“Wolverine and The Flash usually come with two basic poses – running or stabbing, but characters like Poison Ivy or Storm or Magneto are great for creating great shots,” says Peter Nguyen, a renowned comic book artist and professional illustrator who has created for DC and Marvel Comics.
“To me, Storm is like a ballerina; she comes with a lot of cool hand poses or she can shoot with lightning. I enjoy the constraints of working within a character like Wolverine, but I like characters like Magneto, Storm and Ivy that give me the freedom to “lead” the audience in a way or so to speak.
“I like characters that give me a chance to work with composition, effects, rhythm and pace,” says Chitrakar, who was in Bengaluru for Comic Con in December 2025.
Needless to say, attempting to create another version of a much-loved, much-portrayed superhero is always a challenging task. “You carry an idealized version of yourself with you, like other fans, and when you draw those characters, they come with a lot of weight. DC put me on Superman as their first gig; that was a lot of pressure, it was quite scary,” says Peter, talking about the challenges of having a comic book.artist.
“I love D-list characters! Red Tornado will never be as famous as Superman, so they don’t come with that kind of pressure, and that gives me a lot of freedom to play with artistically. When we design characters for them, the story takes priority.”
One of Peter Nguyen’s creations. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Peter says that the prospect of a job as a comic book artist was unknown when he was growing up, and his parents wanted him to become an architect because he liked drawing. He participated in a talent search contest run by his hero, comic book artist Jim Lee, and was one of four finalists who got a chance to go on stage.
“We were asked to share our first sequential storytelling experience there. Most comic book artists imitate what they see in books. I always tried to create something new, even if entering the contest was a last-minute decision.”
“I didn’t win, but that day, I realized I could do this as a profession. Also, an editorial staff at DC Comics noticed my work, and that shocked me.”
“I didn’t know much about the job, but once I found out it was a job, I wanted it,” says Peter.
as an artist
The painter considers himself a sequential story teller. “As an adult, I love exploring what it means to be an artist. When I work for a publisher, I feel like a draftsman, so lately, I’ve been exploring what being an artist means to me personally.”
Peter Nguyen | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“I believed that making comics was an introverted activity; I had no idea that it would allow me to travel the world and meet so many people. It has enriched me in so many ways. The best part is that something as simple as comics can unite people.”
at comic con 2025
Peter says storytelling is different around the world and Comic Con events provide a chance to experience that art from different parts of the world. “As artists and individuals, we are all unique storytellers. At Comic Con, we get a chance to collaborate with Indian artists on panels or practice sequential storytelling. We get a chance to bounce ideas off each other.”
Describing Comic Con as a “high school reunion”, Peter says, “It’s like teleporting around the world with friends and peers. We bond, meet new people and connect with the community. We all read or draw alone, enjoying a little solitude, but then meeting someone who loves a character as much as we do brings a human connection to that activity.”
“Comics are created on their own, but conventions allow us to make that experience connective. That’s what makes conventions magical.”
published – February 23, 2026 12:19 PM IST