Superheroes abound at 'Star-Ledger'

By: Joe Strupp For any reporter who ever dreamed of living the Clark Kent/Superman life ? covering news by day and fighting evil in tights at night ? there's Drew Sheneman. The editorial cartoonist for The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., who's also an avowed comic book fan, took his passion for cartooning (and news) and parlayed them into one of the most unique approaches to business coverage ever seen in a daily paper.

Readers who perused the March 7 business section were treated to a six-page color broadsheet report on the popularity of comics in print and on film in the 21st Century. But the story had another twist: The entire thing was told in a comic book form. Said Sheneman, who has drawn cartoons for the paper since 1999 and owns about 5,000 comic books: "We thought it was a real interesting way to tell the story."

Starring Sheneman as the fictional reporter/ superhero Peter Clark, and co-starring a variety of comic book characters and caricatures of real industry sources interviewed for the story, the project succeeded in giving readers an unusual insight into what has become a huge moneymaking operation. Even Star-Ledger Editor Jim Willse appears in the story as "Chief," a Perry White-like supervisor who gives Peter Clark the go-ahead to find the "Collector," a villain who has been stealing valuable comic books. "But get me the business angle," Chief orders. "I want movies, money, spandex."

Willse's reaction to his comic alter-ego: "He gave me a little more hair than I usually have and knocked off a few pounds, so I can't complain."

Needless to say, the report is not all profit margins and revenue charts. As readers follow the reporter/superhero, they are informed about today's comic book business. In the end, of course, Sheneman's character catches the evil "Collector," gets the Page One story, and keeps New Jersey safe for comic book addicts. "And the editor," Willse quips, "is clearly the wisest person in the story."