Every Wednesday Is New Comic Book Day

Since I was a kid Wednesday holds a special place in my heart. Every week on this day, new comic books arrive in local comic book shops around the country. I’m here for them. I love everything about comics - art, color, characters, story, lettering - everything. I’ve been reading them since I was a kid. I’m not sure how I got into comics but I remember one book in particular that caught my attention, Superboy And The Legion Of Superheroes.

The Legion was a group of teenage heroes from the 30th century, the future. Heroes came from unique planets in the galaxy. Those who were selected for membership had a unique ability or skill. For instance founding member Lightning Lad, created electricity. Another founder, Saturn Girl, had telepathic abilities. The third founding member, Cosmic Boy, commanded magnetic energies.

In the 1970s the decade I started reading the book, it was written by Paul Levitz and illustrated by Mike Grell. Each issue was a single story with a bit of lore to tie the issues together. No overly complicated story arcs. For instance, two of the founding members, Lightning Lad and Saturn Girl, were dating. Over the years they would marry. Their marriage was on full display in a special giant sized issue. The book was twice the size of a regular comic book. The panels were bigger, the art more dynamic, and in my mind the story was so mature for the time.

I loved the book so much I would trace the heroes on the cover the special issue. At the time I wish had the confidence to push past the doubters to pursue art in comics. But I learned it’s never too late to start making art. In the early 2000s I became a lettering artist for a greeting card company. I learned to print with a letterpress. I started drawing on an iPad which led to a solo show. I’ve been published. My work appeared on consumer products. I continue to draw and share my work online. I love to draw letters. And I’m pursuing portraiture. I’m taking a painting class. I never painted so this is an exciting development.

At my age I’m happy to report I haven’t stopped reading comic books or making art. So here’s to Wednesday.