Image from https://mobile.twitter.com/nguyeningit
1. What initially drew you to comics?
My mom used to take me to the library when she had to study. I was maybe five or six years old at the time and discovered that things I loved to watch were comics. I had no idea there were stories beyond the movies or shows. Also, I didn't know comic books were a thing until then. I was only familiar with comic strips in the Sunday paper. I read compendiums of Batman/Detective comics and Orphan Annie, I experienced John Byrne's work on X-Men and Man of Steel and Walt Simonson's Thor. I fell in love with comics right then.
2. What stories/people have shaped you as the author/creator you are?
You never know where you can draw inspiration. It's almost as if you have to constantly consume the medium and experiment with things you enjoy, fascinate or invigorate you. For example, I met my friend Nathaniel Osollo (Dark Mouse) a few years ago at a WonderCon portfolio review. Looking at his work really encouraged me to lean heavier into blacks with my work. I really got into comics in the 90s: reading the Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen and, to me, some of the most seminal runs of the Hulk, Spider-Man and X-men. Something about that period of Peter David with Todd McFarlane and Dale Keown on art for Hulk, David Michelinie and McFarlane on Amazing Spider-Man and Chris Claremont with Jim Lee on Uncanny X-men really hooked me. However, it wasn't until later that I discovered the work of Skottie Young, Humberto Ramos and Chris Bachalo that the fire was lit in me to create comics.
My path has been filled with amazing experiences, tips, and advice. There are really a lot of people to thank. I've benefitted from feedback given by Brian Stelfreeze, Steve Epting, Bernard Chang, Frank Cho and Barbara Randall Kesel. Jim Lee has been kind enough to answer questions when he has had some time at conventions. Kwanzaa Johnson, Peter and Bobby Timony, and members of the Zuda community not only helped with feedback but also with how to handle files for print and digital work. Dustin Nguyen (no relation) was an instrumental voice for me to get work out into the world.
Beyond comics? Movies, art, colleagues, the world around us...there are a lot of incredible things happening that will motivate me. I really enjoy meeting people accomplishing their dreams and finding success. I feel imbued with mana in those instances.
3. Please tell us about Pablo the Gorilla, and any other recent/upcoming work you'd like to share about.
Oh man, where to start. I've been fortunate enough to be part of a ton of amazing projects! Pablo the Gorilla is my creator-owned book that funded on Kickstarter in 2019. It's about an albino cyborg gorilla that delivers pizza and just wants to live his life. However, the military that created him and something sinister from his past are hunting him down.
It was the first time I had run a campaign by myself. Two-time Eisner winner Dustin Nguyen (Little Monsters, Descender, Lil Gotham) was kind enough to do the variant cover. I'm actually working on #2 right now. 2020 was supposed to be the year I toured with the comic but we all know how that went. It's been getting great feedback and I'm working on finishing it before the year's out. A lot has happened since then. I've been a part of over a dozen crowdfunding campaigns since and I became a sketchcard artist for Marvel Upper Deck.
I finished a set for Marvel Upper Deck in the spring; so, I hope to be able to do an art drop of the set in the fall. Battle Grapple Rebel (Writer: Michael Tanner, Junior Braves of the Apocalypse, Orcs in Space - Oni Press, Inks & Letters: Dave Wheeler, Mind Wave Comics, Colors: Brett Weldele, Southland Tales) funded in May and I hope to have copies at San Diego Comic-Con. We're really proud of that book. It's as if you had the WWE or AEW in the Star Wars Universe.
Right now, up until the Thursday of SDCC, Retro is live on Kickstarter (WhoisRetro.com). This is a project that started with my friend Aaron Lindenthaler. Aaron had asked for help with storyboarding his script. Once I finished, he took the boards and created a motion comic short film. That animated short made it into the 23rd Dances with Films Festival in 2019. It premiered at the famous Hollywood Chinese Theaters! Aaron and I decided we'd test the waters and create a comic. His friend Reno Wilson (Mike & Molly, Good Girls) saw the film at the premiere and advocated to do a live-action short. That's where we're at now. The campaign has hit its initial funding goal and we're working to build a buffer and bank any remaining funds toward creating the next issue. We hope more people join to bring this comic book and short film to life. I've been describing it as Jason Bourne meets Looper. It's about a man that wakes up disheveled and in a fugue state. Fragments of his memory point to horrendous crime but he can't tell if he's the hero or the villain in the scenario. All he knows is he has a device that allows him to travel back in time for short increments and the uncanny ability to lay hands. At the heart of the story is ultimately a father-son/parental love story: how far would a parent go for their child? Ellie Wright (Immortal Red Sonja, Batman the Shadow) helps on colors and Jerome Gagnon (Holiday Spirits, Cthulhu Invades Oz) lends his style to lettering the book for us.
4. Where can we find more information about your work?
For Retro, please visit WhoisRETRO.com. On most social media platforms, you can find me under @Nguyeningit ! I'm an over-sharer so expect to see everything I'm involved with on social media. Thank you so much for the opportunity to discuss comics and my work!
Comments