Shannon Spence awoke to her calling as a cartoon artist while pursuing a fine arts degree focused on printmaking at University of Virginia. In her fourth year, she took a course in sequential art–and she saw her future. “I realized what incredible potential comics were as an art form, and it just clicked for me,” says Spence. “I was checking out as many graphic novels from Clem as I could get my hands on and absorbing [them] like a sponge. I haven’t looked back. I dive deeper into creating independent comics every year.”
Spence took note of the opportunities for social, cultural, and political commentary in the form … and also the responsibility. She calls her process a full-body and spirit endeavor. “You are the writer, editor, storyboard artist, liner, colorist, book assembler, salesman, and marketing specialist,” says the New Jersey-based artist. “It is a constant challenge, but I believe that’s how it becomes so addicting.”
The June 6 release of Spence’s P*NK LAB GRL!, Burn it Down! is the second installment in her latest comic series, two years in the making. She created it while working full time in medicine, using her day job to inform her art. “There’s nothing else like creating a book about something you’re passionate about (in P*NK LAB GRL!, it’s discussing corporate corruption in the healthcare industry) and putting it out in the world, and saying, I’m so proud of this.”
Spence has a list of accomplishments to be proud of. Since entering the field of indie comics in 2019, she has published more than 10 anthologies; she’s also a medical technologist, a musician (guitar), and the founder of Comix Accountability Club, a weekly online meeting in support of working and aspiring cartoonists.
The artist also fulfills a quarterly risograph subscription. Originally intended to mass-produce worksheets and pamphlets, risographs use a type of offset printing that’s similar to what is used for traditional newspaper printing. It’s a low-cost process that has been adopted by the DIY art scene. “It produces vibrant colors, charmingly misaligned and textured prints. … The cutting of pages, assembling and stapling each book, takes the longest. Then, I package each comic with a membership card and little bonuses out to every collector … It is so satisfying to send art directly to people that want to support you. I love every minute of it.”
Tireless and joyful, Spence says she has a “self-assigned need to push myself constantly.” More recently she’s taken the stage for comic reading, comedy, and live music performances. “It’s a ton of fun experimenting on stage and turning comics into a watchable event. The art form feels very fresh and pliable and continues to grow.”
School helped formalize Spence’s career, but art has always been an outlet in her life. “I grew up drawing dragons, and now I do it every day (well, dragon-people); most people who knew me growing up wouldn’t be surprised to find that out.”
The true surprise and delight is in the artwork, just as she intends. “My aim is for you to look at my stuff and think, ‘That’s sick.’ Then we high-five and talk about our favorite Pokémon.”