Wade “Cito” Lammar Wheelington III is living the dream of countless artists. The creator and driving force behind ShugoPro (meaning “Guardian Productions”), Cito has successfully merged his passion for American superheroes and Japanese culture into a thriving professional career. A recent feature on the Mostly Superheroes Podcast offered a deep dive into his journey, confirming him as one of the most exciting creators to watch in the world of independent manga and beyond.
A Lifelong Love Affair with Art and Anime
Cito's artistic path began in elementary school, fueled by a fascination with classic comic books and superheroes. This passion soon broadened to include an intense interest in Japanese culture, ignited by visits to the annual St. Louis Japanese Festival. It was here that he discovered and became captivated by anime and manga classics, specifically citing titles like Sailor Moon and Yu Yu Hakusho as major inspirations.
His goal became singular and ambitious: to move to Japan and produce his own manga. He began studying the Japanese language in high school to pave the way.
Education and Acclaim in Japan
Cito transformed his dream into reality in 2012 when he moved to Japan. After initially furthering his language studies at the Nagano Kokusai Bunka Gakuin, he gained acceptance into the prestigious Tokyo Communication Arts Specialty School in 2014. There, he majored in Creative Design with a focus on honing his skills as a manga artist.
His talent quickly stood out. During his time at the college, he won first place in the school's annual Manga Grand Prix. His work gained significant attention from the local media, being featured on three different Japanese television programs before his graduation in the spring of 2017.
Current Projects: Love or Duty and Marvel
Following his formal education, Cito has focused on bringing his original stories to life:


Manga Success: Cito published his first short series, Blue Crisis Love, in 2016 while still a student. He is now heavily focused on his shoujo manga passion project, Love or Duty. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the complete 10-chapter first season was published in 2023 and is available digitally on Kindle. Cito confirmed that the highly anticipated Season 2 is currently halfway complete, promising more romance and action for his growing fanbase.


The Isaiah Bradley Project: In a major potential development, Cito is also collaborating on "The Isaiah Bradley Project," a new endeavor with Marvel. This project aims to deliver an updated retelling of the original comic book Truth: Red, White & Black, which explores the backstory of Isaiah Bradley, the first Captain America prototype. The initiative is also set to include new merchandise, such as posters and hats, to accompany the production.


Cito Wheelington III, through ShugoPro, continues to be a vibrant example of how dedication and a fusion of international influences can lead to creative success. Fans of manga and superhero lore alike should keep an eye on this talented artist as he takes on Season 2 of Love or Duty and, potentially, the Marvel Universe.

Ver todos los episodios