MUSCATINE, Iowa–Even as a child, Kevin Knox delighted in both reading and writing. “I read comic books a lot as a kid–“Spiderman” was always a favorite,” he recalled. “I’ve been writing since I was a kid, but mainly prose.”
More recently, Knox found himself with a little writer’s block and decided to turn his hand to writing comic books. Rather than focusing on a traditional subject, such as superheroes, Knox decided to explore some of his favorite topics, mythology, legend, and history. From these inspirations grew the “Embers” series. “It was an idea I’d had for a long time, but I struggled to find a way to tell it,” he said.
The series centers around Trinity St. Germain, a young woman with a difficult past working to reconnect with her family, especially her father. Trinity travels to Texas to learn more about her ancestors, who lived there and who fascinated her father. While there, she finds herself entangled in supernatural events that appear tied to artifacts and events from the past. Incorporating historical fiction based on the real German immigrants that lived in Texas during the American Civil War and intriguing legends surrounding the Teutonic Knights, an order of Germanic knights founded during the Crusades, the first two installments of the series create a world unlike any ever seen in comic books before.
Kevin Knox, author of the “Embers” comic book series. Photo courtesy Kevin Knox.
Last year, Knox and his wife moved to Muscatine to live closer to her family, who come from Muscatine, as well as their son’s family and grandchild, who now live in his wife’s childhood home. Wanting to share his writing with the local community, Knox started working with H&J Cards and Collectibles (located at 1903 Park Avenue, Suite 5020 in the Muscatine Mall) to sell his books. The relationship proved positive.
With his second book just recently published, Knox helped plan a special event for National Comic Book Day May 6. Throughout the day, Knox will sign copies of his books and talk to anyone who would like to about his creative process. He hopes the event will help people understand the appeal of comic books for people of all ages and interests. He explained, “I think people in the past looked down on comic books as for kids or just nerds who liked Marvel.” However, he has found comic books offer, “a way of telling stories that is coming into its own.”
Knox plans to eventually grow “Embers” into a six-book series before pursuing other possible comic book ideas. Readers may purchase his books at H&J Cards and Collectibles as well as at In This Issue Comics in Bettendorf, Daydream Comics in Iowa City, and Amazon.com. Anyone wanting to learn more about the series may visit the “Embers” Facebook and Instagram pages or by emailing Knox.
