HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- If you've never bought a comic book or it's been years since your last purchase as a little kid, everything from the artwork to the price has changed. The stories go far beyond Archie giving Jug Head and Veronica a ride to the malt shop.

Now in some cases, comic books literally are books known as graphic novels and the writers are like rock stars at book signings and conventions.

One of those rock stars was born and raised and still lives right here in our region. Author Beau Smith gives his readers plenty of action and sometimes from the hills of West Virginia.

Beau Smith's business portfolio is not exactly typical.

"I can remember 3rd grade on the playground at Johnston Elementary here in Huntington, wanting to write comics. I knew that's what I wanted to do," Beau said.

It took while for those childhood dreams to turn into a career, though. After all, they don't really teach comic book writing in school.

So Stephen Scott Beau Smith worked a number of jobs to make a living, always keeping a hand in writing and the dream alive. He finally got his big break at 30 years old when Eclipse Comics of Santa Rosa, California asked him to contribute.

Now, more than 20 years later, Beau Smith is an established success story in the genre of action comics. His latest effort is an animated graphic novel of the hit television show “24.” Just released this month, with the show on a year’s hiatus, the timing couldn't have been better.

Beau's loyal readers from around the globe are often served a little slice of his home cooking. It's a common theme in Beau's writing. You can always tell where he calls home.

While it wasn't easy at first, Beau Smith is definitely making a good living in a job he loves in the town he's always called home.

Thinking outside the box seems to have worked out just fine.

Kathleen Miller, the owner of Comic World on 4th Avenue in downtown Huntington says she has quite a few out of town visitors who stop in and ask questions about her famous friend and buy up some of the local product, which is always good for business.