Will Torres: A Brain Wired for Comic Books
Torres uses his Project 14C studio to create comic book art.
Spider-Man was bitten by a radioactive spider when he was 15. Will Torres was handed wax paper and a pencil at age five. Nearly 50 years later, he has yet to put it down. His Project 14C studio, a treasure trove of signed artwork, collectible toys, and comic books encased in protective plastic, tells the story of a man who is not just an artist but a lifelong fan. Torres has an anecdote for each piece of memorabilia, which he recounts with the enthusiasm of someone who has never lost his wonder and passion for the medium.
His studio is a testament to his deep connection to the comic book community. Among the signed artwork and collectibles is a figurine gifted to him by Todd McFarlane, founder of Image Comics and McFarlane Toys. The story behind the figurine is one of many that Torres shares with the spirit of a true fan. McFarlane, one of the co-founders of Image Comics—now the third-largest comic book publisher in the world—revolutionized the toy industry with highly articulated action figures that mirrored the characters from the comics. It was Image Comics where Torres got his first job as a comic book illustrator, after he submitted a portfolio of his drawings to the company. The figurine serves as a symbol of the camaraderie and mutual respect among comic book creators, as well as a reminder of where Torres began his career some 20 years ago. Since then, he has created a character with the legendary Stan Lee, attended over 30 Comic Cons, created characters for Marvel, done the art for a number of films and written, drawn, and published his own line of comic books, among other accomplishments.
Like most people in the industry, Torres’ journey into the world of comics began far earlier than his professional career. When he was just five years old, his mother gave him wax paper and a pencil to trace images of Batman from their television screen. In an era before VCRs and pause buttons, the rudimentary animation of the time meant that frames lingered just long enough for young Torres to capture them. Batman’s face would stay on the screen for a few minutes with only slight movement of his mouth for dialogue, which is when Torres would outline him using a pencil. It was also his mother who bought him his first comic book, which she picked up from the grocery store. This early practice laid the foundation for a career that would span decades.
Nearly 50 years later, Torres is still sketching over a digital print. This time, hunched over a desk in his Project 14C studio, surrounded by the artifacts of a life devoted to comic books. His process is a blend of old-school craftsmanship and modern technology. He begins by drafting panels on his iPad, prints them out, and then meticulously inks them by hand. It’s a method that mirrors his introduction to drawing half a century ago.
His current project, Zombro, is the main focus of his residency. The completed pages line the walls of his studio and the script sits at the center of his desk. The comic, about the last African American family surviving a zombie apocalypse, began when a writer reached out to Torres on Instagram. As Torres read the script, he saw the story unfold like a movie in his mind. “As I’m reading it, I’m literally seeing it,” he says. “Because of the years I’ve been doing this, it’s like my brain was rewired.” Torres gave the writer a price quote, and the rest is history. They plan on pitching the book to movie production studios when it is published.
In addition to Zombro, Torres is juggling commissions and illustrating a children’s book, although his primary focus remains on bringing the thrilling and dystopian zombie apocalypse to life. His dedication to the craft of visual storytelling is unwavering, as well as his belief in the power of the art form. “If there was a comic con in every town, every city, every state, every country, all over the world, this world would be a better place.” He muses, “We all come from different walks of life, but when we enter the comic con doors, it’s nothing but a happy place.”
It is no wonder he has spent his life dedicated to comic books and comic book art. From tracing Batman on wax paper to collaborating on projects with Stan Lee, he has spent a lifetime honing his craft and contributing to the art form he adores. His brain may be wired for comics, but it is his heart that pulls him back to his desk each day.