I Made A Comic Starring My Fiancé. Here’s How You Can Too!
Hi Friends!
The cover of Taurian Titan Vol. 1 Jon’s superhero alter ego, built with Pixton. Think Iron Man grit, Captain America heart, and Taurus energy.
Last Christmas, I made my fiancé a custom comic book, and it destroyed every other present under the tree. No sweater could compete. No gadget even tried. I used Pixton to drag and drop our love story into a legit comic that felt like a mini Pixar short starring us. If you want a gift that gets happy tears and inside-joke laughs, here’s how I did it and how you can make your own without needing art school.
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The Inspiration for the Comic
When it comes to gifts, I don’t compete with sweaters or gadgets, I go for the jugular. Last Christmas, I wanted something for Jon that captured us. Our weird little love story, our inside jokes, his quirks, and all the Marvel obsessions he won’t shut up about.
Jon is a Taurus (read: stubborn, loyal, occasionally impossible to wake up) and he’s obsessed with Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. So the math was easy. Taurus + superheroes = The Taurian Titan. His alter ego basically wrote itself.
I pulled from his favorites: Iron Man’s brains and charm, Cap’s honor and shield, Thor’s strength and hammer. But then I laced it with the good stuff only we’d get, Easter eggs from our relationship, inside jokes, and tiny details that make Jon, Jon. It wasn’t just a drawing. It was our love story in comic book form.
When he unwrapped it on Christmas morning, every other gift may as well have been coal. The look on his face, priceless. He laughed at the jokes, got quiet at the sweet parts, and by the time he flipped the last page, he was already asking if there’d be a Volume 2.
That’s when I knew: this wasn’t just a fun idea, it was a keepsake we’d treasure forever. If you’ve ever struggled with what to get someone, take this as your sign: personal beats perfect every time. The effort is the magic.
Why Comics?
Comics have this way of pulling you in that no other medium really does. The mix of vibrant art, quick scene changes, and that stop-start rhythm of panels can literally play with time and emotion. A single page can speed you up, slow you down, or make you sit in one moment longer than you thought you would. It feels like another dimension of storytelling.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t always a comics person. I became one by osmosis, sitting through endless Marvel and DC movies with Jon and hearing him gush about the originals. That’s when I realized it’s not just about heroes in capes. It’s about the way script, art, and pacing lock together like gears to tell something bigger than words or drawings could do on their own.
Once I started noticing it, I couldn’t unsee it. A tilted panel? Drama. A wide splash? Pure impact. A string of tiny boxes? You feel the tension ratchet. Comics are basically emotion machines, and once I understood that, it made the idea of gifting Jon a comic about us feel way more powerful than a framed photo or another gadget. It wasn’t just entertainment. It was a love letter in panels.
Panel 1 of Taurian Titan Vol. 1
Personalizing the Gift
Of course, I cast myself as Jon’s “Lois Lane,” but with a twist. In real life, I’m the blogger behind Chronically Chic, but in this universe, I became a journalist for the City Chronicles. Same energy, different masthead.
Then came the villain. Every superhero needs one. Enter Slumberfiend: a menace who thrives keeping his victims under a sleepy spell. Think Maleficent, but less Disney and more latex.
The best part was layering in the Easter eggs. Tiny details only Jon would notice: I wanted him to be able to flip through it a dozen times and keep spotting new things.
The plot kicked off with Slumberfiend kidnapping me (rude), and naturally, the Taurian Titan swoops in to save the day. But I couldn’t resist leaving a cliffhanger. Like any good superhero story, there’s a post-credits “stinger” teasing Slumberfiend’s inevitable return.
At its core, though, this wasn’t just a comic. It was a love letter in panels, celebrating Jon’s quirks, our story, and giving him something so personal it couldn’t be bought. Watching it come to life on the page was ridiculously fun, and honestly? Way more fulfilling than anything I could’ve grabbed off a store shelf.
Planning the Comic Book
First things first, I knew I had to nail down the story. I used the Onion Method: building layers that stack and play off each other until the core feels solid. At the heart of it all was Jon’s alter ego, the Taurian Titan, and the emotional journey of how an ordinary guy becomes a hero.
I didn’t want this to be a plug-and-play superhero story where you could swap him out for anyone. So I spent time fleshing out Jon’s actual personality — the stubborn Taurus side, the loyal protector side, even the quirks that make him funny and lovable. I thought about his childhood, his routines, the way he sees the world, and, of course, his relationship with me.
That’s what made the story feel alive. The Titan’s backstory, his challenges, and even his victories were rooted in who Jon really is. Every decision, every line of dialogue, every panel had some piece of his identity baked in. By the end, you weren’t just reading about a superhero. You were reading about him.
Character Designs
This was the part where I could really let my creativity loose. When I was building the Taurian Titan, I started with personality before anything else. How would he stand? Would he carry himself casually, or would he have that commanding, “I’m-here-to-save-the-day” posture? I wanted his body language to instantly scream Jon without me even needing to label him.
Then I experimented with shapes and silhouettes. Even if you squint, a strong outline tells you who a character is. Wide shoulders, steady stance, he needed that bold, grounded feel that comes with being a Taurus.
The details were where it got really fun. I blended Iron Man’s tech, Captain America’s shield, and Thor’s hammer into his look, but added subtle Taurus touches: earth tones, solid lines, and a stubborn streak in his expression. Watching it come together felt like giving Jon his own Marvel origin story.
And of course, a superhero is nothing without a villain. Enter Slumberfiend: the perfect foil, born from Jon’s undying love of sleeping in. If Taurian Titan was strong and steady, Slumberfiend was sluggish and shadowy, the exact opposite in every way.
I couldn’t resist designing myself into the story too. Think Lois Lane vibes, but with a modern blogger twist. Instead of the glam outfits you usually see me in on Instagram, I dressed “Comic Me” in the outfit Jon sees me in the most: comfy, practical, and consistent throughout the panels, almost like my own cartoon uniform. It was surprisingly fun to figure out what my character design would be, down to the little details that make it feel authentic.
By the end, we had a full cast that felt like us: Taurian Titan, Slumberfiend, and me playing reporter-turned-love-interest. Honestly, it was so cute to see how much of our real relationship translated perfectly into comic book form.
Deciding on Panel Layouts
It helped me see which moments deserved a big, cinematic frame and which ones could be quick little squares you breeze through. It also showed me where borders weren’t even needed, sometimes letting images bleed into each other makes the whole page feel more dramatic. Think of it like a visual roadmap: you’re guiding your reader’s eyes across the page so the story flows without confusion.
One trick I loved? Switching up panel styles depending on the mood. For action scenes, I used a bunch of smaller panels to stretch out the moment, almost like slow motion. For flashbacks, I played with wavy borders to give it a dreamy, memory-like feel. Those little shifts made it so much easier to signal “this is a fight” vs. “this is nostalgia” without needing extra text.
That’s really the magic of comics: visual storytelling. Every panel choice is emotional. The size, the border, the spacing, they all add up to create energy and feeling, even before the dialogue hits.
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The Creation Process
Writing the Script
When I started, I just brain-dumped every idea into bullet points. No order, no filter. Once I had a messy list, I rearranged it into a storyline that actually flowed. That’s when it clicked how many panels I’d need for each beat. I aimed for 8 to 11 panels total. Enough space to tell a story, but not so much that Jon would be flipping through forever.
Then I broke down the dialogue line by line. Keeping each bubble short made it way easier to read, especially when two characters were talking back and forth. I also paid attention to their “voices.” Jon’s hero sounded bold and grounded, while my character had a more sassy, curious tone.
For visuals, I jotted quick notes like “close-up here” or “wide shot here.” Nothing fancy, just reminders to help me stage the action. That little step gave the whole comic a rhythm, you could almost hear it playing like a movie.
Adding Color and Details
Color isn’t just decoration, it’s storytelling. I used it to stretch each panel from flat little boxes into windows with depth, mood, and movement.
I played with color to set the time of day and vibe. A yellow wash with cool blue shadows? Sunrise, baby. Soft pink glow? That’s our dreamy moment. Deep purples and blacks? Villain energy.
I also used color to guide Jon’s eye across the page. The brightest object always pointed him toward the action, like a spotlight. It kept the story moving without him even realizing it.
Instead of throwing in every shade under the sun, I kept a limited palette. That restraint made the world feel cohesive and let the details stand out. When Slumberfiend showed up, I shifted everything desaturated and moody, so when Taurian Titan entered, the contrast made him pop like the hero he is.
And yes, I obsessed over the environments too. Backgrounds weren’t filler, they were atmosphere. Every setting had to tell its own story, whether it was a bustling city skyline or a shadowy cave (hi, Slumberfiend).
Creating this comic was a wild ride, but watching it all lock together, color, character, mood, felt like the panels were breathing. That’s when I knew I had something Jon would actually treasure.
Presenting the Comic
The Big Reveal
With the gift wrapped to look like it belonged in a Tiffany window, I handed it over like it was no big deal. Inside, I was vibrating. He started unwrapping slowly (Jon is one of those “savor the moment” people… torture for me). Layer by layer, the paper fell away until the cover finally showed: Taurian Titan, Vol. 1.
I swear, time stopped. His eyes widened, he flipped the cover open, and I couldn’t breathe waiting to see his reaction. Would he get it? Would the Easter eggs land? The anticipation was killing me.
His Reaction
The moment Jon saw the Taurian Titan, his face broke into the biggest grin I’ve ever seen. He didn’t even flip the first page before he said, “Wait… is this me?” Then he started turning pages, laughing at the inside jokes, pointing out tiny details I thought only I would notice, and gasping when Slumberfiend kidnapped me.
He couldn’t stop talking about the personal touches, his superhero alter ego stitched together from Iron Man, Cap, and Thor; the nod to his Taurus sleeping habits with Slumberfiend; and my “Lois Lane” role at the City Chronicles. That one had him smirking for five minutes straight.
When he hit the stinger at the end, teasing Slumberfiend’s return, Jon literally sat up straighter, looked at me, and said: “Does this mean there’s going to be a sequel?” I just winked and told him he’d have to wait and see.
The best part? He kept flipping back, re-reading, laughing all over again at the Easter eggs I’d hidden, like he was watching his favorite Marvel movie for the tenth time and still catching new things. It was clear this wasn’t just a one-time read. It became one of those gifts you revisit because it feels alive, layered, and personal. And honestly, that’s when I knew I’d nailed it.
Lessons Learned
Creating a personalized comic book for my fiancé was honestly one of the most fun and meaningful projects I’ve ever done. It wasn’t just about making something cute, it blended our inside jokes, his favorite superheroes, and my flair for drama into a gift that felt completely us. Developing characters, writing the story, and seeing it all come to life through Pixton ended up deepening our connection in ways I didn’t even expect.
What I took away from this is simple: personalized gifts hit harder. They say, “I see you. I know you. And I spent my time turning that into something only you could get.” A store-bought gadget can’t touch that. Comics just happened to be my medium, but you could take the same idea and run with whatever suits your relationship.
If you’ve ever wanted to create a gift that makes someone feel like the star of their own story, this is your sign. Think of your person’s quirks, their obsessions, the things that make them them, then build from there. Trust me, the reaction is worth it.
Personal gifts hit different because they feel like time. This one felt like us on paper, and it set a new bar in our house. If you try it, tag me or send pics. I want to see your heroes!
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Make Your Own In A Weekend
Pick your tool. I used Pixton. Canva Comics also works.
Write 8 panels. Hook, setup, problem, rescue, payoff, teaser.
Design 2 leads. Your person and their foil. Hero vs. villain.
Hide 5 Easter eggs. Places, phrases, foods, pet names.
Print it. Local print shop in color on heavier stock. Add a simple glossy cover.
Wrap it with a teaser. Slip a note inside that says “To be continued.”
Optional upgrades:
Add a faux publisher logo on the back.
Number it “Vol. 1” to set the bar for future gifts.
Record their reaction on your phone. You will rewatch it.
FAQ’s
Q: How much did it cost you?
A: Honestly? It literally only cost me the ink to print it. If you use free tools and print at home, you can pull this off for almost nothing. If you want to go fancier with pro software and glossy printing, expect $20–$100.
Q: How can I make a personalized comic book as a gift?
A: Use drag-and-drop platforms like Pixton or Canva. Choose a theme that fits your person (superhero, rom-com, slice of life), sprinkle in inside jokes, and write a quick 8–10 panel story. Print it as a booklet so it feels like a real keepsake.
Q: What’s the best software?
A: Pixton is the easiest for beginners. Canva works if you want more design flexibility. If you can actually draw, Clip Studio Paint is next-level.
Q: How long does it take?
A: My comic was 8–10 panels and I banged it out in a weekend. If you’re going for full artwork and lots of edits, budget 2–3 weeks so you’re not rushing before gifting.
Q: What if I can’t draw?
A: You don’t need to. That’s the point. Pixton and Canva let you pick characters, change their poses, drop in backgrounds, and add speech bubbles. You’re basically the director, not the illustrator.
