KHEPRI.COM owner Brian Scot Johnson has long been a fan of the JSA, and more recently, of STARMAN. Relative newcomer Stephen Sadowski has illustrated issues for both series.
Sadowski is best known for as the penciler on the new, ongoing JSA title, but has also contributed to various BIG BOOKS and BOB BURDEN'S ORIGINAL MYSTERYMEN.
So it is with a great deal of excitement that Brian Scot Johnson offers this Interview, the 4th Exclusive in as many months. Please read this, and then visit our other Interviews.
BSJ: Welcome to KHEPRI.COM, Stephen. Thanks for taking the time for this Exclusive Interview. Now you're a rather recent artistic phenomenon in the comics industry -- the first time I recall seeing your work was in one of those Paradox Big Books: THE BIG BOOK OF THE WEIRD WILD WEST -- are you a fan of the western genre, or was this just a foot in the door of the industry?
SS: Actually, I just applied for the gig, through some suggestions from a friend. I'm not a HUGE western fan, although I really enjoy the Blueberry strip!! It was a challenging job, not being familiar with the genre. I'm sorta happy with it though, and it pushed me a little forward!!
BSJ: Now from there, you lept to a larger stage working with James Robinson on the STARMAN 80-PAGE GIANT #1. Was that a big thrill, working with such a big-name writer so early in your career?
SS: S'funny, actually I had worked with James on issue #13 of Firearm (that I was uncredited for); he was an up-and-coming writer at that time. There was a lot of buzz about him even then!! When Pete Tomasi offered me the Starman job it was like, "Hey, cool! I get to work on a Robinson script again!!" I love James' scripts, they're very Artist-friendly!!!
BSJ: You ended up drawing a Ted Knight story set in the 1940s, rather than a Jack Knight story set in the 1990s -- was this a problem? Were you a fan of the Golden Age characters, or was this your introduction to them?
SS: It wasn't a problem at all!! I like the Golden Age guys, there's a certain "class" to them that the DARK AGE characters certainly lack!! I was a little upset that I wouldn't be doing Jack, but everything considered, it's all worked out!!
BSJ: So from there you got the job working on the JSA RETURNS 5th-Week Event, penciling SMASH COMICS, starring Doctor Mid-Nite and Hourman. How did this job come about? Was it a result of your work on the 80-Page Giant?
SS: There was some stuff in-between these events like the MYSTERYMEN stuff and more BIG BOOK things, but it was a direct effect of the 80-PAGER that I got the JSA skip week thing, yeah.
BSJ: Now SMASH COMICS was also set in the 1940s -- did you find yourself researching that era very much? Do you use a lot of reference in your work, or is most of it drawn from your own imagination?
SS: I use reference when I NEED to, like the Army guys in SMASH. I really had no idea what they'd look like, so I did some research and called a local military surplus store and found the information I needed. I really strive for realism, so when I'm stumped, I find whatever I can to get me out of a pickle!!!
BSJ: What about Hooty? Doc Mid-Nite's owl mascot / sidekick really stole the show near the end of the tale - even made me laugh aloud. Was it odd to you, having to draw a drug-enhanced owl into the climax of the story?
SS: That was a (pardon the pun) HOOT!!! When I got the script, I just about died!! How the hell, was I gonna draw THAT?!! It was my favorite part of the whole series, and I was glad I got to do it!! I actually had my "pick" of the books because no one else had been assigned at that point. Pete (Tomasi) had asked who I liked, and I said either Doctor Mid-Nite or Hourman. Fortunately for me, I got 'em BOTH!!
BSJ: So from here, you got the green-light as the artist on the ongoing JSA title. But before that was released, you also worked on issue #56 of STARMAN. By that time, was Robinson requesting you on his projects?
SS: I had the pleasure of meeting James at the San Diego Con last year, and he had expressed interest in working with me again. This was after the STARMAN 80-PAGER. He said there was an opening for a fill-in for that issue, and they weren't sure who they were going to give it to. I basically begged for the job, and, well... got it!! So, I did that, THEN the JSA Returns thing, THEN the JSA monthly!!
BSJ: Wow. It's interesting to see the chronology of assignments compared to the chronology of the release dates...But NOW you're working on the JSA title, an ongoing series that many fans have been waiting years to see. What's that like? Have the fans been receptive to your work? Are they new fans, or mostly old-timers?
SS: A really nice mix actually!! So far, judging from the things I've seen, they've been overwhelmingly positive!! I'm very appreciative of the response. I'm having a blast on the book, and hope to stay for a while!!
BSJ: There's been a lot of rumors and speculation concerning the Robinson and Goyer relationship on the book. Is Robinson leaving? Some say Geoff Johns of STARS & S.T.R.I.P.E. is coming aboard. Just who is writing JSA?
SS: Yeah, James is leaving as of issue 6, then Geoff Johns is co-writing with Goyer after that. The scripts are great, and I think that everyone will be happy with the team!!
BSJ: How much freedom are you given on this title? Were you involved in any of the design for the newer characters, like Sand or the new Hawkgirl? What about some of the older characters - how have you tweaked their costumes?
SS: James and David had some pretty specific ideas for the new guys. I just added my bits to the mix. Some characters, like Sand for example, were completely designed in James' head. Others, like Hawkgirl, were more vague and left room for interpretation. Some of the villians coming up were all mine!! It's really a collaborative thing, y'know? It works well that way.
BSJ: What about cover design? Alan Davis is doing the covers for the series, while you've only done the cover to the Secret Files. Does that bother you? Especially after the horrible cover on Issue #1 with the huge logo?
SS: Well, I'm a HUGE Alan Davis fan, so I wouldn't say it was "horrible!!"
BSJ: Hey, I like Davis too... but the giant logo eats up two-thirds of the cover!
SS: It doesn't bother me at all. While I would LOVE to be doing the covers, I've got my hands full with the interiors!!
BSJ: Speaking of the interiors, how is it that your artwork has improved so much, issue by issue. Few pencilers improve as quickly as you are. Do you think you and inker Michael Bair are finally gelling, or are you simply churning out better product?
SS: That's what everybody's saying!! Well, I don't know what to say about that. Probably a combination of both, I guess. I feel that with each progressive issue, I do better. Bair's inks have improved a lot as well.
BSJ: Some artists claim that working on a team-book is much more difficult than working on a solo-book. Having worked on JSA and STARMAN, do you find that to be the case? Can you explain the reasoning behind that?
SS: Well, I can understand that comment!! It's a lot more difficult to do a team book, simply due to the amount of characters on any given page. I also try to make everyone distinct, as well, so that makes for some... sleepless nights!! I would say the same must apply to writing as well. You've got to give every character their "moment", as well as move the story along. It's tough! I've actually begun to enjoy the challenge.
BSJ: So as a recent success story in the industry, what advice do you have for aspiring artists? Is formal training necessary? What are editors looking for? Does it pay to know people who know people, or are jobs readily available?
SS: I've been told by EVERYBODY, how tough it is these days. The only advice I have is to (and I know how corny this sounds, but it's true) hold on to your dreams and keep at it!! Don't let anyone tell you you CAN'T!! Show your stuff to anyone who'll look, and DRAW DRAW DRAW!! I didn't have any "formal" training, although I would definitely recommend life drawing classes. Too many Artists learn from OTHER comic Artists, and that just weakens your overall knowledge.
BSJ: True, that. Now how did you get the job of BOB BURDEN'S ORIGINAL MYSTERYMEN? Are you a long-time fan of Burden's FLAMING CARROT? Or did fervor from the new movie get you excited about the property?
SS: Well, I must say first off that I did the two MYSTERYMEN things over TWO YEARS AGO!! I was showing my stuff around and Bob Burden had somehow got a hold of my sample package!! He works in mysterious ways!! This was WAY before the movie deal, and I was very happy to get the job!!! I'm pretty happy with the results and thankful for Christian Alamy for doing an incredible job on my pencils!!
BSJ: How was your work for Dark Horse different from the work you've done for DC Comics? Do you prefer one publisher over another? Would you be willing to work for Marvel? What's the one book you'd just die to draw...
SS: Well, I've always been a DC boy!! I've said for a while now, I'd LOVE to do the TITANS!!! They were my first "favorite" comic, and I've followed them through every version, GOOD and... not so good!! Geoff and I talk of a JSA/TITANS thing, so... I'll keep my fingers crossed!!
BSJ: Me too... Now some fans on the Usenet newsgroups are likening your talents to those of the legendary George (AVENGERS) Peréz. What do you think of that? Is he someone who influenced you? Who are your influences?
SS: That's something I've heard, as well. Well, what can I say? I have been "influenced" by every Artist I've seen, so who knows!! There are so many really talented people out there, some of the new guys too, really amazing!!
BSJ: What about your peers - Who would you like to work with in the future? Who do you think is doing killer work? Who's work is severly under-rated? Is there one writer that you'd do anything to work with?
SS: As far as writers go? Hmmm, well the obvious answers are the Alan Moores, Neil Gaimans, Blah blah blah... They're amazing writers. I'd like to work with Peréz, Byrne, ah... too many!! As far as other Artists or inkers? Kevin Nowlan, Paul Neary... I'd like to see them over my stuff!!
BSJ: What does the future hold for Stephen Sadowski? Do you want to pencil comics all your life? Would you care to try your hand at writing? Is working on a creator-owned book important to you? Or are you looking beyond comics?
SS: I love right where I am right now!! One thing I learned from last year was to keep focused on the present, with your eyes to the future!! Too many of us dwell on the negative stuff in the present. When we're horribly depressed, we talk about it in the present: "God, I'm depressed!" But how often do we acknowledge the happiness in the same way? You rarely notice when your happy, it's usually an afterthought!! Well, damn it, I'M HAPPY!!!
BSJ: Ok. Last question-cluster. You're stuck on an island that has everything you need except for... comic books! What 3 trade paperback collections would you choose to have there with you, and why?
SS: HARD ONE!! Ummmm...
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, cuz it was a pivotal moment and I'd get to see all those characters!!
WATCHMEN, just to keep me thinking...
And maybe THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, cuz of the killer Storytelling & Art combo!!
I just know I'll think of some others once I'm gone!!!
BSJ: Well, Steve, that's all we have time for today. Good luck with the JSA and your future endeavors, and thanks for spending some time with us here at KHEPRI.COM. Any parting shots you'd like to make before signing off?
SS: Thanks for having me!!! Gotta go draw now!!! If you make it to San Diego Con, look me up!!!
BSJ: There you have it folks, Stephen Sadowski... the penciler on DC Comics' JSA, among other things.