High Voltage Comics is an independent comic book publishing company, originating in Staten Island, NY. They produce their own original stories with their own original characters – one of their main series actually diving into each borough’s own superhero, including “the Forgotten Borough.”
Tony Corazza is the face behind these comics– literally, as the model for their main character – initially starting the brand in 2019 and bringing along coworker Art Bernal to create the very first edition of “Adventures of the Lightning Fast Tony Dangerous.”
All characters from High Voltage Comics are not only original but based on real people in the authors’ lives. In fact, their first and main character, Tony Dangerous, references Corazza himself. He’s a police administrative aide who received superpowers after Hurricane Sandy, which he uses to protect his beloved hometown of “Statenopolis” with his dogs Bella and Max, and sister Tammy Dangerous.
“It’s based on my real life,” Corazza said. “My dogs, they passed away, and it’s my way of keeping them alive in my memory. My mom’s in it, my friends are in it … and it being [my hometown] I just want to show how good Staten Island really is.”
Bernal and Corazza met while working for the NYPD in the body-worn camera unit, where Corazza continues to work. What initially started as a one-comic deal spiraled: now, the company has published close to 30 comics in total.
“We met there, we became friends and he told me had an idea of creating a comic book company,” Bernal said. “Next thing you know five, six years later, here we are. “
The company has a number of other series as well. “Mighty Man of God” follows the redemption story of a man who dies and meets God, and is given powers to help others. “FLEX,” inspired by their friend Felix Lopez, follows the hero who protects the Bronx; “Legions of Liberty” are The Avengers of New York City, combining every borough’s superhero in one story.
Tony Corazza poses with his namesake, Tony Dangerous.Photo by Barbara Vasquez
For Corazza, these comics are all his ideas to tell and share with the world, though it can be hard to get the brand out there as an independent publisher. Many places don’t want to take the chance on smaller names, according to the author.
“A lot of these comic book stores, they don’t want to take the chance on indie comic book authors, because it’s out of the realm of what they think is going to be profitable,” Corazza said. “It’s really a shame, because there’s a lot of talented illustrators, a lot of talented artists, talented authors out there, who are not given the opportunity.”
Corazza himself has continually worked with other independent authors and illustrators to produce High Voltage Comics’ work for years. Both Bernal and Corazza have experience in film, theatre and media – Corazza going to school for film, and Bernal now working as a resident director at the American Theatre of Actors – and treats their writing like a storyboard. Though they do not illustrate the panels, they meticulously plan out the imagery and details of each and every one.
Despite difficulties in gaining shelf space at standard comic book stores, Corazza has found a way to reach the public with his stories. By presenting at vendor or flea markets, they’re able to “get around” the standard comic book shop.
“If you do a vendor event and do a comic-con, you kind of bypass the comic book shop entirely, because then you can sell it there,” Corazza said. “And there, there will be people interested in your work.”
Bernal added that the exposure is important, recounting a story of someone who had actually recognized their company after seeing it at multiple markets.
“For us, they’re important because they actually get us out in front of the public,” Bernal said. “We are trying to get a little more publicity, we are trying to do more stuff at events like these.”
High Voltage Comics frequents vendor events across Staten Island and Brooklyn. This month, Corazza is scheduled for St. Ann’s Comic Con on Sept. 25 and 26, and will be making an appearance at the Big Apple Comic Con in November.
The company’s website, is frequently updated with all of Corazza’s upcoming appearances, and showcases a full collection of High Voltage Comics’ works.