Ferguson’s 7 Questions With… Ed Doyle

Posted by On February 15, 2022

I’d mentioned that one reason I’d revived 7 Questions was there was a whole bunch of new creators who have cropped up since I stopped doing it. Next up we have one of those. A creator who co-founded the comic Sentinel, which has racked up an impressive number of issues (they’re Kickstarting the 11th right now). It’s 7 Questions With… Ed Doyle.

What was the first comic work you did that was published?

My first ever comic strip worked was in a small press  Sci fi comic called SF Revolution by Christopher Atkins back in 2002. An 8 page strip featuring a malevolent alien .

What is the biggest thing you have learned since that book?

Getting use to the art of comic strip illustration. Before that I was doing spot illustrations for horror and action fanzines back in the 1990’s. Messing about with dip pen and ink, experimenting with layouts. Getting use to reading scripts as it was all brand new to me. But I loved reading comics and how other artists drew their panels.

What is your process for drawing a comic book?

I’d read the script a few times, maybe draw the odd doodle but basically dive right into it, pencilling the pages and inking afterwards. Some artists do thumbnails but I just get straight to it. I mostly work digitally now, using a Wacom Cintiq and Manga Studio EX 4.

What is the biggest influence on your work?

I grew up reading 2000AD, Starblazer, Eagle and several other comics in my youth and I was always amazed with regards to the art. Especially in 2000AD. From Bollland’s Dark Judges to McMahon’s Sláine, there was so many different art styles to look at and admire. So regards to my work, I was influenced by these early 2000AD artists.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on a 64 page strip for Sentinel called Valhallasaur (a Vikings and Dinosaurs story) written by my partner in crime and Co Creator of Sentinel, Alan Holloway. This will be my first traditionally drawn strip since 2006, back to drawing on Bristol board but instead of dip pens, I’m now using Tombow soft brush pens which are great. That’ll keep me busy for awhile.

What do you have out now or coming out next?

I’m currently lettering Ian Beadle’s Dark Matter strip for Sentinel Issue 11 which is on Kickstarter at the moment (fully funded in 8 hours). Here’s the link to that, plug, plug…

SENTINEL COMIC ISSUE 11 “DARK MATTER”, via @Kickstarter

Myself and Alan were recently involved with an anthology that was successfully funded on Kickstarter called New Year New Stories 2022, a 166 page beast featuring a wealth of Indie creators. We have a full colour strip in that, entitled ” Everybody Loves Zarkon”.

What is your favourite Irish comic?

The Bog Road by Barry Keegan. A beautifully illustrated and written graphic novel set in County Laois and incorporating myths and folklore surrounding the place with environmental issues tossed in for good measure. Highly recommended.

EXTERNAL LINKS