I have an architecture degree; that's what my college degree is in. And that sucked. I started doing Web and CD-ROM development really early on, and then that grew into being an art director and doing advertising work.

Jonathan Hickman’s quote reflects his candid and somewhat humorous recounting of his early career path, beginning with a formal architecture degree. While he initially pursued the structured world of architecture in college, he bluntly admits “that sucked,” indicating a personal disconnect or dissatisfaction with the field as a long-term vocation. This honest reflection is not a dismissal of architecture itself, but rather a recognition that it didn't align with his evolving creative interests or personality.

Hickman’s transition into Web and CD-ROM development highlights the growing influence of digital media in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His early adoption of these technologies allowed him to merge his visual design skills with emerging interactive platforms, providing a more dynamic and experimental outlet than traditional architectural practice. This shift opened the door to new forms of storytelling, interface design, and digital branding—all of which tapped into his broader artistic vision.

From there, his career naturally expanded into roles such as art director and eventually into advertising work, where he could combine design, narrative thinking, and visual communication. These experiences laid the foundation for his later success as a comic book writer and illustrator, where he blends graphic structure, story arcs, and conceptual world-building—skills rooted in both architecture and visual design. The rigor of his architectural training may have influenced the complex layouts and meticulous world-building seen in his comics.

This quote comes from interviews where Jonathan Hickman has discussed his non-linear creative journey, including how early missteps and changes in direction helped shape his distinctive approach to storytelling. Known for acclaimed comic runs like East of West, The Manhattan Projects, and major work at Marvel Comics, Hickman’s diverse background—from architecture to advertising to comics—demonstrates how seemingly unrelated disciplines can converge into a cohesive and original creative voice.