Writing Outside The Lines

Saving the world from a giant spider. Creating and controlling fire. Hoping to make a real difference. David “DJ” Bond, CAS ’12 and SBA ’16, creates comic book characters who may have the coolest superpowers — but ultimately, they are still people who face everyday challenges and adversities.

“Endurance Comics is about people who push through,” says Bond. “I tend to lean into the superhero, fantastical elements, but I really like to tell stories about characters with all different kinds of backgrounds, all different kinds of diversity who have to use what’s inside of them to push through the issues presented to them on a macro level.”

Bond’s love for creative writing blossomed early on, but his passion for comics was born during an OU English capstone class that focused on comics and graphic novels. “That’s really when I started loving comics as a genre,” says Bond. “As a kid, I read superhero comics, like Marvel and DC, but the capstone course really gave me the idea to write them.”

Inspired, he developed the script for his first comic, “The Shadow Agency,” right out of college and later worked with artists to make the visuals come to life. In order to publish, Bond raised money on the creative crowdfunding platform Kickstarter in October 2020.

Bond set an ambitious goal of raising $5,000 in 30 days, reaching it just moments before the deadline. “We had minutes left when we hit our goal. It was like New Year’s Eve. It was so exciting,” Bond says. With the funds, he printed 1,000 books which are sold online and during select events at bookstores.

With two additional scripts finished for the “Shadow Agency” and a new comic “Only Yellow Door” in the works, Bond is planning on publishing the next book in the near future.

While major comic book publishers have come a long way in creating more diverse characters, Bond believes there is always room for growth. “We are making a lot of steps forward in these spaces and are making sure that people who are not frequently represented have a chance to tell their side of the story,” Bond says.

Although his comic is geared toward older teens and young adults, Bond hopes audiences of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy his stories. He especially likes when his audience find a character they can relate to. “I always love that. That’s what stories are for — to help people identify with characters,” he says. “It helps them see what kind of growth and development they can have in spite of these outward forces.”