Charlotte Marshall; Canadian comic artist who celebrates differences

Introducing Charlotte Marshall, a Canadian illustrator and comic artist based in Calgary AB. Charlotte has published work for Auger Magazine, a Toronto-based publication specialising in diverse, speculative fiction.

Presently, they are working on their first full-length graphic novel project titled Tailwind, a dark fantasy narrative reminiscent of works such as Princess Mononoke and Fire Emblem: Echoes.

Charlotte prefers to illustrate works that are moody, magical, and nostalgic. They are open to projects of all kinds, particularly those looking to support and uplift queer voices.

Here’s where we found out more…..

What would you say is your best piece of work/collaboration to date, and why?

When I was younger it was my dream to publish my own webcomic online, and I’m proud to say I’ve hit that milestone. In 2023 I launched my fantasy webcomic Tailwind on tailwindcomic.com and have diligently updated it weekly for the last year and some changes. It’s a YA story about two humanoid owl creatures tasked with the job of ferrying souls to the afterlife. They both get trapped in the mortal world and swept up in a political coup, and that's where things start to get weird. Tailwind has been a journey of the last ten years, and will probably fuel me for another ten if I’m lucky. It started in my first year of college, when I began to design its characters and world. I’m able to look at the work I’m producing for the comic now compared to where I started, and the growth I’ve experienced since the beginning is wild. I’d say it's my best work because it’s the purest expression of my passion for storytelling, and it’s always getting better.

Where do you like to go to be inspired, or how do you find your inspiration?

I’m fortunate enough to live in a beautiful part of western Canada, with a diverse variety of landscapes to explore. Brainstorming comes most naturally to me while walking outdoors, either with or without headphones. Music is the biggest contributing factor for me in getting anything done - I like to make playlists for all my characters to get me in their headspace before I really dig in. It’s a great exercise to establish the mood of a story. I also read a lot, especially older trade paperback fantasy novels. There's a lot of unique storytelling there to mine for inspiration.

Is there anything you'd say you would be a good advocate for? Please elaborate if so.

I’m a member of the lgbtq+ community and have made it a priority to celebrate queerness in my work. I think it's important to include queer expressions in ways that feel natural and emphasize diversity as an intrinsic part of life. I had a typical millennial childhood wherein the media landscape for queer kids was pretty bleak. I turned to the world of queer-coded manga and indie webcomics to find a glimmer of connection. These were the foundations upon which I grew as an artist and inspired my love of comics and sequential storytelling. In my adulthood, seeing cartoons like Steven Universe and The Owl House finally saying the quiet part out loud gives me so much hope. While sadly often censored or prematurely terminated, our stories, our love and our resilience demand space. I endeavour to be a part of that growth, as those who came before me have, and create a place where others might feel safe, loved and seen.

What would you say sets you apart from other illustrators? Something you feel is unique to you.

I think I excel in the area of fun mashups. One project I’ve been working on with a client is a unique world-building challenge that combines sci-fi and steampunk aesthetics with electric and alchemical advancement, inspired by The War of the Currents. Another is a story of a thriving caravan inspired by the history of the Silk Road, with the added element of dinosaur companions. I also love to design creatures of pure fantasy, like mermaids based on sea slugs or beakless harpies with owl faces. If it's a little weird, I’m usually on board! I seek to make my work its own by embracing the strange and otherworldly, while keeping a strong foundation in embracing the beauty and mystery of our natural world. That's the essence of where all the magic comes from, after all.

If you have done paid commissions prior to joining the agency, what would you say is something that clients repeatedly come to you for (up to now)?

I’m called upon frequently for my character work, where I’ve been praised for my attention to detail and my versatility in illustrating diverse characters. I feel comfortable contributing my own suggestions to the briefs where I’ve been given room to play, and past clients and I have been able to make some really cool stuff by openly collaborating.

How would you describe your style?

Moody and magical, with a hint of fernweh - a longing for distant places.

Please give a scenario of a project that would mean the world to you, if you were offered it - something that connects to something meaningful to you.

I’d love to do a comic for a middle-grade or YA audience that explores a unique take on the concept of a magic school or magical education. Something similar to Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama or Od Magic by Patricia McKillip, but with a distinctly queer focus. I grew up loving stories that explore this genre like Sabrina The Teenage Witch, and would absolutely jump at the chance to play in a similar world with a fresh voice and diverse cast of characters.

Are you working on any personal projects you can share with us?

Tailwind is my big ongoing project, with new pages released every Tuesday. Starting in early March I’ll be cross-posting the comic on Tapas and Webtoon, so there will be more places to get your fix of magic owl-people! Aside from that, a short comic of mine titled Familiars will be available to read in the Anthology Alberta Comics: Love from Renegade Arts Entertainment sometime in 2025. It’s a story about a low-vision student attending lessons with various wizards, who find accessible accommodation through the help of their animal companions.

Finally, if you were to illustrate a book related to a real-life person, who would that be?

I would choose Rose O'Neill (1874- 1944) an American artist, writer, cartoonist and comic pioneer perhaps best known for creating Kewpies. She was an active suffragette, and at one point was the highest-paid female illustrator in the world for her success in cartooning. She’s less well known for her more intimate Sweet Monsters drawings, which are striking masterworks that meditate on concepts of creation, gender and personhood.

If you’d like more info, please contact: [email protected]

At illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.