Comics can start working their magic from an early age. Many of us can surely recall reading them as children, often by clandestine torchlight under the covers long after our official bedtimes.
For writers, poets, artists, illustrators and many other creatives, comics are a lifelong source of inspiration whether it began in childhood or not. They can move us and spark ideas in so many ways, whether it’s through characters, themes, the artwork and layout, even the lettering. Of such things are entire careers made. You don’t even need to be working in comics to have them influence your own creations.
Discussing how comics have inspired them are author and Spider-Man fan Nikesh Shukla; novelist and mega Manga and Marvel fan Zoe Marriot; journalist and comic collector David Barnett; and Emma Vieceli, whose work includes the ‘Vampire Academy’ and ‘Alex Rider’ series.