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……………………
1-Who are you and what are you known for?
Hi, my name is Sam Ellis and most people know me as one of the lead designers for Archer—I was there back for season 01.
2-Who do you currently represent and what are you working on?
So currently I am opening an affordable design school so that aspiring artist don’t have to mortgage their lives to receive quality education—so most of that is done online through www.nsdstudios.com
3-How did you get into the world of art?
When I was a little kid I read a lot of Garfield and my dad bought me the Crisis Comics when they came out, George Perez did some outstanding stuff in those books and there were so many characters—it was a pretty great starting point for a youngin’ like myself. My dad shortly got me a How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way book and I was hooked making my own poorly drawn comics. Growing up in the 80’s we had book mobiles that would come by the house and I would grab those Draw 50 books by Lee J. Ames.
4-Did you ever think as a kid that you would be working in the industry?
I had 3 goals—Disney Imaginer, Muppeteer, and Comic Artist… I don’t have all them yet but I never have stopped dreaming.
5-Do you read comics and watch cartoons and if so, what are your favorites?
I do—I read older stuff—stand alones, and will re-read “the amazing screw on head” forever, but am a sucker for the 90’s stuff—you know the “bad” stuff, it is just so much a part of me. I also watch the heck out of some cartoons, Disney–of course but I still love watching the classic Looney Tunes—I do watch just about everything out there though, trying to stay abreast of the industry trends and such, but for the new stuff, Regular Show, Adventure Time, and Gumball.
6-Who is your favorite comic fictional character?
Doctor Fate
7-What artists or writers are your biggest influences?
I’d be lying if I didn’t say the old Image guys—but I have studied the other guys so much it just becomes picking favorites—they all have something to offer, but of all of them I would have to go with Brian Stelfreeze… I look to him as a mentor.
8-Who is the one character that you’ve always wished you could put your artistic touch on?
Doctor Fate, really him and the Spector—I always wanted to do a “Buddy Cop” short story with them solving paranormal crimes—out of a strip mall.
9-Where do you find inspiration when designing a new character?
Really from the characters back story—the characters develop so much like we do one day at a time, but we accelerate them a bit so we are not so bored but life is perfect, being the totality of many imperfections, and I try to keep that in mind when designing the character both with words and pictures.
10-What is your basic creative process for each project?
I call my sister to collaborate and I know that if she is not crying we are not working hard enough.
11-Do you do most of your work traditionally, digitally, or a combination?
Tradigital…
12-Have you ever met anyone you were star struck over?
Yes, 90’s In-Line Vert Skater Chris Edwards…
13-Do you have any toys, busts and etc. based on some of your work?
No, they have made some—but I don’t have any.
14-Have you seen anyone dressed as your characters at a convention? Do any stand out?
Yes, I have seen some really Great cosplay of the Archer Crew—Adam Hughes made a great Pam.
15-What does your workspace look like?
Clean when I am not there Messy when I am—Tall desk with a computer and a CintiQ, lots of makers and pens and such on it at any given time when I am there—usually a tall bottle of water near by.
16-What is the strangest thing that someone has asked you to draw?
Aquaman and Modok having a Crab Bake in Baltimore…
17-Do you have any upcoming projects or plans you can share with us?
I can’t really talk about too much but I am doing some children’s books and heading up an anthology comic for my students.
18-Where can people find you and interact with you?
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/manofmissle
https://www.facebook.com/neversaydiestudios
Twitter https://twitter.com/manofmissle
Instagram https://instagram.com/nsdstudios/
Website http://www.nsdstudios.com
http://www.manofmissle.com
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/user/RobotCowboySamurai
Noelle Raemer
Noelle@comicimpact.com