Earth Martians: A Deeper Look Into the Mind of Graffiti Writers (Vol. 1) is a deeply personal and cultural exploration of graffiti as an art form and a way of life. Written and illustrated by Dante Phoes Alvarado, the book goes beyond surface-level perceptions of graffiti as vandalism and instead focuses on the people behind the names—their motivations, struggles, emotions, and identities.

Using the term “Earth Martians” as a metaphor, the author represents graffiti writers as artistic outcasts—individuals often ignored or misunderstood by mainstream society. Through personal stories, reflections, and graffiti culture terminology, the book examines why writers paint: competition, self-expression, acceptance, mental health, rebellion, and the search for purpose.

Each chapter is built around a graffiti concept or slang term, blending illustration with narrative to explore themes such as loneliness, crews, mentorship, anxiety, fear, addiction, ego, respect, music, and risk. Drawing from over 30 years of experience, Alvarado connects graffiti to broader human experiences, showing how it can be a coping mechanism, a voice for the unheard, and a powerful form of identity.