We recently connected with Adam Matthew Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Adam, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

That’s kind of a difficult question to answer!

I do wish that what became the SHADOWS graphic novel was published sooner, which is why I’m an advocate of nurturing multiple passions simultaneously, to fully embrace creative expression and the artistic journey. I discovered the magic of storytelling through writing and drawing my own comics at a young age. I found myself lost in a realm of epic adventures for years. But as I became a teen, a new passion began to take hold of my heart: music.

I picked up a guitar and started exploring the world of songwriting. Lyrics flowed fairly effortlessly and the melodies dancing in my head became the soundtrack of my life. The hours I once spent sketching superheroes were now dedicated to crafting my musical style and experimenting with song structures. I soon established myself as a musician, singing and writing for several bands. The thrill of performing on stage, sharing my songs with others, and evoking emotions through music consumed me. But deep within, there was always a lingering whisper from the unfinished stories that had once captivated my imagination.

While my dedication to music was undoubtedly fulfilling, embracing both mediums would have allowed me to “amplify” my creative output. Realizing that I had neglected a part of my artistic identity, I dusted off my old sketchbooks, picked up my pen, and delved back into the world of comic storytelling, reconnecting with characters to bring their stories to life.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My debut graphic novel, SHADOWS, is comprised of characters and stories I wrote as a child. I was very into comic books at that point in my life, reading mostly titles from Marvel, DC, and Image. The more I read, the more inspired I was to create my own world.

SHADOWS was released last year as the first chapter in a bigger story arc. It is a 140-page graphic novel which was successfully funded on Kickstarter. SHADOWS is a cyberpunk-styled, vigilante team origin story which takes place in a post-superhero future. The story includes sociopolitical issues we face today, such as mental illness and racial injustice.

Currently, I am working on a follow up comic series, HyperForce. I am very excited about this new title as it will explore the SHADOWS characters on a deeper level and introduce a few more.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Reading the Stan Lee autobiography, “Amazing Fantastic Incredible,” set me on the journey to rediscover my original passion!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is the freedom it offers. No matter what the medium is, you have the power to shape your own universe, to break free from the constraints of reality. With imagination, there are no boundaries or limitations, only possibilities.

The creative process itself is a source of fulfillment. Once fully immersed, stress melts away. and you feel alive, experiencing a sense of purpose and contentment. While nurturing your creativity, you also gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.adammatthewsmith.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adammatthewsmith/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adammatthewsmith

Image Credits
Cover Art by Nachissimo. Artwork by JC Grande.