By Glen Ludlow
Last week Mike took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions, covering his inspirations, thoughts on the future of comics, and his personal favourite moments of his career.
Most of you who read comic books will know the name Mike Deodato Jnr. He has been a constant in the world of comic books for the last twenty years plus. Often called an ‘artist’s artist’ by peers and fans alike, Deodato has reinvented and breathed life into old and new characters alike.
With a majority of his mainstream career at Marvel, Mike has celebrated runs on Dark Avengers, Secret Avengers, Incredible Hulk, the list goes on and on.
Last week Mike took time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions, covering his inspirations, thoughts on the future of comics, and his personal favourite moments of his career.
Q1: Was art always a career choice you aspired to get into? Was it always comic art you wanted to do?
Yes! Way back, when I was just 13 years old, I decided that I wanted to be a comic book artist. I didn’t know when, and how, but somehow I knew it was going to happen.
Mike has celebrated runs on Dark Avengers, Secret Avengers, Incredible Hulk, the list goes on and on.
Q2: Who is the biggest influence in your life in a professional capacity?
My dad. He was and is a big fan of comics and an artist himself. He gave me advice on how to draw and, more important, he gave me all the support he possibly could. Not just emotionally but creatively: We ended up doing comic books together in my native Brazil — stuff that got published. It made me proud and was a good foundation for me.
Q3: Who are your favourite artists? Comic industry and outside the industry.
The classic guys, of course — not the stars-of-the-moment: Neal Adams, Will Eisner, Hal Foster, Jim Steranko, Bernie Wrightson, Frank Frazetta… the list goes on and on.
Will Eisner, one of Mike Deodato Jr’s favourite artists.
Q4: If there was one book or maybe a vanity project you’ve always wanted to work on, what would it be?
That’s easy: CONAN, written by Frank Miller, and drawn by me. And printed in black and white. A vanity project would be my own project RAMTHAR, which I’m developing right now.
Take Wally wood, for example…he burned super-brightly in the ’50s when he was full of piss and vinegar, knocking himself out on every page.
Q5: Did you embrace digital art because you felt you had to? Or was it because of the other benefits of digital art?
Have you noticed the usual progression of a comic artist? Take Wally wood, for example…he burned super-brightly in the ’50s when he was full of piss and vinegar, knocking himself out on every page. By the ’60s and early ’70s, he wasn’t showing the spark, that effort – -it was great technical craftsmanship but he wasn’t hungry for it. I didn’t want to follow that career curve. I think my work now, with all the tolls and techniques and creative choices and experimentation I do, has made my stuff stronger and stronger. I like to keep experimenting, because it makes things more interesting for me. I love technology and I love to draw –a perfect match, I would say.
Q6: What is your personal highlight of your career with Marvel so far?
Incredible Hulk #70. Everything was right in that issue. But I think the best is yet to come.
Everything was right in that issue.
Q7: You’re known as a fan of the Western genre, if you could adapt or work on an existing Western franchise as a comic book, what would it be?
I have three in mind: Ken Parker, Tex, and Jonah Hex.
Q8: Do you think the comic industry will ever see another Mike Deodato Studio? On reflection do you believe it was a good idea or a bad idea?
Never again. It was a terrible idea done because editors asked me to do it, ad at the time I didn’t know how to say NO. I felt I needed to please everybody. That was the lowest point of my career artistically. I made lots of money and got a lot of people employed, but it was not worthwhile, ultimately.
Q9: How much do you draw from real world inspiration in your art, and how much is derived completely from your imagination? Do you try and add verisimilitude to all your art?
I try to balance it the best I can. There were times where I was more dependent on references and such — but, nowadays, I try to rely more on imagination, specially regarding to the figures. But it is an evolving process. I’m never satisfied, and this is good for my art.
The Dark Avengers courtesy of Mike Deodato Jr.
Q10: If you could give your younger-self one piece of advice, what would it be?
To buy a lot of Microsoft stock.
Q11: Take us through an average working day with Mike Deodato.
I wake up by 7 a.m., have coffee with my adorable wife Paula, then I go checking emails, social networks and comic book news. The rest of the day is drawing, as I pester a couple of friends intermittantly on Skype, except for the food stops — and some days I have Karate classes. I stop drawing by 10 p.m., and then I go watch some TV with my wife.
Q12: Finally, where do you see the comics industry going? All digital? And do you think motion-comics will become dominant over the traditional medium?
Print will always have its place. Comics are not just for reading, they are also for collecting. As for motion comics, I am not very fond of them, because mostly they look like bad cartoons, but it is just me. So far the best motion comics still look essentially like those ’60s-era Marvel Super-Heroes cartoons. Nothing beats holding the physical comic book in your hands, reading and savoring it and controlling the reading experience at your own pace without worrying about a low battery indicator.
For more comic views follow Glen on Twitter at @luddersonline
Posted on April 13th, 2013
Category: NEWS & VIEWS, PANELS OF INTEREST
Tags: Comic Interviews, Dark Avengers, Glen Ludlow, Incredible Hulk, marvel comics, Mike Deodato JR, Panels Of Interest, Secret Avengers