DMI Artist Interview - Charlie Adlard
 With 2008 behind us, I'd like to look back on quite the successful year for Draw Me In! There were appearances in five books, by some of my favorite artists in some of my favorite titles. I got an opportunity to chat and even meet a few of these creators, both artists and writers! Now it's time to pick up the slack and make sure 2009 will be an equally good year. To celebrate things and to show my appreciation, I decided to touch base back with the artists who've made this hobby so great, and ask them the same four questions. To start things off, here is my Q & A with Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead). Draw Me In: Have you ever been asked before to draw someone in (other than I)? How do you respond to this? How about when I asked? Charlie Adlard: I don't get asked very often, to be honest. I used to put friends names on the Judges badges in the Dredd strips I used to draw in 2000AD - but that's about it. I don't mind drawing in people at all - in fact, it saves me thinking up invented faces all the time! DMI: What are some of the coolest/weirdest things you've snuck into a comic, "Easter eggs" if you will? Charlie: The only comic I can think of I did something like that in, was my issue of Muties (#5, I think?) for Marvel. In the opening splash page, all the bands that I was currently listening too were on posters on the wall... I did the same thing in the rehearsal room scene in Rock Bottom for AiT/Planet Lar, now I come to think of it... DMI: How are your convention experiences normally? More specifically with the fans? Have any recent stories to tell? Charlie: Life must sound really boring... because I have no really great con stories to tell... not with the fans anyhow. Most of them are just really great, appreciative people... like yourself :-) I had a very drunk Karaoke experience at this April's NYC show... but THAT'S another story, not involving fans... DMI: Lastly, how cool is it to work from home and to draw comic books? How much time do you devote in a days work? What time of day do you prefer to work? How easy is it to get distracted? Charlie: It's very cool - how can it NOT be? I have a wife and two kids, so I work a normal 9 - 5 day, Monday to Friday... just like a day at the office. Mind you - I used to do that before family life - I've always been pretty focused.Actually, even though the computer is a great work tool and contributes a LOT to my job nowadays, it's the only thing in the studio that now also distracts me! Curse e-mail and the Internet... Many thanks to Charlie for taking the time to do this and everybody look for Charlie's own personal 50th issue mark in The Walking Dead #57 in comic book stores everywhere January 7th. |
