Let’s turn back the clock to July 2020. Like many artists and doodlers, I was juggling life, working a job I wasn’t exactly thrilled about, studying as a student, and adjusting to life as a new parent. Stress was piling on, but in those chaotic moments, I found myself retreating to the one thing that’s brought me joy since I was a kid: comics. (Isn’t it funny how big adventures often have meek beginnings?)
At the time, I wasn’t what you’d call a “serious” artist. (Or even an artist.) I’d never won an art contest, I only drew on the back of homework assignments and nobody ever told me I had talent. But with a few pennies saved, I invested in an iPad, and with it, I started drafting two stories: Drahcir’s Slaughter and Ravenous Rackem.

Ravenous Rackem Trade Cover by C. Zandro
Ravenous Rackem had been festering in my mind for years, starting as an X-Men-inspired tale set in a Mad Max world. Its protagonist, Nihile, faced a tyrannical Vanakin King harvesting “Aurayans” to build a brainwashed army to defeat the sinister Paustilite. Over time, my “mutants” became Aurayans, and the story evolved. (Despite not having touched the title in years, I’m planning to recreate Ravenous Rackem. No ideas ever truly go to waste.)
The reason I’m sharing this? To show that anyone can make comics. Your first attempt might not be good, mine certainly wasn’t, but the point is to start. I’m releasing my early works, flaws and all, because I hope that someone out there, standing on the edge of doubt, might see my rough beginnings and feel inspired to create. Progress isn’t instant, but it’s worth it.
For me, Ravenous Rackem started as a free webcomic on Webtoon. It taught me hard lessons about storytelling, staging, and anatomy. (I had a lot to learn… and still do.) Everyone’s first comic should be a webcomic. Why? Because you can make mistakes, learn from them, and improve. By the time I tackled Drahcir’s Slaughter, I aimed for a print-worthy product. Was it? The Amazon reviews seem to think so. But you don’t have to take their word for it! Drahcir’s Slaughter Original Trade is available now on AlternityComics.com. You be the judge.
Here’s the thing about making comics: it’s an art and a craft. Some creators spend weeks refining scripts, building entire story arcs, and researching real-world influences like fashion or architecture. That’s a fantastic approach, but it’s not the only one. I take inspiration from the Marvel Method pioneered by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby: map out a beginning and an end, then let the story evolve naturally as the pencil hits the page.
While working on Drahcir’s Slaughter, I found my rhythm page by page. One moment I’d think, “We need some exposition to flesh this out,” and a few pages later, “Time for action! Bring on a splash page and a new villain!” It’s not a perfect process, but it’s a productive one. The point is to start. Too many great ideas sit on the back burner because their creators are waiting for the “complete story.” Don’t wait. Take your shot now!

The image above is the Cover to Drahcir’s Slaughter Original Trade. Art by Dillon through Trillup Morbid Realities.
At Alternity Comics, we’re building a catalog of imperfections… (I think that’ll be our new slogan.) …learning from each comic, making slight improvements, and refusing to let mistakes hold us back. If you’ve ever dreamed of making comics, I hope this inspires you to pick up a pencil and paper, or open your laptop, or grab your tablet and begin.
Need encouragement? Inspiration? A shoutout? Message me on Instagram! (It’s alternitycomics on instagram.) I’d love to hear from you. And while you’re at it, check out other indie creators out there. Support the medium, share the love, and most importantly create!
(Most of my comics are just $1.99 for digital copies. So grab one, see where it all started, and let’s build a vibrant, thriving indie comics community together. Together, we’ll bring back the Golden Age of Comics.)

Comments