The Irreverent Ink of Patrick Reynolds

BEFORE THE PAGES

We often wonder about the history inside the books on our shelves, but rarely about the history of the person who wrote them. Today, we're pleased to welcome Patrick Reynolds, a Willow Street-based graphic historian and creator of the beloved Pennsylvania Profiles volumes, to our author feature series to share the story behind his long and colorful career.

Patrick’s journey as an author and illustrator is a testament to persistence, turning a childhood knack for drawing into a syndicated empire of visual history spanning over 40 books and four decades of work. Trained at the world-renowned Pratt Institute and forged by sharp observation and military service during the Vietnam War, he brings local heritage to life through a blend of rigorous archival research and classic comic-strip storytelling. Today, he shares his early artistic roots, the brutal reality of pitching syndicated comics to newspaper editors, and how a touch of irreverence helps unearth the best-kept secrets of our shared past.

FROM PRATT TO THE PRINTING PRESS

For Patrick Reynolds, the urge to capture stories visually started early. Recognizing a natural talent in grade school, he pursued formal training on the advice of a local artist, enrolling at the prestigious Pratt Institute in New York. The program was notoriously demanding as a pressure-cooker environment Patrick quips was rivaled only by his later military service in Vietnam. Yet, that combination of formal artistic trial-by-fire and military discipline honed a relentless work ethic that served him for the next six decades.

When it came to his narrative style, Patrick bypassed dry academic prose, drawing inspiration instead from the breezy, playful voice of Damon Runyon, the suspenseful pacing of 1950s EC comic books, and the famous twist endings of O. Henry. Combining these literary influences with a passion for little-known local lore, he began crafting Pennsylvania Profiles, a graphic history series, and Flashbacks, a related comic strip, both designed to reveal accurate, surprising stories from "your own backyard" that even history teachers had never encountered.

THE ART OF THE PITCH

While creating the art came naturally, building a syndicated audience was a story of pure hustle. Reprinting his newspaper strips into book format required first selling the concept to reluctant editors across the country, which was a process Patrick candidly recalls as grueling.

" Selling to the papers was grueling. I never made it into a Philly or Pittsburgh paper... I did make a call on the Philadelphia Inquirer and their editor said my stuff had 'a nice literary quality'—and was kind enough to keep the quality of my drawings to himself. "

Undeterred by city editors, Patrick pushed forward, expanding his reach beyond Pennsylvania to launch simultaneous historical series for Washington D.C. (featured in The Washington Post), New York City, and Texas. To keep up with the overwhelming demand of illustrating multiple syndicated lines, he even brought on freelance talent including Fred Waring Rockwell, nephew of the iconic Norman Rockwell, to help bring these regional archives to life.

AN ENDURING HISTORICAL LEGACY

At 85 years young (though he insists he doesn't look a day over 90), Patrick's work remains a cornerstone of mid-Atlantic regional history. By translating complex archival records into accessible, dramatic panel art, he pioneered a genre of "graphic history" long before graphic novels hit the mainstream.

Partnering with Masthof Press allows his extensive library of classic compilations to stay in active print, connecting new generations of readers, students, and history buffs with the forgotten heroes and ironic twists of local history. Patrick’s hope for his readers remains simple: to spark a sense of surprised enlightenment about the rich, unexpected heritage waiting right outside their front door.

Patrick Reynolds’ journey, shaped by formal artistic mastery and a relentless passion for forgotten lore, is a vibrant testament to the power of visual storytelling. His Pennsylvania Profiles and Flashbacks collections are more than comic strips; they are dynamic doorways into the unexpected, ironic, and deeply human moments that define our local heritage.

Ready to discover the hidden histories and unsung heroes of your own backyard?

Patrick’s Pennsylvania Profiles volumes 1 - 5 are available now through Masthof Press, inviting readers of all ages to experience the thrill of historical discovery through the eyes of a master graphic historian.

CONNECT WITH PATRICK REYNOLDS 

Follow the latest news and events for Pennsylvania Profiles and connect with Patrick Reynolds directly:

• Website: The Red Rose Studio