The Metro - London

May 2008 ~ 'The Art of a Comic Book Superhero'
(Click here for the original article.)

'Here is Catwoman painted in 3D for the first time.

The superhero is among a band of comic book favourites to feature in a new exhibition by one of the world's top comic artists.

Paul Mellia, who credits his unique three-dimensional style to his dyslexia, is the only artist officially licensed to copy Marvel characters.

His fans have included Lisa-Marie Presley, Seal, Tommy Lee and the late Princess Diana, and his work has sold for as much as £59,000.

The British airbrush artist, 50, found a love of comics aged just four as he grew up in Essex. 'I couldn't read the stories because the words were jumping around, so it didn't tell me the story,' he said.

'I wanted to draw it to make it look more real to me.

'I've always tried to make things look more real than they are.'

His interest became more than a hobby and after graduating from art college in Southend he enjoyed a successful career, including designing window displays for prestigious clients such as department store Harvey Nichols.

Then, two years ago, Mr Mellia was offered the dream job by Marvel after it spotted his 'individual and very special' three-dimensional style.

Now he is opening up his King's Road studio in London on May 29 to show off his creations for the first time.

On display will be pictures of Superman, Catwoman, the Hulk, Batman, Captain America, the Fantastic Four and many other superheroes.

And fans will be able to walk away with one of the 50 proofs of each of the paintings – which have in the past sold for £1,300.'