Today marks a bit of a milestone for me. Twenty years ago today, at age 12, I decided that I wanted to make comics for a living. And from that day forward, I dedicated my every waking moment to making that happen, whether it was by drawing, writing, or by reading and absorbing as many comics and influences as I could. In many ways, I have my little sister to thank. She was born that same day (happy birthday, Whitley!) and if it wasn't for the fact that she took her sweet time getting here, my grandma would have never taken me to see Batman while my mom was in labor. And of course, Batman was the source of my inspiration to take up comics.
Just so you know how serious I was, this is the cover to the first comic I ever made, dated only 4 days later. As you can see, I have yet to top this...
What is it with the people I admire most deciding what they wanted to do at age 12? Something about that magical age, I guess.
Anyway, I'm glad you stuck with it. If not only for your own happiness, for the joy you've brought all of us.
Posted by: John Walsh | June 24, 2009 at 06:39 PM
awsome josh.. not to many people live out there dreams.. but i know the hard work you must have done to get here today.
bring that comic to comicon i need something to read at night! haha
tim
Posted by: tim morrell | June 24, 2009 at 06:57 PM
That's AWESOME! You know what's even MORE awesome is that you are still essentially doing that...and for a living no less! Sweeeeeeet!
Posted by: Rich | June 24, 2009 at 08:09 PM
You were 12 in 1989??? Geez I feel old. I was about to graduate from high school in 1989.
Posted by: BryanBaugh | June 25, 2009 at 01:00 AM
I've got some 10 and 12 year old kids in the sketchclub I run here in Lubbock. I'm helping them all make comics. Some of them have already made more books than a lot of the older artists in the club. I wonder how many will be sharing their work 20 years from now with all of their fans, and if they'll be making stories as well as you.
Keep it up! May your next 20 years be blessed even more! Thanks for sharing man.
Posted by: Will Terrell | June 25, 2009 at 01:18 AM
Your sister and I share a birthday. I saw Batman that day as well. I always went to a movie on my birthday. Also, Bryan Baugh is really old.
Posted by: Scott | June 25, 2009 at 08:44 AM
On his blog, Mike Wieringo used to take old superhero drawings he did as a kid, and "re-imagine" them. I'd love to see how this cover would look with older/wiser Josh Howard skills.
I was also 12 in 1989.
Bryan Baugh is old. :)
Posted by: david | June 25, 2009 at 09:59 AM
20 years ago today... Sgt Pepper taught the band to play? Sorry... had to.
But, hey, this is great! Love that you posted this. Classic.
And I saw Batman opening day as well. I was 13. Changed my life forever. Funny how that movie does nothing for me now though. I much, much prefer Nolan's films. But it was badass for the time. I still have the collector cards and some original pressings of the movie posters. Good times.
But I digress! This is about the mighty Mr. Howard! Hope all is well and BHE looks forward to working with you again! Happy 20th!
Posted by: Daren Strange | June 25, 2009 at 01:47 PM
I was going to offer another comment but I gotta go rub Egyptian oils and spices on myself to try and preserve my whithered, mummy-like flesh.
Posted by: BryanBaugh | June 25, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Bryan - haha!
Thanks for all the kind words, everyone!
Posted by: Josh Howard | June 25, 2009 at 02:47 PM
i agree josh, i think you owe it to yourself as a treat to re-do this cover. :D frame and hang it in your work area, and it will always be there to remind you that you lived a dream.
Posted by: Mark Anthony Ramsay | June 25, 2009 at 09:30 PM
:D coooooooooool! you should remake this one!
Posted by: carlos de anda | June 26, 2009 at 07:23 PM
The re-make idea is a good one. I'll have to take a shot at it when time permits :)
Posted by: Josh Howard | June 26, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Aw hell yeah!
I got these bad boys too!! (emphisis on bad ;)
Some day I plan to go back and redo my seminal series...
Oh, and I bet "The Nightmare" totally gets his butt kicked!
Posted by: jasinmartin | June 27, 2009 at 12:42 AM
That is awesome & inspiring. A toast to all us crazy azz dreamers following our dreams.
Rob Harris
www.jesusfishmovie.com
Posted by: Rob Harris | July 02, 2009 at 09:50 AM
Sweet. Oh wait. "When time permits." Crap.
:)
Posted by: david | July 07, 2009 at 07:16 AM
Hey man...this brings back memories...I remember this!!!! From the old house in Spearman!
Posted by: Joe | September 01, 2009 at 10:10 AM