Summary: For years, the unconquerable superhero team Sham-Payne has defended San Diego against insurmountable odds. Together, they battled formidable adversaries, nurtured a new generation of heroes, and fought tirelessly to preserve peace in their beloved city. But now, a sinister threat looms on the horizon, threatening to unravel everything they hold dear.
As the seasoned members of Sham-Payne prepare to pass the torch to a new class of heroes, a series of heinous crimes unfold, bearing a chilling pattern that can only signify one thing—the resurrection of their archnemesis Mabis. Defeated long ago, he returns with a vengeance-fueled vendetta toward Sham-Payne.
As they confront their most formidable adversary yet, the fate of not only San Diego but the very legacy of Sham-Payne hangs in the balance. Will the heroes muster the strength and unity needed to vanquish Mabis and rid humanity of influence once and for all? Or will Mabis triumph and defeat the duo for good?
Prepare to join Sham-Payne on an electrifying saga that soars with superhuman abilities, unbreakable bonds, and a battle that will define the very essence of heroism.
From the Writer: I wanted to write a comic book that takes place in a city that I love. San Diego is beautiful and diverse. It is a city busting with adventure. As a creative, it is impossible not to find your imagination running wild here. I think. I can take them to real places, off the beaten path, and provide that extra layer of detail to make things feel real.
Now I have always been a huge DC Comics fan, so I find what I am about to say slightly ironic. The inspiration for Sham-Payne started with me wondering what a team-up between Spiderman and Wolverine would look like. That was it; with that and that image, Payne was born. I love the idea of two complete, polar opposite personalities fighting crime side by side. I think that dynamic is fascinating, funny, but more importantly, extremely lethal for any criminal masterminds out there. So far,, I have enjoyed seeing how these contracting dynamics influence and shape each other.
Payne is really a story about betrayal and mentorship. Some of the themes that I hope to explore in this story are the loss of a loved one, living through times of transition, and learning how to pass the torch to the next generation.
From the Artist: The best part about illustrating a story set in the city where I already live is that inspiration is everywhere. I can look out my window and see the locations where this story will be taking place. Also – I can add some pretty awesome Easter Eggs for readers who also live in the area. So, keep your eyes peeled!
We have seen plenty of superhero teams over the years in comics. My inspiration for Payne has been Shonen Manga. I wanted to create something with darker, more serious undertones. I illustrated the story with harsher shadows. And bolder lines. I used a drearier color pallet in contrast to the vibrant schemes used in most “superhero” comic books. As far as creating the look of superheroes, when have we seen so many over the years? I did a deep dive into the art design, and “Frankensteined” my characters from the aspects that I loved. I loved designing characters, and it is a nice challenge trying to design characters unlike any that already exist.
Check out a Preview of Payne: Holy Diver created for the WebToons Call to Action Contest: https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/payne/list?title_no=788213