Interview

(April 2015)

What was the first comic book you read?

It is hard to say for sure, but it was most certainly something from Disney. The first super-hero story I read was Captain America #253-254, written by Roger Stern and drawn by John Byrne, where Captain fights Baron Blood. I was ten years old and got hooked for life.

Who were the first artists to inspire you?

Probably Carl Barks and Don Rosa, since their comics were the first I read, although I didn’t know who did them at the time. Later on, I would have to say most of the top artists in the industry from the past few decades. I have closely studied the artwork of many of them.

Who inspires you now these days?

Definitely Brian Hitch and Sean Murphy. Overall, Everyone and everything is an influence. Even what I don’t like influences me, as I try not to do it!

What comics do you currently read?

I read anything drawn by Sean Murphy and Brian Hitch. There are several other artists and writers that I follow on an off. I will also pick up different comics at my dealer if the art appeals to me. Recently, that has been happening quite a lot with several titles published by Image Comics, like Witches and Black Science.

How fast do you work? How long does it take you to pencil a page, on average?

People say I’m fast. A typical B&W comic book page takes me around 4 hours on average to finish, from pencils to inks.

What are you best know for?

The clarity of my storytelling and expressiveness of my character are features that people tend to praise the most, as well as my versatility. Clients keep coming back because I am reliable. I deliver what I promise and nothing less. In all these years doing storyboards, comic books and illustrations in general, I have never missed a deadline. It’s all about being professional.

Which work are you most proud of?

Whatever project I am working on at the moment, since I always give my best. Of course, when looking back, not everything stands the test of time, but I’m still proud of my effort.

How was it like to work for Marvel?

It was brilliant! The dream of the eleven years old kid in me coming true. Strangely, once it was accomplished, something changed. The pressure to achieve that goal was gone. Now I do comics mostly because I love it.

What tools do you use?

When working digitally – which is most of the time these days – I work on a Wacom Cintiq 21ux or a Cintiq Companion. As far as software goes, I draw with Manga Studio EX and do colors with it or with Photoshop CS6.
To pencil on paper, I use a 3H lead pencil to do the first sketches. Then I finish up with a HB pencil or technical pencil. The paper range goes from Bristol boards to regular print paper. For inking, I use a Pentel brush pen and Uni Pin Fine Line pens, sizes 00.5, 0.1 and 0.2. I also use large Edding markers to fill in the blacks. For shading (mostly done in my storyboard work), I use toner gray Copic Markers.

If you could pick one writer to work with, who would it be?

Mark Millar, but if for some reason he’s not available, I would pick Al Ewing everyday.

Have you ever thought about writing your own stories?

I do write stories of my own. I like to tell stories.

If you could pick one comic character to work on, which would it be and why?

Lets say the entire Marvel Universe.

How do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Doing a couple of graphic novels every year.

For which achievement do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as a great storyteller.