Meet Evan, the IAVA Student behind a Comic Book, a Novel, and a TV Series Pitch

Most students entering 9th grade are focused on the start of a new school year. For Evan, the summer also brought a major creative milestone.  

At just 14 years old, the Iowa Virtual Academy (IAVA) student published his first comic book, Jib Jib’s Overdue Books, and saw copies make their way onto the shelves of local bookstores.  

The published comic is only one of several creative projects keeping Evan busy. He is also working on a novel called The Hunt and developing a fantasy television series concept titled The Guardian of Endsgrath.  

Creativity has long been a big part of Evan’s life. In addition to creating comic books, he enjoys reading, writing, drumming, and creating stories and other projects. Along with two siblings, two cats, and four chickens at home, he has plenty to keep him occupied when he is not dreaming up his next adventure.  

The Creative Process in Action  

When it came time to create his comic book, Evan approached the project like a true storyteller. He spent time brainstorming ideas and searching for the right concept before settling on a story about a character struggling with overdue library books. 

“I had to find an idea of what I wanted the comic to be about,” Evan said. After exploring several possibilities, he landed on the story that would eventually become Jib Jib’s Overdue Books.  

Evan also drew every illustration himself. Working completely by hand, he used pencils, markers, and even a little whiteout to create the artwork that fills the pages of the comic.  

The final product was the result of months of creativity, revision, and persistence. Evan sketched characters, gathered feedback from family members, refined his ideas, and continued improving the story before publication. 

“I made the final draft and I published it, and now it’s being sold in a few local bookstores,” he said. The comic book is available at Superstars & Superheroes and The Brewed Book, both in Davenport. 

A Supportive Environment at Home and at School 

Evan’s parents, both educators, helped support the project along the way. His father Mark is a school librarian, and his mother, Amy, is a middle school English teacher. Together, they encouraged Evan’s creativity while helping him strengthen his storytelling skills. 

“With all of our kids, Evan, Robyn, and Phillip, we help them find their passion and help them be the best they can,” Amy said.  

Amy worked with Evan on plot development, story structure, and grammar, while his father helped with layout and design decisions. Their support helped turn an idea sketched on paper into a published book.  

As Evan continues pursuing his creative goals, Iowa Virtual Academy has been an important part of his journey. After attending a small private school, his family was looking for the right fit for middle school. Amy said IAVA offered an option that felt less overwhelming and better suited to Evan’s needs.  

For Evan, the experience has been positive from the start. 

“I chose virtual because it looked really fun and engaging,” he said. “It was really easy to navigate the system. The instructions were clear. The teachers were really nice.”  

While many young authors would be content celebrating a first publication, Evan is already looking ahead. Between a dinosaur adventure novel and a fantasy television series pitch, he has no shortage of ideas waiting to be explored.  

For Evan, publishing a comic book was not the end of the story. It was simply the beginning of the next chapter.

Every student has a unique story to tell. Discover how IAVA supports students in exploring their passions and achieving their goals.

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