March 2014
City: Brentwood, NY
Comics: Book of Horror #1(Red Moon Features), Memoirs of the Mysterious #1, Strange Stories #4 (Pronto Comics), Cry Havoc (Creative Alliance Media)
Websites: adrianabyss.deviantart.com
QRD – How old were you when you first got into comics & did you always stick with them or did you come back to them?
Andrew – Around 10 or 11 yrs old for a few years. I came back to them around age 30.
QRD – What was the first comic book you ever bought?
Andrew – Wolverine #11(first monthly series ,1980s).
QRD – How old were you when you put out your first comic?
Andrew – 31.
QRD – What decade do you think produced the best comics?
Andrew – I have to say the 1980s. I miss baxter paper, & The X-Men saw some amazing storylines & additions to the roster.
QRD – Why comics instead of just writing or drawing?
Andrew – More broad medium of expression.
QRD – Do you see mini-comics & indie comics as paths to mainstream comics or as their own unique media?
Andrew – They can be, but I’ve heard the term “comic renaissance” used. I think indy comics are responsible for this.
QRD – How much do you think comics should cost?
Andrew – I think they are fine the way they are, but 3.99 or 5.00 is too much for me. I like 2.99 comics.
QRD – How many books do you produce a year & how many would you like to?
Andrew – 1 to 2. I’m fine with that.
QRD – Do you think stories should be serialized or delivered as complete works?
Andrew – It depends on the story. They have been condensing serials into larger collections, which I like.
QRD – How are comic strips different than comic books & which medium do you prefer?
Andrew – Strips are nice, but are like a tease, or for a Sunday morning breakfast. I like more story.
QRD – How long is it from when you start a comic until it’s printed?
Andrew – 6 months to a year.
QRD – What do you do better with your comics now than when you first started?
Andrew – The work is starting to look like one artist instead of 4 different ones. I think my panel layout has gotten better too.
QRD – Do you do thumbnails?
Andrew – No. But I do spend time on character design.
QRD – At what size do you draw?
Andrew – I recently made the jump to 11x 17 art boards in 2014.
QRD – What kind of pens do you use?
Andrew – 0.7 Sakura mech pencil, Sensei & Micron pens, & a #5 or #10 spotter brush for inking with Sumi ink.
QRD – What does your workstation look like?
Andrew – A mess right now. But it’s a computer desk with a flat monitor set back, speakers on the shelf with some model robots.
QRD – At what point in the artistic process do you work digitally?
Andrew – I ink over my pencils, then scan into Photoshop & color & letter there.
QRD – What do you think of digital comics & webcomics?
Andrew – I am fearful of hard copies becoming extinct. I would like to see them work hand in hand.
QRD – Do you prefer working in color or black & white?
Andrew – So far all of my real work has been b+w & I love it, but I am looking forward to using color.
QRD – How many different people should work on a comic & what should their jobs be?
Andrew – It depends. Too many chefs spoil the stew, but many hands make light work. If there is balance & good communication, great stories & art is made.
QRD – How do you find collaborators?
Andrew – At first Craigslist & Deviant Art. Then I discovered Facebook.
QRD – How tight do you think a script should be as far as telling the artist what to draw?
Andrew – Again it depends on dynamics between collaborators, subject matter, etc. If a writer has strong skills & a great idea/ story, then he should try to convey that in the script & tell the artist where to make adjustments. But flexibility is nice & helps the work become pleasurable.
QRD – What comic book person would you be most flattered to be compared to?
Andrew – Matteo Scalera or Jason Pearson.
QRD – What do your friends & family think of your comics?
Andrew – In the comic community it is hard to garner praise. You have to be a personable individual & communicate well. The ordinary people in my life don’t really get it. So I guess modest success/praise.
QRD – What do you think of superheroes?
Andrew – They’re okay, but as Harvey Pekar said, so much can be done with comics. I like them as long as they don’t have capes. Unless it’s Dracula. He can wear a cape.
QRD – Marvel or DC?
Andrew – Marvel.
QRD – What comic characters other than your own would you like to work with?
Andrew – Deadpool, Omega Red, Simon Belmont.
QRD – Ideally would you self-publish?
Andrew – Yes.
QRD – What conventions do you try to attend & why?
Andrew – ICON & NYCC. To hopefully gain recognition & fans.
QRD – How do you feel about doing work for anthologies?
Andrew – I like it.
QRD – What do you do to promote your books?
Andrew – Post on Facebook.
QRD – Do you think your comics are well suited to comic shops or would sell better elsewhere?
Andrew – Shops are pretty much dominated by Marvel, DC, & Image. I don’t think any one would find my one book, let alone buy it there. Amazon or IndyPlanet would be better.
QRD – What other medium would you like to see some of your comics made into (television, film, games, action figures, etc.)?
Andrew – Toys would be great. An anime would be nice too, but I don’t know if I’m that ambitious.
QRD – Do you consider yourself a comic collector or a comic reader or both?
Andrew – A reader? Last one I bought because I knew the artist. I have read a hardcover Gundam manga almost completely, but stopped because I feel any further comic reading may affect my style or where I’m at currently with my work.
QRD – What do you see as the most viable mediums for comics distribution 10 years from now?
Andrew – E-readers unfortunately.
QRD – What would you like to see more people doing with comics?
Andrew – Giant robot or american with japanese influence.
QRD – Anything else?
Andrew – Thanks for your interest in my artistic endeavors. It is something I am rabidly passionate about & it feels good to tell someone about it.
