Artist returns to Cranberry comic store
CRANBERRY TWP — It wasn't unusual to find seventh-grader Chris Burnham ogling the comic book covers at New Dimensions Comics in Piazza Plaza, 20550 Route 19.
The all-grown-up, 36-year-old Burnham is still a giggly boy at heart. But nowadays, it's his art that's on the shelves.
“I channeled my geekiness into an actual living,” said Burnham, whose graphic designs have appeared in popular titles such as “Batman Incorporated” and “X-Men.”
Burnham recently returned from his Los Angeles home to his favorite graphic art stomping ground in Cranberry Township.
He doodled a little sketch of Batman, signed it “Thanx for being so nice when I was an awkward kid” and left it as a Christmas Eve surprise for New Dimensions owner Todd McDevitt of Cranberry Township.
“I wanted to say, 'Hey Todd, thanks for being nice to me,” said Burnham, who also produced a promotional graphic of Batman perched atop the Cranberry store, one of five comic book store locations owned by McDevitt. Another store is in Butler's Clearview Mall.
McDevitt said he was floored not only by the gift, but also by the realizations a dream that began in his store ended in a big BANG!
The graphic art world is extremely competitive with talented contenders.
“Becoming a comic artist is a more exclusive career pursuit than becoming a basketball star in the NBA,” McDevitt said, noting the titles Burnham's art appears in are some of the most popular in his stores. “Everyone wants to be the next big thing. But so very few reach that star status.”
Burnham, who was born in Connecticut, spent his formative years in Sewickley. New Dimensions was the nearest and most comfortable comic book store to Burnham's school years home.“It has a friendly atmosphere,” said Burnham, who after high school attended George Washington University in Washington, D.C., majoring in electronic media.“At the end of college I realized I wanted to make comic books,” said Burnham, who then teamed up with a college buddy to became the graphic designer at The House Theatre of Chicago.Burnham mainly made posters and postcards to advertise the theater. But after doing a comic book, “Valentine,” as a promotion for the theater, he took it to every convention available and put it in the hands of everyone who would take it.“People really liked it and I started getting hired to work ... for free,” Burnham said. “But, every gig I ever got traces straight back to that one comic book.”Burnham's career has flourished, with his work appearing in many popular titles from DC Comics, Marvel, Image, Boom! Studios and Moonstone Books.He recently finished a three-year contract with “Batman Incorporated” writer Grant Morrison.
As for future plans, he's talking about the possibility of an independent project with Morrison.There's talk that one of the comics he did for Image, “Nixon's Pals,” could be a television show.And Clown, drummer for the rock band Slipknot, already announced plans to direct a movie based on one of Burnham's books, “Officer Downe.”Burnham will appear at the New Dimension store's Pittsburgh Mills Mall location from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 19.Burnham said he crafted the image of Batman “brutally looming over Piazza Plaza” partly inspired by his dealings with McDevitt and partly by the ambience.“I always thought that building was hilarious. That '70s architecture. It looks like a ski chalet,” he said.“I'd much rather draw a giant robot monster than a pretty lady sitting on a couch. I've had the same aesthetic sensibility since I was 3 years old. I never grew up I guess,” Burnham said.
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