also collaborating with underground comics pioneer Jay Lynch. Piskor is a regular contributor to the Pittsburgh-based "Deek" magazine. Piskor doesn't have a Web site, but he can be reached at wimpyrutherford@hotmail.com.

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Pat Lewis, by Pat Lewis Click image for larger version.

Pat Lewis, 29, has been churning out mini-comics for a few years now. Like his artistic comrades, he frequently travels to comic conventions and regional bookstores to hawk his wares. Lewis was nominated for the Ignatz Award at the Small Press Expo this year, but didn't win. There's always next year, though. Lewis, a freelance illustrator, is furiously putting together new material. For more info on Lewis, check out his Web site: www.lunchbreak-comics.com.

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Jasen Lex, by Jasen Lex Click image for larger version.

Jasen Lex, 27, started "The Gypsy Lounge: Lunchtime Variety Criminals" as a six issue mini-series before it became a massive graphic novel. Lex is a savvy graphic illustrator with an impressive resume of clients. Much of his work is computer-based, but not exclusively. Lex's Web site is www.lexotronic.8m.com.

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Farel Dalrymple, by Farel Dalrymple Click image for larger version.

Farel Dalrymple, 32, met Rugg and Lex several years ago at Small Press Expo in Maryland and kept in touch. "I've been living a nomadic existence for six months after living in New York for eight years," the artist said. "I've been a big fan of hanging out with other artists and exchanging ideas." Dalrymple lived with Lex for a month until recently. He's since relocated to his family's home in Tulsa, Oklas., but promises to return to the 'burgh one day. Dalrymple has worked for D.C. Comics, but he's best known for his stunning and beautiful work "Pop Gun War" for Dark Horse Comics. He said he has nothing against mainstream comics, per se. If the right project came along, he'd do it. Dalrymple has an enormous following among fans of alternative comics. His work has been meticulously catalogued, critiqued and profiled by admirers. He can be reached at www.fareldalrymple.com.

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Mark Zingarelli, by Mark Zingarelli Click image for larger version.

Mark Zingarelli, 52, attended the Ivy School of Professional Art in the 1970s before heading west to find fame and fortune in the comics industry. While not exactly getting rich, "Zing" hooked up with a band of the most influential underground and alternative cartoonists in the country, including R. Crumb. Zing was a mainstay for "Weirdo" and eventually began working with Harvey Pekar on "American Splendor." Zing is a master illustrator with more freelance clients than he can handle. He is a teddy bear of a man who lives in North Huntingdon with his wife and kids. His Web site is: www.houseofzing.com.