Incubator In Action: Creating a Custom Tax Guidance Comic with Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation (PHDC)

At Incubator Productions, every project is an opportunity to merge creativity with community impact. When Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation (PHDC) approached us to develop a custom comic to encourage low-income and Spanish speaking households to use their VITA program services, we embraced the challenge with our signature client-centered approach. The result? A visually engaging, easy-to-understand resource designed to make tax guidance more accessible.

Understanding the Client’s Needs

PHDC serves Pittsburgh’s Hispanic community by offering resources and support for Pittsburgh's Spanish speaking population. They recognized that many of their clients, particularly those for whom English is a second language, are intimidated by U.S. tax filing policies. To bridge this gap, PHDC envisioned a series of comics that would:

1. Explain Why Paying Taxes Are Important No Matter Your Residency Status

2. Encourage residents to take advantage of the PHDC's on-site Volunteer Tax Income Assistance Program administrated by the IRS.

3. Walk clients through the experience of filing taxes with the VITA program.

4. Be available in both English and Spanish.

A Flexible and Collaborative Approach

From the start, we knew this project required a high level of adaptability. PHDC had a clear goal—demystify tax responsibilities—but trusted Incubator Productions to shape the visual and narrative approach. We worked closely with them to ensure that the comic was not only informative but also culturally relevant and engaging.

Isaac Fisher and Bill Hensley, the creative duo behind the comic, collaborated at each step to bring PHDC’s vision to life. The process unfolded in distinct stages:

1. Concept Development & Scripting

Isaac Fisher took the lead on scripting, distilling complex tax concepts into concise, digestible story elements. Instead of a dry instructional guide, we knew that we wanted to have consistent characters across each comic with a distinct backstory and motivation.

We created a relatable story featuring Juan Listo, a fictional contractor navigating tax season with the help of the aptly named VITA Certified Tax Assistant, Victoria Reddy (or Vita for short). Throughout this phase, PHDC provided feedback to ensure the messaging aligned with their audience’s needs.

After Isaac wrote the characters profiles and motivations, Bill quickly brought our main characters to life with concept sketches.

2. Visual Development & Storyboarding

Once the script was solidified, Isaac translated the narrative into dynamic layouts. His ability to blend clear visual storytelling with an inviting sequential style helped ensure that key tax concepts were easily understood at a glance. Isaac and Bill worked closely to refine the layouts, ensuring the visuals reinforced the text rather than duplicating it.

Layouts developed by Isaac Fisher

At this stage, there was still room for change. Incubator presented these layouts to PHDC for feedback prior to the illustration phase. Here we identified that the Interactive Tax Preparation Guide, while possibly the foundation for a future board game, was a bit too complex for what was needed in the project scope. In this case, we modified our layouts to accommodate a visual walkthrough of the VITA Program Experience at the PHDC site.

3. Illustration & Refinement

With PHDC’s approval of the storyboard, Incubator moved into the illustration phase. Bill developed expressive characters and settings that were authentic to the experiences at PHDC. Isaac provided lettering and layout adjustments, ensuring the final product balanced clarity with visual appeal. At this stage, Bill and Isaac worked closely with the Brand Management and Graphic Designers at PHDC to ensure that what we prepared matched the branding strategy of PHDC. Here, we made a few font and color changes to the document as well as added Bill's clear and simple illustrations.

We then applied translations supplied by PHDC to develop a Spanish version of the same comics.

4. Client Feedback & Finalization

Throughout the process, we maintained an open feedback loop with PHDC. Their insights helped fine-tune cultural nuances, language choices, and overall presentation. By staying flexible and prioritizing their input, we ensured the final product truly reflected their goals.

Impact and Looking Ahead

The completed tax guidance comic is now a valuable resource for PHDC’s community. Its accessible format empowers Spanish speaking residents in Pittsburgh with the knowledge they need to navigate tax season with confidence.

For Incubator Productions, this project exemplifies how our adaptable, client-focused approach can transform complex topics into compelling visual narratives. Whether tackling financial literacy, public health, or social issues, we remain committed to making important information engaging and accessible.

Looking forward, we’re excited to continue partnering with organizations like PHDC to harness the power of comics for education and empowerment. Got a story that needs telling? Let’s bring it to life together.