Being surrounded by fellow comic book creators and countless fans — many of the costume-wearing variety — will do that.

“It was wild. It’s the only place in the world where you can see a seven-foot-tall guy dressed up as Optimus Prime,” said the 30-year-old Milton native, of her first appearance at San Diego’s Comic-Con International. “I loved my experience there. I was very surprised how many professionals I was able to meet, and how pretty much all of them were willing to talk to me, offer advice and put up with my happy burbling.

“I was also thrilled by how many people came by the SLG (publishing) booth and told me they’d enjoyed my book.”

Her Comic-Con debut was just one highlight of a whirlwind year for the up-and-coming graphic novelist, which continues Wednesday with the release of her second published offering — The War at Ellsmere.

The 160-page book centres around Juniper, a spirited 13-year-old who’s just accepted a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school — where a potentially-crazy roommate, rivalry with the top student and a legend of a monster in the nearby forest await her.

An 11-page preview can be seen at www.faitherinhicks.com , while the book will be available at most comic stores in the GTA, including Battlegrounds on Charles Street.

Though she’s done a few on-line comics, Hicks definitely gets an added kick out of seeing her work in print.

“The gobs of cash are also nice… just kidding. But yeah there’s something special about having a book you can hold in your hand,” said the lifelong comic lover, who now lives in Halifax. “I love online comics and the possibilities that they promise, but to me there’s nothing better than curling up in bed with a good graphic novel.”

Only starting to draw in university, Hicks believes The War at Ellsmere definitely showcases the strides she’s made, both from the visual side of her trade as well as the storytelling end.

“I was much more relaxed when I drew this book, so I felt like I could spend more time with the characters and develop them more slowly. It’s a richer story.”

She doesn’t make that assessment lightly, given the fact that her breakthrough into the market — Zombies Calling — was met quite positively and earned her a Joe Shuster award (honouring Canada’s best work) back in June.

“It (award) was great validation… proof that my work is of worth, and that it has potential to get better in the future. It certainly helps raise my profile in Canada. Canadians are very supportive of their own, and I appreciate that.”

Having worked with a number of women through SLG, Hicks was beginning to feel like she wasn’t such a minority in the world of comic book creation. Of course initial impressions can be deceiving.

“At Comic-Con I realized how mistaken I was,” she said, referring to the fact that graphic novels are still very much a male-dominated scene — both in terms of writers and readers.

“I think comic stores and what people think of as ‘mainstream’ comics can be incredibly unfriendly to women. Who wants to work in an industry where women are drawn in tiny costumes with breasts larger than their heads?”

She adds, however, that some publishers are breaking away from these type of old-school conventions and storylines.

“The definition of what comics are does seem to be shifting. SLG has made a tradition of publishing comics that are open to an audience that’s not made up exclusively of 30-something white males (traditional target audience). And I think the idea that ‘girls can’t draw comics’ as an explanation for the lack of women in the industry is complete rubbish and the people subscribing to that opinion should go back to their caves.”

Hicks won’t have a whole lot of time to savour The War at Ellsmere’s release, as she’s set to take the next big step in her creative career — having recently landed an illustration job with New York-based industry giant Macmillan.

She’ll marry her images with Susan Kim’s and Laurence Klavan’s words for The Fielding Course.

“It’s definitely a huge leap forward for me, not in terms of quality of work, but simply because… well, jeez, it’s Macmillan,” said the graphic novelist, who’s recently gotten herself an agent as well. “Thankfully I’ve had a chance to do those graphic novels for SLG, so I don’t feel so horribly inexperienced. But I do feel like more people than normal are watching me. People with eyes!”

As for the next Hicks-original story, the east-coaster isn’t letting the cat out of the bag just yet.

“But I will say that the zombies have been retired, at least for the moment.”

Steve LeBlanc can be reached at sleblanc@miltoncanadianchampion.com .