A LIFELONG JOURNEY INTO GRAPHIC NOVELS

Creative imagination, fantastical worlds

The early spark of creativity in a quiet village


As a young boy, I reached for pencil and paper rather than action figures. My inspiration came from the woodlands, streams, and insects surrounding the tiny, isolated village of Gold River. Occasional trips to visit my grandparents in Campbell River were eagerly anticipated breaks from our quiet life. We’d catch the latest blockbuster at the theatre and my brother would stock up on skateboard parts at Boardwalk Skates. For me, the highlight was always our stop at Turtle Books.

You might remember this incredible shop—a treasure trove of mainstream comics and pop culture merchandise that ignited endless inspiration in a budding creative mind. Beyond the Marvel and DC racks, I found myself drawn to the nook reserved for more mature audiences. With my father’s permission and a surprised look from the store clerk, I dove into the latest literary classics: The Metabarons, Aliens, Sandman, and Akira. Once home with this stack of comics, my fascination quickly shifted from the world around me to the worlds created by the imaginations of master storytellers.

Graphic artist, Matt Boucher

From creative dreams to a shift in life circumstances


My creative focus became the human form and dynamic action sequences. Though my comic design and storytelling skills were rudimentary, I daydreamed about becoming a successful graphic novelist. But change was on the horizon—Gold River’s pulp mill shut down and my family relocated to Squamish. This transition from a small village to a town was a shock for an introverted 13-year-old, and art fell by the wayside. After finishing school, I was employed by a local stone yard. The thought of picking up a pencil had all but vanished.

Before I knew it, I was in my mid-30s and still working with stone. My body started to show wear and my mind craved stimulation. I needed a change. I quit my job, packed my bags, and moved back to the Island to further my education with a diploma in communication design at North Island College. NIC was a wonderful experience. My professors and peers were incredible and the future seemed boundless, full of promise and opportunity. After graduating, I was hired as an in-house designer at a local studio. At first, I loved it, but like many things in life, it wasn’t what I expected. As my frustration grew, the offer of a managerial role at a landscape supply company in Squamish drew me back there.

Graphic artist, Matt Boucher

Turning to creativity during the pandemic


Life was going well until the pandemic blindsided the world. Indefinitely laid off from work, I returned to the Island and, like millions of others, felt anxious and lost. Too much time on social media meant I stumbled upon a daily drawing challenge hosted by the Comox Valley Art Gallery. One of the challenges was to design a comic strip. I created five panels depicting Gandalf the wizard beside a lake, contemplatively loading his pipe. The overwhelmingly positive response from the daily drawing community sparked a realization that perhaps now was the perfect time to create the graphic novel I’d always dreamed of.

The journey of creating my graphic novel


I always imagined a grand world-building project with the story told visually throughout multiple graphic novels. It would begin with a prologue deeply rooted in creationism and warnings of the impact of intelligent life on the environment. I would try my best to make it poetic and full of action, but how would I even get this project off the ground, and what would it take in terms of time and skill?

I purchased an iPad Pro. Instead of discarding nearly completed pages due to errors, this transition from analogue to digital enabled me to undo mistakes during the inking process. Going digital also allowed me to iterate and edit storyboards, thumbnail sketches, and layout design—all critical components of media-based creative projects—far quicker.

Graphic artist, Matt Boucher

From script to sketches: The early stages of creation


First, I outlined the script by structuring the story’s key plot points—from the beginning through the climax to the resolution. This outline acts as a roadmap, detailing the sequence of events and ensuring a smooth flow from one scene to the next, allowing for essential adjustments as the story evolves.

After finishing most of the script and layout, it was time to dive into rough sketches. Fueled by strong coffee, I sketched over 220 panels. I had to set aside my perfectionism and let the creativity flow to complete this stage efficiently. Having proper roughs was crucial for the next step; creating hundreds of pieces of artwork as smoothly as possible. Although it was a daunting task, it was fulfilling to see this world come to life.

The importance of lettering and final touches


The final step is adding lettering, a craft in its own right. Before digital design applications were available, skilled artists did this by hand. Now, you can buy fonts that mimic comic-style writing. While efficient, they lack the character and uniqueness of hand-lettering. I haven’t reached this stage yet, but I’d like to do it all by hand. However, time moves quickly, so digital might be the best option.

Working non-stop every day was challenging, but the progress was incredibly rewarding. I rediscovered my love for art. Nothing compares to the satisfaction of bringing the fantastical world that had lived in my mind for decades to life.

Graphic artist, Matt Boucher

A new chapter as a freelance digital artist


As the pandemic subsided and life slowly returned to normal, I realized I was no longer the stone worker I had once been. My dedication in those two years of isolation paid off and I have since found employment as a freelance digital artist. I continue to work on my graphic novel, but it has evolved into a passion project, rather than one with commercial intent.

If I can inspire someone through this article, my art, or my graphic novel when released, just as I was inspired when I first opened the pages of comics so long ago, then my goal as an artist has been achieved. I hope this marks the beginning of a new journey for someone with a story in their mind and expression in their heart.