The assignment given to me by my teacher was to create a short comic based on Marvel's What If...? series. This series changes an aspect of a popular Marvel story and explores what would happen with a slight change to history. We were split up in groups to brainstorm a story wherein some major part of American history was altered. I was tasked with illustrating the physical comic book for my group. By channeling my history studies through art, I was able to absorb more information and learn better than I ever had.

- An explanation of the comic page by page describing my thought process behind each decision. 

- A behind the scenes showcase of my sketches and references.

Comic pages with a description of the thought process behind each page can be found below.

Gradient green background contrasts central figure, creating emphasis

Lines around figures show movement to highlight the stress of the scene. References from the historic event are used so that the viewer will recognize and know where we are in history.

Taking inspiration from Marvel's What If series, I reference a character named The Watcher and utilize the same style of font and language.

Lines convey texture, depth, & feeling. Overall organized composition illustrates a sense of order which is, at this point in the narrative, still present.

The missile is scaled up to show its importance and weight in the narrative. It is juxtaposed by a bright explosion to show its impact.

Homes and people have similar colors showing unity/relation. This is contrasted with the colors at the top of the page, showing a separation between the world of politics and the commonfolk. Juxtaposed newspaper and flags depict conflict. The slant in the panels emphasizes a clash/imbalance.

Lines in background show antsy crowd while color establishes the man in green as the focal point.

Panels illustrating "The People" are colored a bold red and packed with movement/ emotion. This is in contrast with the police, depicted by a still blue and a strong immovable line. The skewed panel emphasizes the contrast by highlighting the imbalance and lost harmony.

Monochromatic colors convey lost energy. Repetition in the figures shows their unification as a solid entity. The scale and positioning of the flag at the center of the page shows its importance and emphasizes the drama of the moment.

Speech bubbles placed deliberately to guide eye down the page around the images allowing for a clear hierarchy throughout the page.

Vertical lines and dissonant dark colors create a feeling of suspense. This is mood is released in the last panel as the green washes away the purple in a moment of relief. 

Creating comic art was completely novel to me. Exploring this new form of art came with experimentation and studying.  Below is a gallery of images showcasing my process, including references and storyboards.