Lifestyle

Comics, Characters, and Creativity: Hill Country Artist Gary “Odd” Edmund

By  | 
Tony Maples Photography

 

Texas comic book artist Gary “Odd” Edmund said he has been drawing since he could hold a crayon, “There’s a picture I drew of the Muppets that [my parents] have, I must’ve been 4 or 5 years old, I just remember them being really amazed by it.”

Edmund still seeks that “wow” factor from his art, and is currently lending his talent to three separate comic book projects. Born and raised in the San Antonio area, Edmund has always been interested in the world of illustration, “I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a comic book artist,” he said, “In school I drew all the time. I was very competitive with other students…it was a good environment to improve my skills.”

After a brief stint in music in his teens and twenties, Edmund put his focus back into comic book art and hasn’t looked back. His wife of 18 years continues to inspire and support his work while his kids seem unfazed by their dad’s less-than-average day job. “I think for them it’s kind a like ‘yeah, that’s my dad, he draws comic books,’” Edmund said.

garyedmund
Photo: Gary Edmund

Five years ago, Edmund and his writing partner began attending conventions in an effort to promote their comic titles. “It was tough road with a lot of critics,” Edmund said, but he pushed forward utilizing the feedback he received to produce a better product. After splitting with his partner, Edmund found himself not only drawing but writing the comics as well.

Edmund’s comic “The Bud” began to pick up momentum, and he soon found himself doing the work of an entire publishing team. It quickly became overwhelming. “My wife was helping with [a sales collaboration] with Spencer Gifts. People were talking animated series. And at that time I had all sorts of people jumping in saying they wanted to help,” Edmund said. It didn’t take long, however, for him to realize that not everyone involved had his best interests in mind. Eventually, the deals fell through, and Edmund found himself disillusioned.

Page 1 of 2:12