Future Comic Rock Stars – Evan ‘Doc’ Shaner

GameStop, Inc.

DamianWelcome to my weekly column showcasing up and coming or undiscovered talent, bringing to your attention creators that I feel will be break-out stars in the near future. Some are already well on their way to super stardom, while some are just on the outskirts breaking in.

Everyone has a favorite comic book creator. One they’ve discovered recently, or maybe followed from the very beginning of their career. Some have so many favorites it’s hard to choose just one.

Every single one of those creators started somewhere, be it by producing photocopied mini comics to sell at their neighborhood comic shop, getting a table in the artist’s alley at their local comic convention, publishing fan fiction, posting images to deviantart.com, or doing commissions through the internet or at conventions.

DoomPatrolI discovered Evan ‘Doc’ Shaner’s work through the blog Comic Twart a couple of years ago, and have been following his career ever since.

Shaner graduated Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in drawing, and worked at Central Michigan Life as a Staff Cartoonist until he went freelance in 2008. Since then he has had work published by Oni Press, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Dynamite Entertainment, and Archaia Entertainment, as both an illustrator and colorist.

ShazamTwartWith his ability to adapt and evolve style wise, it’s no surprise that his work is as diverse as it is. From  Jim Henson’s The Storyteller to Deadpool, Shaner has the ability to find the essence of the character, and then render them in his own inimitable style. His work has a carefree flow to it, his ink lines dance across the page with reckless abandon.

Shaner especially excels when working within the golden/silver age, and he was born to draw DC’s Captain Marvel! He effortlessly captures the fun and excitement of the era, and his brief turn don Adventures of Superman on the three part Only Child arc felt like a true flashback to an earlier, quainter time.

FlashGordonHe has a natural comic strip style, in the vein of Milton Caniff or Al Williamson, both obvious favorites of his, and his upcoming work on Flash Gordon for Dynamite Entertainment is surely going to go down as a classic run.

His uncanny ability to not mimic, but distill the essence of an era, style, or artform, from old movie posters to dime novel covers, really sets him apart from many of his contemporaries, yet he fits right in with some of the best. There seems to be a movement of sorts happening in comics the last few years, a broadening of what comic art can look like, and Shaner is at the front of it all.

Whether it be science fiction, superheroics, or kid friendly fare, Shaner tackles them all with an unbridled abandon and instills in them an incredible sense of fun and timelessness that has been long missing from comics. Remember when comics were about adventure, and escaping from the darkness of the real world? Evan ‘Doc’ Shaner does, and this is why he is a future comic rock star.

Next week I’ll bring you another.

You can see more of his work, including process shots, here and here, and make sure to follow him on Twitter.

Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
‘Superman’ is the Best ‘Shazam!’ Movie to Date – Review

James Gunn’s ‘Superman‘ is the best Captain Marvel (aka Shazam!) we’ve...

Bonnie Discepolo Talks About Playing Luthor’s Henchwoman in ‘Superman’ – Interview

Lex Luthor’s got a new right hand, and Bonnie Discepolo is...

Josh Feldman’s Doc ‘animal.’ Sinks its Teeth Into the Carnivore Diet – Interview

‘animal.‘ challenges everything we know about nutrition, exposing the war on...

Event News Event Reviews
Maverick Theater’s ‘King Kong’ Doesn’t Monkey Around with Cinematic Classic – Review

Returning for its sixth year as Maverick Theater‘s summer sensation, ‘King...

Will Riddle Reignites the Spirit of Buddy Holly in MTW’s Production – Interview

Will Riddle Rocks the Stage Again as Buddy Holly in Musical...

‘Dial M For Murder’ Slaughters at NTAC – Review

‘Dial M For Murder‘, brings Frederick Knott’s classic thriller into the...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Melissa “Mamba” Amaya Fights to Keep Her Undefeated Streak in Combate Global – Audio Interview

Melissa “Mamba” Amaya Fights to Remain Undefeated Against Japan’s Megumi Sugimoto...

David McLane and Santana Garrett Talks About WOW – Women Of Wrestling – Interview

WOW – Women Of Wrestling Founder David McLane and former WOW...

Big Reveals for AFTERGLOW Women’s Wrestling and ‘Matilda the Hun: Raw Meat’ – Interview

AFTERGLOW Women’s Wrestling: A New Chapter Begins, 40 Years After GLOW’s...

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
Alex Cortes and the Expanding Universe of Noir L.A. – Interview

Noir L.A. is the uncompromising sonic vision of Alex Cortes; a...

Australian Rockers Sálezianos Talk Latest Single ‘The Great Silence’ – Interview

Nick Parkinson and Daniel Phillpe East from the Australian metal band...

Silent Film Accompanist David Marsh Talks Music – Interview

Organist, Pianist and Music Teacher, David Marsh Talks About Music and...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
‘Aw Nuts!’ Max Beaudry and David Perry Talk About Their Graphic Novel – Interview

Emmy-award winning writer Max Beaudry and illustrious illustrator David Perry talk...

Dete Meserve Ventures into Sci-Fi with her Novel ‘The Memory Collectors’ – Interview

Bestselling author and award-winning film and television producer Dete Meserve ventures...

Comic Writer Jeremy Adams Signs Deal With DC – Interview

Comic, Film and Television writer Jeremy Adams Signs a Deal with...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Matthew Lillard Talks Quest’s End Whiskey Druid Edition – Interview

Matthew Lillard Talks about his Whiskey brand Quest’s End, with their...

70 Years of Disneyland: A Legacy of Wonder, Magic and Apparel – News

Disneyland 70th Anniversary celebrations kicking off today with “Disneyland 70th Celebration...

Relive ‘Batman Forever’ with the Spin Master Exclusives at Target – Toys

Celebrate 30 years of ‘Batman Forever‘ with this DC Comics Retro...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
yOtNAf SicoMS MakS tHiNG – soMEone & soMthInG wEeK 11

no, 11 weeks!

faaaanTOY scimoc makes happy LArry Potter and the TImE pool

I only had one quarter

fanTOZ coMICs makes hapPen – JuMBo sQUiddd & thE TImE lOOp

Sooooo, why are you guys looking at me like that?

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...