Gray Matters: A Look at Windsor’s own Tony Gray

By Chris Mailloux

Imagine waking up every morning not only knowing that you are your own boss, but being able to work in a field that you’re passionate about.

Windsor and Essex County have been the home to very popular comic book artists and creators. Artists like Jason Fabok and David Finch work on some of the most popular DC comic books. Co-owner of Legacy Comics and Glass Monkey Studios, Tony Gray is one of the comic creators who emerged from Windsor.

Tony Gray spent his early life drawing and reading comic books. By the age of four he had already developed a talent for drawing Gray said most children don’t seem to develop this talent until later in life.

“A lot of kids I deal with right now seem to develop at age 11 or 12,” said Gray. “I was pretty fortunate to be able to draw for as long as I can remember.”

Growing up, Gray moved around a lot. His father often bought houses to fix them up and sell. By the age of 11 he had already lived in 14 different houses. Eventually Gray would attend University of Windsor studying visual arts.

He would later obtain a job in television. At the time Gray was also in a band and figured it would be a great way for him to learn how to make videos so he could save money on music videos. He also stayed connected to comic books. Companies would hire him to re-ink damaged or faded pages from the 1940s so they could be reprinted. Gray would spend his time re-inking work from artists like Will Eisner and Lou Fine.

“I’ve always kept my finger in so many pies all at the same time,” said Gray. “I was doing comic books, playing music, recording audio for movies, working on television and I boxed for a little while.”

Gray has used the same approach for Glass Monkey Studios. The company not only produces comic books but also creates songs for video game soundtracks, designs for Hasbro and promotional projects using Gray’s original character The Conduit.

When Gray started to see other companies wanting to use his character for promotions, he decided to split the company in two. Legacy Comics is the commercial brand and Glass Monkey Studios focuses on the monthly line of comic books. The Conduit is currently being used by Windsor Express and St. Clair College to help promote their brands.

“I’m really surprised and really happy that The Conduit is being picked up by local companies and education systems that are seeing the value in using the conduit to promote their brands,” said Gray.

Gray also said that seeing the character being used in these promotions helps show that people are actually reading. He said that without seeing the character on television he only sees fan appreciation through conventions and signings.

When Gray originally started writing The Conduit he found his inspiration in the early works of John Romita Sr. The character has taken a darker turn now with Gray using a different style for the new series Tales of the Incredible Conduit.

“The artwork has gone from the very simplistic John Romita Sr. style, to a much more advanced, grey wash lighter tones in colouring but maybe a little darker in terms of the script,” said Gray.

Gray purchased 50 per cent of Legacy Comics with his life savings after leaving his job as production manager at the Windsor Star. He said he’s happy he owns his character and has control over how it’s used.

“I figured if they have enough faith and are making money off my character, I’ll buy into it so I can keep making money off my character,” said Gray.

By the second issue of The Conduit, the book was selling into the 8000 to 9000 copies range, which is a significant amount for a book not being released by an independent publisher. Gray also said that he does his own distribution.

The focus of Glass Monkey Studios is to put their comics back into the hands of kids. By keeping the price for the books at $1 and selling them at convenience stores instead of just comic book stores, Gray plans on reaching more kids.

“I want our comics to be read, I want them (fans) to show up at conventions or the stores where we are signing and not be in mint condition,” said Gray.

One of the original advertisers for the first issue of The Conduit was St. Clair College.

“St. Clair College being involved on that early level was imperative for us to keep the books going and as a result of that support we’ve grown into the company that we are,” said Gray.

St. Clair College is also a sponsor for this year’s “A Merry Comic Book Christmas Con!” which will take place at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts. The event was created by Mike Michalski, who is also a writer for Glass Monkey.

“Tony Gray is a supremely-talented comic professional whose art stands in a select group among today’s market for quality and craftsmanship,” said Michalski. “His attention to detail and proper anatomy, for example, is something he takes pride in and it shows.”

Michalski said he shares the same philosophy with Gray, believing comics can be enjoyed by all ages and that they should be accessible to children. Michalski has been a non-fiction writer for the past 20 years but said he always dreamed of working in fiction, a dream that Gray helped him achieve.

“I told him a few ideas and he gave me a chance to flesh them out as stories,” said Michalski. “Thankfully he liked a few of them and we were off to the races.”

Tony Gray will be signing comic books at “A Merry Comic Book Christmas Con!” Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.