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Felix Comic Art Chat with DANIEL WARREN JOHNSON (4/3/18)
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Simon Nicolas
9:44
When can we European fans (France whoo !) expect a visit from you ?
DWJ
9:45
Simon, great Q!  I almost went to Angouleme two years ago, but it didn't work out.  I very much want to go, it's just a matter of figuring out when it will work and if it's financially feasible.
Felix Lu
9:46
I get inquiries from shows all over the world, but it's a matter of having the time to travel. Tough when all the guys are on monthly books or other projects. But let your local show know you'd like us to appear and have them reach out!
Simon Nicolas
9:46
It's always tough to be free when things go online due to jet lag :/
Felix Lu
9:47
Do you mean art drops? There is no perfect time for everyone. But I've picked a time that's worked out well for US and European buyers (still daytime for both). It's toughest on Asian buyers, since it's late in the night over there. But again, no perfect time for everyone.
Jabba
9:47
Felix, ever considered making a place for collectors to trade/sell pieces to other collectors? I picked up an extra Skottie Young sketch and I'd love to trade it for a Bruce Timm head sketch but I don't know how!
DWJ
9:48
Good Q!
Felix Lu
9:48
That function is already served by CAF. Also, Facebook. Which I despise.  But it can serve that purpose, at least.
Matt Todd
9:48
@Daniel is there anything you look for when you are being commissioned to draw a piece? When people give you suggestions or give you a character choice, what gets you most excited as an artist?
DWJ
9:51
I really like things that maybe aren't seen everyday.  I struggle with finding new ways to draw Batman, Superman, etc.  That being said, while I wouldn't love drawing Spider-man, I would LOVE drawing Spider-man driving the Spider-Mobile.  I love drawing vehicles and technical things.  I also love being told to draw whatever I want!  It's pretty open for me.  And even if someone does ask for Batman, I do my very best to bring something new to the table.
Mike
9:51
Any new comic project announcements that your excited to check out?  (Im excited to see Ottley on Spider-man of course)
DWJ
9:54
Mike, very excited about Ottley's Spider-Man!  I'm also looking forward to the Lone Wolf and Cub Artist edition.  Also, Garth Ennis is saying that he has more projects with Goran Parlov lined up, which I look forward to very much.
Felix Lu
9:54
Just about all the guys have cool projects in the works, many that will be announced this year. Including Aaron Conley, James Harren, Stephen Green, Chris Burnham, Ian Bertram, Geoff Shaw...just off the top of my head. Already announced and coming soon: Nick Pitarra, Tradd Moore, Bryan Lee O'Malley. And a little further out: An absolute monster project by Paul Pope. Very exciting time right ahead of us!
DWJ
9:54
Also, Tradd Moore's new comic looks WILD.
Mike C
9:55
Hi Daniel,
Pete Marino
9:55
Good Morning @Felix and @DWJ
Mike
9:55
Nice - I have some Tradd art myself!
DWJ
9:55
Mike C, hello!  Hey Pete.
Mike, I have some too, it's so awesome.
Mike C
9:55
Daniel who are your art influences?
DWJ
9:56
Mike C, def Otomo, James Harren, Goran Parlov, Cory Walker,
And of course, Moebius.
John E
9:56
DWJ, one of my first all-time favorite characters is also the Punisher but I also feel that his values are in complete contradiction to mine, particularly in the belief of due process. I’m glad to read that you feel conflicted too.
DWJ
9:58
John E,  I feel the same exact way!  Maybe that's why I'm so drawn to the character because it says so much about me as a comic reader.  He seems so simplistic but when getting deeper he's a very complicated character.  Ennis writes him best, in my opinion.
Felix Lu
9:58
One of my all-time faves, too, as well as a favorite commission subject. But only as a ridiculous fantasy figure. That some take the character seriously or as some sort of inspiration is depressing.
Cameron Lentz
9:58
When you commission someone, how do you determine what subject you want them to draw? Just asking because I've been trying to get some variety in my collection over the past year. At Heroes I didn't ask for a single Batman (my usual go-to) and walked away from the con very happy with my haul of new characters I hadn't commissioned yet. How do you go about adding variety to your collection?
DWJ
10:00
Cameron, I can usually tell when a fellow artist is excited about something, or the possibility of drawing that thing.  I know it's harder when you don't interact with comic artist on an every day basis, but if you follow them on any sort of social media, you can sometimes figure out what they like to draw when they're not getting paid to draw it.  That way, I can try and play to their strengths when I approach them with a commission.  Make sense?
Felix Lu
10:00
My two cents: I have several go-to subjects (ALIENS, DKR, ROCKETEER, PUNISHER, and others). I find artists whose style I think will work with one of those. Their past commissions are usually a good indicator.
Adi
10:00
Late to the party!  Daniel, congratulations on Extremity and your growing family (not necessarily in that order)!   Though I'd love to see you work for the big 2, I'm partial to creator-owned work, so excited to hear there's more of those in the pipeline!
DWJ
10:02
Adi, thanks!  I'm always down to do little things for the big two, but you're correct in that I truly do love creating my own stories the most.  I think of them as the thing I take very seriously, and the big two as more of a playground.  When I can go have fun with those characters, I enjoy it, but it's not something I would want to do forever.
Chris Malkiewicz
10:02
When you are tasked with a commission character/genre that you aren't familiar do you read up on said subject to get a good sense of the content?
DWJ
10:04
Chris M, it depends on what the character looks like.  As a general rule, if I'm unfamiliar at all, I do my research.  I also like to sometimes try and figure out something that defines the character, whether story wise or visual wise, that I can use to my advantage to spice up the composition.  Good question!
Simon Nicolas
10:04
Aside from Otomo and Uyeama, what are some non american comics artists that "inspires" you ? Are you familiar with Tsutomu Nihei ?
DWJ
10:06
I love Nihei!  I very much appreciate how gestural his drawings are.  I also really dig Goseki Kojima, who also was a wonderful gestural style.  Something that I wish there was more of in Manga.
10:07
also had*
Adi
10:07
Wow...hand lettering all issues for your next project - was this entirely your decision or did you have to run it by the powers that be? (Also, your hand-drawn/lettered SFX rock.  I bought an Extremity page JUST for so I'd have an example of it)
Johnny
10:07
Felix, I never thought of bad lettering ruining the art. That totally makes sense.
DWJ
10:08
Adi, thanks for getting a page!  I mentioned it to my publisher half jokingly, but they loved the idea, so I went with it!  I'm learning how to letter as I go, so it's not the best lettering in the world for sure, but my editors are happy with it, so as long as they continue to give me the green light, I'll keep doing it for this project.
Cameron Lentz
10:09
Any plans on Heroes this year, Felix?
Felix Lu
10:10
Still up in the air. Would like to go, but depends on how many of our guys can make it. The issue for us this year is that we have a big show appearance in Houston just two weeks before Heroes. It's hard for everyone to do back-to-back shows like that, from a time/schedule standpoint.
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