Little explanation is needed when talking about Batman, Spiderman or Superman. Some of the our culture’s most popular movies are based on those figures of heroism. However, the diehard fans follow the characters from their two-dimensional origin, comic books. SHEPHERD works at Casey’s and said he is saving money to move to Florida to live with his cousin.
Iolan Drew Shepherd is one of those diehards. His admiration for the comic art medium brought him to his life’s passion, drawing and creating comic book characters.
“I have always been kind of an artist,” Shepherd said. “I have always been into superheroes and one day it just kind of hit me.”
The idea hit him roughly seven months ago and he started recollecting, sketching and taking drawing classes at Allen Community College.
Shepherd, 20, is mainly inspired by Batman and Spiderman, which are products of DC Comics and Marvel.
Shepherd said when drawing his own characters he doesn’t play off of other work, but he does enjoy drawing and perfecting his talent by replicating characters, such as the Joker.
“I have always had a natural drawing ability, but after taking classes I have been able to hone in more and develop my own kind of style,” he said.
His own style has brought him to developing a modern character, Drake Samuels. This dark hero’s father was a drug addict. His brother died from an overdose and Samuels himself is a recovering addict.
Samuels becomes “a vigilante and tries to bust up the drug trade,” Shepherd said.
Shepherd has perfected his developing process. He begins with pencil and then inks it, by refining the pencil lines with black ink. He also uses colored pencils to add color occasionally.
Many times Shepherd said he would take old action figures, paint them, and then position them so he can have a physical visualization for his developing character.
Shepherd said he wants to slowly get his foot in the door working for a comic book company, even if he is just an inker. His dream is to work for the big wigs, DC Comics and Marvel.
“It would be one of those jobs you like going to every day,” he said. “Just to be affiliated with those (publications) would be great. I would be a kid in a candy store every day.”
Shepherd is a comic book connoisseur and said when watching the comic book-based movies he has to take them with a grain of salt.
“I have to remember that they are film adaptations. They bring in bits and pieces,” he said.
Shepherd said he is glad to see Andrew Garfield as the new Spiderman. “He captures the essence of Peter Parker’s nerdiness.”
He thinks Christian Bale is a better Bruce Wayne than a Batman, and thinks Heath Ledger brought a more emotional quality to the Joker, whereas Jack Nicholson got the comedic value element down packed.
He said he knows going far as a comic book drawer in Iola would be very difficult and wants to pursue his passion.
Before working at Casey’s he worked at Ken’s pizza and said he has had enough pizza to last him a lifetime.
He is proud to say he has gotten his little brother, Jacob, into comic books as well, and often talks comics with him.
Iolan finds career path in passion
