He was merely eight months old when his father gifted him a plush Spiderman, a moment that unknowingly shaped his life. Fran was in the cart alongside his twin sister, Sofia, when they entered a toy shop, reached out, and grabbed the doll. “I’ll buy it,” Ramón told Laura, his wife, who endeavoured to explain, without success, that the baby had no clue who the character was, now framed in a picture in his room like a prized possession.
For years, he never parted from it, and from that time, he had a strong desire to watch the films his father recorded. During his early childhood, it was recommended that they take them away because he became “obsessed.” Thankfully, Laura and Ramón disregarded this and other advice from teachers, as it has become the cornerstone of his life today. Fran Rodríguez Vie began drawing at a very young age, and he consistently tried to correct how to hold the pencil, as he drew with his left hand, creating an entire piece in one sweep, which became a distinct part of his identity.
His mother was told that he lacked reading comprehension until she realised they were giving him children’s versions that failed to capture his interest, yet when he picked up a comic, he interpreted it effortlessly.
The two aspects which they always attempted to alter have now become his essence, endowing him with a unique style. Marvel illustrators have highlighted this fact during interviews, noting his distinctive approach to drawing and storytelling, setting him apart from others.
At 22 years old, Fran is autistic but above all, he is a superhero in the realm of drawing, determined to write scripts and attend university. His academic journey has not been smooth. He did not obtain qualifications in either primary or secondary education, as, like 90% of children with autism, he ended up in a classroom setting that did not suit his needs. He attended IES Rafael Arozarena, where his family was assured he would receive better support and that his expectations would be met. “Nothing could be further from the truth,” his mother states. He echoes her sentiments, saying, “The experience was not very pleasant. They had no interest in drawing, while I wanted to create stories; they questioned why a Spiderman had a white spider and insisted I draw a black one instead.”
During the pandemic, he took the opportunity to watch tutorials and refine his drawing skills. He progressed well, “because he worked at his own pace and passed everything,” but upon returning to the adapted vocational training course at IES María Pérez Trujillo for data entry, “people shouted, talked, and he became overwhelmed.” His parents explained the situation to the teaching staff, but they received insufficient understanding, which led to him not being accredited for practical assignments.
Fran felt despondent, fell into depression, and experienced convulsions, prompting his family to seek alternatives that would utilise his innate talent for drawing. He always wondered if a Spaniard could draw comics, as this is his aspiration, and his curiosity peaked after watching the Marvel 616 documentary series. Through it, he discovered two illustrators, Javier Rodríguez and Natacha Bustos, whom he eventually met in person, thanks to the encouragement of his private tutor, Jesus.
One of the tasks Jesus assigned him was to draft an email. Fran decided he wanted to write to Natacha, introducing himself and expressing his desire to meet her. Jesus enhanced the message and thought it worthwhile to send it to the illustrator. To Fran’s astonishment, a few days later, he received a reply. “I was sitting on my bed and started screaming; I couldn’t read it for the excitement I felt,” he admits. From that moment, they began corresponding. Natacha offered him advice and recommended he enter the digital realm using a tablet gifted by his grandmother for Reyes. “I won’t lie, I’m still learning as there are multiple functions,” he comments.
Fran purchases books on perspective, architecture, anatomy, and movement, along with graphic novels. On his desk, he maintains a collection of high-quality professional markers and articulated figures to practice various movements that he later replicates on paper. He is self-taught, learning through reading and watching tutorials. “I can draw characters outside the panels and imbue objects with character. It’s challenging, but I enjoy it,” shares the young artist from Puerto.
In September of last year, his friend Lucia informed him about a comic course at the artistic schools in the Realejos, which transformed his life entirely. Since then, he has embraced different techniques while studying Mathematics, Language, Philosophy, Geography, and Art History with Jesus to prepare for ESO and the entrance exam for Fine Arts. Additionally, he is an avid cinema enthusiast, knowing the names of all directors, various film versions, and the years of release. “His talent is remarkable; he processes all that information, melds it in his mind, and produces astonishing creations,” praises Laura. He independently searches online for events where illustrators hold signings and tries to attend. He connected with Javier Rodríguez three years ago at Comic Can, a convention focusing on comics, science fiction, fantasy, anime, and video games, as well as Álvaro Martínez Bueno, the artist behind Iron Man and Batman, whom he interviewed. They formed a friendship and reunited at the Barcelona Comic Hall. There, he met Natacha in person and shared his drawings with her. He laughs nervously when recalling that moment. “I was so emotional; I thought I would faint,” he says.
“We all perceive things differently, even when observing the same image,” was the phrase he chose to present his first exhibition, which took place at the House of Youth in Puerto de la Cruz. In October, he will unveil the third part of his trilogy, to which he is already dedicated. Four years ago, he began crafting his own comic character and has composed the script. “It tells the story of a non-human superhero with powers, who is unlike any other character that has been created.” He is a young boy, just 15, obsessed with science, tied to a bird “in pursuit of freedom,” and possesses a spark that differentiates him, mirroring the same light found in all his creations.
Workshops, discussions, adventures, and the beginnings of a great artist
Fran has returned to IES Rafael Arozarena at the invitation of Tony, his drawing teacher, to conduct a comic workshop for first and second-year students. He also teaches at Blue Autism and will soon hold another workshop at CEIP Juan Cruz Ruiz, where he will share his story. The education system has recognised Fran “but based on his own merit, because had it been left to those who overlooked him, he wouldn’t have achieved what he has,” Laura explains. He has created his own Instagram account #lavisionfran, where he showcases all his artwork and shares his experiences from the trips and events he attends.
