THIS weekend Invasion Colchester once again takes to the streets of Colchester with dozens of people dressed up as famous movie stars and comic book characters. As well as the character-spotting the event, which runs on Saturday, September 2, from 10am to 3.30pm, will include several star names, including comic book pop artist, Des Taylor, famous as the creator of female comic book protagonists such as Katie Rogers and Scarlett Couture. We caught up with him prior to this weekend’s event. For more information go to www.invasioncolchester.co.uk

When did you start drawing, were you always into drawing/art at a young age?

Six years old. After I saw Star Wars in 77... that was it. The art bug kicked in and all I wanted to do was draw was massive Death Star trench battles because if you're old enough to remember, the toys were'nt available until a year later so us kids just had to use our imaginations.

You used to be in the fashion and telly industry (what did you do for them?) Then why did you move into comic books?

Back in the day I used to illustrate for More Magazine, Cosmo, Company and a few other publications. The money was great! But as the industry changed the mags cut down on pages of illustration and went for more photography for their articles. Since I was already a comic geek, and had so many stories I wanted to tell, comic books were the obvious step.

Who is your favourite character, and why?

Superman! His ideals and morals remind most of us of how bad we really are inside. Here is a man who wakes up everyday with the sole purpose to do good deeds and help mankind.

Ask your average, everyday person what they would do if they had his powers and most would think of themselves

And which character is the easiest to draw and which is the hardest, and why is that the case?

Superman or Wonder Woman. I draw the all the time to relax. Hardest? Spiderman! All of those godamn webs! Only takes one to be out of line and the drawing looks naff.

What is it about the female form you like so much (remember Des this is a family newspaper) and also do you ever worry about how sexy you should make them?

Emotion! I can convey so many emotions drawing the female form while my men tend to always look serious or sauve. My biggest compliments come from women and many say they love the way I draw them sexy but classy. I always keep that in mind especially as I have two young girls that I want to grow up feeling proud of their father, not ashamed. I try to think of the most natural things a woman does and add the little nuances that make the art stand out.

What are you most proud of in terms of your comic book drawings?

I guess I'm most proud of the fact that so many people follow my work and comment on the art. When artists I have looked up to all my life, (and some celebrities) send messages or like my work on social media it always makes me feel that the years I've put in were worth it.