Comic talent: meet the illustrators making their mark on Marvel and DC

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

00:00
00:00
00:00

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. make (someone's) mark / meɪk mɑrk / (idiom) – to become successful or do something important that people remember
    Example:

    The company founder made his mark by creating a product that helped millions of people around the world.


  2. upheaval / ʌpˈhi vəl / (n.) – a big change that causes a lot of problems, confusion, or anger
    Example:

    The unexpected economic crisis led to a major upheaval in the job market, making it difficult for many people to find work.


  3. acclaim / əˈkleɪm / (n.) – public praise and strong approval for someone or something
    Example:

    The new restaurant quickly gained wide acclaim from food critics, who praised its unique dishes and excellent service.


  4. top-notch / ˈtɒpˈnɒtʃ / (adj.) – very good or excellent; of the highest quality
    Example:

    The football team hired a top-notch coach, and now they’re winning almost every game thanks to his excellent strategies.


  5. persistent / pərˈsɪs tənt / (adj.) – continuing to do something even when it is difficult
    Example:

    Tanya was very persistent in her goal to learn Spanish, studying every day until she could speak fluently.


Article

Read the text below.

From the ruins of war to the pages of Marvel and DC, Croatian artists have built stories as powerful as the ones they illustrate. They have now built a reputation within the popular world of comic books.


Few fans are aware that some of these iconic characters originate from a small Balkan nation with a limited comic book market of its own.


For years, Croatian illustrators have quietly made their mark at top publishers like Marvel and DC Comics, crafting the visual worlds of heroes known and loved by millions.


It’s an unlikely success story born not in flashy studios, but amid the upheaval of war and economic uncertainty. Before the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, comics were a staple of youth culture in the region. From that era emerged a generation of Croatian artists who would later earn international acclaim in an industry far from home.


“We’ve always had great talent. But as the market declined significantly in our country, these talented individuals—thanks to their skill and excellence—were forced to seek opportunities abroad. … There’s no secret to their success, these are simply top-notch cartoonists,” explains Marko Šunjić, founder of Fibra, a Croatian comic book publisher.


Dalibor Talajić, a former clarinet teacher, traded music for illustration and never looked back. Today, his résumé includes titles such as Deadpool, X-Men, Avengers, and The Hulk.


“Ever since I was a kid, I was dreaming about superhero comics, about doing superhero comics. Marvel, DC, that was eventual goal. Unless you’re a genius, which I’m not, you start small. So, I was firstly published in a couple of small publishers, but I was persistent… And it took me, let’s say, 15 years to break the ice, to appear in the foreign market, in the American market. But after that, only two years, it took to get to Marvel,” says Talajić.


Being a comic book artist, he says, is a dream come true—a rewarding but extremely demanding job. Behind every issue are weeks or even months of work, sleepless nights, and a constant run with deadlines.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • The article shows that Croatian artists found success even when things were difficult in their country. How do you think difficult times help people become more creative or determined? Do you believe artists need a comfortable life to create good art, or can they create good art even when things are hard? Why? Discuss.
  • Before the 1990s, comics were very popular among young people in Yugoslavia, which brought about talented people from that time. Do you think popular culture today still helps to create new artists, writers, or creators? Why do you say so? Can you think of something popular with young people in your country in the past that might have inspired talented people today? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Dalibor Talajić said he had to “start small” before he could work for big companies like Marvel. In today’s world, do you think people still need to start small, or can they become successful very quickly? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • Dalibor Talajić changed his job from being a music teacher to an artist because he loved art. When you choose a job, how important is it to choose something you love to do, compared to choosing something that pays well or is secure? Discuss.