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This month, the interview duties fell on my shoulders, and I scored an interview with the new regular artist on Jim Shooter's long rumoured return to DC's Legion of Super-Heroes. Francis Manapul has been around comics for a few years, and he's worked on such titles as Witchblade, G.I. Joe, and Necromancer. Let's see what he has to say about his new job!
Jason:
First off, who are some of your artistic influences?
Francis Manapul:
I have many influences, just to name a few: Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri,
Whilce Portacio, Mike Weiringo, Joe Mad, Art Adams, Mike Mignola,
Chris Bachalo, Eduardo Risso, the list just goes on!
Jason:
How did you come to be penciling Legion of Super-Heroes?
Manapul:
I was discussing with my current editor Mike Marts what my options
were at DC. We ran through a few ideas, but as soon as this one came
up, it actually caught me by surprise. It wasn't really on my radar,
but the more I thought about it the more it made sense. Fast forward
just a few days later we had a contract written up and here I am!
Jason:
Were you a fan before working on the book?
Manapul:
To be completely honest, like I said earlier it wasn't really on my
radar. I didn't know too much about it, the sheer amount of the cast
of characters the book had and its extensive history sorta prevented
me from really picking the books up and trying it out. After doing
some research when i was first approached, I started to really get
into it, the timing of the cartoon was also serendipitous as it fueled
my fire into wanting to draw these characters.
Jason:
Got a favorite character to draw?
Manapul:
I'm still getting my footing on them, but so far I've really enjoyed
drawing Saturn Girl, much more than I thought I would. I also really
like Starboy and Invisible Kid. And of course Timber Wolf!
Jason:
Any surprise characters you came to enjoy working on once you
started drawing them?
Manapul:
Saturn Girl. I'm a bit spent on drawing female characters having done
a tenure on Witchblade. However the way Jim has written her, made for
some really exciting scenes.
Jason:
What's it like trying to design future and alien worlds?
Manapul:
Jason:
Where do you draw inspiration from, especially for a book like
Legion of Super-Heroes, requiring new ideas?
Manapul:
A lot of what we do is based on reality, so the look and design has a
strong foundation. And then we freak the heck out of it and turn it on
its head! A lot of the environments, Jim would send me pictures of
real buildings and we would imagine what that would look like in the
future!
Jason:
What made you decide to redesign some of the costumes, and what
was your thought processes while working on them?
Manapul:
I liked Barry's design, but as an artist everyone wants to leave their
mark on the Legion. So I very much wanted to add in my own vision of
the heroes. My initial thought for their redesigns was "simplify". I
wanted them to be simpler and iconic. Something that would stand the
test of time and not be indicative of what's currently popular.
whether I was able to accomplish that is up to the readers.
Jason:
How has it been working with Jim Shooter, especially on a title
he's so connected with?
Manapul:
It's been fantastic! Jim's vision is very clear and precise. He's been
pushing me to my limits, and its definitely a true learning
experience. I think once all is said and done, I'll come away a
stronger storyteller. Jim really puts an emphasis on the clarity of
visual storytelling. Something that I'm trying to work really hard on
achieving.
Jason:
Finally, are you on Legion for the foreseeable future, or can we
look for your name on some other books soon?
Manapul:
I'll be on the book for as long as I can! My contract with DC is for 2
years, so hopefully I can work on it that whole time. As for other
books that will be coming out soon, I do have a French graphic novel
which I was working on prior to the Legion called Sept Guerrieres,
from Editions-Delcourt coming out May 2008. At the moment it will be
only up for a France release but hopefully it does well enough to be
translated in North America.
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