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Posted on Sep 30, 2004 - 08:05 PM by Admin |
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Nicola Scott may be a relatively new name to many Comic Fanatics, but this is an incredibly talented Australian set to make her mark on the industry big time! Scott has been building an impressive résumé with work with Top Cow, the upcoming print debut of Halloween Man and a gig with Dark Horse’s Star Wars: Empire! Recently, this rising star found the time to sit down and talk to The Comic Fanatic.Com about Halloween Man, a galaxy far, far away, her Wonder-ful dream project, vegemite and more! Read on and see for yourself why Nicola Scott is The Wonder From Down Under!
The Fan Man: Thanks for talking to The Comic Fanatic.Com.
Nicola Scott: Thank you for talking to me!
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The Fan Man: Nicola Scott may be a relatively new name to many Comic Fanatics, but judging by your work, you are an artistic force to be reckoned with. Where did you make your pro debut?
Nicola Scott: The first book I worked on was doing painted covers for an Aussie book called The Watch published by one of the only Australian comic publishers, Phosphorescent Comics.
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The Fan Man: I guess the first time I was introduced to your art was with Halloween Man. How did you hook up with writer Drew Edwards on this project?
Nicola Scott: Drew and I, amongst many others, were regular posters in the creative forum at Millarworld. At the time, I was pretty new and had only built relationships with the other artists, then Drew wrote last year’s Halloween Man Christmas jam, "Faster Santa, Kill, Kill", and put the call out for people to illustrate it. I put my name down for a page or two and was then offered the epilogue as well, working with Jesse Farrell as my colorist. It was on that last page that I think I found the way I feel most comfortable drawing the character and other people seemed to like it too. Drew then asked if I'd be interested in working on a large HM story with him, "Hero/Villain/Icon", and I jumped at the chance. Hopefully it won't be too long before it hits the site. Then ATP came along, and it's still the same creative team that worked together on the jam. We all get along and have a good relationship.
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The Fan Man: For awhile now, Halloween Man has been an online cult favorite. Now, this character is set to appear in Across The Pond Presents. Tell us a little about this project.
Nicola Scott: At the time Drew and a number of artists, including myself, were working on a HM mini full of short stories. Then suddenly ATP came along and we jumped at the chance. The mini was put on hold and we sped up the story that Jesse and I were working on. Pages that were designed to be small and in B&W were suddenly full size and in color! GO TEAM!!
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The Fan Man: Can you give us an idea of what's in store for Halloween Man in Across The Pond Presents?
Nicola Scott: I just finished working on the second issue, designed as a kind of an introduction (but not an origin story) for people unfamiliar with Solomon and his place in the Halloween Man world, and Drew has sent me the script for the following issues, a two part arc. In keeping with the HM tradition, expect the unexpected. Outrageous characters and grisly humor.
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The Fan Man: How many Halloween Man stories will you be illustrating for Across The Pond Presents?
Nicola Scott: If I'm a good girl, hopefully quite a few ;)
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The Fan Man: What do you find the most challenging about illustrating Halloween Man and his cast of characters?
Nicola Scott: Challenge isn't quite the right word, but...satisfying? That's instilling each character with some genuine physical personality. There's a certain "archetype"-ness to most of the crew, but I don't want them to become a parody, that would be too easy. I try to find the middle ground where these unreal beings prove their humanity.
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The Fan Man: Which characters are your favorites to illustrate among this cast?
Nicola Scott: The stories with the bigger casts are a blast! I love to "craft" their faces, finding new angles and expressions to apply. But, my absolute favorite, I can't go past the man himself, Solomon. He's one sexy zombie!
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The Fan Man: So what's it like working with Drew Edwards?
Nicola Scott: Drew talks evil, but I think he's really a marshmallow inside. He's got a lovely gentle way of making a point and/or requests. He's got a tight network of people that support, encourage and believe in him and that's a true testament to his talent and his person. Don't tell him I told you :)
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The Fan Man: Your name has been popping up in some pretty high profile places lately, including Top Cow. Tell us about your work with the Cow.
Nicola Scott: A number of artist and writers were invited to contribute to an anthology book to back up their new title, Proximity Effect. Of all the scripts, three were chosen, but they were all by the same writer so they asked me if I'd be happy to draw them (to stick with one artist). At the time the book's future was up in the air, so I said I'd do one and we'd see what happened. It was published in the back of the TPB and was really well received. After the next arc, they might look into doing a whole anthology.
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The Fan Man: How did you land the gig with Top Cow?
Nicola Scott: I met Renae Geerling at San Diego Comicon last year and she put me in touch with the series creator, Roger Mincheff, and it all went from there. Renae has been great to me and has sent a few non TC jobs my way as well, including Christopher Harts new "How to..." book, due out this month. Conventions! It all happens at conventions.
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The Fan Man: You have another big project on the horizon that I would totally be geeking out over with Dark Horse. Tell us about your upcoming journey to a galaxy far, far away.
Nicola Scott: Thanks to San Diego this year, and a little introduction from Drew Wheatly, I met Randy Stradley and he offered me some fill-in issues on Star Wars: Empire, on the spot. Look out for issues #26 and #27! Randy's also mentioned something coming up in November...!
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The Fan Man: Who is the writer you will be working with on Star Wars: Empire?
Nicola Scott: The incredible Ron Marz. How lucky an I?!
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The Fan Man: What has it been like working with such a legendary writer as Marz?
Nicola Scott: I met him only briefly at SD after getting the gig and that's about as much contact as we've had, BUT the story arc I'm working on is a clever idea, brilliantly realized. I think everyone will get that Star Wars tingle from this story.
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The Fan Man: Big Star Wars fan?
Nicola Scott: I've seen the first trilogy a thousand times. I'm a visual person so I haven't gone into the supporting literature much, but I'm a child of the 70's so it's forever stamped on my soul.
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The Fan Man: Who are your favorite characters that you will be illustrating in your Empire stint?
Nicola Scott: I'm loving being able to draw Luke with that fab Leif Garrett Disco hair, but I'm really enjoying drawing the Stormtroopers.
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The Fan Man: Any Star Wars characters you wish you could have illustrated in this arc?
Nicola Scott: Han Solo, Boba Fett, Darth Vader,... all of them!
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The Fan Man: When can we expect your Empire issues to hit the shelves?
Nicola Scott: I think #26 and #27 come out on November 3rd.
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The Fan Man: What else do you have in the works?
Nicola Scott: As well as Star Wars and Halloween Man, there's the second issue of Nocturnal Essence by Powerful Press. The first was completed last year and just hitting the selves in December. It's quarterly, so #2 will be out a few months after that. I'm also tentatively attached to a couple of Image submissions.
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The Fan Man: For the Nicola Scott completist, what are some of the other projects you have worked on in your career?
Nicola Scott: As well as all the previously mentioned gigs, there's a "Tomorrow Guard" short story coming up in the Avatar charity anthology, a single issue noir story called "Popgun".
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The Fan Man: Looking back, when did you first realize that you had this incredible artistic talent?
Nicola Scott: I came from an artistic family, so there was invariably a paintbrush in your hand and a pencil in your hair. My sisters and I were always encouraged to produce creatively and however got us going. To this day, one sister is an award winning graphic designer and the other is a brilliant singer/songwriter. It took me a while to focus my ability in the right place, but I'm here now ;)
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The Fan Man: What made you want to use this talent in comic books?
Nicola Scott: Hmmm, long story. I have always loved superheroes and spent a good deal of my childhood drawing them and they seem to be one of the few (or many, depending on who you ask) things I haven't grown out of. They still excite. Shortly after landing a rather plum restaurant managing job, I spent a whole weekend wondering if this was what I was really meant to be doing. I tossed around a few options, as I saw them, but as soon as drawing comics came to mind, my brain went "DING!"
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The Fan Man: Have you always been a Comic Fanatic? Remember that first comic?
Nicola Scott: I didn't even know comics existed until I was in my mid teens, but the upside of that was that it was the mid 80's and my first book was The Dark Knight Returns. Superman had just been revamped and Wonder Woman was happening, too. It was a pretty powerful time with Byrne, Miller, Perez, McFarlane (amongst many others) all pushing the boundaries. I was hooked. From then on, I would drift in and out of comics, not quite convinced that I belonged.
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The Fan Man: What were some of the comics you followed then?
Nicola Scott: Wonder Woman, Batman: Year One and Two, some Superman. Mainly DC, but anything where the art inspired me.
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The Fan Man: Do you find the time to read any comics today?
Nicola Scott: Not really. I still buy primarily for the art and when I go into a comic shop, I tend to spend about $100 bucks catching up on what I've heard is a must. There are still so many great books that I haven't gotten to yet.
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The Fan Man: Who are some of the artists that you consider to be influences in your work?
Nicola Scott: Definitely Perez and Adam Hughes, though there's quite a bit of Kevin McGuire there, too. I'm a fan of clean lines that aren't over shaded and there are a few artists doing that kind of thing.
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The Fan Man: Any artists out there whom you admire today?
Nicola Scott: Everyone that's working and producing. I have a lot of respect for people who can maintain the discipline.
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The Fan Man: Any writers who you would like to work with someday?
Nicola Scott: So many to choose from. I'd be more than happy to work on any character with any writer so long as they had a genuine passion for who they are writing about. Some writers really nail a character and miss on another. I want to work on the ones they know backwards. I think all comics would be their best if they had passionate creative teams.
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The Fan Man: Do you have a character or characters you would love to work on someday? Maybe a dream project?
Nicola Scott: I was more aware of DC characters as I grew up, so they are the ones I feel the greatest affinity for. Any Gotham City hero/villain, Superman, JLA, Teen Titans, but anyone who has known me for more than three seconds could tell you at the very top of my wish list is Wonder Woman. I'd love a shot while Greg Rucka is still on the title and I'd be happier if I could have a go at a WW graphic novel. My ideal WW project is something that I'll start to push in few years, when I think the time is right.
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The Fan Man: Do ever get the writing bug, or do you just stick to making the "pretty pictures"?
Nicola Scott: I have story ideas, themes and moments that I'd like to see play out, but I would always get a writer on board. I wouldn't have the first idea of where to start otherwise.
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The Fan Man: How would you best describe your work?
Nicola Scott: Clean, dynamic, but character driven.
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The Fan Man: Typically, how long does it take you to complete a page?
Nicola Scott: Obviously, it varies depending on content, but I aim for a page a day.
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The Fan Man: What are some of the things that make working easier? Any particular motivations?
Nicola Scott: A bit of exercise helps to keep the mind clear. I try to work from beginning to end, but sometimes I can't face a certain panel or background until I'm in the mood, so I move forward and go back to it when I am, then I go for gold. If I've been doing very tight detailed pencils and I'm feeling a bit numb, I'll find something a little more scribbly to do (roughs or character designs).
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The Fan Man: How many hours a day do you spend illustrating?
Nicola Scott: It varies. I tend to spend all day drawing and break whenever I need or want to. As long as I do eight hours at least five days a week then I'm good.
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The Fan Man: So far, what has been the biggest thrill of your career?
Nicola Scott: Being offered Star Wars on the spot at San Diego. It was a bit of an outer-body experience. It's what you hope will happen, but are never surprised when it doesn't.
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The Fan Man: When you aren't working on your next masterpiece, what does Nicola Scott do for fun? Any hobbies?
Nicola Scott: I make a lot of my own clothes and have spent time making costumes for shops and theatre. It's a different discipline and I love doing it. For fun; enjoying food and drink with one or many friends and family. Once a week my best friend and I catch up for a least half a day of doing whatever we damn well please, entertaining each other with our exploits. I like movies, too. The perfect date is dinner and a flick. Happiness!
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The Fan Man: Pets?
Nicola Scott: My kitty's name is Louis, he's an eight year old Burmese and he sleeps on my pillow.
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The Fan Man: Last good movie you saw?
Nicola Scott: Just came back from seeing a really beautiful indie Aussie film called "Somersault". I love most films, but I can be very critical. But I don't expect more than what's being offered. Schwarzenegger is great, but he's never going to do Shakespeare (and Keanu never should have!).
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The Fan Man: Favorite music?
Nicola Scott: Jazz and blues. I love a bit of Puccini, too. I'm also a huge fan of really tragic pop music when no-one's looking.
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The Fan Man: Since you’re from the Land Down Under - and I asked your fellow Aussie artist Ben Templesmith this - are you a Men At Work fan?! Maybe Olivia Newton John?
Nicola Scott: My very first record was Olivia! But, no would be the answer. I was into the odd band in the mid 80's and, like I said, trashy pop so Kylie gets the max volume treatment in the car when I'm by myself.
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The Fan Man: Ben told us what vegemite was, so my question for you is, is it good?
Nicola Scott: Kids start eating it as babies and as a nation, we love it. But anyone who's not used to it thinks it's the most disgusting thing ever. It's REALLY salty and looks like dark brown lard, but it's good for you and I think it's delicious. And I don't scrape it on like most, I slap it on thick!
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The Fan Man: How does the comic book scene in Australia differ from the one in the US?
Nicola Scott: The US population so much bigger, the entire population of New York State is the total number of Australians, and the comic culture is so much more a part of the US national identity it makes for a totally different scene. That said, there is a pretty big market for comics, but it's primarily for US and Asian titles. There is an exciting industry here of mainly self published books. It's a tight and talented community and we're all here to help one another out.
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The Fan Man: How did you first break into the industry?
Nicola Scott: My friend, Doug Holgate (a local comic artist), told me to bring my work along to the next convention, so I did. That lead to working on "The Watch". After that I thought if I wanted to make a living in this industry then I better get myself to the States. I've just come back from living in New York for the last 18 months.
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The Fan Man: Any advice for would be artists trying to break in?
Nicola Scott: Be realistic; about your abilities, your motivation and how hard you're going to have to work. It's not just about getting the work, it’s about doing the work, making deadlines and establishing good work relationships.
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The Fan Man: Hit us with some dates. When can we expect to see your work in Across The Pond Presents and Star Wars: Empire?
Nicola Scott: At the moment, both Star Wars: Empire issues are slated for November 3rd. Across the Pond Presents is also early November.
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The Fan Man: Last word is all yours. Any plugs?
Nicola Scott: Buy everything I ever do. It's good for you. Honest.
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The Fan Man: Nicola, I have been a fan of your work for awhile now, and it's great to see you hitting the big time. It's been an honor talking with you. Best of luck in everything you do and thanks for talking to The Comic Fanatic.Com!
Nicola Scott: Cheers! ;D
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Big thanks go out to Nicola Scott for taking the time to do this interview. To see more of Scott’s work, you can visit Halloween Man.Com and Scott’s own site - which she plans to update soon - Nicola Scott.Net. To check out early looks at Scott’s work on Across The Pond Presents, visit Across The Pond Comics.Com. You can also talk to Scott personally at the official Halloween Man Forum, Halloween Man’s Creature Club.
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