Out of college, Smith's first job was as a production assistant on season one of American Idol.[2] His first entry into the comic book world came in 2004 when Smith and Dan Hipp were picked up by Image Comics.[2][3] Image Comics would go on to publish their work, The Amazing Joy Buzzards.[2] Smith is also the co-creator and editor of the PopgunComics anthology.
Smith wrote the original graphic novel Aqua Leung, published in April 2008. Aqua Leung was nominated for a Yalsa award for best graphic novel for teens.[4][5] Also in 2008 Smith wrote Kill All Parents, a 38-page one-shot about superheroes whose parents are killed by a secret government program, drawn by Marcelo Di Chiara, also for Image Comics.[6][7]
In 2009 Smith released The New Brighton Archeological Society stemming from a series of short stories in Popgun with artist Matthew Weldon.[8][9][10] The New Brighton Archeological Society follows a group of children whose parents are the greatest archeologists in the world. When their parents are lost on an expedition, the children must finish their parents' work, collect the books of magic, and defeat their parents' nemesis. The New Brighton Archeological Society was selected as "Best All-Ages Comic" of 2009 by MTV Splash Page.[11] The New Brighton Archeological Society received two Harvey Award Nominations in 2010.[12]
Smith has been published in multiple anthologies such as the Belle & Sebastian Anthology, 24Seven Vol. 1, Space Doubles, Paper Museum Vol. 3, and Popgun.
2011 saw the release of Smith's Gladstone's School for World Conquerors by Image Comics with artist and co-creator Armand Villavert which centers on a super-villain academy. Gladstone's School for World Conquerors won the 2013 American Library Association Award for 'Great Graphic Novels for Teens'.
Smith released Sullivan's Sluggers, a baseball horror graphic novel drawn by James Stokoe, in 2012. Sullivan's Sluggers was published by Dark Horse Comics in 2018. Sullivan's Sluggers was published in Italian by SaldaPress in 2022.
In 2015 New Brighton Archeological Society Volume 1 was published as a hardcover by 'Maneki Neko Books' along with volume 2 titled 'The Sword of Azure', both drawn by Matthew Weldon.
In 2016 Gladstone's School for World Conquerors Volume 1 was published as a hardcover by 'Maneki Neko Books' along with Gladstone's School for World Conquerors Volume 2 which is drawn by frequent collaborator Matthew Weldon who was filling in for co-creator Armand Villavert on art duties.
In 2019 Smith released Gladstone's School for World Conquerors Book 3 with artist and co-creator Armand Villavert.
2019 also saw the release of a Kid Nefarious one-shot illustrated by Matthew Weldon and written by Ryan Schrodt with Smith editing.
In 2020 Smith edited the Gladstone's School for World Conquerors Double-features which included 'The Skull Brothers & Martian Jones' and 'Mummy Girl & Ghost Girl'. The double features are 72-page flipbooks. 'The Skull Brothers' was written by Erik Martinez and illustrated by Marcelo DiChiara.'Martian Jones' was written by Erick Taggart and illustrated by Armand Villavert.'Mummy Girl' was written by Justin Robinson and illustrated by Armand Villavert. 'Ghost Girl' was written by Erik Martinez and illustrated by Armand Villavert. Both of the double features were lettered by Patrick Brosseau.
2023 saw the release of 'Gladstone's School for World Conquerors: Gladstone's Revenge'. 'Gladstone's Revenge' was written by David Michelinie and illustrated by Armand Villavert. It was colored by Hackto Oshiro and lettered by Patrick Brosseau.
Awards and honors
Smith has received recognition for his work on Popgun. Volume 1 won the 2008 Harvey Award for Best Anthology.[13] This was followed by Volume 3 winning the 2010 Eisner Award for Best Anthology.[14] Gladstone's School for World Conquerors won the 2013 ALA Awards for 'Great Graphic Novels for Teens'.[15]
