One of the things we like to do here at Comic Impact is feature various comic book artists each month. Some you may know and some that are new to you. The idea is to make people aware of the amazing talent that’s out there and hopefully to get you interested in reading new books! This month we’re taking a look into the mind of Riley Rossmo.
1-Who are you and what are you known for?
Riley Rossmo, I make a lot of scratchy, fuzzy, angular, creator owned books.
2-Who do you currently represent and what are you working on?
I represent the forces of good right now I’m working on Rasputin with Alex Grecian published by Image comics.
3-How did you get into the world of comic art?
My love affair with comics started when I was 5 and sick with a fever. Comics have been one of the most consistent things in my life I started trying to make comics when I was 18 it took me a solid 8 years of doing samples and mini comics to finally get something published in 2006. Since then I’ve devoted most of my time to making creator owned books through Image comics and Shadowline.
4-Did you ever think as a kid that you would be working in the comics industry?
Nope its not something I really considered people did for a living till I grew up, As a kid I wanted to be a Sanitation Worker or a Cowboy.
5-Do you read comics and if so, what are your favorite titles?
I love reading comics Im a big fan boy I read 10-20 books a week, Right now Im digging Birthright, Saga, Manhattan Projects, Stray Bullets, Daredevil, Rachel Rising, Swamp Thing, Nail Biter, Trees, TMNT, recent graphic novels I picked up are Loisel’s Peter Pan, White Lama, Shoplifter, Battling Boy, the Collector, BlackSad, Stigmata, and Kamandi.
6-Who is your favorite comic book character?
I can’t choose one, the ones I like are Deadman, Batman, Swamp Thing, Daredevil, Hellboy, Doctor Strange, Dracula, and Conan.
7-What artists or writers are your biggest influences?
Bill Sienkiewizc is a huge influence on my work, Mike Mignola, John Byrne, John Buscema, and Emma Rios right now.
8-Who is the one character that you’ve always wished you could put your artistic touch on?
Swamp Thing, Deadman, and Doctor Strange.
9-How long does it take for you to complete a project, issue, or cover?
I seem to work in 12 month cycles 10 or so issues in 12 months is comfortable, I can do 22-25 pages a month plus some covers.
10-What is your basic creative process for each project?
A couple weeks of research if possible the research continues on through the project, after I have some visuals in my mind I usually develop a series of covers before I draw a page, then I get to it doing a page a day starting witt layouts, then pencils, then inks . I do most of my drawing in the inking stage, lately I’ve been using a #2 brush, a Crowquill, white out, and a stamp pad.
11-Do you do most of your work traditionally, digitally, or a combination?
Mostly traditional I tweak stuff I dont like after its scanned. On covers its about 60% traditional 40% digital.
12-Have you ever met anyone you were star struck over?
When I met Mike Mignola when I was 23 I was at a loss for words.
13-Do you buy any toys, busts and etc. based on some of your work?
I have some sculptures friends have made of my stuff that are amazing. I have some 80s gi joes, some storm troopers, and a few plaster busts.
14-What does your workspace look like?
I need to have chaos of some level in my work space right now my desk is by a big window, I have two desks, scanner/printer, map cabinet for all my pages, some paint, all manner of pens, and lots of brushes.
15-What is the strangest thing that someone has asked you to draw?
Instructions for a baby carrier, blood cells for a album cover, french fries on a fashion runway for a editorial article.
16-Do you have any upcoming projects or plans you can share with us?
Just working on Rasputin and a maybe a cover or two for the foreseeable future.
17-Where can people find you and interact with you?
Twitter, Rileyrossmo.com and Facebook.
Noelle Raemer
Noelle@comicimpact.com