Picture two of cinema’s most distinguished films, arguably at the peak of their respected genres, clashing between panels of grotesque, yet genius illustration.

Michael Mettlen was 25-years old, dropping his daughter off at school and making his way home to Elizabeth, Pa., when he made a life-altering decision.

“I just told myself I was gonna go into it,” Mettlen said. “I wrote a story, I drew the artwork, I pitched to publishers and it got me a publishing deal.”

His first stab at pursuing the comic book industry, was picked up by Advent Comics, where they published the story of “Kane” into print and into the hands of readers.

It is the story of an anti-hero, Cameron Kane, who has to thieve his way into obtaining an ancient artifact.

Popularity rose around the local comic book community and Mettlen hosted an autograph session for his first published work at New Dimension Comics, based in Century III Mall.

Mettlen, growing up in South Carolina, always admired the work of Todd McFarlane who is famous for his horror-comic, “Spawn.”

His love-affair with comic books didn’t stop in childhood. To this day, he frequently wears Batman attire and his car sports a sticker on the windshield that reads, “The Batmobile.”

But, seeing his success after just one attempt, Mettlen decided to step aside from the business in order to “perfect his craft.”

“I just asked my publisher if I could have my contract terminated due to personal things” said Mettlen. “It was my decision. There was no bad blood between me and that publisher.”

Mettlen’s nostalgia for classic films, specifically “The Godfather” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” spawned the inspiration for his new comic book.

“Going back how many decades, they’ve stood the test of time,” Mettlen said. Why haven’t they crossed paths as far as comic books?”

It is called “Butch the Butcher” and it is the first installment of a four-part series set in 1950s Bronx, New York.

The first issue focuses on an ordinary butcher who seeks out the mob for a loan in order to open up a deli to support him and his pregnant wife. Delinquent in pay his debt, Butch’s shop and wife burn to the ground, at the hands of the mob. Losing his business and wife, Butch then loses his mind and transforms into the vengeful, maniacal killer.

Every drawing is an eyeful as Mettlen does not hold back with the extent of violence and gore. It is in no way, shape, or form the same as a Charles Shultz strip of “Peanuts.”

“A lot of controversy is gonna come out of this, which always good in business,” Mettlen said.

“I thought it was really different,” Justin Kim said. “The kinda different that gets you recognized.”

Kim, 33, supported Mettlen’s art, supporting his comic on Kickstarter, and even buying him a drafting desk to draw on.

Rob Anderson, creator of the indie comic book website, “Written Sins,” saw potential in Mettlen and has enjoyed seeing his progress along the way.

Anderson, 39, a native of Florida, saw a need for indie comic book artists, such as Mettlen, and assembled a platform for people to build their profile.

“I built this highway for indie artists to get noticed,” Anderson said.

Anderson, who highlighted Mettlen’s two comics on his website, has confidence that “Butch the Butcher” will see success.

“There is never a wrong time to tell a story,” Anderson said.

Mettlen’s biggest fan and supporter is his wife, Danielle, whom he met in Pittsburgh.

“My wife is absolutely wonderful,” Mettlen said. “She is very, very supportive.”

Mettlen, now 26-years old, received monumental news from the brand that revolutionized the comic book culture. The people who made Stan Lee, the icon that he is today, and brought to life, a kid who acquires spider-like characteristics, offered a job to the local artist.

“I’m working on a Marvel project with Upper Deck” Mettlen said.

Until he is given the “okay,” his contract limits what he can actually say about his new profession. Nonetheless, Mettlen is ecstatic as to where his career is heading.

What started as a mere thought bubble on a drive home, became a reality. After just two comic books, Mettlen can now call himself a professional.

“It was something I always wanted to do, but I never felt like it was ever gonna really happen,” Mettlen said.