03/16 Comic Book Club

The Comic Book Club was created by Erik Henriksen for those who love comics and/or drinking.   Please join the crew at Floating World Comics and then on to Blitz Pearl.

March 16, 6:00 -10:00
Floating World Comics 
20 NW 5th Ave #101
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 241-0227

Questions 31: Dustin Weaver

Dustin Weaver was born in Alaska, and moved to Portland in 2006. He has worked on a many prestigious comics projects including X-men, Star Wars, King Kong, and Jodi Picoult’s NYT best selling novel The Tenth Circle.    He is a member of Periscope Studio and contributes to their sketch blog.  He worked with writer Jeremy Barlow on the western "They'll Bury You Where You Stand" which was just published in Outlaw Territory Volume 2.     He is currently working with Jonathan Hickman on the amazing S.H.I.E.L.D series which gives us the secret history of the organization.  The first trade was just solicited last month.

Doug Dorr:   What projects are you working on currently?

I am working with writer Johnathan Hickman on S.H.I.E.L.D. for Marvel Comics.

DD:   What is your artistic Process?

My process is constantly evolving. It used to be that I would draw a fairly detailed print-size layout of each page. Then I would photocopy that layout to 11 by 17 and light box it onto comic art board. Then I'd finish it up. Nowadays, I'm drawing my layouts slightly larger than print size, but not by much, then just inking the layout. After that I'll scan it and clean it up a little in Photoshop. I'm on a steady path towards fussing over things less and less.

DD:   When you're a story illustrator, how involved are you in the writing?

To date, my involvement in the writing has been none to very little on just about everything I've worked on. The only story that I've had a significant impact on the writing end of things has been a western called "They'll Bury You Where You Stand" that I did with writer Jeremy Barlow. That story has just been published in Outlaw Territory Volume 2.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend?

I would recommend the work of Osamu Tezuka, both to comics fans and non comics fans, but especially to comic creators. Tezuka has been called "the god of manga," but he's more than just that. I think he's probably the greatest comic creator there's ever been. I wouldn't be surprised if his work is one day taught in schools. It took reading a few of his books before I really understood how great his stuff is, so give it a chance to sink in. I would recommend his Phoenix series. Also Ode To Kirihito, MW, and Ayako are really fantastic.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend to someone new to comics?

I have recommended the manga series Death Note to a lot of non comic readers and it has almost never failed to hook them in. It's got a great premise, it's one of the smartest cat and mouse stories I've ever seen, and it's highly addictive.
I've also had good success recommending Akira, The Saga of the Metabarons, and just about anything by Dan Clowes.

DD:   What skill would you like to learn?

I don't know. I'm actually not into learning skills. I like HAVING skills but not learning them. I don't have the patience. If I could just know how to play the piano that would be GREAT!, but learning to play the piano seems so horrible to me. That's why I draw. Drawing is something you can do as you learn. You don't even realize you're learning, you think you're just doing... Actually, come to think of it, I'd like to learn how to make comic books. I can see that happening. The piano thing, not so much.

DD:   What's the most important thing you've learned?

Wow! That's kind of a big question. Do you mean in my career or in life? I'm actually not sure on both counts. In life I feel like I want to say something about understanding that almost everyone is not too different than me in that they have doubts and insecurities and want to feel accepted and that I should reach out and give them what I would want to have given to me. That I should treat others the way I would want to be treated. Maybe that seems like an important  lesson for me because I've never really learned it. It seems I learn it over and over again and the lesson always slips away. I think I just want to be treated a certain way and I don't want to treat others that same way. I don't know why. Fear probably. As for my career. That's also a tough one. I'm going to have to say, don't draw naked. Unless you're really used to being naked, it can just be too much of a distraction. Really slows your productivity down.

DD:   Do you have a collection?   If so, what is one of the items you're most proud of?

I'm not really the collector type in that I don't seek out obtaining items for the sake of a collection. I am a fan of certain creators and will seek out their work and buy it if I think I'll want to look at it again and again and reread it. But I'm also cool with borrowing books. So yeah, I have a collection but the things in it that I value most aren't necessarily hard to come by or worth much. That said, the things that I'm currently most excited about in my possession are The Katsuhiro Otomo Anthology books 1 and 2 that I recently got.

DD:   What is your favorite genre of Comics?

I don't have a favorite genre of comic. It doesn't matter to me if it's superheroes, crime, space opera, horror, or romance, if it's a good comic, I'm capable of liking it.

Do you have an Ipad?   If so what do use it for the most.

I do not have an iPad. I also don't have an iPhone. I don't have face book and I don't do twitter. I have a little flip phone with no internet. I try to keep my computer away from me and only ever use it to e-mail the people I'm working with and look up reference for stuff I'm working on. I'm not a technophobe or anything. I'm just afraid that I'll become addicted. It's happened to me before. I'll post something or put some kind of comment out there and become obsessive.  "Has anyone commented on it? Now has any one? How bout now? How many people read my blog? How do I get more? When is this person going to respond to me? OH feed-back. It's positive. It's not enough. I need more. Maybe if I comment on other peoples stuff more they'll comment on mine. I'm going to reread what I wrote as if I were this person so that I can imagine what they think of it. This person likes what I wrote. What did they like about it? I need more!"

I never really get what I want out of it. Ultimately, all of it leaves me feeling disappointed and hours of my day are gone.

DD:   What is your favorite TV show/ movie?

My Favorite TV shows of all time are Mr. Show, The Prisoner, Twin Peeks, Aeon Flux, Kids in the Hall, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Arrested Development. I enjoyed Lost but I can't see myself going back and rewatching any of it. I'm currently getting caught up with Mad Men and I just finished watching the fourth season of Big Love and I'm enjoying those. I always like Community and 30 Rock whenever I catch those. I think An Idiot Abroad might be the best travel show ever and I generally like what Ifc is doing lately.

I haven't really gotten to see many movies lately. What I have been into lately are podcasts. They are perfect for listening to while I work. My editor, Nick Lowe turned me onto Radio Lab and Dan Carlins's  Hardcore History. I'm also really liking a lot of the comedy shows like WTF with Mark Maron, The Nerdist, Comedy Deathray Radio, and the Pod F. Tompcast. The Ricky Gervais Show might still be the gold standard.

DD:   How does the Portland comics culture shape your work?

As a member of Periscope Studio here in Portland, I'd say the culture has had a big impact on me, at least the culture of Periscope Studio anyway. I don't know about the comic culture that exists outside of the studio. Even though there are a lot of creators in this city it's kind of an insular activity. It's something you do hunched over a table or staring at a glowing screen all alone in some hole.  

DD:   What was your first comic convention?

I went to the San Diego Comic Con in 97 for one day as a fan. I brought some art to show publishers. I sat in line and got a portfolio review from the editors at Wildstorm. It was really cool. It wasn't till 05 (I think) that I attended as a professional with a table. That was also at San Diego.

DD:   What is your favorite part of comic conventions?

I do enjoy doing sketches for people. The pressure of having to come up with something, draw it relatively quickly, and in front of people is kind of exhilarating. I normally hate anyone looking over my shoulder as I work, but in that setting I'm okay with it. It's also great to see people in the industry that I don't ever get to see and hang out with. 

DD:   If you weren’t doing comics what would you do?

The cop-out answer is that I'd do something like story boards or video game designs. Making movies is another cop-out answer. Another kind of cop-out answer is that I'd be a bum. I've left myself no back up plan, so I would be screwed. I'd be living with my parents and working as a paperboy like Chris Elliot in Get A Life.
All of these sorts of answers I see as not really wanting to give the subject much thought. But I'm going to try to really answer the question. In a hypothetical world where comics don't exist nor do any jobs where drawing is involved, what would I have done? I remember thinking that acting would be something I would like to do, but I don't see that working out. I actually think I might have pursued a career as a stand up comic. I've always been a stand up comedy fan. When telling people what I do for a living, I wouldn't have to say almost anything different. "I'm a comic artist." "I'm a comic." Almost the same. The wardrobe is the same. I wouldn't have to go buy suits. And I also think there is a similar sensibility between comic fans and creators to comedians and comedy writers.
So there you go. I bet that's the longest answer to that question you've gotten.

DD:   What comics do your kids like?  What was/is your favorite character?

I have one kid who is only 17 months old. So she's not really into comics. She does like looking at that Yo Gabba Gabba board book comic that Oni put out.

As for my favorite character. I think my favorite characters to draw are still Wolverine and Batman, same as when I was a kid. But my favorite comic character is probably Kaneda from Akira. He's one ballsy juvenile delinquent.

DD:   Do you have a favorite restaurant that you would recommend?

When friends are in town I like to go to Pine State Biscuits or The Jam on Hawthorne for breakfast. For lunch, maybe a food cart like Brunch Box, La Jarochita, or get a Schnitzelwich from Tabor, the Czech  cart. All of which are conveniently right in front of Periscope Studio.  For dinner, I don't know. There are a lot of great places to go. One that maybe people don't know about is Sparky's Pizza on Belmont.

DD:   How long have you lived in Portland, what made you choose Portland?

I have lived in Portland for over 3 years now. I moved here because I was living in Oakland, CA, I had lived there for only a year, I had broken up with a girl, there was nothing left for me there, and I was wondering what I would do. I was thinking that I could stay in the bay area or maybe move to Seattle where my best friend D.J. lives. I was working for Dark Horse at the time and that year at Comic Con I was hanging out with Dark Horse people and they convinced me that Portland was the place to be.

DD:   What is your favorite part of Portland?

I like all of Portland. If I have to get more specific than that, I'd say I like Southeast Portland, Even more specific I'd say I like the neighborhoods around Hawthorne and Belmont. More specific than that? I don't know, Yamhill St. More specific? The corner of Yamhill and 33 Ave. Even more specific 10 paces south east from the north east corner. Specifically 2.5 feet above the ground. There inside that cubic inch of space is the nexus of the universe. If you sit in that spot long enough something will happen. I don't know what but I bet it will be really special.

DD:   Where in Portland/ Oregon would you most like to visit?

I don't know. There are a lot of places I haven't been, but I don't know that I'm particularly wanting to see something more than another.

DD:   Would you like to Illustrate for another media? Conversely, how would you feel about Illustrating a comic of a character from a different media, for example, Dr. Who, James Bond?  What would you explore?

Well, I do like comics and I would rather draw for comics than for any other media. If I were to do a comic of a character or property from another media, I might like to do a Twin Peaks comic. I don't think Aeon Flux has really been done properly in comic form. I could get in touch with my cartoony side and do a Mario Bro. comic. Maybe an adaptation of Crime and Punishment. Oh, I'd like to do a Where's Waldo comic in the style of Tintin set in the 40's and have Nazi's tracking him all around the world. "Vere is Valdo? You vill tell us vere he is." There are probably a lot of things I'd like to do.

04/06 Fear itself - Matt Fraction Signing @ TFAW

Marvel’s next event launches April 6 with Fear Itself #1, the first of a seven-part miniseries by Marvel Architect Matt Fraction and artist Stuart Immonen (New Avengers, Nextwave).   The marvel heroes will have to address there fears in this earth-shaking, world-changing, mega-event that will rock the Marvel Universe to its core for years to come.     Come get your copy and now.

There will be a Q and A with Fraction starting at 7:00 p.m., followed by the signing.  Copies of Fear Itself #1, including the special blank variant edition, will be available for purchase, as will related titles Fear Itself: Home Front #1 and Fear Itself Spotlight.

Wednesday, April 6 from 7 to 10 p.m.
TFAW Hollywood location
4133 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR.

Big Illustration Party Time podcast is alive!!!!

Please join Kevin Cross and Joshua Kemble on the revival of there illustration podcast. A lot has changed since their hiatus a year ago. They discuss topic important to the freelance artist.

Their Site is Big Illustration Party Time,    Or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

contact them:  www.illustrationparty@gmail.com 

Questions 30: Adrian J. Wallace

Adrian J. Wallace was born in Nottingham England, and moved to North America as a child.   Adrian J. Wallace writes and draws the web comic jumbodeluxe.  He also does freelance graphics, web design and is currently taking classes at Portland Community College.  He recently was invited to the Comics at the Opera for Turandot.   

You can start at the storyline for jumbodeluxe that from the first strip. 

Doug Dorr:   What projects are you working on currently?

I draw, write and manage the webcomic known as Jumbo deLuxe.

http://jumbodeluxe.com

DD:   What is your artistic Process?

I think up stories and sketch layouts and bits of dialog, later it gets refined into actual drawings which I make on large bristol board and inked with an old-timey crowquill pen. I use a computer to do the color, lettering and graphics.   (I made a more detailed look at my process here and here

DD:   When you are story illustrator, what is your interaction with the writer?

I usually draw my own stuff, and that involves writing, layouts and drawing at the same time.

When I work with a writer, I usually meet them face to face and we brainstorm story ideas and sketch stuff together.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend?

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec by Jacques Tardi.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend to someone new to comics?

It depends on their age and interests. I usually force people to read stuff I like or stuff that's influenced me. Charles Schulz's Peanuts, Tintin, Little Nemo in Slumberland, Spirou, Asterix, Eightball and anything by Jim Woodring.

DD:   What skill would you like to learn?

I'd like to be better at managing my time, and finishing all the things that I

DD:   What's the most important thing you've learned?

The English Language.

DD:   Do you have a collection?   If so, what is one of the items you're most proud of?

Yes. The complete print run of Tantalizing Stories. Either that or the first english language editions of Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaa manga.

DD:   What is your favorite genre of Comics?

European or Franco-Belgian adventure stories (Tintin, Asterix, Spirou, etc.)

DD:   Do you have an Ipad?   If so what do use it for the most.

Nope, I haven't even figured out this iPod I bought in 2005. They say it's supposed to play music, but I think the speaker is broken.

DD:   What is your favorite TV show/ movie?

My favorite TV show ever is Doctor Who. My favorite movie is Terry Gilliam's Brazil.

 

DD:   How does the Portland comics culture shapes your work

I'm friends with various cartoonists around town. They're great with advice, support and critiquing my work, they also threaten me with bodily harm if I don't produce more and better comics.

What was your first comic convention?

Stumptown 2004

DD:   What is your favorite part of comic conventions?

Getting good advice from seasoned professionals and meeting new friends

DD:   If you weren’t doing comics what would you do?

Animation, Storyboards, Graphics

DD:   Do you have a favorite restaurant that you would recommend?

Pho Van

DD:   How long have you lived in Portland, what made you choose Portland?

I've lived in Oregon since my first year of high school. My college pals and girlfriend / wife forced me to move to Portland.

DD:   What is your favorite part of Portland?

East 82nd Avenue! No seriously, Cathedral Park in St. Johns.

DD:   Where in Portland/ Oregon would you most like to visit?

I haven't been to the Chinese Garden for a long time.

DD:   Would you like to write/Illustrate for another media? or conversely, how would you feel about writing a comic of a character from a different media, for example, Dr. Who, James Bond?  What would you explore?

Yeah, that would be a fun challenge! I've always liked the idea of playing in someone else's sandbox for a while (though I've never actually done it).  I could only do it right I were a fan of those stories having already done the research and feeling emotionally invested in the characters. I would say Yes to 'Doctor Who' because I know it so well. I would probably avoid Batman or Star Trek since I'm not a particular big fan of either. I'd be terrified of Star Trek fans coming after me if I somehow wrote a story and they ended up hating it. Right now I'm having more fun making my own stories and playing in my own sandbox.

ECCC with Creator's Edge Press

Creator's Edge Press will be right next to the woman's bathroom (Their favorite spot).  Come by and check out Stephen Lindsay (Jesus Hates Zombies, Massive Awesome, Devil's Trail, Warriors of Dharuk) as well as many other contributors to Creator's Edge Press.

When you purchase 4 or more Creator's Edge books you will receive a Limited Edition ZomBcon t-shirt

Comic Evolution will be proudly hosting the Heroclix tournament as well!


And Afterwards:
Date: March 4, 9:30 PM - 2 AM
at the The Noc Noc  1516 2nd Ave Ste 104, Seattle, WA, 98101-3518 · Get Directions
 
from the Press release:

Join a bunch of superstar comic book artists as they paint incredible, original artwork for your amusement as you drink and dance to the fantastic guest DJs. Observe the creation of art in a fun and laid-back atmosphere.

All art created will be donated to ECCC's charity M and D art auction and all proceeds go the Seattle Children's Hospital. Come help support art for a good cause, and watch artists do what they do best in a fantastic environment.

Artists include:

Jim Mahfood
Ben Templesmith
Camilla D'Errico
Scott Campbell
David Mack
Ray Fawkes
Chris Haley

and more! Admission is FREE if you say you are there for the live art. The Noc Noc is a mere couple of blocks from the convention center! Visit the Facebook Page for more info! Sponsored by ifanboy.com, graphic.ly, and Comic Evolution! This event is 21+.

Ron Chan is on fire!!!

Ron Chan is in the news right now.  Check out his great interview with MTV.    He will also be signing at the TFAW booth at Emerald City Con(ECCC).   There is supposed to be a surprise at his time Sat 1-3 related to the Guild.  and don't forget to check out Roy's Boys.

2/26 Women Artists show

Portland emporium Guapo Comics & Coffee kicks off National Women's History Month with an all-women show, featuring our own Andrice Arp alongside a bunch of other great ladies, including Katy Ellis O'brien.


Opening reception is Saturday, February 26th at 7:00 pm. 


Guapo Comics and Coffee
6350 SE Foster Road
Portland, Oregon 97206
503-772-3638

Predator the musical

03/03 - Dunja Jankovic at Floating World

Dunja Jankovic at Floating World
Thursday March 3rd 6-10pm.
To celebrate the release of Habitat. More details to come.

Questions 29: Dennis Culver

Dennis Culver is a professional illustrator and cartoonist located in Portland, OR.   He is currently finishing up the artwork for the graphic novel Odd Schnozz and the Odd Squad to be published by Oni Press in 2011 written by Jeffrey Burandt.  He has also written and drawn "Timejam" for Jam! Tales from the World of Roller Derby published by Oni Press.

I have been following his daily sketch blog of the Batman Inc family.   Chris Sims of Comics Alliance recently wrote up his recent Batman Inc sketches.  He has done several series, one of the batman villains and the Wire characters.

You can follow him on twitter  or check out his daily sketch blog.

Doug Dorr:   What projects are you working on currently?
I'm wrapping up the art on a graphic novel from Oni press called Odd Schnozz and the Odd Squad and I am in the early stages of co-writing and illustrating another unannounced ogn also from Oni.

DD:   What is your artistic Process?
As far as illustrating I do everything, soup to nuts, digitally at this point on a Wacom tablet using Manga Studio which is an excellent program for rendering comic books. The only time I break out ink and paper is for commissions.

As far as writing, uh... that's all digital too.

DD:   When you are story illustrator, what is your interaction with the writer?
The few writers that I've worked with have all been very good about putting everything I need in the script and if I encounter any obstacles I can usually hammer it out with them over IM or the phone. All of the story development is usually hammered out by the time I come one board so it just a matter of execution at that point.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend?
Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue which is an epic sprawling manga about Japanese folk hero and samurai Miyamoto Musashi but it also a comic about craftsmanship and anyone that pursues any sort of skilled endeavor would probably get a lot out of it. I'm convinced the book is as much about Takehiko's journey as an artist as it is anything else.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend to someone new to comics?
Oh man, this really depends on the person. If they're into crime stuff like the Wire I'd probably recommend Criminal by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips or the Parker adaptations by Darwyn Cooke. Westerns or horror? Definitely the Sixth Gun by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt. This is a really good time for genre diversity in comics right now especially considering all the reprint material being released. If I know what you like I am certain there is something accessible and good out there to read.

DD:   What skill would you like to learn?
There are a lot of skills that I would love to download into my brain like making websites do what I want but as far as something I would like to actually devote my time to learning? Probably just acquiring and improving my skillset as a storyteller.

DD:   What's the most important thing you've learned?
Done is beautiful (some days I am still learning this)

DD:   Do you have a collection?   If so, what is one of the items you're most proud of?
I don't have a collection so much as things collect around the house like books and comics. I try to only keep things I consider essential and I gave up bagging and boarding years ago. My favorite books are probably my out of print Alex Toth art books, which I assume most of it will be reprinted soon by the massive IDW collection coming out later this year. I'm curious if they'll have the By Design stuff since there was a lot of copyright kerfluffle about that but if they don't I totally own it!

DD:   What is your favorite genre of Comics?
I love the crime genre and the more crime comics on the shelves the better.

DD:   Do you have an Ipad?   If so what do use it for the most.
I do not own one. A friend of mine does and I think about mugging him for it every time I see him.

DD:   What is your favorite TV show/ movie?
TV is the Wire and my favorite movie is The Limey

DD:   How does the Portland comics culture shapes your work?
I feel like I've learned a lot about all aspects of craft and the industry just mingling and hanging out with comics people in Portland. I don't think I'd be where I'm at without it.

DD:   What was your first comic convention?
The first show I ever attended I want to say it was called Suncon in Tampa, Florida which is my hometown. It was a small show but Mark Texeria was there and he was acting out all the cool ways the Punisher would murder and maim people in hand to hand combat. It was awesome.
The first show I ever exhibited at was the Alternative Press Expo (APE) in San Francisco. I had a minicomic called Funwrecker. I made 100 and I sold them all so it was a good show.

DD:   What is your favorite part of comic conventions?
Seeing people you only ever talk to on the internet is nice. Putting names to faces. I love talking shop with other creators too.

DD:   If you weren’t doing comics what would you do?
I have no other marketable job skills.

DD:   Do you have a favorite restaurant that you would recommend?
Super Torta here in the Woodstock neighborhood makes the finest burrito north of California.

DD:   How long have you lived in Portland, what made you choose Portland?
I moved to Portland in 2006 with my girlfriend now wife, Wendy. The comics scene was a definite draw for us to move here and we were ready to get out of California for a while.

DD:   What is your favorite part of Portland?
The part where it's not cold.

DD:   Where in Portland/ Oregon would you most like to visit?
I heard there's a hat museum. I'd like to go there and imagine possible crimes for batman to foil.

DD:   Would you like to write/Illustrate for another media? or conversely, how would you feel about writing a comic of a character from a different media, for example, Dr. Who, James Bond?  What would you explore?
I love comics so I'm not really interested in other mediums right now. As far as adapting something I think Robert Rodriguez's El Mariachi would make an excellent comic book. it's the perfect setup for telling all kinds of stories with over the top action.

Star Trek vs Dr. Who by *Summerset on deviantART

Some jobs are harder than others...

 

Don Quixote by Moebius

Mary Poppins

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

Guillermo del Toro will be producing his stop motion version of Pinocchio later this year.     Matthew Robbins will be writing the screenplay.  The illustrator Gris Grimly and Fantastic Mr Fox animation director Mark Gustafson will co-direct the new version of Pinocchio.
MacKinnon and Saunders, the UK Company behind the stop-motion characters seen in The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, will be bringing the various different characters of Pinocchio's world to life.

Guillermo del Toro had the following to say about the upcoming project:

"There has to be darkness in any fairy tale or children's narrative work, something the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen and Walt Disney understood. We tend to call something Disney-fied, but a lot of people forget how powerfully disturbing the best animated Disney movies are, including those kids being turned into donkeys in Pinocchio. What we're trying to do is present a Pinocchio that is more faithful to the take that Carlo Collodi wrote. That is more surreal and slightly darker than what we've seen before."

read the article on TotalScfionline

Upular for Mesmerizing kids

Thanks @terryblas

Oregonian Abroad

Joe Keatinge went to the Angoulême Comic Festival.    It is almost twice the size of San Diego.  There are comics from France, Japan, North America, South America, Korea, Africa, India, China and pretty much wherever people make comics.    He was also able to meet the amazing Jean “Moebius” Giraud. 

He also crossed the river to Musée De La BD, featuring a huge permanent collection of comic book with a wide range of cartoonists and artists from Rodolphe Töpffer, Frank Miller, Herge, C.C. Beck to Rob Liefeld.  

Read about his experience and the conference on the Neon Blog site.  He discusses the show, the publishers, and artists.   He gives you real insight into the international comics’ scene.

 

Personally, I loved this presentation from the Wacom Booth which had Moebius and other top international artists demo the Cintiq.    

Dead Island Trailer

for those of you who like to vacation and kill zombies.

Bring it ! Batman

Questions 28: Dane Ault

Dane Ault is an illustrator and graphic designer who has done work for Marvel Comics, Upper Deck Entertainment, MTV, Arizona State University, and Rude Dude Publications.  He is also the owner of Monkey Minion Press.  Monkey Minion Press is the brainchild of husband and wife team, Dane Ault (Artist) and Ashlie Hammond (Writer). Their goal is to make great items and books that geeks will love.  They offer a well-rounded approach to any problem presented to them, be it illustration, design, layout or copy writing. They can do it all.
  

MMP is also a retail-oriented venture they sell products such as t-shirts, art prints, original art, buttons, and their signature item – Zombie Greeting Cards. Recently they had their Valentines Day Cards.

Checkout Dane's portfolio and Monkey Minion Press. 

Doug Dorr:   What projects are you working on currently? 

Right now, I'm elbow-deep in our new kid's book, "Too Many Monsters in my House" and various illustrations and prints.

DD:   What is your artistic Process? 

Chaotic. LOL! It depends on the piece I'm working on and style necessary for it. For digital work, some pieces require a really well-plotted and intense prliminary sketch and some don't before I scan them into the computer. Once in the computer, however the process is similar no matter the piece. I do all of my base drawing in Adobe Illustrator and depending on the finish style I want on the piece, I'll the put it into Photoshop to add effects and brushwork.

DD:   When are story illustrator, how involved are you in the writing? 

Depends on the story. I prefer to be kind of hands-off as far as writing goes, as that's not where my strength lies, but reserve the right o make some changes as needed to help the story flow visually.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend? 

Right now, I'm REALLY digging Batgirl by Brian Q. Miller and Dustin Nguyen. Great book, great, fun writing and gorgeous art.

DD:   What Comic/ Trade would you recommend to someone new to comics? 

Thor: The Mighty Avenger, because it's just a great book, with no obligations to ongoing storylines or continuity.

DD:   What skill would you like to learn? 

I'd like to better at sequential art. Also: Scuba Diving.

DD:   What's the most important thing you've learned? 

Keep Trying. You can't succeed if you don't try, and sometimes it's gonna take you more than one try.

DD:   Do you have a collection?   If so, what is one of the items you're most proud of?

I have a couple, actually. I collect comics (natch), altho I've scaled my monthly habits down quite a bit. I also have a small  collection of original art and sketch cards, that's growing slowly. One of my favorite Collected things has to be my 11x17 Steve Rude Batgirl Painting that I have on my wall. Love it.

DD:   What is your favorite genre of Comics? 

Gotta say Superheroes. Altho, I dig this new genre of Mouse fantasy that's sprung up recently (Mouse Guard and Mice Templar)

DD:   Do you have an Ipad?   If so what do use it for the most. 

I do, indeed. I got it so that I could take credit cards at conventions and shows, but I think I used it mainly to play games on. LOL!

DD:   What is your favorite TV show/ movie? 

MY favorite TV show depends on whatever I'm watching at the moment. I don't watch regular TV, just Netflix, and right now, I'm really digging Monk. (I'm a little behind) As for Movies, I have to say that even, what, 12 years or so after I first saw it, I still love The Crow with Brandon Lee, but Jurassic Park is right up there, too.

DD:   How does the Portland comics culture shapes your work? 

I'm not sure, yet. I'm just starting to get into the PDX culture, since moving here in 2008. I will say, tho that the sheer level of productivity and awesomeness the local scene has going for it is astounding. The guys and gals out there doing it really make me want to do great work.

DD:   What was your first comic convention? 

Phoenix Comicon 2005. Back then, it was a 6-hour long flea market-type show with one guest. The year after that, I was part of the staff for the first 2-day Phoenix Comicon. But that was the show that really got me interested in trying to do comics and art in the way I do now.


DD:   What is your favorite part of comic conventions? 

As a fan, just going. I love going to cons and seeing all the other people like me. I grew up in isolated parts of the midwest where there weren't that many comic shops or fans (Before Internet). So, it's still pretty cool to me that we have these big gatherings where you're allowed, nay EXPECTED, to let your geek flag fly! As an artist I love going to shows to meet people and fans and hopefully make new fans. I love watching people wander by my table, look at the work displayed and see their faces light up. It's just a great feeling.

DD:   If you weren’t doing comics what would you do?
Play video games. and cry.

DD:   Do you have a favorite restaurant that you would recommend? 

I'd have to go with either The Original Hotcake House on Powell or my favorite Mexican place "La Ochoca" which is a taco cart on SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy. $1 Tacos and they are AWESOME!

DD:   How long have you lived in Portland, what made you choose Portland? 

Going on 3 years now. I love it here. We moved here from Phoenix, AZ. We had friends in Seattle, but Seattle seemed a little too much like Phoenix north as far as size goes, just too big. Portland seemed just about right - mild climate, greenery everywhere, people who actually like living here, and the second largest concentration of comics creators in the US.

DD:   What is your favorite part of Portland? 

All of it. I really like the way that PDX is kind of divided into neighborhoods which are kind of little self-contained mini-towns. And each little mini-town is different. Hillsdale is different from Hollywood is different from Multnomah Village.

DD:   Where in Portland/ Oregon would you most like to visit? 

I've never been to the Zoo, actually. I think I'd like to go there.

DD:   Would you like to write/Illustrate for another media? or conversely, how would you feel about writing a comic of a character from a different media, for example, Dr. Who, James Bond?  What would you explore?
I love working with other properties. I have done some work with media properties and one of my favorite things is taking other properties and spinning them on a new axis.