HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt-based comic Auroraman has launched a special edition of their seventh issue, featuring a guest cover artist and all proceeds going to Creative Kids Saskatchewan.
The guest cover artist is Sarah Leblanc, a 15-year-old artist from Winnipeg.
Jeff Burton, Auroraman’s creator, said he first met her at a holiday market.
“Sometimes when we are having tables at comic shows people who are doing art and want to get some advice or opinions about their artwork will bring their artwork to shows and show it to people at the show to get some feedback,” Burton said.
This led him to working with Leblanc.
“She’s an aspiring artist and her work was really good so we offered her to do one of the alternate covers for issue seven,” he said.
“Her work already was quite good, she has a really good eye for detail and proportioning and layout. She’s definitely up and coming when it comes to comic book art. If this is something she wants to pursue, she’ll do a good job of it.”
All proceeds from the special edition is going to Creative Kids Saskatchewan.
Creative Kids Saskatchewan reduces financial barriers to arts and cultural activities for Saskatchewan kids between the ages of four to 19.
“I’ve always advocated for helping kids – as a teacher that’s kind of my thing,” Burton said.
“With Sarah’s cover, because she’s just trying this out, she didn’t ask us to pay her for her artwork.”
The issue wasn’t planned to be released until May at the Saskatchewan Entertainment Expo in Regina, but the event being cancelled resulted in Burton releasing the edition early.
“It’s another great Adventures of Auroraman story with actually a pretty good lesson in it for everybody during these times,” he said. “No matter how difficult things can be or how much of a darkness we seem to be in, we can stand up and be a light and keep shining that light even in the darkness.”
Copies of the special edition can be purchased from bigcountrycomics.com.
Burton is also releasing a limited edition bundle which includes an original hand-drawn art page. A portion of the proceeds from the bundle will be going to charity.
