1. What initially drew you to comics?
I grew up reading every comic strip or book I could get my hands on. I originally wanted to write and draw my own daily strip, but when the '89 Batman movie hit, I really immersed myself in superhero comic books, and decided it was exactly what I wanted to do for a living. I eventually went to art college at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan where I began interning for DC Comics. That led to my first script assignment in 2002, and I've just kept plugging away at it ever since.
2. Big Batman Adventures fan over here — do you have favorite characters that you’ve been able to create about?
The Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures series is definitely my favorite comic assignment to date. I grew up a fan of both properties, so it was a dream come true to write that book.
3. What do comics allow you to do as an artist and storyteller?
I think comics can allow more self-expression than many other forms of visual storytelling. You only have a handful of collaborators, and usually, you all get a chance to leave your mark on the shape of the story. I love the language of comics, finding the right moments to freeze on the page, seeing an artist interpret my script, deciding what to leave out, what will impact the reader the most. It's a process of difficult choices, and the possibilities are always exciting when you get to dive into a property or subject matter you love.
4. Any message for young creators?
Making comics isn't for everyone. It's a constant hustle that wears you out, complete with an inconsistent paycheck, rough deadlines, and more rejections than acceptances. You don't make comics to get rich or because it's the trendy thing in publishing right now. You make comics if you truly love the medium, if you breathe this stuff and can't see yourself working in any other field. The rush of creative excitement you get from working on something you're passionate about makes the rough parts of the job seem all worth it. If you're a storyteller, and this is your medium, there's really no other choice. Make some great comics. There's always room for more of those in the world.
Check out Matthew's website at www.matthewkmanning.com.
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