Comic book creator draws huge community support

A KILMESSAN teenager has turned a childhood love of drawing and storytelling into a colourful comic-book project that is winning praise locally and giving him a creative outlet.

Sixteen-year-old Ollie Martin, a student at Boyne Community School who has autism, has created a series of hand-drawn comic-style books filled with his own illustrations and original storylines, inspired by characters from the popular Sonic universe. What began as a simple reward-based activity in primary school has grown into a passion, with his comics now being sold locally.

According to his mother Clare, Ollie's interest in drawing developed around age 10 or 11, when teachers and parents were looking for positive ways to encourage learning. “In primary school, Ollie got really into Sonic,” she explained. “With autism, a lot of things are reward-based… If you do your maths work, you can spend time doing drawings or comics. That’s really how it all came about.”

From there, Ollie began re-imagining Sonic comics with his own storylines, panel layouts, and dialogue. “It was something he genuinely enjoyed,” Clare said. “It also became a way for him to focus, stay calm and express himself.”

In secondary school, teachers encouraged him to continue drawing during free classes or quiet time. “Even at home, it’s a great way to get him off screens. It can take him two or three months to make one comic… he puts so much work into them,” Clare said.

Over time, his drawings became more detailed, panels more structured, and storytelling more confident. “Each section is done properly, the spelling is always right, the grammar makes sense… everything flows, and the stories really work,” Clare added.

Last year, Ollie sold copies of his comics at a Christmas market, including in Kilmessan, where the community response was overwhelming. “They were buying the comics, telling him how much their children loved them… he made a small fortune and was delighted.”

His comics are now on sale in a local shop, with the finished books printed professionally by family members. “There’s enormous pride when he sees the finished product,” Clare said. “And when people say how much their children loved the comics, that feedback means everything to him.”

Ollie continues to thrive at Boyne Community School in a supportive, inclusive environment. “He’s made friends with similar interests and is completely embraced there,” Clare said. “This is what he wants to do. It keeps him busy, keeps his mind active, and gives him something he’s really proud of.”