ANDY SMITH: JOINING THE POST HUMAN DIVISION

[MattBrady]

Come June’s #8, there’re a couple of changes coming for Wildstorm’s StormWatch PHD. Mike McKone joins the series as the new cover artist, and as for the insides – they’re going to be handled by Andy Smith, who will be joining the series as the regular artist.

We caught up with Smith for a chat about the gig and the series.

Newsarama: What brought you on to the title in the first place?

Andy Smith: It's amazing what a blank check in the right person's hands will get you! Seriously though. I worked with the series editor Ben Abernathy the previous year on
the Red Sonja/Claw mini-series and the Claw mini-series and over the course of the year built up a good working and personal relationship with him. He expressed interest in working together again as soon as we could. While I was working on 52 week 39 he
called me to see if I was up for a monthly gig. When he told me it was Stormwatch PHD I didn't hesitate to jump on!

NRAMA: Had you been following the series since the relaunch?

AS: I checked it out because I really like Doug Manke's art and heard great things about Chris Gage. I dug it! Strong storytelling on both of their parts. I liked the urban feel to it and the new characters that were created for the team.

NRAMA: You mention Doug there - you're coming on after him, who was the lead/intro penciler for the new series, and by and large, set the tone for the look and feel of the book. Does that mean any extra work/stress for you in either following in his steps, or breaking out a little and going your own way?

AS: I really like Doug's work so there is that pressure to follow up an artist of his caliber. At the same time though I'm not trying to mimic his style or anything but just do my own thing. I'm penciling and inking the series so that adds a little more stress and pressure to meet the monthly deadlines. Overall I don't think our styles are too far apart so hopefully it'll be a relatively smooth transition.

NRAMA: StormWatch PHD has plenty of action both in the "normal" world as well as that where folks predominantly wear spandex. How do you handle the shifts back and forth? Are you comfortable say, with a scene of Jackson and Christine talking, which would, I'm guessing, require the characters to do more "acting?"

AS: That's one thing I really like about the book. I spent the past year in the barbarian world of Claw with no spandex and while it was different for me I had a blast with it. Now I'm back doing spandex heroes but at the same time I get the quiet moments of people in regular clothing as well. It's a nice balance in the book. In most scenes I usually speak the dialogue of the characters out loud so I can get a feel for the action/acting I might draw them in. Good thing I work at home or people would think I'm looney talking to myself!

NRAMA: Well, let’s hit the hero action as well - does this book, or the fact that its set in the Wildstorm universe mean any differences for you compared to, say a book set in the mainstream DCU?

AS: Not really. When it comes to the action scenes I try and make them as dramatic and cool as possible!

NRAMA: On something like this where dozens of artists have handled the characters over the years, have you found yourself going back to see how other artists drew the characters, or are you more or less striking out on your own?

AS: Well I have to go back and look at past artists just for costume reference. From that point I might tweak the costumes a bit for my own interpretation but I'm not looking at the past artists as set in stone guides. I have all the old trades of the Stormwatch series and some of the characters went through costume changes in those series so I feel comfortable playing with them.

NRAMA: That said, you've only been on the assignment for a short time, admittedly, but are you gravitating towards/away from any particular characters?

AS: I just wrapped my first issue last week and so far it's been fun to draw all the different characters. I do enjoy drawing all of them for the diversity. However I do enjoy drawing Winter, Diva and Jackson King a lot. I designed a new armor for Fuji and at times kicking myself for it! Next time I'll take into account that I have to draw him over and over...HA!

NRAMA: Generally speaking, how long does it take for you to "get" a character? Take Fuji for instance - was that a case where you were able to look at a reference image of him, and draw him and tweak him on the board for that particular page, or did you require some loosening up to understand how his costume works, etc?

AS: I've found from my past experience it takes a good issue or two to get a character down to the point where I don't have to go back and look at previous pages to see how I drew them. With Fuji I did a re-design on him and even with that I've had to go back and look at him from my first drawing to get the details accurate. I didn't have time to do individual character sketches to work from so I'm just going straight to the board with them.

NRAMA: So – enough with the process, and more with the teases - what does Chris have you working on in your first arc that has you jazzed? From the pages, there’re some original members involved?

AS: Right. Without giving away too much Jackson takes the team and introduces them to some of the original Stormwatch characters, like Diva, Fuji, Winter and Farenheit. There are some other nice elements but I've taken a blood oath not to reveal them...sorry.

NRAMA: Anything in the scripts you've read so far that has you a touch anxious about how you'll tackle it?

AS: I've found that even after 16 years in the business there is something in every script I haven't drawn before or is a challenge for me. I like that though because it never gets old and keeps me on my toes and the work fresh. Unfortunately without giving anything away of the story I can't saw what it is in the first few scripts.

NRAMA: Okay, okay…final tease - why should people be giving StormWatch PHD a shot?

AS: Because they’re getting a great story by Chris and I'm working my tail off to bring them great art! The book has it all, action, drama, comedy...what more could you want! And last but not least in the first issue there is a scene that had my jaw drop when I read it and I think the fans will love it too!

[kingofcities]

What the heck? Why is Doug leaving?!?

No disrespect intended to the very talented Andy Smith. Those pages up above look great and I'll of course still keep the book on my list. Doug is just one of my all-time top ten artists. I expected he'd stay on the title a bit longer.

[Steve Magnum]

Holy Crap! Is that Gorgeous stripping for Dr. Shaw? I wonder if those two will be "getting it on". Though I think Gorgeous will more than likely be using him to further her own interests. Either way, it looks to be a fun ride. Welcome aboard Mr. Smith.

Though I will still miss Doug Mahnke's wonderful art style.

[MarcD]

I really like Doug M myself but Andy's work here is stunning. Can't wait to read this.

[grphxkindaguy]

Originally Posted by kingofcities

What the heck? Why is Doug leaving?!?

No disrespect intended to the very talented Andy Smith. Those pages up above look great an I'll of course still keep the book on my list. Doug is just one of my all-time top ten artists. I expected he'd stay on the title a bit longer.

I remember reading somewhere that Doug is leaving to work on another project.

I'll miss his artwork, but am impressed w/Andy Smith's pages. I always thought of him as a Bart Sears clone (from his Quasar and X-O Manowar work), nice to see he's changed his style...

[Electrohead]

Those pages look great. This book was at the top of my reading pile. I will definitely miss Doug's art, but Andy's pages look awesome.

[stlfan79]

I am glad ANdy Smithis coming aboard. This book was on the chopping block for me (as a lot of WS titles are as of now) but this art upgrade will keep me around a couplemore issues.

[The Holy Cow]

Wow, Smith's art is much better than what he did in 52. Gage wasn't lying when he said Smith wasn't far from Hitch : he's not has good yet, but he really improved. I'm sad to see Mankhe leaving, but I'm glad to see Smith as the new artist.

[RedRonin]

Smith looks to be a solid artist and I welcome him on to the title. But I can't help feeling it's such a big change of style from Doug's it throws the title off a bit. It sort of sucks as Doug and Christos really start clicking with each other the last 2-3 issues.

[BanMan]

I always get sad when Doug leaves a book I'm enjoying but Andy looks good enough.

[GregNIMBUS]

Andy Smith is an amazing artist... anything he does will get my money! Looks like I'll be reading Stormwatch!


-Greg
http://www.voltagecomics.com

[J.D. Lombardi]

Anyone able to tell me where Diva went? I know she wasn't one of the deceased from the Aliens crossover. Did she eventually just leave the team?

[bcondray]

Looks good.

[jniffen]

Originally Posted by GregNIMBUS

Andy Smith is an amazing artist... anything he does will get my money! Looks like I'll be reading Stormwatch!


-Greg
http://www.voltagecomics.com

If you like Andy Smith's art, you should check out his book "Drawing Dynamic Comics", which is pretty much an updated version of "How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way". Definitely worth the $20 I plopped down for it. Amazon might actually have it for cheaper.

[christosgage]

I loved working with Doug and we both hope to again some day, and his issues #6-7 are the best of his run, but with him moving on I couldn't be happier to have Andy coming on board. As the pages above show, he is doing some phenomenal stuff! Glad you guys seem to like it!

By the way, the original Diva was killed; the new one is her sister, and their uncanny resemblance will be addressed in this very story!

Best,

CNG

[J.D. Lombardi]

Originally Posted by christosgage

By the way, the original Diva was killed; the new one is her sister, and their uncanny resemblance will be addressed in this very story!

Best,

CNG

Where the heck was she killed? Beside your series I've "only" read Ellis' work on the title.

[andy smith]

Hey All,

Thanks for the kind words and support! I'm sure you'll be very happy with the book. Chris is doing amazing stuff and I'm trying my best to keep it going!

[I am MODOK]

I'm sad to see Doug Mahnke go, but I've always liked Andy's work too, and these preview pages look great. The story looks like it will stay top notch, and these pages look fantastic, I think the title should chug along nicely.

I've gotten a couple commissions from Andy over the years, so it's clear I've dug his stuff for awhile (feel free to check out the link in my sig).

[DocGoblin]

Welcome aboard Andy!!!!

Something is wierd here - how come Farenheit has powers? Are those Paris AND Hellstrike gossip about her? and what is up with dr. Shaw and Gorgeous?

There is a lot to wait for....

[kaiserdean]

I think Smith has gotten better from his Quasar days but he still reminds me of Bart Sears. I might check out the book now.

[HeX111]

Originally Posted by J.D. Lombardi

Where the heck was she killed? Beside your series I've "only" read Ellis' work on the title.

Stormwatch (Vol. 1) #24 or 23... she was turned into a zombie by Despot... in issue 25 (one of the original "Images of Tomorrow" books), her body was torn in half and crushed to dust (on panel)

Diva died about 2 years before Ellis took over... she never appeared during Ellis' run

[J.D. Lombardi]

Originally Posted by HeX111

Stormwatch (Vol. 1) #24 or 23... she was turned into a zombie by Despot... in issue 25 (one of the original "Images of Tomorrow" books), her body was torn in half and crushed to dust (on panel)

Diva died about 2 years before Ellis took over... she never appeared during Ellis' run

Much appreciated. Thanks!

[HeX111]

Originally Posted by J.D. Lombardi

Much appreciated. Thanks!

I'm a Stormwatch and Wildcats encyclopedia... and a lot of the rest of the WSU as well (not so much Gen 13 though... )

[spidertour02]

Congratulations to Andy Smith! I have always thought that he is a very underrated penciler. Personally, I always refer to my copy of Drawing Dynamic Comics when I'm struggling drawing anatomy!

[Big Red]

This is a great book.

I'll miss Doug but I still expect to continue to love the book.