Community Comics

Editor-in-Chief : Ben Avery

Ben Avery formed the Community Comics in 2001 as a loose group, drawn together to create a small giveaway for Halloween called The Larson Street Kids: David’s Story. Since that humble beginning, Community Comics and Avery have both grown. Avery has gone on to develop Hero TV, The Larson Street Kids, and Chosen Mortals for Community Comics and also freelanced his talents to help create Mike S. Miller’s The Imaginaries and Lullaby, two all ages books.

Avery has also worked on the critically acclaimed George R.R. Martin’s The Hedge Knight, published by Image and Devil’s Due, which received rave reviews (both from critics and the New York Times best selling author, George R.R. Martin, who wrote the original book) for his faithful script adaptation. But Avery’s passion lies in his work with Community Comics, from adapting Bible stories to creating the fantasy series ArmorQuest. ?Community Comics gives me an opportunity to do two things I really enjoy — create stories and encourage other artists to do the same.? That desire to encourage other Christian artists to worship Christ through the arts has manifested itself in the creation of the Megaunity Challenge (co-sponsored by The Megazeen) and the more recent SELAH: The Psalms Project.

Design Director: Sherwin Schwartzrock

Sherwin oversees the graphic design and print production for each book published by Community Comics.

“Even though I love to draw comics, my background experience is in graphic design and print production. It turns out to be a valuable asset since it requires a good knowledge of design, prepress and printing to make sure the final product rolls off the press looking as good as it can.”

Sherwin began drawing at a young age, teaching himself to draw people while studying comic books. While in high school, he and his elder brother, Todd, created a weekly comic strip which was picked up by 11 area small-town newspapers. Later in college he focused on graphic design as a career only to revisit his love for comics many years later when he worked on a comic-themed promotion for a corporate client.

“I enjoyed that project so much. I was so challenged by it and so engaged that I decided at that moment, I wanted to draw comic books full time.
Sherwin began putting the pieces in place to make that dream become a reality. After completing his first comic book, Legends, Korah’s Rebellion, he started working as a freelance graphic designer, allowing him the freedom to take on comic book work. To date, Sherwin has worked on several titles such as Luther, Chosen Mortals, Anointed, Larson Street Kids, ArmorQuest and Deal with the Devil.

“This may sound silly, but I know God wants me to draw comics that glorify Him. It’s not easy work but there’s peace knowing you’re doing what you were designed to do.”

Sherwin lives with his wife, Leah and their son, Yuri, outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota.”

Managing Editor: Bud Rogers

Bud Rogers is a cartoonist and illustrator with fifteen years of published experience.  His comic strip “Awesomedude” enjoyed a lengthy run in the Comics Buyer’s Guide during the early nineties.  Since then, he has focused his art and creative energies toward producing material with a decidedly Christian slant.  He has participated in many anthologies and collaborative projects.  He has also used his art as part of his work with pre-school and children’s ministries.

Along with his writing and drawing, Bud uses his organizational and management skills in Community Comics’ Editorial Department.  He is dedicated to helping Community Comics meet its mission of providing a showcase for Christian artists and writers to present their work in the best possible light and in creating quality books that point readers to a closer relationship with Christ.

Art Director: Darren Brady

Darren Brady is the resident Pastor and Consultant on Biblical information for Community Comics. An accomplished artist, Darren is the creator of Messiah, oversees Chosen Mortals, provides a solid foundation for Hero TV, and manages the studio branch of Community Comics’ Creative Arts Services.

Darren is a graduate of the Institute of Jewish-Christian Studies of Dallas TX. He has furthered his education by completing numerous independent studies in both Christianity and Judaism from all over the United States and Israel. He has pastored a local congregation for over 4 years and is a frequent guest speaker on the local TV program “A Call to Worship”. He lives a life dedicated to the study and teaching of God’s word, and regularly speaks at churches of all denominations as a Bible teacher.

Darren has also worked as a full-time freelance commercial artist for the past 12 yrs and has taught Cartoon and Illustration classes at Labette College. Darren gained a significant amount of experience working on the fringes of the mainstream comic book industry as a comic creator and illustrator since 1993, most notably when he created The Iliad, published by Amaze Ink/Slave Labor Graphics in 1999. He left comics shortly after that to concentrate on his commercial graphics business which provides design and illustration services for an impressive list of clients. He couldn’t leave the dynamic art form of comics behind, so he has returned to make Christian comics with Community Comics.

Darren lives with his beautiful wife Windy and 3 lovely daughters in Independence, KS, and runs his Commercial Arts and Design Studio, Brady Graphic Arts.

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.