Boston Comic Con: Rapid-Fire Creator Interviews, Part 2

At this weekend’s Boston Comic Con, The Quad was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to interview nine different comic book creators in a rapid-fire fashion. The second installment’s interviews include artists Jill Thompson, Kevin Maguire, Stephanie Buscema, and Skottie Young.

Artist Jill Thompson | Photo by Ashley Hansberry

Jill Thompson is a widely-acclaimed comic book writer and artist who had her own panel at Boston Comic Con. Her work includes her own Scary Godmother series, Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman, and Wonder Woman

The Quad: What are your current projects right now?

Jill Thompson: Um, something that I can’t talk about.

Can you say with who, or no?

JT: It will be with DC. And then I am also going to be working on Beasts of Burden after that. So there will of course be more issues of that, Evan [Dorkin]’s writing that now.

Do you think the comic book industry as a whole is more accepting towards female artists and writers now than it was a few years ago?

JT: When I first started getting into comics, I was the only girl here. At all. And then when I became an artist who drew comics and I got a table at Artist’s Alley, I think at every convention, like if we all got together at the same time, there would maybe be five of us. So yes, there are definitely more women here to get stuff signed, to be fans, to do cosplay, to like gaming, to like comics, many many more than when I first started to doing this.

Who is your favorite character you’ve ever drawn?

JT: My own character, Scary Godmother.

Artist Skottie Young | Photo by Ashley Hansberry

Skottie Young is a Marvel exclusive artist who has drawn for Human Torch, New X-Men, Venom, and several others. His The Marvelous Land of Oz made the New York Times Best-Selling List and also won an Eisner Award.

In the Avengers vs. X-Men event, which team are you on?

Skottie Young: X-Men.

On this cover, who was your favorite child Marvel character to draw?

SY: Probably that green Hulk and maybe Dr. Strange.

There’s a criticism that the comic book industry doesn’t have a lot of comics for younger kids. Do you agree?

SY: I don’t agree. I think there are plenty out there, it’s just that they’re not all superhero comics.

Artist Stephanie Buscema | Photo by Ashley Hansberry

Stephanie Buscema is an artist with a very distinct style who has worked for DC Comics, Marvel Entertainment, IDW Publishing, and more. Her art has most recently graced the cover of Adventure Time #3 and the t-shirts available at Boston Comic Con.

What’s it like seeing people walk around with your t-shirt design?

SB: It’s awesome. It’s really cool, it’s an honor to do it.

Did Boston Comic Con approach you?

SB: Yeah.

What was it like finding out that you would be doing the cover for Adventure Time?

SB: Oh, I was stoked—

[Boston Comic Con intercom makes announcement, interrupting interview]

This happened mid-interview with Jill Thompson yesterday.

SB: Oh no! [laughs] Um it was—

[Another intercom announcement]

SB: [laughs] Every time I start talking!

And who is your favorite character from Adventure Time?

SB: It would have to be Hotdog Princess. [laughs] All the princesses are amazing but Hotdog Princess is actually like, “I had to do something with Hotdog Princess.”

Artist Kevin Maguire | Photo by Ashley Hansberry

Kevin Maguire is a well-known comic book artist whose credentials include Captain America, Justice League, and X-Men. His current project is the new Worlds’ Finest series debuting for DC Comics next week.

When were you first approached with the idea for Worlds’ Finest?

Kevin Maguire: It was around Christmastime, it was before Christmas and I was wrapping up Tanga and I had a meeting with Bob Harras and Eddie Berganza about the projects I had next and they suggested Worlds’ Finest and I was like “okay, cool.”

What were your goals behind design Helena Wayne’s Robin costume and Kara Kor-L’s Supergirl outfit?

KM: To make it seem like a transition between what the Earth-2 Batman and Superman were like and what they [Helena and Kara] ended up wearing as Power Girl and Huntress. Like that in-between, although, you know, they ended up pretty different in Worlds’ Finest, but yeah, something that looked a little like it would be from the same wardrobe.

Aside from visual differences like hair color, what makes drawing Helena and Kara different from one another?

KM: Helena is much more tense and wiry and a little more alert as to what’s going on, and Kara’s just like my cockerspaniel, she’s just kinda like, you know, she walks into life and is just happy and indestructable and in a good mood so she doesn’t have to worry.

About Jon Erik Christianson

Jon Christianson (COM/CAS '14) is the zany, misunderstood cousin of The Quad family. His superpowers include talking at the speed of light, tripping over walls, and defying ComiQuad deadlines with the greatest of ease. His lovely copyeditors don't appreciate that last one. If for some reason you hunger for more of his nonsense, follow him at @HonestlyJon on Twitter or contact him at jchristianson@buquad.com!

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