MattBrady
02-15-2005, 04:02 PM
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg12.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg12_t.jpg" width="175" height="269" border="0" align="right"></a>So - we've already covered the words coming from the mouth (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27064) of Red Sonja by talking to the upcoming series two writers, Mike Carey and Mike Avon Oeming. But what about the look of the flame-haired warrior, the only woman that Conan would ever dare call "equal?"
We caught up with <b>Red Sonja</b> penciller Mel Rubi for a chat.
<b>Newsarama</b>: First off, how did you land the gig in the first place? Did Dynamite just up and call you out of the blue and offer it, did you have to try out...what?
<b>Mel Rubi</b>: I can't say for certain, but I believe I was picked to pencil <b>Red Sonja</b> because Dynamite had seen my work on the <b>Witchblade/Predator</b> mini-series.
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg1_t.jpg" width="165" height="254" border="0" align="left"></a><b>NRAMA</b>: Probably for more than a few people who read the news about the new <b>Red Sonja</b> series weren't altogether familiar with you and your previous work. Putting a blunt edge on it, you're not a newcomer to these parts, are you?
<b>MR</b>: No, I'm not a newcomer, but I am new with Dynamite. Let's see. My first work was with Marvel and Valiant back in 1993. After doing two books in one month as a rookieI became sleepless. I made a choice of dropping Valiant, since they made so many changes in my art. An artist can't grow that way if you can't see the mistakes in the book. A couple of years later I moved on to Image. I did many fill-ins for <b>Backlash</b>. Jim Lee wanted to show me a few pointers before taking on <b>Grifter</b>, so I moved to San Diego.
Not too long after that I went back home to Sacramento to work on a few X-men titles. After that came <b>Predator vs. Aliens</b> from Dark Horse. And more Predator titles. And more, until <b>Angel</b> and <b>KISS</b>. Then I thought why not do a creator owned project, so that's when Mike Baron and I came up with <b>Faro Korbit</b> from AP Comics. It wasn't a huge hit, but it was fun working on it. I also helped him develop a new title called <b>Detonator</b>. Then came Dynamite.
<b>NRAMA</b>: Why Dynamite? Why not keep throwing your hat into the ring with DC or Marvel?
<b>MR</b>: I like the fact that they believed in my way of drawing. To tell you the truth I wasn't looking for work from them, but because I've been dying to work on a fantasy book, they just happened to call me at the right time. DC and Marvel will always be there. I'm in no rush.
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg3_t.jpg" width="165" height="254" border="0" align="left"></a><b>NRAMA</b>: So you knew of the character before this?
<b>MR</b>: Oh yeah - I love John Buscema's Red Sonja in the Conan saga.
<b>NRAMA</b>: Once you landed the gig, was there any mandate on how Dynamite wanted to see the character, or were you pretty much left on your own to come up with an acceptable style and look?
<b>MR</b>: In the beginning, I did create my version of Red Sonja with a totally cool style, but the licensor wanted the original costume with the chain links. Maybe they'll let me use my new design of Sonja later, but I actually came to like the old school look.
<b>NRAMA</b>: How would you describe the style you settled on? Looking at it, you can see some Buscema in there, as well as some Thorne too. Were you trying to include their styles?
<b>MR</b>: Actually, I was trying to go for Frazetta - with Buscema touches. You see, this is the problem we artists get in - we strive to do our best to be better than what the other guy did and so you look at their art for so long that you end up with something similar. I've learned so much from Buscema and I really would not mind ranking beside the man.
<b>NRAMA</b>: That said, how long did it take before Sonja was "yours?" That is, how long did it take until you were fully comfortable drawing her without loads of reference and re-drawing?
<b>MR</b>: It took me 15 interior pages. It felt more like 30 after fixing it over and over, but I'm glad to do it. After reviewing the comments from the fan, all I wanted to do was to give them what they want to see. If they're happy, I'm cool.
<b>NRAMA</b>: For you, what has to come out in Sonja appearance-wise? That is, ideally, you want people to look at her and think, "Man, she's _________."
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg4_t.jpg" width="165" height="254" border="0" align="right"></a><b>MR</b>: A blue diamond! As rare and dazzling as she is, it would be worth dying to win her heart. Just for laughs, I'd like to see her become a housewife.
<b>NRAMA</b>: The Mikes have already explained how they're striving to keep the book out of the realm of T&A, but how do you handle that? Obviously, Sonja is attractive, and wears little. How do you keep her looking fierce and strong, rather than model-esque, for lack of a better word?
<b>MR</b>: You can't really hide the beauty of this gorgeous babe, but with two excellent writers on the book you'll be able to over look at the T&A. Many silhouettes and a cape will do the job.
<b>NRAMA</b>: Sonja's world - as with Sonja, what has to come across in it? Hospitable? A place you'd not like to visit?
<b>MR</b>: Exactly. That last one. If I've done my job, Red Sonja's world will be a place that she is perfectly at home in, but at the same time, it's a place you'd would not like to visit.
<b>NRAMA</b>: So far, how has working with the Mikes been? Are they giving you enough to chew on, artistically?
<b>MR</b>: It's great to work with not only one writer. You get both worlds and ideas that develop into one great story. I love the scenes they provide me. It's a challenge which enables me to contribute. In addition Mike Oeming sent me a few book references for more motivation and I'm grateful for that. Thanks Mike!
<b>NRAMA</b>: Wrapping up, how long are you looking to stick around with the series?
<b>MR</b>: I have a year contract to finish. We'll see what happens from there.
<i>Red Sonja #0 ships in April with a $0.25 cover price.</i>
We caught up with <b>Red Sonja</b> penciller Mel Rubi for a chat.
<b>Newsarama</b>: First off, how did you land the gig in the first place? Did Dynamite just up and call you out of the blue and offer it, did you have to try out...what?
<b>Mel Rubi</b>: I can't say for certain, but I believe I was picked to pencil <b>Red Sonja</b> because Dynamite had seen my work on the <b>Witchblade/Predator</b> mini-series.
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg1_t.jpg" width="165" height="254" border="0" align="left"></a><b>NRAMA</b>: Probably for more than a few people who read the news about the new <b>Red Sonja</b> series weren't altogether familiar with you and your previous work. Putting a blunt edge on it, you're not a newcomer to these parts, are you?
<b>MR</b>: No, I'm not a newcomer, but I am new with Dynamite. Let's see. My first work was with Marvel and Valiant back in 1993. After doing two books in one month as a rookieI became sleepless. I made a choice of dropping Valiant, since they made so many changes in my art. An artist can't grow that way if you can't see the mistakes in the book. A couple of years later I moved on to Image. I did many fill-ins for <b>Backlash</b>. Jim Lee wanted to show me a few pointers before taking on <b>Grifter</b>, so I moved to San Diego.
Not too long after that I went back home to Sacramento to work on a few X-men titles. After that came <b>Predator vs. Aliens</b> from Dark Horse. And more Predator titles. And more, until <b>Angel</b> and <b>KISS</b>. Then I thought why not do a creator owned project, so that's when Mike Baron and I came up with <b>Faro Korbit</b> from AP Comics. It wasn't a huge hit, but it was fun working on it. I also helped him develop a new title called <b>Detonator</b>. Then came Dynamite.
<b>NRAMA</b>: Why Dynamite? Why not keep throwing your hat into the ring with DC or Marvel?
<b>MR</b>: I like the fact that they believed in my way of drawing. To tell you the truth I wasn't looking for work from them, but because I've been dying to work on a fantasy book, they just happened to call me at the right time. DC and Marvel will always be there. I'm in no rush.
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg3_t.jpg" width="165" height="254" border="0" align="left"></a><b>NRAMA</b>: So you knew of the character before this?
<b>MR</b>: Oh yeah - I love John Buscema's Red Sonja in the Conan saga.
<b>NRAMA</b>: Once you landed the gig, was there any mandate on how Dynamite wanted to see the character, or were you pretty much left on your own to come up with an acceptable style and look?
<b>MR</b>: In the beginning, I did create my version of Red Sonja with a totally cool style, but the licensor wanted the original costume with the chain links. Maybe they'll let me use my new design of Sonja later, but I actually came to like the old school look.
<b>NRAMA</b>: How would you describe the style you settled on? Looking at it, you can see some Buscema in there, as well as some Thorne too. Were you trying to include their styles?
<b>MR</b>: Actually, I was trying to go for Frazetta - with Buscema touches. You see, this is the problem we artists get in - we strive to do our best to be better than what the other guy did and so you look at their art for so long that you end up with something similar. I've learned so much from Buscema and I really would not mind ranking beside the man.
<b>NRAMA</b>: That said, how long did it take before Sonja was "yours?" That is, how long did it take until you were fully comfortable drawing her without loads of reference and re-drawing?
<b>MR</b>: It took me 15 interior pages. It felt more like 30 after fixing it over and over, but I'm glad to do it. After reviewing the comments from the fan, all I wanted to do was to give them what they want to see. If they're happy, I'm cool.
<b>NRAMA</b>: For you, what has to come out in Sonja appearance-wise? That is, ideally, you want people to look at her and think, "Man, she's _________."
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Dynamite/Sonja/RS0pg4_t.jpg" width="165" height="254" border="0" align="right"></a><b>MR</b>: A blue diamond! As rare and dazzling as she is, it would be worth dying to win her heart. Just for laughs, I'd like to see her become a housewife.
<b>NRAMA</b>: The Mikes have already explained how they're striving to keep the book out of the realm of T&A, but how do you handle that? Obviously, Sonja is attractive, and wears little. How do you keep her looking fierce and strong, rather than model-esque, for lack of a better word?
<b>MR</b>: You can't really hide the beauty of this gorgeous babe, but with two excellent writers on the book you'll be able to over look at the T&A. Many silhouettes and a cape will do the job.
<b>NRAMA</b>: Sonja's world - as with Sonja, what has to come across in it? Hospitable? A place you'd not like to visit?
<b>MR</b>: Exactly. That last one. If I've done my job, Red Sonja's world will be a place that she is perfectly at home in, but at the same time, it's a place you'd would not like to visit.
<b>NRAMA</b>: So far, how has working with the Mikes been? Are they giving you enough to chew on, artistically?
<b>MR</b>: It's great to work with not only one writer. You get both worlds and ideas that develop into one great story. I love the scenes they provide me. It's a challenge which enables me to contribute. In addition Mike Oeming sent me a few book references for more motivation and I'm grateful for that. Thanks Mike!
<b>NRAMA</b>: Wrapping up, how long are you looking to stick around with the series?
<b>MR</b>: I have a year contract to finish. We'll see what happens from there.
<i>Red Sonja #0 ships in April with a $0.25 cover price.</i>