Welcome to the latest edition of our Artist Spotlight, where you’ll have a chance to get to know our talented artists a little bit more in depth. Our artist spotlight is shining this month on…Zach Howard!
Zach Howard is a comic book illustrator who has been nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Single Issue in 2010, and a Scream Award in 2005. He has worked for Marvel, DC, IDW, Image, Dark Horse, Boom, and Simon and Shuster. Previous projects include The Cape (with Joe Hill), Shaun of the Dead, Detective Comics, Spider-Man, Aliens: Almost Human, and the Hulk. Zach is currently wrapping up Wild Blue Yonder (with Mike Raicht and Nelson Daniel) for IDW.
Here are a few questions we asked Zach:
How did you get into art?
From reading Conan magazines as a kid. We lived abroad and I had a lot of hours to kill so I drew Conan and monsters. Soon after I saw Fire & Ice, and I was hooked for good.
Are you formally trained or self-taught?
Both, actually. I was trained as a potter (yep.), and I have BFA in Ceramic Arts. However, I’m mostly self-taught as an illustrator. I’ve picked up a few tricks from fellow pros along the way, but it’s mostly just me meandering about.
What inspires your art style?
This will sound so lame, but at this point it’s just plain ol’ storytelling. The entire goal for my “style” is to serve the story in a way that the reader has no opportunity to look away, thus the story gets the full attention it deserves. I often change paper, ink, and tools to get whatever art effect I need to push a story as far as it can be taken. Every line serves the story. That is why my style evolves with each new story I draw. See, now I sound like a purest…
Who is your favorite character to draw?
Tug from Wild Blue yonder.
Who was your favorite comic book character as a kid?
“Pure” comic book character would have to be the Hulk. I grew up a twerp.
What is the most unique thing you’ve drawn for yourself or for someone else?
Cherry Blossoms for my mother. It’s the only piece of artwork I’ve drawn not intended for work since college. That was back during the Lincoln administration.
What was the moment you knew you were officially a professional artist?
When I got hired to draw the comic book and spot illustrations for the Hellboy Resource Manual.
What are your current and upcoming projects?
I’ve just wrapped up Wild Blue Yonder and we’re prepping the HardCover Collection for February. In the next month I’ll be drawing four more Wolverines covers for Marvel.
What is currently playing on your mp3/CD/other music playing device?
Bad Brains – Pay to Cum
Art from Wild Blue Yonder and The Cape is currently available on the website. Keep an eye out for Wolverines covers by Zach coming soon!
Court Gebeau
www.comiconart.com
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