As a hand glides across paper, the pencil quickly creates a scene adding to the story board-covered wall. Posters of comic book covers drape the room and at the sight of a pencil sketch is evidence of BYU professor Ryan Woodward's passion for comical art.

"Ever since I was a little kid there was never any other option," said Woodward. "It was always, I want to draw cartoons."

Woodward is living proof that childhood dreams can come true as he is fulfilling his dreams of making comic books.

With nothing more than $50 in his pocket, Woodward left Rick's College with his wife, Tiffany, and everything he owned packed in his GEO Metro, and then headed to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams.

After "going insane" at a temp agency he decided to get serious about pursuing his dream of drawing. He took drawing classes and did sketches at the Los Angeles Zoo everyday.

Woodward's first big break came when an internship at Warner Brothers opened. He jumped to that opportunity and was lucky to have his portfolio full of artwork from his diligence in drawing 17-hours a day.

Through WB and other opportunities, Woodward drew effects for feature films such as "The Iron Giant" and "Space Jam." He also drew the storyboards for this summer's mega blockbuster hit, "Spider-Man 2."

While working on "Spider-Man 2," the filmmakers gave Woodward the freedom to experiment with the storyboards because no script was completed when he started. He said the filmmakers would tell him about a certain kind of action sequence, then say to him, "Just go for it and see what you can make out of it."

Woodward is now living his dreams.

"I knew I would be drawing, that's all I really cared about," said Woodward. "I just wanted to draw. Whether it was teeny weenie unknown little comic books or whether it was blockbuster feature films. I didn't know the way it was going to be, all I knew was I wanted to draw."

Knowing chasing his dream for a career in drawing would not bring his family to much luxury, Woodward warned his wife when they first met that they will not be living the life of the rich and famous, and she still married him.

That determination has helped Woodward conquer objectives and continue to follow his dreams in animation.

Then one day Woodward went to a huge comic book convention, Comic-Con in San Diego. After seeing all the independent comics and the overall excitement for comic books, Woodward knew what was next for him.

"I realized I have got to make my own comic book," he said.

With his mind inspired at Comic-Con, he planned the first issue of "The Invincible Ed" as he drove home.

Two months later he finished the comic. He self-published the first two, then Dark Horse Comics published the other two.

"The Invincible Ed" is about a geek, Ed, who mistakenly received special powers of invincibility from an alien organization out to preserve Earth. Although he cannot die, he still feels the pain of injury like bullets or explosions. So he has an interesting dilemma to deal with as he protects the world.

"It ('Invincible Ed') is charming, humorous and poignant with just a touch of drama that keeps it serious," said David LeBlanc, editor of Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine. "Well crafted and entertaining, it is worth your time.

"Spider-Man 2" director, Sam Raimi, discovered a copy of "The Invincible Ed" while Woodward worked with him. For the second issue, Raimi wrote a forward saying he could not put the first issue down.

Also at that time, the comic book industry exploded giving Woodward the opportunity to do penciling jobs and cover art for other comic book companies.

He now has a short film in the works. The storyboard for a sequence is taped across the wall in his studio.

Drawing for comic books is fulfilling a childhood fantasy for him. People are surprised that his career is something he enjoyed as a child.

"Why do we have to give up childhood dreams when we turn a certain age?" said Woodward. "Why do parents tell kids not to have a goal to draw or be a bass player in a rock band? If you are passionate about something then you can do it."

After Woodward taught early morning seminary in California, he sparked an interested in teaching and took a job at BYU as an animation professor.

"He has a very unique and creative drawing style," said Taylor Maw, a computer animation BYU graduate.

Maw has received help from Woodward in a short film he is creating.

"He is really good at coming up with new and interesting ideas," said Maw. "He's good at finding solutions for different directions and problems."

Woodward's secret to success, which he discusses with his students, is to live the gospel and be passionate about your dream. He is convinced that is what did it for him. Woodward said that passion and sacrifice produces the greatest of the greats.

Woodward finds it heartbreaking when people give up their dreams because they want money and worry they will not gain a lot of wealth.

"You may not have everything you want, but you will have everything you need," Woodward said.
Copyright Brigham Young University 12 Jul 2004