MattBrady
01-05-2004, 10:25 AM
<a href="http://www.ledheavy.com/"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/Ledheavylogo.jpg" width="185" height="229" align="right" border="0" alt="click to visit Led Heavy .com"></a><i>by Benjamin Ong Pang Kean</i>
Studios seem to be the in thing now as artists gather and form their respective art studios to make a breakthrough in the increasingly volatile comics industry. Led Heavy Productions is one such studio. The New Year welcomes two new studio mates to the ensemble. To find out just who the new additions are and what are the Studio’s plans for 2004, Newsarama got in touch with Studio veteran and unofficial head honcho as well as <b>Human Torch</b> artist Skottie Young for an insight into the new and improved Led Heavy Productions.
<b>Newsarama</b>: Kicking off the New Year, who's who in the new set-up?
<b>Skottie Young</b>: Led Heavy is me, Greg Titus, Jon Sommariva, Sean Galloway, and Khary Randolph. There's really no order to the madness, just five artists who have become great friends and love to soak up each other’s artistic energy. All together, between the five of us, we have worked for Marvel, Image, Dark Horse, DC, Hasbro, Burton, Universal Studios, ESPN, and many others. From comics, to animation, we just love creating.
<b>NRAMA</b>: So, Khary and Sean are the new guys on the block…
<b>SY</b>: Right. Khary Randolph is one of the two new guys on the block. He has worked on various projects in comics and out. <b>Peter Parker: Spider-Man</b>, <b>New Mutants</b>, and [Marvel] Epic’s <b>Sleepwalker</b> (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7365) are a few of his recent projects. He also does a lot of production work for things like <i>TMNT</i>, DC, etc. Now that I've thrown his resume out there, I just want to say that this kid is an ill artist! The energy and motion in his characters is amazing. His character study sketches alone drive me crazy. I don't know whether to support the kid, or kill him for being so good! Haha, kidding of course.
Sean Galloway is our other new member. This kid is the sleeper. I'm surprised no one has put this cat out yet. He has an animated feel that makes his characters literally want to walk across the paper. Motion is always a tough thing to get across on a comic art board, but Sean has figured it out, and then some. I say that any day now, this kid is going to be in everyone’s sub box on Wednesdays!
<b>NRAMA</b>: Let’s get a little more into your respective pasts - what have each of you done prior to the formation of the studio?
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/greengoblincolorcopy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/greengoblincolorcopy_t.jpg" width="175" height="256" align="left" border="0" alt="Greeg Goblin by Greg Titus"></a><b>SY</b>: Well, before we formed Led Heavy, we all had little jobs here and there, but nothing major, at least in comics. That was really one of the reasons we pulled together.
In my opinion, the best way to get better and learn your craft, whether it be music, writing, art, or whatever is learning from others. Hands on, down and dirty work! I can learn a lot from a book, or an article in a magazine, but I can learn and grow much faster if I have a group of guys I look up to across from me. There to kick me in my ass when I'm starting to lean on a crutch, or someone there to give me a different lens to look at my own work thru. I think that's what we have to offer to each other. We take away the competitive nature of things, and replace it with support. I've learned so much from every one of these guys.
So, pulling together really helped us grow as artists, and in return, the projects started to come in. Thankfully, there's always more learning to be done, so there will always be more projects that become open in the future.
<b>NRAMA</b>: How did you guys come together to form Led Heavy?
<b>SY</b>: It was as easy as being friends. We all come from the same background, have the same interests, and same love for art. So, the idea of pulling together to help each other out wasn't a hard sale for any of us.
<b>NRAMA</b>: Who is the leader of this group – or is there one?
<b>SY</b>: On paper, it would be me. But honestly, in reality, we don't look to anyone for the "leader" position. We each have a role that we play, and each of us have strengths that we need to achieve the goals we set for ourselves. On the coordinating end, I usually try to take care of things for us. I enjoy it, and it lets the rest of the crew stay focused on creating. But, like I said, there is no boss. That's why we wanted to be artists in the first place. To draw all day, and have no boss looking over our shoulders every two f___ing minutes. Haha.
<b>NRAMA</b>: So, does the studio have an overall mission and vision, or is it more along the lines of just a group of friends doing the work?
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/hellboy_batman_pencils_dark_sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/hellboy_batman_pencils_dark_sm_t.jpg" width="175" height="263" align="right" border="0" alt="Batman/Hellboy by Skottie Young"></a><b>SY</b>: Our mission would be basically, to create, and show those creations to people. We love comics, but it's far from the end of the road. We each have interests in all types of media. I'm involved in putting out an album for a Chicago-based artist right now. Greg has about six books, thousands of pages, filled with art, and I mean some raw, kick you in your f___ing teeth <b>art</b>! We've talked about art books, coffee table-style. Some of the guys are really into animation, and we work in the field, so animation projects are on the list of goals. We also have gear about to come out. Led Heavy shirts, hoodies, skully's, hats, etc.
So, we want to get to the point when you see Led Heavy Productions, that’s exactly what you think of. Producing everything from music, to comics, to art books, to clothes, to skateboards, etc. We just have too many passions, and can't really block ourselves in as being strictly comic book artists. Comics have opened the door for us to expand into our other loves, and we plan to keep that door kicked wide open.
<b>NRAMA</b>: So are you all individual artists on your own respective projects, or do you pull together to work on things?
<b>SY</b>: That's another great thing about working together as a group. We have a circle of friends, artists that we admire for their skills, and can easily work together if we want or need to. I know when I got moved to <b>Human Torch</b> from <b>Spider Clan</b>, Khary flew in and penciled the last issue of <b>Spider Clan</b> to help out in order to keep both books on schedule.
When Marvel needed a quick turnaround two years ago on an <b>Iceman</b> issue, Greg put down the pencil, and picked up a pen to ink the issue so we could give the turnaround they needed. Working in animation, toys, and video games also allows us to work together. Each of us will pitch in and ink, color, draw what ever the other needs. It's a great thing to have.
<b>NRAMA</b>: What are the challenges encountered during the whole set-up and what have you guys learned from the experience?
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/ghettolounge.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/ghettolounge_t.jpg" width="350" height="247" align="left" border="0" alt="Ghetto Lounge by Sean Galloway"></a><b>SY</b>: The biggest challenge... keeping up with each other… With five artists constantly turning out huge amounts of artwork on a weekly basis, it's hard to take it all in. I'll get done with a piece, put the pencil down, and get ready to relax for the night. Then I'll walk over to Greg's desk and see the dopest piece I've ever seen being worked on...and go straight back to my desk to start another. Then finish that one, and see Sean’s, or Jon's, or Khary's latest piece and return to the desk again. It's a vicious f@#%ing cycle... but fun as hell. I think we all feel that way. Each of us looks at the others as light years ahead of ourselves...and that’s the key to your growth.
What have we learned? That it's a small dinner table out there and everyone's trying to bite off their piece of steak. It's always good to have people you trust, look up to, and enjoy working with around you. When you have great ideas, and then you have a bank of creative minds on your side to help add to those ideas, you can only get better. Well, and it's great to have someone to sit around with you and talk shit while you draw…
<b>NRAMA</b>: What's on your individual and collective creative plates now?
<b>SY</b>: Aside from the things that I've mentioned above, the biggest project we are putting together is the Led Heavy Sketch Book. It will be a trade paperback-style book, 200 pgs, 40pgs per artist, black and white. It will have a lot of exclusive work in there from everyone, as well as some of the favorites from the last couple of years. We're shooting to have that put together in time for the summer cons.
And speaking of cons, some or all of us will be at a number of cons coming up this year. We will be at every Wizard World: Texas, Philly, LA, and of course Chicago. San Diego Comicon, Mega Con, and probably a few more. I will also be speaking at Edinboro Universty, PA for the animation department in April. So, if you are in the area, come thru and say what's up!
<b>NRAMA</b>: Speaking of what’s up… What upcoming projects are you guys working on?
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/torch12colorfinalsmall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/torch12colorfinalsmall_t.jpg" width="175" height="263" align="right" border="0" alt="Human Torch #12 cover by Skottie Young"></a><b>SY</b>: Well, I know Khary is working on another <b>New Mutants</b> issue right now. Greg just finished up <b>Syn</b> with Keith Giffen at Dark Horse and is now working on a project with Mike Avon Oeming called <b>Dawg</b>. He will be penciling, inking, and coloring that entire project himself. Jon is working on <b>Go Boy 7</b> at Dark Horse. We have a few different plans to get Sean involved in a few different things. I just wrapped up my run on <b>Human Torch</b>, and will be doing a run on a current ongoing series with Marvel. A villain maybe. After that, I will be doing a run on another ongoing series with Marvel. A hero maybe. I'm pretty informative, huh?
For those who might be interested, each artist at Led Heavy is always open for new projects, covers, commissions, etc. For commissions, please visit www.ledheavy.com (http://www.ledheavy.com) and look up what to do for the artist [that] you're interested in commissioning a piece from. Prices and time is most definitely negotiable.
And, we now have original pages, sketches, covers, etc. for sale thru Led Heavy dot com. Again, visit www.ledheavy.com (http://www.ledheavy.com) and search thru the artist you like and see what they might have for sale. If you’re interested in any pieces of the artists, contact Autum Sims at [email]sims@ledheavy.com[/email] She can give you price lists, and answer any questions you might have.
Due to the holidays, some parts of the site might not be fully filled yet, so keep checking back.
<i>Newsarama Note: According to (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?threadid=21812&perpage=15&pagenumber=9) <b>Human Torch</b> editor Tom Brevoort speaking at Comixfan, issue #12 would likely be the series’ final issue.</i>
Additional Led Heavy artwork:
<center> <a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/tarzan.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/tarzan_t.jpg" width="350" height="306" border="0" alt="Tarzan by Sean Galloway"></a>
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/sleepwakercover.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/sleepwakercover_t.jpg" width="165" height="250" border="0" alt="Sleepwalker cover by Khary Randolph" hspace="1"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/ppspidey.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/ppspidey_t.jpg" width="165" height="250" border="0" alt="Peter Parker: Spider-Man by Khary Randolph" hspace="1"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/goboy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/goboy_t.jpg" width="165" height="250" border="0" alt="Go-Boy by Jon Sommariva" hspace="1"></a>
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/bestamor.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/bestamor_t.jpg" width="350" height="216" border="0" alt="Betamor by Greg Titus" hspace="1"></a>
Studios seem to be the in thing now as artists gather and form their respective art studios to make a breakthrough in the increasingly volatile comics industry. Led Heavy Productions is one such studio. The New Year welcomes two new studio mates to the ensemble. To find out just who the new additions are and what are the Studio’s plans for 2004, Newsarama got in touch with Studio veteran and unofficial head honcho as well as <b>Human Torch</b> artist Skottie Young for an insight into the new and improved Led Heavy Productions.
<b>Newsarama</b>: Kicking off the New Year, who's who in the new set-up?
<b>Skottie Young</b>: Led Heavy is me, Greg Titus, Jon Sommariva, Sean Galloway, and Khary Randolph. There's really no order to the madness, just five artists who have become great friends and love to soak up each other’s artistic energy. All together, between the five of us, we have worked for Marvel, Image, Dark Horse, DC, Hasbro, Burton, Universal Studios, ESPN, and many others. From comics, to animation, we just love creating.
<b>NRAMA</b>: So, Khary and Sean are the new guys on the block…
<b>SY</b>: Right. Khary Randolph is one of the two new guys on the block. He has worked on various projects in comics and out. <b>Peter Parker: Spider-Man</b>, <b>New Mutants</b>, and [Marvel] Epic’s <b>Sleepwalker</b> (http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7365) are a few of his recent projects. He also does a lot of production work for things like <i>TMNT</i>, DC, etc. Now that I've thrown his resume out there, I just want to say that this kid is an ill artist! The energy and motion in his characters is amazing. His character study sketches alone drive me crazy. I don't know whether to support the kid, or kill him for being so good! Haha, kidding of course.
Sean Galloway is our other new member. This kid is the sleeper. I'm surprised no one has put this cat out yet. He has an animated feel that makes his characters literally want to walk across the paper. Motion is always a tough thing to get across on a comic art board, but Sean has figured it out, and then some. I say that any day now, this kid is going to be in everyone’s sub box on Wednesdays!
<b>NRAMA</b>: Let’s get a little more into your respective pasts - what have each of you done prior to the formation of the studio?
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/greengoblincolorcopy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/greengoblincolorcopy_t.jpg" width="175" height="256" align="left" border="0" alt="Greeg Goblin by Greg Titus"></a><b>SY</b>: Well, before we formed Led Heavy, we all had little jobs here and there, but nothing major, at least in comics. That was really one of the reasons we pulled together.
In my opinion, the best way to get better and learn your craft, whether it be music, writing, art, or whatever is learning from others. Hands on, down and dirty work! I can learn a lot from a book, or an article in a magazine, but I can learn and grow much faster if I have a group of guys I look up to across from me. There to kick me in my ass when I'm starting to lean on a crutch, or someone there to give me a different lens to look at my own work thru. I think that's what we have to offer to each other. We take away the competitive nature of things, and replace it with support. I've learned so much from every one of these guys.
So, pulling together really helped us grow as artists, and in return, the projects started to come in. Thankfully, there's always more learning to be done, so there will always be more projects that become open in the future.
<b>NRAMA</b>: How did you guys come together to form Led Heavy?
<b>SY</b>: It was as easy as being friends. We all come from the same background, have the same interests, and same love for art. So, the idea of pulling together to help each other out wasn't a hard sale for any of us.
<b>NRAMA</b>: Who is the leader of this group – or is there one?
<b>SY</b>: On paper, it would be me. But honestly, in reality, we don't look to anyone for the "leader" position. We each have a role that we play, and each of us have strengths that we need to achieve the goals we set for ourselves. On the coordinating end, I usually try to take care of things for us. I enjoy it, and it lets the rest of the crew stay focused on creating. But, like I said, there is no boss. That's why we wanted to be artists in the first place. To draw all day, and have no boss looking over our shoulders every two f___ing minutes. Haha.
<b>NRAMA</b>: So, does the studio have an overall mission and vision, or is it more along the lines of just a group of friends doing the work?
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/hellboy_batman_pencils_dark_sm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/hellboy_batman_pencils_dark_sm_t.jpg" width="175" height="263" align="right" border="0" alt="Batman/Hellboy by Skottie Young"></a><b>SY</b>: Our mission would be basically, to create, and show those creations to people. We love comics, but it's far from the end of the road. We each have interests in all types of media. I'm involved in putting out an album for a Chicago-based artist right now. Greg has about six books, thousands of pages, filled with art, and I mean some raw, kick you in your f___ing teeth <b>art</b>! We've talked about art books, coffee table-style. Some of the guys are really into animation, and we work in the field, so animation projects are on the list of goals. We also have gear about to come out. Led Heavy shirts, hoodies, skully's, hats, etc.
So, we want to get to the point when you see Led Heavy Productions, that’s exactly what you think of. Producing everything from music, to comics, to art books, to clothes, to skateboards, etc. We just have too many passions, and can't really block ourselves in as being strictly comic book artists. Comics have opened the door for us to expand into our other loves, and we plan to keep that door kicked wide open.
<b>NRAMA</b>: So are you all individual artists on your own respective projects, or do you pull together to work on things?
<b>SY</b>: That's another great thing about working together as a group. We have a circle of friends, artists that we admire for their skills, and can easily work together if we want or need to. I know when I got moved to <b>Human Torch</b> from <b>Spider Clan</b>, Khary flew in and penciled the last issue of <b>Spider Clan</b> to help out in order to keep both books on schedule.
When Marvel needed a quick turnaround two years ago on an <b>Iceman</b> issue, Greg put down the pencil, and picked up a pen to ink the issue so we could give the turnaround they needed. Working in animation, toys, and video games also allows us to work together. Each of us will pitch in and ink, color, draw what ever the other needs. It's a great thing to have.
<b>NRAMA</b>: What are the challenges encountered during the whole set-up and what have you guys learned from the experience?
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/ghettolounge.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/ghettolounge_t.jpg" width="350" height="247" align="left" border="0" alt="Ghetto Lounge by Sean Galloway"></a><b>SY</b>: The biggest challenge... keeping up with each other… With five artists constantly turning out huge amounts of artwork on a weekly basis, it's hard to take it all in. I'll get done with a piece, put the pencil down, and get ready to relax for the night. Then I'll walk over to Greg's desk and see the dopest piece I've ever seen being worked on...and go straight back to my desk to start another. Then finish that one, and see Sean’s, or Jon's, or Khary's latest piece and return to the desk again. It's a vicious f@#%ing cycle... but fun as hell. I think we all feel that way. Each of us looks at the others as light years ahead of ourselves...and that’s the key to your growth.
What have we learned? That it's a small dinner table out there and everyone's trying to bite off their piece of steak. It's always good to have people you trust, look up to, and enjoy working with around you. When you have great ideas, and then you have a bank of creative minds on your side to help add to those ideas, you can only get better. Well, and it's great to have someone to sit around with you and talk shit while you draw…
<b>NRAMA</b>: What's on your individual and collective creative plates now?
<b>SY</b>: Aside from the things that I've mentioned above, the biggest project we are putting together is the Led Heavy Sketch Book. It will be a trade paperback-style book, 200 pgs, 40pgs per artist, black and white. It will have a lot of exclusive work in there from everyone, as well as some of the favorites from the last couple of years. We're shooting to have that put together in time for the summer cons.
And speaking of cons, some or all of us will be at a number of cons coming up this year. We will be at every Wizard World: Texas, Philly, LA, and of course Chicago. San Diego Comicon, Mega Con, and probably a few more. I will also be speaking at Edinboro Universty, PA for the animation department in April. So, if you are in the area, come thru and say what's up!
<b>NRAMA</b>: Speaking of what’s up… What upcoming projects are you guys working on?
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/torch12colorfinalsmall.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/torch12colorfinalsmall_t.jpg" width="175" height="263" align="right" border="0" alt="Human Torch #12 cover by Skottie Young"></a><b>SY</b>: Well, I know Khary is working on another <b>New Mutants</b> issue right now. Greg just finished up <b>Syn</b> with Keith Giffen at Dark Horse and is now working on a project with Mike Avon Oeming called <b>Dawg</b>. He will be penciling, inking, and coloring that entire project himself. Jon is working on <b>Go Boy 7</b> at Dark Horse. We have a few different plans to get Sean involved in a few different things. I just wrapped up my run on <b>Human Torch</b>, and will be doing a run on a current ongoing series with Marvel. A villain maybe. After that, I will be doing a run on another ongoing series with Marvel. A hero maybe. I'm pretty informative, huh?
For those who might be interested, each artist at Led Heavy is always open for new projects, covers, commissions, etc. For commissions, please visit www.ledheavy.com (http://www.ledheavy.com) and look up what to do for the artist [that] you're interested in commissioning a piece from. Prices and time is most definitely negotiable.
And, we now have original pages, sketches, covers, etc. for sale thru Led Heavy dot com. Again, visit www.ledheavy.com (http://www.ledheavy.com) and search thru the artist you like and see what they might have for sale. If you’re interested in any pieces of the artists, contact Autum Sims at [email]sims@ledheavy.com[/email] She can give you price lists, and answer any questions you might have.
Due to the holidays, some parts of the site might not be fully filled yet, so keep checking back.
<i>Newsarama Note: According to (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?threadid=21812&perpage=15&pagenumber=9) <b>Human Torch</b> editor Tom Brevoort speaking at Comixfan, issue #12 would likely be the series’ final issue.</i>
Additional Led Heavy artwork:
<center> <a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/tarzan.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/tarzan_t.jpg" width="350" height="306" border="0" alt="Tarzan by Sean Galloway"></a>
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/sleepwakercover.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/sleepwakercover_t.jpg" width="165" height="250" border="0" alt="Sleepwalker cover by Khary Randolph" hspace="1"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/ppspidey.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/ppspidey_t.jpg" width="165" height="250" border="0" alt="Peter Parker: Spider-Man by Khary Randolph" hspace="1"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/goboy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/goboy_t.jpg" width="165" height="250" border="0" alt="Go-Boy by Jon Sommariva" hspace="1"></a>
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/bestamor.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Led_Heavy/bestamor_t.jpg" width="350" height="216" border="0" alt="Betamor by Greg Titus" hspace="1"></a>