PHS Marvels at Comics

by Max Frommelt

Before PHS went on a well-deserved break, Marvel Comics artist Jerry DeCaire visited PHS. He offered a spectacle that could only be described as by Anna Greenhalgh (‘16) as, “I am not really into comics, but I thought his work was incredible.” The freelance comic artist who is recognized for his depictions of Thor and X-Men, among many others, is on a speaking tour that he began in 2013 to teach students nationwide about the way art, science, and math merge in his trade. Along with an impressive demo on his comic book magic, DeCaire had a number of things he wanted the student body to take away from his presentation. 

The Saginaw, Michigan native realized his passion for drawing when he was only seven years old. He saw a picture of a German shepherd and thought it was the most amazing thing he had ever seen. It was then that his instinctive vision took hold; wanted to draw that picture. DeCaire adds, “Our brain tells us where to go.”

The funny part was that upon showing his grandmother what he had drawn, she noticed how well it was drawn. And accused him of lying. While his pride was a little hurt, the young DeCaire moved on with his head held high.

The artist now resides in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and has reached amazing heights with his art, biology, and education degree he obtained from Central Michigan University. When asked about his experiences, DeCaire shares that his favorite series to draw was The Avengers, but his “absolute favorite [was the] Silver Surfer series.”

Even after his years of drawing, the work still has a charm. DeCaire admits that there off days when it becomes tiring to put pencil to paper. In case you were wondering, he does find that some of his pieces have evolved with his talent. “I like the Wolverine that I draw now compared to what I did for the real series.”

Eager to share what he’s learned in his experience, DeCaire advises the student body at PHS that everyone has an “arsenal of talents” but are too afraid to let them shine for fear of failing. He smiles at that point and says that you need to act like a hero sometimes. Even if there is only a one percent chance you’ll make it, it is worth a shot because, “Even a shot in the dark has a chance to be great.”