Jim Higgins here reporting in on some great happenings at Meltdown University.  On a recent Wednesday night, one of the classes had the privilege of having Mark Waid, known for his past runs writing Fantastic Four and Flash, his present run on Amazing Spider-Man, for being editor in chief at Boom! Studios, and for writing a number of their titles, including the acclaimed dark superhero series Irredeemable. Mark spent about an hour giving an informal talk about constructing stories, while also giving key advice about writing techniques and things to know that are specific to comics.  Both the writer/artists and the script writers had the chance to ask questions which Mark responded to with great information.  Mark and I batted around some thoughts on plotting and building character and how to play to the strengths of the comics medium.  I want to thank Mark for taking the time to come down and share his time. The Boom! crew are frequent visitors to Meltdown and have had signings and other events at the store.  We like to think of Mark as one of the professional community’s “Friends ‘O Meltdown.”  Thanks for stopping by, Mark!

If you’re interested in taking a class at Meltdown University we offer two types: one is a series where you have the choice of writing and drawing an eight to ten-page minicomic or writing a twelve to fourteen-page comics script; the other is a basic drawing class where artists can come and learn the fundamentals to apply to any type of drawing or art.  Though it will touch on doing comics, that series is  more of a straight art class.  The next comics-making series starts on Monday, February 22 and the next Drawing Basics class will begin sometime in April and will meet on Saturdays. For information or to sign up, go here.

Irredeemable written by Mark Waid