QUICK QUESTIONS WITH David Withers
David Withers
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR CONNECTION TO COMICS?
I’m David Withers I Work as a letterer and general assisting person for Berserker Comics as well as contributing art, writing and book design to numerous small press projects.
WHAT COMIC ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Lettering 13 Coins for Berserker, some book design for a small press book called Vanguard, a bigger better Chaingun Chimp one-off (which I will get finished up at some point but as it’s my own and I have no deadlines and it’s taking a while), just finishing up writing an original horror graphic novel for pitching and a load of other bits and pieces. Not a comic but I’m also working on a short film called Desecration (check out the trailer on YouTube) and some other film type stuff.
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF MAKING COMICS?
Telling interesting stories in an exciting and visually pleasing way is always the best part of making comics for me also seeing artists who are much better than me at work, drawing monsters, gotta love the monsters. And the drinking. lotta drinking in comics strangely.
WHAT’S THE WORST PART OF MAKING COMICS?
Lack of exercise, late nights (as I have a smelly day job) and not getting to spend as much time with my long suffering wife as much as I would like.
HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER COMICS?
Through early issues of 2000ad and Heavy Metal given to me by my uncle, which then led onto an addiction to 90s horror and sci-fi comics. It took me a while to get into any superhero stuff.
WHO IS THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR WORK?
Hmm, almost too many to mention. John Hicklenton, Bisley, Kyle Holtz, really anybody who creates really aggressive looking horror and sci-fi artwork. Chaos comics, Dark Horse and 2000ad being my three fave publishers.
WHAT TOOLS OF THE TRADE DO YOU USE?
Mechanical Pencils, a wide range of pens, and a Wacom Bamboo tablet linked with my rubbish small screened laptop.
WHAT IS THE SINGLE WORK OF WHICH YOU ARE MOST PROUD?
I still haven’t created a piece of single work which I’m overly proud of always working towards that point. But the work going into the new 13 Coins book from the Berserker lads is just amazing.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED?
“As good as you think you are there is always someone better.” And “always paint from dark to light”.
WHAT IS THE WORST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?
Ah off the top of my head I can’t think of one.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CURRENT IRISH COMIC SCENE?
It’s going from strength to strength at the moment, some really talented guys and girls out there.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN IRISH COMIC IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
More work becoming available I suppose.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN COMICS IN GENERAL IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
I’m looking forward to DC comics same day digital releases, will save me some space in the comic room, they would need to come in at a much cheaper price point to snare me though. If I was really truthful I would like to see more fully painted artwork in comics.
WHAT WAS THE LAST COMIC THAT MADE AN IMPACT ON YOU?
Shakara and Zombo in 2000ad, Shakara’s just a really beautiful comic strip and Zombo is just insane. Both of em are loaded with violence and mayhem, just up my street.
FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START MAKING THEIR OWN COMICS? (And don’t say DON’T 🙂 )
Just work hard, work on as many projects as you can fit in as practice makes perfect and all that, variety is always good and network. It’s all about the networking.
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?
Ah can’t think of anything else to say. Oh actually. Take a look at my blog: chaingunchimp.blogspot.com (plug plug)
David Withers works as a letterer and general assisting person for Berserker Comics as well as contributing art, writing and book design to numerous small press projects.
Ah off the top of my head I can’t think of one.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CURRENT IRISH COMIC SCENE?
It’s going from strength to strength at the moment, some really talented guys and girls out there.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN IRISH COMIC IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
More work becoming available I suppose.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN COMICS IN GENERAL IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
I’m looking forward to DC comics same day digital releases, will save me some space in the comic room, they would need to come in at a much cheaper price point to snare me though. If I was really truthful I would like to see more fully painted artwork in comics.
WHAT WAS THE LAST COMIC THAT MADE AN IMPACT ON YOU?
Shakara and Zombo in 2000ad, Shakara’s just a really beautiful comic strip and Zombo is just insane. Both of em are loaded with violence and mayhem, just up my street.
FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO START MAKING THEIR OWN COMICS? (And don’t say DON’T 🙂 )
Just work hard, work on as many projects as you can fit in as practice makes perfect and all that, variety is always good and network. It’s all about the networking.
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?
Ah can’t think of anything else to say. Oh actually. Take a look at my blog: chaingunchimp.blogspot.com (plug plug)
David Withers works as a letterer and general assisting person for Berserker Comics as well as contributing art, writing and book design to numerous small press projects.
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