Tivo Rodriguez
Tivo Rodriguez is the creator & writer of Erie County Comics, a independent comic book line based out of Amherst, N.Y. Using ideas & concepts from life in the Western New York, Tivo has worked in conjunction with the owners of Queen City Comics, (one of the longest running comic book stores in the Buffalo area) and has produced several titles with a slew of fascinating characters such as Rustbelt, Roller Queen, Kennington Bailey, the Courier, Bubble Man, & the Woman in White.
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To date the titles Rustbelt, Roller Queen, & Erie County Comics Presents are available and Tivo has been also been able to produce merchandise for fans to enjoy, including but not limited to; tees, sneakers, women's panties, and coffee mugs among other items.
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Tivo has hosted signing events at local comic conventions and Queen City Comic Books, located on Main Street in University Heights.
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Not to show a lack of a sense of humor, with a touch of nostalga for Generation X, Tivo has created a series of mock up products that didn't really exist, but are based on real merchandise kids of the 70s & 80s had such as lunchboxes, Underroos, & Atari 2600 video games with his characters all over them.
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To learn more or contact Tivo & E.C. Comics a link has been placed below
Rough Riders
Theodore Roosevelt – Former NYC Police Commissioner, future President, and self-styled vigilante.
Harry Houdini – Legendary escape artist and master illusionist.
Jack Johnson – The future heavyweight champion who defied the odds.
Thomas Edison – Brilliant, ambitious, and often ruthless inventor.
Annie Oakley – Iconic sharpshooter and star of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
Monk Eastman – Notorious gangster navigating the underworld of 19th and 20th century New York;
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When an alien technology obliterates the USS Maine, a band of unlikely allies sets sail for war-torn Cuba. As conflict erupts, they plunge into the heart of a shadow war, battling the greatest threat humanity has ever faced.
In 2016, writer Adam Glass, along with artist Pat Olliffe, Gabe Elraeb, and Sal Cipriano, introduced Rough Riders, a three-arc series set in a steampunk world reminiscent of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The story unfolds at the turn of the century, following Theodore Roosevelt through pivotal moments in his life—his time in Cuba, the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, NY, and the wedding of his daughter, Alice. With each volume, Roosevelt and his allies face unbelievable yet historically significant threats, blending adventure with rich historical intrigue.
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I recently stumbled upon the hardcover trade edition by chance, and it was a thrilling addition to my collection. As a longtime steampunk enthusiast and a dedicated student of history, it felt like the perfect blend of both worlds—rich with intricate details and historical intrigue.
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As a Buffalo resident, the historical connections to Theodore Roosevelt and the 1901 Pan-American Exposition have always captivated me. While studying the Expo in an English Literature class at Buffalo State College, our semester final required a project centered on the event. While most of my classmates submitted traditional research papers, I took a different approach—I created a “lost government file”, written in the first person, chronicling the story of a visitor who, alongside a group of extraordinary men, saved the world from an alien threat from Venus or Mars.
The historical figures I chose—Mark Twain, Nikola Tesla, Harry Houdini, Arthur Conan Doyle, Thomas Edison, William Donovan, J.P. Morgan, Geronimo, and President Theodore Roosevelt—formed a unique alliance, blending fact with speculative fiction. Given that mix of history, adventure, and steampunk, it’s no surprise that Rough Riders resonates so strongly with me. In fact, this concept has inspired me to weave these legendary figures into the world of Rainbow Warrior: Alex Harlow, expanding the story in exciting new directions.
As a devoted fan of this steampunk-inspired subgenre, I wholeheartedly recommend Rough Riders to anyone fascinated by historical figures, real-world events, or the unique blend of science fiction and adventure. If you appreciate the works of H.G. Wells or Jules Verne, Alan Moore’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, or television classics like The Adventures of Brisco County Jr. and Legend, this series is a must-read.
There’s something incredibly compelling about eras on the cusp of scientific change, where boundless possibilities and breakthroughs redefine the future. These moments—on the fringe between centuries—are charged with adventure and discovery in ways that modern life rarely offers.