Comic creator visiting Arkham

Author Chip Reece and artist Kelly Williams will be on hand from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Arkham Comics, 306 W. Main Street in Blytheville, promoting their new graphic novel, "Metaphase -- A Graphic Novel Inspired by Little Heroes with Down Syndrome" and published by Alterna Comics.

Reece is a man of many talents. Besides being a social worker, he writes comic book reviews on StashMyComics.com and creates his own comics. But all that is nothing compared to his love for his son, Ollie.

Since Reece was a child, he had always had a love for superheroes. Wanting to share his love for comics with his son Ollie, who has Down syndrome, Reece couldn't find any comics featuring a superhero who had Down syndrome. Reece decided he would take his love for his son Ollie and use it as an inspiration, combine it with his love for comics, and create "Metaphase."

Reece is hoping that when readers see a superhero with Down syndrome, they will see past the limitations of individuals with special needs and focus on their abilities. He said if people will open their minds and look, they can be surprised on how much people with Down syndrome can do and accomplish.

The next thing Reece needed to make his dream come true was an artist. After making contact with Kelly Williams of Blytheville, he looked no further. After a few discussions, Kelly was on board and acted as penciller, inker, colorist and cover artist, and he co-lettered the book with Peter Simeti, who is the founder and creator of Alterna Comics.

Reece crowd-funded "Metaphase" through Kickstarter and raised over $9,600 after setting a goal of just $6,000. The additional funds raised allowed the book to be published in full color.

Reece and Williams will have advance copies of "Metaphase" available at Arkham Comics on Friday. The comic is officially is set to be released in stores in late June.

Any questions on ordering advance copies can be made by calling Arkham Comics at 870-776-1021.