By Lane Lois
Embodying creativity, resilience, and an inspiring passion for storytelling, Robert J. Smith, MFA has skillfully graced the literary landscape with his exceptional vision for a new series. An accomplished bestselling author, Smith is notably celebrated for his creations, THE ADVENTURES OF INSURANCEMAN and the favored among elementary students, SHORT ATTENTION SPAN DAN, both featured on his Amazon Author page.
Perhaps the most endearing of his creations, SHORT ATTENTION SPAN DAN is a unique character born out of Smith’s intriguing storytelling prowess and dedicated community involvement. With the first release, SHORT ATTENTION SPAN DAN #1, TROUBLE? WHAT TROUBLE?, his protagonist, Dan, has successfully found his way into the hearts of many young readers. The character is an homage to Smith’s father, Robert J. Smith II, his grandfather, Paul M. Meunier, and his cousin, Mark A. Mitchell, all ironworkers. The plot, decidedly heartfelt and engaging, features Dan, an ironworker, saving the orphans of Happyville from a building collapse.
In the words of Smith himself, “Short Attention Span Dan is the everyman we can all root for.” With a belief rooted in the power of relatable characters to resonate well beyond the pages of a book, Smith is currently inspiring collaboration with a brilliant team of animators to create an animated series based on Short Attention Span Dan. This delightful move can aptly be described as an enchanting conduit from paper to screen, promising to imbue life into the blue collar worker we all enthusiastically cheer for.
Intriguing episodes currently in development include “The Great Houdan,” where our hero morphs into a magician, channeling the majestic escapades of the legendary Harry Houdini. Yet another episode brewing is “Wild Thing, You Move Me.” Here, our cherished Dan operates at Wild Thing Movers, showcasing his extraordinary furniture-moving abilities. These planned episodes underscore the diversity of Dan’s adventurous character, making him accessible and enjoyable for a varied audience, young and old alike.
Smith Comics, under the meticulous nurturing of the Robert J. Smith Productions Company, is the thriving home of the illustrious characters, Dan and his employer, Antsy Nancy. Smith’s undeniable commitment to quality is evident in every piece of his series’ fabric. Indeed, this brand has proven to be a creative hotbed from which gripping tales gain their vibrancy and meaning.
Smith maintains an active and engaged digital presence, providing inspiration, and sharing developments as he continues to hone his craft and expand his offerings. Multimedia links to his profiles outline his creative works, highlighting his dedication to his craft, making it easier for the global fraternity of fans and admirers of this celebrated author to stay in the loop.
As Smith confidently pilots his creation from the printed page to animated screens, there’s heightened anticipation for what promises to be an exciting chapter in the SHORT ATTENTION SPAN DAN series. As Smith continues to inspire through his words, actions, and stories, it’s evident that his dedication to his craft goes far beyond simple storytelling. For those familiar with Dan’s story, the prospect of his jump to animation adds yet another layer of charm to this endearing figure.
And so, as SHORT ATTENTION SPAN DAN ascends to his animated destiny, one can’t help but admire how Robert J. Smith deftly transforms this lovable everyman into a vibrant, moving character. As students and fans await Dan’s leap to animation, Smith continues to inspire, dedicated to his mission of crafting relatable characters and memorable stories for his audience.
It is for this reason that Robert J. Smith, MFA, with his notable creations and commendable cultural contributions, continues to be a beacon in the creative literary landscape. His unwavering dedication and creativity imbue the world of comics with vibrance, passion, and a refreshing authenticity that is indeed rare to find. As this gifted asset in the realm of storytelling continues to soar, we eagerly anticipate the animated series, knowing it’s just the beginning of more ingenious tales to come from Smith Comics and the Robert J. Smith Productions Company.
Published by: Aly Cinco
