CORNWALL, Ontario – Cornwall’s hub for all things fandom, Fantasy Realm, was buzzing on Saturday, Nov. 5 with the return of famed comic book illustrator, and movie man, Geof Isherwood. Fans familiar with his work had the opportunity to meet him earlier this year at CAPE, and again today as he hung out at the comic book shop on Pitt St., taking requests for unique comic book covers from anyone who showed up.
Originally from the United States, Isherwood has called Canada home since the age of 11, when his family moved from the eastern US. Isherwood began illustrating for Marvel in 1983, just after completing his education at John Abbott College and Concordia University in Montreal. Some of his early work included Conan, Doctor Strange, and the Silver Surfer.
“I did that until 1999, and then the industry shrunk quite a bit. Living in Montreal, I got into the film industry. I ended up getting an interview for Battlefield Earth. People have different opinions about how that movie came out, but for me it was a terrific experience,” said Isherwood.
Now residing in the Ottawa area, Isherwood teaches at Algonquin College on a part-time basis, while also working on projects in the booming film industry, as a storyboard and concept artist, where comic book adaptations appeal to a wider audience than ever before.
“Drawing comics is not easy, and i did a lot of drawing as a kid. This is something I’d like to stress to people who think drawing is just something that comes out of your head, and it’s easy, but it’s not. A lot of practice, a lot of back and forth. Many trips, or sending work down and getting critiques.”
His most recent project, Dr. Strange, was released earlier this year. For the first time in Isherwood’s long career, he got to experience the red carpet treatment in Los Angeles, California, where he was invited to the premier, along with his wife, Amanda Muise.
“We were invited to an after party…I got to meet Benedict Cumberbatch, who was great to talk to,” said Isherwood. “We talked for a few minutes…he was interested in the fact that I drew the comic, and asked if his portrayal fit with how I drew the comic.”
Some of his previous work includes two of the recent X-Men movies, where Isherwood provided storyboard work.
Fans who could not make it today to meet Isherwood will have another chance next spring, as he returns to the Seaway city for the third instalment of CAPE pop culture expo, slated for mid April 2017.
