Students had the exciting opportunity to meet Shane McCarthy, a freelance writer whose work has featured in the iconic worlds of DC and Marvel Comics. Known for his work on legendary characters like Batman and Transformers, Shane shared insights into the creative process behind comic book storytelling—and the determination it took to break into the industry.

Shane's journey to becoming a published writer was anything but easy. After facing multiple rejections from publishers, he took a bold step and travelled to the United States to attend a comic convention in search of his big break. His perseverance paid off when he was offered the chance to write for DC Comics, beginning with none other than Batman. Shane has continued to grow his career and is now working on his own original graphic novel series, set to be released next year.

During his time with us, Shane led workshops that gave students a fascinating look into the evolution of superheroes and the power of visual storytelling. He explored the origins of characters like Superman, Batman, Spiderman and Wonder Woman—surprising many students with how long these icons have been part of pop culture. One memorable moment was discovering that the symbol on Superman’s chest is actually his Kryptonian family crest, with the yellow parts forming the letter and the red providing the background.

Shane guided students to understand that storytelling is a natural human trait and that we instinctively make meaning from images. Through engaging discussions, students explored the values and traits each superhero represents. The workshops concluded with a hands-on creative challenge: designing and defining their own original superhero.

Shane’s visit sparked excitement, imagination, and a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling—and may have even planted the seeds for some future comic creators among our students.

Stephen Sampson
Head of Secondary Library Services