Curtis Thompson drew inspiration from the X-Men.
“Growing up, I’d put myself into different stories,” said Thompson, one of the creatives at the July 10 Creator’s Day at the Augusta Book Exchange, who has created his own comic book world in which a teenager defends the world against the enemies known as The Howl.
“I liked the X-Men characters, and I wanted to make a character like that,” he said.
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So, he created Chaz, a Southern teen who is an aspiring music engineer trying to find balance in music, high school and defeating The Howl. Thompson has released two comic books and is currently working on a third.
His art is available online at legacyoftheview.com.
Augusta has a thriving comic book community comprised not only of people who like to buy and read graphic novels and comic books, but of those who create their own. More than a dozen artists, authors and musicians took part in the Creator’s Day Saturday.
“This is the first time we’ve had something since COVID-19,” said Deece Cassius, one of the artists who organized the event.
Many of those who participated are part of the CSRA Sequential Artists Group. Members collaborated on an anthology a couple of years ago.
“Our purpose is to not only promote sequential art, but to teach those who are willing to learn the technical, production, business and promotional parts of the world of sequential art and comics,” according to a flyer on the group.
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The sequential art group usually does events in conjunction with Halloween Comicfest and Free Comic Book Day, Cassius said.
“A lot of us have a digital footprint,” he said.
But they often don’t have a venue to get printed material into the hands of local customers. The Creator’s Day provided that venue, plus it gave members the opportunity to see each other after a long absence, he said.
Shelby Puckett’s artistic focus is in fun stickers, jewelry and other wearable types of items. The Augusta artist has a huge anime influence that comes out in her designs
“I usually do a lot of cons,” she said, referring to comic book conventions such as the recent Augusta JoeFest event.
She does have an online presence, selling her items at redbubble.com/people/beandoodz?asc.
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Author Ron Baxley Jr. has several novels and graphic books related to the Wizard of Oz. He said he was glad to have the opportunity to get out and support other local creatives.
“We all benefit when we come together,” he said.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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