Senior Patrick Lee dips into comic book world

Senior Patrick Lee pursues his interest in comic illustration by creating his own with inspiration from superheroes.

Superman, Batman and Spiderman. Many people have grown up with these comic book action characters as their heroes. But for senior Patrick Lee, these characters served as more than heroes. They were inspiration. Lee has been drawing comics for nine years and talked to The Falcon about his hobby.

Q: What are your favorite types of comics to draw?
A: I really like doing comics about battles, especially World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Some kids need to understand what happened and what the men went through. They were fighting, risking their lives, sacrificing, and many lost their family. I also like language, and many character speak Korean, Russian, and others around the world. My favorite comic is the old “Pikmin” [his original comic based on the videogame] because it is my favorite game.

Q:What inspired you to start drawing comics?
A: I always liked cartoons that were about friendship, and I liked the old action cartoons like Spiderman. I started drawing them for myself when I was 11. My first comic was called the “FTFW” which was “Freedom to First War: Rise of the Soviets.” It was a make-believe war. Some [of the comics] are history and some are make-believe. Sometimes my brain just tells me information [for comics].

Q:What do you do with your finished comics?
A: I have given three to my friends, as presents, but I keep a lot for myself too. When people see my comics, they say “that is very cool” or they say “how did you draw that?”

Q: Have you received support from family and friends for your comics?
A: Yes. At home, my parents will say ‘finish your homework or tests and then take a break and finish [the comics] then’.

Q:How many comics have you done in total?
A: I do comics as episodes for different wars, and I have about 50 episodes in total. I try to do them once a week, or finish most of it.

Q:What are your plans for the future after high school?
A: I am going to West Valley College next year. I really want to be an animation director in the future, and I could use my comics in that job.