Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's virtual comic book team - #lakewoodnews

Name: Sean Brown

Age: 41

Superpower: "Professor X" of Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's animation and game art department

Guild info: RMCAD

Origin story: An instructor at the college for three and a half years, Brown said he is a fan of the way technology, problem solving and creativity come together in the art world.

For Denver Comic Con this year, he led a student project to create a virtual comic book called "Rough Draftees." The group dubbed itself the Digital Art Forge, and will debut the comic at Comic Con.

"I'm drawn to the fact something that's never really been done before," he said.

Name: Dale Albrecht

Age: 28

Superpower: Video game artistry

Guild info: Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's Digital Art Forge

Origin Story: Albrecht has had a longtime penchant for creating things, and was a tattoo artist before starting at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design.

For "Rough Draftees," Albrecht designed the lead female character. He said it was a fun challenge and something he'd never done before.

"This has been an interesting collaboration with a lot of really good artists," he said.

Name: Megan Demming

Age: 21

Superpower: 2D animation

Guild info: Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's Digital Art Forge

Origin Story: Demming has known she wanted to be an artist since high school, and has loved art her whole life. She said her dedication to art keeps her focused, and she is constantly inspired by Disney and the latest developments in animations.

For "Rough Draftees," she did coloring and animation.

"I like all the costumes at comic cons," she said. "It's just a good atmosphere to meet people who like nerdy things."

Name: Travis Miller

Age: 26

Superpower: 2D animation

Guild info: Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's Digital Art Forge

Origin story: Despite not coming from an artistic background, Miller has always had story ideas, which led him to the arts world.

For "Rough Draftees," Miller worked on the environments the characters move through.

"There is so much creative freedom to do whatever you want in art," he said.

Name: Dave Stacy

Age: 29

Superpower: Video game artistry

Guild info: Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's Digital Art Forge

Origin story: After serving five years in the Marines and holding several odd jobs, Stacy wanted to give making video games a chance, especially since he's been a fan of the medium for years.

As part of the Digital Art Forge group, he helped with the story and character concept work for "Rough Draftees."

"I like the Comic Con culture because it's very open and free," he said. "You can be exactly who you are."

Name: Harry Turton

Age: 18

Superpower: Character design and 3D construction

Guild info: Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's Digital Art Forge

Origin Story: Originally from El Salvador, Turton followed his love of art and video game design to the Rocky Mountain College of Art+ Design.

For "Rough Draftees," he worked on environmental construction and creation.

"It's so awesome to say you were able to work on a virtual reality piece," he said.

Age: 26

Superpower: 2D animation

Guild info: Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design's Digital Art Forge

Origin story: Wagner discovered a passion for art at age 13, and this led her to the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design to continue her studies. She said she is moved by the stories artists tell, and the way it fosters connections. She would like to use her art to help children express themselves.

For the "Rough Draftees," she worked on coloring the lead character, environment and shadows.

"The fact that someone has been through what I have and can tell it in story form through art is amazing," she said.

from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Rocky-Mountain-College-of-Art-plus-Designs-virtual-comic-book-team,219123