Comic Book Art 101: Demonstrations, Tips, and Tricks of the Trade

Speakers

• Darren Davis President of TidalWave Publishing
  

  Darren Davis

  President of TidalWave Publishing

  The award-winning creator and developer of more than 100 titles, Darren G. Davis is one of the leading lights of independent comic-book and graphic novel publishers. He has masterminded several very successful comic book ventures including 10th Muse, Legend of Isis and Insane Jane. The latter is currently in production as a major television program.

  Davis, as the president of TidalWave Publishing (formerly BlueWater Productions), has developed several iconic titles over the past nearly 20 years including The 10th Muse for Image Comics. In that time, he has carved out a successful niche in the fiction world with successful collaborations with iconic genre heroes including William Shatner (Star Trek), Adam West (Batman), Vincent Price, Ray Harryhausen (Clash of the Titans/Jason and the Argonauts/Sinbad), William Nolan (Logan’s Run), Roger Corman, and many others. These projects including “Wrath of the Titans,” “Logan’s Run Last Day,” “TekWar Chronicles” and “Vincent Price Presents” have, in their own right, become part of the canon of each property.

  Davis has personally penned several books. Lost Raven, the groundbreaking story of a man coming to terms with HIV in a world of otherworldly monsters won an “Independent Graphic Novel of the Year” in 2010.

  As popular as his fiction books, Davis is singularly responsible for the resurgence of the non-fiction comic book. With his partnership through libraries, school systems and other learning centers, Davis has dramatically expanded readership with his collection of biographies. These biographies, ranging from US Presidents and other political leaders to entertainment personalities to notable business leaders, helped redefine and reenergize a once-forgotten genre of comic books. His titles including Female Force, the national mainstream media has embraced Political Power, Tribute and Orbit. Davis has appeared in many news features including CNN Fox News, The View, The Tonight Show, Vanity Fair, New York Times, and even, TMZ!  

  Davis credits reading comic books as a youth as the chief reason he overcame diagnosed reading issues. In fact, Davis now continually promotes reading and creating comic books through a program provided free to schools. “Comic Book 101” has been personally presented at dozens of schools. He has also been invited to speak at many conventions and conferences. This includes Yale University and Mensa!

  Davis has enjoyed a long career in the entertainment industry. Starting as a sales person at E! Entertainment, he went on to work for DC Comics, Image, and Wizard before forming his own production company. His very first independent creation, The Tenth Muse, became the 6th highest grossing book of 2001. This is significant considering competition from well-known and well- established titles. In 2015, Davis started StormFront Publishing in order to expand his professional experience into other media including television, podcasts and other multi-media ventures. Insane Jane is currently in production with Dollhouse alum Laurie Miracle attached to star in the eponymous role. Davis’ 10th Muse and Legend of Isis has also been optioned and in development. Davis created Wrath of the Titans was produced by Warner Bros.in 2012. Several of Davis’s other titles including Vincent Price Presents, Sinbad Rogue of Mars, Ray Harryhausen’s The Elementals and Logan’s Run have been adapted as radio dramas broadcast by Colonial Radio Theater over their SiriusXM channel.
  Davis even has had his own comic book as a question on Jeopardy!

• Gordon Purcell
  Gordon Purcell