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with MICHAEL AVON OEMING
Interview
with: Troy
Brownfield
Our guest this time in The Big Question currently draws one
of the most talked about series in comics: Powers.
Working with Brian Michael Bendis on that series, our guest
has garnered piles of accolades for his fantastic storytelling
ability. He just unleashed his own series, Hammer of the
Gods, through Insight
Studios Group. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the
incredibly talented Michael Avon Oeming!
THE BIG Q&A
Q1.
Your name has gotten quite well-known from your work on "Powers".
Could you clue our readers in as to some of your earlier work?
A1.
My first big break was back in 93 doing Judge Dredd for DC.
I did the first few issues, but wasn't quite up to the job.
I was still pretty new, and my first big gig was Pencilling
and Inking for a major DC book; it was too much for me at
the time. After that, I kept busy until Foot Soldiers came
along from Dark Horse. Man, that was a great job! After Foot,
I did year long inking gig over pal Neil Vokes on Ninjak,
and then my first creator owned series, Ship of Fools. After
Fools, I did Bullet Proof Monk for Image, which I'm still
very proud of to this day.
Q2.
What influences drew you into the field of comics art?
A2.
I love the medium. It's like being an actor and a director
at the same time. It's a great form of expression.
Q3.
What kind of work regimen do you typically follow?
A3.
Well, I'm a full-time dad, so I don't start work until night.
I work all night, steal some moments of work during the day.
I don't take much time off, I usually work at least half of
the weekend too. I'm my own slave driver. I whip myself reguarly
in fact...
Q4.
How did you become in involved in Powers?
A4.
Penance for years of wanting to draw super heroes! Brian and
I met at a show, we clicked right away, we wanted to work
together, because we had the same tastes and our talents counter
each other well.
Q5.
Please tell us how Hammer of the Gods came about. 
A5.
After Ship of Fools and before Bullet Proof Monk, I had
trouble getting work- the industry was dying hard and work
was getting more rare too. I was tired of dealing with editors,
with what other people wanted, so it was an outlet to do something
for myself. I started it with no deadline, no plans to publish.
Just did it for the sake of doing it. That's how I will approach
all my creator-owned stuff now. I will work on it when I want
to and let the body build up untill it's ready. Hammer will
soon be followed by other side projects as well, but I'll
be concentrating on Powers. Hammer is doing well enough; we
have plans on doing a Hammer sequel.
Q6.
What kinds of projects would you like to do in the future?
A6.
Either strictly creator-owned work, or work I have control
over. I want to do Batman, and Daredevil and other characters,
but only if I'm not an art monkey. I want a say in the story
and some control over the content. Powers has spoiled me that
way!
Q7.
How much fun is it to work on a coloring book? [Note: Image
is releasing a coloring book based on Powers.]
A7. Tons.
But it was hard, because I had to over simplify to the point
I was in new territory, but that was also exciting. Pat Garrahy
did a lot to put it all together.
Q8.
Do you have a message for any aspiring artists out there?
A8.
Yep, just keep centered on your work, not getting it. Get
a real job if you have to, but keep your art as the centerpeice
to your life, success on some level will follow.
Team Shotgun
would like to thank Mr. Oeming for taking the time to be our
guest here in the Big Question! Obviously, you should check
out Powers and Hammer of the Gods, not to mention
his previous fare. And don't forget that coloring book! As
always, if you have a suggestion for a Big Question guest,
or if you're a pro yourself and would like to drop by, contact
Troy at psikotyk@aol.com.
He'll do what he can.
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