Community Comics

Webhead: Marshall Johnson

Marshall is operator behind the CC website. Following Ben, Sherwin and Bud’s direction he presents you with the website you see before you today. He’s been working on webpages and web-graphics for the past few years, mostly as a hobby until recently. With the re-launch of Community Comics and the emergence of StudioM27.com, web design is no longer considered hobby work.

His work in comics involved being part of the team of digital colorists for “Powers”. He was also given the opportunity, although uncredited, to do the color guides for a few pages of “JLA” and “Superman”. There’s even a Superman annual that has a 3D version of Metropolis that was rendered on his first computer!

“Working with CommunityComics.com has given me the chance to be involved in worthwhile comics with worthwhile creators. Once you meet the folks involved and see the quality of their work, as well as enthusiasim, you cannot help but get involved and give them your best efforts. As my journey through comics and life continues, I am so happy to be a small part of Community Comics.”

In his “free” time, Marshall chisels through the fabric of 3D illustration and animation, as well as creating hobby sites, like Tribe12.com.

Why we are making comics.

Why we have this website.

Why.

Almost two years ago, I remember holding my son watching TV. My son was two months old. I was watching coverage of the September 11 attacks unfold. I remember seeing images of the Statue of Liberty standing against the backdrop of the huge plumes of smoke and being struck by how small the Statue of Liberty was. It had always seemed so much bigger in the pictures I’d seen. And I looked down at the little boy in my arms and I was struck by how small he was.

And I felt small myself.

Fast forward to a couple months ago. I was holding my newborn daughter, watching coverage of the war against Iraq unfold. I was in high school during Desert Storm, but this time it was different. This time I was an adult. And I looked at the little girl in my arms and, once again, I felt small.

There’s some pretty serious, crazy stuff going on in the world today. Wars and rumors of wars. Disease. Famine. Draughts. Big, scary stuff.

Sort of makes you think about why we do the various things we do. It’s made me think about the things I”ve invested my time in.

For example: why comic books? Why waste time with what most people consider mindless escapist entertainment? In light of all the things going on in the world around us, why bother?

But the answer is in the question. Why bother with mindless escapist entertainment? Precisely because it is escapist entertainment. But it doesn’t have to be mindless. It doesn’t have to be empty. If kids, teens, and adults are going to escape into something, why not give them something that is good and true to escape into? Why not give kids fun stories with a positive message? Why not give adults something that is thought provoking as well as entertaining? Why not give everyone a little bit of both?

That’s why we’re doing what we do. It’s a big world out there. The internet and 24-hour news services give us evidence of that every day. There are things that are happening beyond our control. We may feel small in the face of all of that, but there’s a big God with a big love for each and every small person on this planet. And we want people — kids, teens, and adults — to know it.

Ben

- From “Ben’s Pen”, posted on 7/16/2003

How do I get involved? What can I do? Submissions?
Other involvement?

Let us know what you have to offer by clicking here:
submissions@communitycomics.com