GETTING TO KNOW ERIC WIGHT

**MattBrady** · 02-06-2007, 05:20 PM

by Troy Brownfield

You know Eric Wight by now. Whether you associate his name with TV projects, mainstream comics, or My Dead Girlfriend, his presently launching, buzz-generating series from Tokyopop, you know that he brings a dynamic sense of style to his work. These days, Wight is a busy guy, so busy in fact that Newsarama will be speaking to him on two occasions. In the near future, Wight will hold forth in detail on My Dead Girlfriend. Today, he comments on the end of The O.C., the Action Comics annual, and more forthcoming adventures in the DCU.

Newsarama: At this point, how many volumes in MDG slated to run? Is it something that you envision having sequels or spin-offs?

Eric Wight: When I first pitched the book, I told Julie (my editor at Tokyopop) that I thought this was a one-shot deal. But then I emailed her the next day to let her know that I came up with ideas for nine volumes! So the answer changes from day to day. I have a definitive ending plotted out, and a lot of stories I want to tell before then. I just haven’t decided how many more stories I’ll want to tell in between. And I had so much fun creating all of the characters in MDG that I would be completely open to spinning any of them off into their own series.

Newsarama: Now that The O.C. is wrapping, what's your perspective on that experience?

Wight: What I’m most proud of was being given the chance to portray comics in a positive light to an audience the majority of whom had never read comics before. I used to joke with my pals that there should be a Comic Reader Anti-Defamation League because of how fans were always stereotypically portrayed as only being guys with taped glasses who still live in their parent’s basements. The O.C. not only showcased comics as being “cool,” but celebrated the process itself, which is a really rare thing.

The other part that I cherish was just how trusting, generous, and supportive Josh Schwartz and the other producers were. They really let me run with the concepts I came up with, and because of that I think The Atomic County has a very honest quality too it. This wasn’t a sales gimmick to try and lure viewers or sell toys. The merchandise came later in response to how much fans enjoyed my work.

Newsarama: Do you have any more multi-media plans at present?

Wight: Right now I’m trying to focus more on my publishing career. I’m really excited about making comics that people can actually read, not just props you see in a blink. But like the movie Sullivan’s Travels, every time I try to escape Hollywood I seem to get pulled back in. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you see my working popping up in another show or movie.

Newsarama: Tell us about your involvement in the Action Comics Annual.

Wight: Geoff and I had been talking for a while about wanting to do something together. So when he called me to see if I was available, I jumped at the opportunity to work with him and Donner. My contribution to the annual was illustrating the re-introduction of Mon-el, which pays a great tribute to Superboy #89.

Newsarama: Does your style uniquely suit you to depicting a specific era in the DCU?

Wight: I sometimes get pegged as the “retro” guy, which is both a blessing and a curse. I’m certainly not limited to just drawing stories that have a golden or silver age look to them, but I guess because I derive so much inspiration from the artists of those eras, it’s an easy dot to connect. I think a lot of it is contextual too. My style for The O.C. isn’t all that much different than my superhero work, but no one has ever referred to that as being retro.

Newsarama: What's the best part about handling the Superman cast?

Wight: Working with any of these classic characters is a total thrill. Even for a couple of pages, I get the chance to be a part of a tremendous legacy. This time around, I really enjoyed drawing a much younger Clark Kent. It was a lot of fun trying to capture the innocence and awkwardness of being a kid, while at the same time knowing you have such extraordinary powers.

Newsarama: I hear mention of two more DC projects coming up: what can you tell me about what you're doing with the Justice League? Does it follow up in a way on your JLA #0 work?

Wight: I just finished designing the cover to JLA #7. I can’t spoil the surprise, but if everything goes according to plan, it’s going to be something really, really special. I’m drawing layouts for that issue as well.

Newsarama: As to JSA: Classified, what might you be doing there? Who's the writer?

Wight: I can’t get into specifics other than it’s a three issue arc written by my pal Vito Delsante. Mark my words, Vito is going to be one of DC’s next breakout stars. This guy’s got serious writing chops, and I’m really excited and proud to be working with him.

Newsarama: It's interesting to see an artist moving between the more conventional mainstream books and OEL manga style. What are the challenges in switching between the formats in terms of layouts, the demands of the page, etc.?

Wight: In terms of basic storytelling, I don’t really approach the process all that differently. I try to find the point of view that best fits the story I’m illustrating. I think the page count of manga allows you to pace things more slowly and not pack so much onto every page. But I sometimes feel constrained knowing that the final art will be so small. Where as with superhero comics the pages are bigger, but there always seems to be so much information crammed into a 22-page story.

Illustrating My Dead Girlfriend was very liberating because I could just be myself and not worry about paying tribute to any one period or style. My animation experience came in handy for designing the characters, but I employed all the same inking brushwork that I use in my superhero work. I have to admit though, after drawing MDG for four months straight, I really missed the superhero stuff and was excited to dive into my Action story. I’m such a fan of all forms of graphic storytelling that I really enjoy being able to dance back and forth between different styles and genres.

Newsarama: What's your preferred work method these days? Favorite tools?

Wight: About twenty pages into My Dead Girlfriend I started penciling on a Wacom Cintiq to speed the process along, and I’ve been really happy with the results. Once I rough out a page in Photoshop, I convert it to a non-photo blue, print it onto bristol and then ink it with a brush. I love the way I can ink cleanly on the bristol without it floating on the pencils. Sometimes in a pinch I’ll ink a page digitally, but nothing compares to the subtlety of a Winsor Newton Series 7. You’ll have to pry my brush out of my cold dead hand!

Newsarama: Any words of encouragement or suggestion for up-and-coming artists?

Wight: Work hard, follow your passion, and the opportunities will come to you. It sounds so basic, but being an artist in this business is a really tough job. You have to truly love your work and not be afraid to draw until you feel like your arm could fall off. If you have the determination to work that hard, you’ll have the determination to succeed.

Newsarama: Are there any more DC (or other) characters that you'd like a chance to write or draw? And do you have any more original projects in the hopper?

Wight: There are a lot of characters I would love to play with, but for me it’s more about having the opportunity to collaborate with really great writers. I’m also really enjoying the creative freedom of writing and drawing my original projects, so I’ll continue to jump back and forth between the two as long as they let me.

If you’re looking for the personal version of the Eric Wight experience, he’ll be signing copies of My Dead Girlfriend and Action Comics Annual #10 at Jim Hanley's Universe Wednesday, February 7th from 4-6pm and will also be appearing at NY Comic-con at both the Tokyopop and DC booths.

For Wight on the web, visit:

His website: http://www.ericwight.com
His MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/ewight
His ComicSpace page: http://www.comicspace.com/ericwight/

Illustr8r · 02-06-2007, 06:06 PM

Fake. Manga. Sucks.

That's all.

Carlosdwarf · 02-06-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illustr8r

Fake. Manga. Sucks.

That's all.

It's not manga. So how can it be "fake"?

Mr_Fish · 02-06-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illustr8r

Fake. Manga. Sucks.

That's all.

Eric. Wight. Rules.

THAT is all.

kalorama · 02-06-2007, 06:19 PM

I'm not a manga fan at all, but I know what it looks like when Isee it. This looks nothing like nor, I suspect, is it supposed to.

GPA · 02-06-2007, 06:28 PM

Glad to know this is finally coming out, I've been waiting to check it out after I read the interview on it after Comic Con last year. Manga? Comics? Does it even matter if it's good? Nah... I'm just glad I got a reason to head down to the comic shop again.

gwangung · 02-06-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalorama

I'm not a manga fan at all, but I know what it looks like when Isee it. This looks nothing like nor, I suspect, is it supposed to.

Yeah.

What is it with these wannabes saying what is or what isn't good? If it reads well, it's good. That should be the end of the matter, not whether you THINK it looks like manga, comic strips, big-foot rendering or what not...

robzass · 02-06-2007, 07:18 PM

didnt they do an article really really similar to this earlier??

Vito Delsante · 02-06-2007, 07:22 PM

Eric is one of my best friends in the world and I wish him nothing but luck and success with My Dead Girlfriend. I got to see an advanced copy and it's fun and fans of good all ages comics (with adult twists...think Bugs Bunny) will love it, manga or no.

And of course, I can't wait to get started on our JSA Classified!

Hobowatcher · 02-06-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vito Delsante

Eric is one of my best friends in the world and I wish him nothing but luck and success with My Dead Girlfriend. I got to see an advanced copy and it's fun and fans of good all ages comics (with adult twists...think Bugs Bunny) will love it, manga or no.

And of course, I can't wait to get started on our JSA Classified!

Is this your Wildcat story you've been wanting to tell?

beetle1million · 02-06-2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illustr8r

Fake. Manga. Sucks.

That's all.

That's funny. I had the same reaction to this that I had when I first saw Scott Pilgrim. That being...

"Why is this one thing shelved with all of this miserable and badly drawn garbage?"

Vito Delsante · 02-06-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobowatcher

Is this your Wildcat story you've been wanting to tell?

We're going to have to tease it a little while longer, Hobo. But we'll announce it somewhere or do an interview here on N'rama (if Matt allows). It's going to be a lot of fun though, something in keeping with the past few stories (esp. the Scott Beatty/Rags Morales Dr. Mid-Nite arc).

Nick Wyche · 02-06-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobowatcher

Because that's what it is.

If you're saying it's because it's manga, I agree wholeheartedly. If you're saying it's "badly drawn garbage", then I'll have to disagree and hold my tongue from describing what I think of that opinion.Everybody's entitled to have their opinions, even when others think very little of them.

In my opinion, SCOTT PILGRIM is probably one of the most important books released in North America in the last five years. It is a quintessential blending of pop culture with a manga sensibility that is crossing over into multiple audiences. It does this so well because it is not in the least bit calculated and comes directly from the artist's wellspring of inspiration and imagination. It is one of the most fun, addicting, reads to come out in years.

RedSquirrel · 02-06-2007, 09:09 PM

Eazy E does comics?

JAD · 02-06-2007, 09:33 PM

I'll give this book a chance, I like the art. Eric Wight is going to visit my local shop (Cyborg 1, in Doylestown, PA on February 17, from 1 to 3) so hope to get a chance to find out a little more about him.

Kid Xanadu · 02-06-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illustr8r

Fake. Manga. Sucks.

That's all.

Just coz it's being published by Tokyopop, it doesn't necessarily mean that the product is manga.

Franklin Harris · 02-06-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illustr8r

Fake. Manga. Sucks.

That's all.

It's all comics.

nickmaynard · 02-06-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illustr8r

Fake. Manga. Sucks.

That's all.

http://search.americansingles.com/i/ill/illustr8r/

Kolimar · 02-06-2007, 11:22 PM

Interesting interview. MDG looks like a nice bit of fun.

Kolimar · 02-06-2007, 11:23 PM

Comic book creators and their work in other fields. What do you think?

beetle1million · 02-06-2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Wyche

If you're saying it's because it's manga, I agree wholeheartedly. If you're saying it's "badly drawn garbage", then I'll have to disagree and hold my tongue from describing what I think of that opinion.Everybody's entitled to have their opinions, even when others think very little of them.

In my opinion, SCOTT PILGRIM is probably one of the most important books released in North America in the last five years. It is a quintessential blending of pop culture with a manga sensibility that is crossing over into multiple audiences. It does this so well because it is not in the least bit calculated and comes directly from the artist's wellspring of inspiration and imagination. It is one of the most fun, addicting, reads to come out in years.

I think you actually meant to quote and respond to me given some of your context; but since I don't quite get EVERYTHING you said in the first paragraph, I'm not sure. Just in case...

I enjoy My Dead Girlfriend and Scott Pilgrim both- though I don't think Scott Pilgrim has the importance you place on it. However, I feel that both of these books I'm speaking of are, unfortunately, due to format and/or publisher, are often shelved with that manga which makes it to America. Which is, by and large, poorly drawn illustrations that follow the general format of comic book with little to no actual storytelling technique and abuse of decompression (which I realize is mostly a tool originating from manga, as far as comics go) to a horrifying degree. I'm not trying to make a broad generalization about the format, but, to in my opinion, it's a very rare piece of manga that offers anything to the reader, and nearly everything I've had people insist to me is "good" manga comes off as trite nonsense to me. But, to give you some context, for the anime/manga crowd, I only find Princess Mononoke to be "okay". It had something really kind of neat and interesting going on, until it became a rampaging monster movie at the end.

And at the risk of incurring the wrath of people here, I -do- feel manga as its own style is a bit over rated. I don't think there's a lot to be gained from "manga" sensibilities the way they're traditionally utilized. Their application in other context can often be quite nice- such as Scott Pilgrim. But I'm still trying to get over the notion that Akira is brilliance.

And for the sake of argument, examples of manga that I have found worth investing energy in reading it: Gunsmith Cats, Lone Wolf and Cub, that cute one about the dead guy who turns into a penguin...

But more on topic: My Dead Girlfriend is the awesomeness. Is it not supposed to be for sale yet? I've gotten that notion from a couple people, but we had it at the book store I work at a bit ago. Had no idea what it was but loved the cover, and the Joss Whedon quote sealed the deal for me.

Troy Brownfield · 02-07-2007, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedSquirrel

Eazy E does comics?

That would be Eric WRight.

Hobowatcher · 02-07-2007, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vito Delsante

We're going to have to tease it a little while longer, Hobo. But we'll announce it somewhere or do an interview here on N'rama (if Matt allows). It's going to be a lot of fun though, something in keeping with the past few stories (esp. the Scott Beatty/Rags Morales Dr. Mid-Nite arc).

Hmmm...so those stories are more connected than previously thought...very interesting.

RedSquirrel · 02-07-2007, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troy Brownfield

That would be Eric WRight.

I'm glad someone got the joke!

Vito Delsante · 02-07-2007, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobowatcher

Hmmm...so those stories are more connected than previously thought...very interesting.

Not necessarily connected in story content, Hobo, but more in tone. Again, those issues (18 & 19, I believe) had a certain context...call it noir; call it pulp...that Eric and I will also achieve in our arc. Straight up hard boiled storytelling.