This month I got ahold of new Batman artist, and former Teen Titans artist, as well as many, many other comics over the years, Tony Daniel. You can follow his work at his own blog at
http://tonydaniel.blogspot.com/ whenever he posts. Now, on with the interview!
Jason Bourgeois:
Starting off with something easy, who are some of your artistic influences?
Tony Daniel:
I think when you're a young artist its more apparent who you're influenced by. Guys like John Byrne, Mike Zeck and later, Jim Lee, really showed up a lot in my early work. Though today, I don't think anyone really influences my work. I've come to a point where I've got my own look and style. Though I'm still inspired by all those guys and many, many more. Anyone who is a solid storyteller has my respect. I'm less into flash and more into an artist's fundamentals.
JB:
Tony Daniel:
JB:
How did you get the job pencilling Batman?
Tony Daniel:
I told Dan Didio that I was ready to start planning my exit from Teen Titans. I felt ready to take the next step and tackle a more prominent book. I let it be known Batman was my first choice if I had one.
JB:
What's it like working with Grant Morrison?
Tony Daniel:
I've only read Batman 670 and recently I read and received the script for 671. It's a new relationship and I hope he'll be happy with the end result. I'm loving what I've read so far and in reading his outline for the next 3 issues after 671, he has some really great things in store. I'm very excited.
JB:
I'm sure DC won't let you say much about Batman, but is there anything you can hint at that you've had fun drawing so far, or something you'd love to get the chance to draw?
Tony Daniel:
I'm really looking forward to issue 672 where we'll Batman back in Gotham. That's what I can't wait for. Drawing all of Batman's peripheral characters, the batcave, Alfred, the batmobile.
JB:
You've worked in comics for quite awhile how do you think art styles have changed in that time?
Tony Daniel:
I think what's great now is that there's room for any number of styles. There's such a large variety of styles today. And that's great for the fans and the professionals, too.
In the 90's everyone wanted to look like Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld. In fact, I was told by a prominent editor to try to look more like Liefeld. You couldn't get work if you didn't work in that style. It took several years of retooling and relearning how to draw for me to bounce back. Thankfully, I put in the hard work to do so. But it wasn't easy.
JB:
Has the addition of computers to the colouring and inking processes affected how you do your work?
Tony Daniel:
Not really. Or not yet, anyway. I'd like to teach myself to color on the computer one day so maybe I can color my work. Even if it's just a cover.
JB:
When you came into Teen Titans, you redesigned several characters. What do you go through to redesign such well known characters, and how difficult is it?
Tony Daniel:
It was fun work. Mainly I had direction from Geoff Johns and Eddie Berganza. So it wasn't like I was given free reign. Which, in that case, would've made the redesigns harder. I liked working with Eddie and Geoff together to find out what worked best.
JB:
What have been some of characters you've enjoyed working with the most?
Tony Daniel:
Right now, Batman, of course. But I really enjoyed drawing Robin, Kid Devil, Ravager and Kid Flash (RIP).
JB:
Any characters you'd love to get your hands on at some point for a nice, long run?
Tony Daniel:
Superman, Green Lantern, the JLA if I feel the urge for a team book again.
JB:
You post frequently to your blog, what made you decide to be so open, and have such close interaction with fans? Has it changed anything about how you work?
Tony Daniel:
Well everyone has been so great to me on my blog. I've never had to take anyone down for being nasty. People are very respectful and I am in return. If it ever became a pain, I'd just stop.
JB:
You've also done some books of your own, and written some as well such as the Tenth. Do you prefer drawing over writing? Any plans to write more in the future?
Tony Daniel:
I would like to write again. Currently, I write screenplays when I can. I enjoy that very much. But one day I'd like to write an arc or two on something. Not long term. I'm best as a penciller I think.
JB:
And finally, anything coming up besides Batman for you, or is that keeping you pretty busy?
Tony Daniel:
That's all I can do. Anything else and I'd blow my deadlines . . .
