43
Valley native finds more than relief in comics
Photo
James Reedy’s latest work, “Batman Confidential,” will be released in October.
By Ashley Luthern
YOUNGSTOWN
Batman foe The Joker once told the caped crusader: “You just couldn’t let me go, could you? This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.”
Now, a few of The Joker’s words will flow from the pen of a Youngstown native.
James Reedy, who writes under the pen name James Patrick, grew up in Youngstown and Conneaut. He attended Youngstown State University and is a freelance comic-book writer. His latest work, “Batman Confidential” No. 49, will be released in October.
“Simply put, I love the marriage of the pictures and the words,” Reedy said.
That love of comics began at an early age.
“He’s collected comic books ever since he was a kid, and he spent all his allowance money for comic books,” said his mom, Carol Hertz.
Reedy said he began reading comics at just the right time.
“I took to it at a time that was really important in comics, when Frank Miller and Alan Moore were doing different things. Comics weren’t just for kids. ... I was inspired that you could do these stories like ‘Watchmen’ or ‘Sandman,’” Reedy said.
Ten years ago, Reedy made the leap to creating rather than reading. His series “Crackurz,” about two birds in the same cage who hate each other, was a success, but his breakout was the critically acclaimed “Death Comes to Dillinger.” And that brought D.C. Comics to his door.
In addition to the “Batman Confidential” book, Reedy also wrote “Joker’s Asylum: Harley Quinn,” which was released earlier this year.
Based in West Virginia with his wife, Teri, comics have become a family affair for Reedy.
His 6-year-old twins, Cameron and James, often accompany him to book signings, sometimes dressed as Batman and Robin.
“My children are doomed in a house that is saturated with that stuff,” Reedy said, laughing. “But it creates a connection that’s a little deeper than just you like something.”
Reedy said although he enjoys freelance work with mainstream characters such as Batman, his passion is for creator-owned material with his own original cast.
“It’s the equivalent of writing a novel,” he said.