‘Embers’ is the first comic written by Kevin Knox with illustrations by Cameron Johnson and lettering by Jeremiah Lambert. The first issue from Comix Well Spring is a gem of a vivid, full-color book with an inaugural narrative to match. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
BILL KNIGHT
Kevin Knox is a 57-year-old Peorian working as an engineer for Caterpillar, and he’s been a writer whose literary fiction has been published in small magazines such as Fear & Trembling, Haruah, and Bewildering Stories.
And now, in a comic book.
The native Iowan wrote “Embers,” a six-issue series illustrated by Camron Johnson, with lettering by Jeremiah Lambert. The artists are known for their work in comics, trading cards and other products from Marvel, Topps, Star Wars, and TV’s “Adult Swim” (Johnson), and independent books like “Monocul,” “Renegade” and “The Mad Gasser of Mattoon” (Lambert).
“Embers” #1 is a gem, a vivid, full-color book with an inaugural narrative to match.
The story opens in the midst of a Civil War-era skirmish between Texas Confederates and German immigrants the Rebs referred to as “hyphens” (as in German-hyphen-Americans). Quickly, there’s explosive action and the brief introduction of a mysterious coin with what may be unusual effects.
The book’s focus is a tough waif, Trinity St. German, a self-described “poor white” girl from West Texas who gets dropped off in the countryside after a spat with her ride, accepts a lift by a helpful, curious stranger, and then discovers the apparent properties of the odd coin and an even weirder apparition.
A brief flashback starts to provide some context, and the 24-page debut is a page-turner with a cliff-hanger. “People may see comics and think it’s simple,” Knox says. “It’s not.
“I was interested in comics as a kid, but I didn’t have a lot of money, so there weren’t boxes of them,” he continues. “I liked Spider-Man and Batman, but I really enjoyed villains: Doc Ock, Green Goblin …”
To prepare, Knox says he read a few books like Stan Lee’s “How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way” and Scott McCloud’s “Understanding Comics,” but his co-creators taught him nuances of the craft.
“I remember giving them a draft, and they were, like … ‘Uh. We’ll work on it,’ ” he added. “Word choice matters, and generally comics customers read at a higher level than newspapers and a lot of books. So Camron and Jeremiah helped me a lot. I tend to write with it unfolding in my head like a movie, but they knew when I needed to rewrite dialogue, to add ‘sound effects’ to panels, or little ‘balloons’ with characters’ exclamations.”
The trio met at a comics convention where Knox was interested in getting a poster illustrated to promote a story project. In conversations, an idea sprouted and grew into “Embers,” printed on heavy glossy paper by Comix Well Spring in Plymouth, Mich.
Comics conventions can offer commercial opportunities as well as community, Knox says.
“Comicons have different characters,” he says. “At some, most people are there for the art [on display]. At others, they’re there for the books.”
When they are, Knox peddles “Embers” — as he does at comic shops such as Acme Books and Comics on Glen Avenue in Peoria, and other retailers within driving distance.
“It’s hit-and-miss,” he says, chuckling. “Some are skeptical. Some just pass. Some are enthusiastic. One shop in Iowa City displays it nicely and really promotes it.”
“Embers” #2 is in the works — “Jeremiah’s done a cover,” Knox says — but the book won’t be one of the increasingly common (and annoying) “never-ending stories” where comics cross over and spin off and kill off and resurrect innumerable heroes and villains.
“I’ve had a long-time interest in mythology like the Greeks and Romans, so that ties into the storyline,” he says. “But there’ll be a conclusion.”
However, Knox concedes he appreciates character-driven stories and sometimes likes characters he’s created a lot and may feature “Embers” figures in future work. (In fact, a supporting character in “Embers,” James Blade, originally appeared in another Knox story.) “I’m happy with ‘Embers,’ ” Knox says. “I just like writing so much.”
Besides retailers, “Embers” is available from Amazon in a Kindle edition, and by mail. Email EmbersComix@gmail.com.