TALKING NOVA AND MORE WITH WELLINTON ALVES

[MattBrady]

We brought you the first look at guest artist Wellinton Alves’ pencils for Nova #8 coming in November from Marvel, and now, we’ve got more, along with some comments from the Brazilian artist himself who’s already won a fan in Nova co-writer Dan Abnett who said:

“Wellington is a great find! His huge talent is evident from the first page onwards, and its great to see how he's visualized the new settings and characters we've thrown at him for this Nova story. A star on the rise, no doubt about that.”

Issue #8 of the series, due in stores on November 14th, picks up after Nova’s involvement in Annihilation: Conquest, that is, he’s lost in uncharted space with no idea – or possibly hope – of finding a way home. As Editor Bill Rosemann told us: “Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have crafted a three-issue arc filled with thrills and chills, taking Rich Rider to places that he – and all of Marveldom – have never seen before. What is Knowhere? Who are the Luminals? And just wait until you see the new character named Cosmo. He’s going to give Rocket Raccoon a run for his money in the cult fan fave department! Yeah, it’s some dark and crazy times ahead for Nova, and Wellinton is the rising star who was born to draw it!”

We caught up for a brief chat with Alves (via his agent and translator, Klebs de Moura Junior).

Newsarama: First off Wellinton, tell us a little bit about yourself - you've been drawing comics for a while - what got you started?

Wellinton Alves: I began drawing a little late, around when I was 19. I never took any art classes, but made several friends at the field who gave lots of tips and got me on the right path.



NRAMA: For those who aren’t aware of it, you're in Brazil - how did you get involved with the production of American comics?

WA: Like so many others I started sending samples to as many publishers, studios and agents in Brazil and US. Finally I got a small gig on US independent publishers. From then on it’s been quite a ride.

NRAMA: Can you give us a short listing of what you've worked on?

WA: I’ve done : Shi, Lady Death, Medieval Lady Death, Bad Moon Rising, More Than Mortal, Nightwing, Anita Blake First Death, and now, Nova.

NRAMA: For you, what kind of story grabs your attention and makes it easy to draw?

WA: I really love medieval and sci-fi stories – and I love this Nova arc, mostly because there’s so much that I can create and give form: aliens, spaceships, outer worlds.

NRAMA: Speaking of that, how did you end up on Nova for the arc?

WA: Well, I was just finishing an issue of Anita Blake: The First Death, when my agent and friend Klebs Junior told me Marvel wanted me for something else, and then suddenly, Nova came into my lap. The editor, Bill Roseman saw my work and passed me a story arc. I never did a sample for him for Nova. Thanks so much, Bill!



NRAMA: Visually speaking, what's the "key" to Nova? What do readers need to come away with when they look at the art?

WA: I hooked with Nova visual. I really want to get him as realistically as possible; a hero doesn’t have to be only a muscle pack. The reader is much more demanding these days. They need something they can relate to.

NRAMA: Going back to touch on what you mentioned earlier, how do you handle the book's more fantastic elements, such as aliens and outer space craft?

WA: I try to get as many references as possible to get the right feel for the book. Klebs and Bill passed me some very good alien and terror movies so I could jump into this kind of story.

NRAMA: Was there anything in the story that you just couldn't figure out how to tackle from the art side of things?

WA: The scenes where we show the room with Abyss had me stuck. It had to be very unusual, never seen before, so you can guess this wasn’t easy.

NRAMA: How long did it take for you to fully understand Nova - how he carries himself, stands, etc?

WA: Ah, this was very fast: three days. I didn’t have the older books, but Klebs passed them to me. Nova is a very interesting character, human, friend, a real hero. That’s made my job so easy and fun.

NRAMA: Did not speaking English as a first language slow things down, or make things harder for you when you got the script for the issues?

WA: That’s really a pain... I barely can answer the emails. So I have to wait for Klebs to translate the scripts and the info Bill, Andy and Dan pass me. It always takes an extra time for that.



NRAMA: In that vein, why do you think we're seeing so many Brazilian and South American artists working in the US comic market today? Where did the tradition of comic art come from in Brazil that so many took it up as a career?

WA: I think mostly that Brazil has not just a comic tradition, but an art tradition. Our internal market is so small, that an illustrator has to master so many styles and kinds of art jobs to survive, that this versatility jumps out when the artist do something.

I think it’s great that the US industry can absorb the talent the Brazilians have to offer and make this a career so good to those really dedicates themselves to that.

NRAMA: So what’s next for you after this arc? Are you okay with moving from project to project, or are you wanting to settle down on a long run of a series?

WA: After this Nova arc, I’d love to do another.

I have no problem jumping from book to book, but it’s so good when you can make good bonds with a character you like, and can treat him as friend. You wanna hang out with your friends, don’t you? Jumping from books is like moving from a city.

Wellinton’s online portfolio can be found at: http://www.klebs.com.br/Estudio/well.htm

[Tekkamansol]

Nova is a great title Annihilation was and is the best story being told in marvel right now, it was som much better than civil war

[Palm Trees]

Despite my username, I just don't find a row of little palm trees to be an attractive hairstyle
Nice art though. nice to see thongs in fashion, even in unknown space.

[trachmanred]

Originally Posted by Tekkamansol

Nova is a great title Annihilation was and is the best story being told in marvel right now, it was som much better than civil war

Nope, Captain America.

[artiepants]

damn, the renderings of hte dog on the pencil pages are friggin' fantastic ~ the rest is good too, but few comic artists ever get the natural expressiveness of animals (esp. dogs) faces right...

Dark Horse should tap this guy for a Star Wars arc...

[Grimm22]

Nova teaming up with a talking astronaut dog? Sign me up

[Marius665]

I wasn't aware of Alves before but I do like his art, this is a very positive change for Nova

loving the new costume, just what he needed

[hugo]

Originally Posted by Grimm22

Nova teaming up with a talking astronaut dog?

with CCCP written on its suit. Seems to be good old Laika.

Beautiful pages, by the way.

[80Pork]

Nice art! A good follow-up to Sean Chen! Nova is one of Marvel's best offerings right now...they need to keep this guy for as long as possible.

[Big Red]

I love this book!



And the artwork here looks great!

[TmTrom]

So far, this is consistently been one of my favorite books to read month after month. Now it's not that I'm a Nova junkie (I am but that's beside the point) but...

Y'know what? Words do not describe the perfection between (and on those covers). The work speaks for itself.

And a talking space dog? Oh yeah.

[Firevine]

Neat interview. Nova really surprised me being so good.

[bomaya]

Was sad to see Chen leave but this guy looks like a great replacement. Sweeeet.

[Livewire2nd]

That is some Sweet Sweet Art.

[Winteriscoming]

Nova is great! These guys are doing a fantastic job with the book.

[foxhound421]

i love Nova. it's the one re-launch that Marvel did absolutely right in the past year. Moon Knight= NO. Ghost Rider= NO. Nova= HELL YES.

[DasPoppen]

Nova is in my Top 5 titles. Always a great read.
I was a bit worried when it was announced that Chen is going to leave. But seeing the art by Mr Alves I am relieved and more than happy. It looks fantastic. Good job, editorial, for getting Alves on board. I hope he will do more than just three issues.

[beta-ray]

Originally Posted by Grimm22

Nova teaming up with a talking astronaut dog? Sign me up

More like a Cosmo-naut.

Looks great!

[weaselwelch]

Was never a huge Nova fan until now. I never read the original series but got like him on New Warriors back in the nineties.

WA: I hooked with Nova visual. I really want to get him as realistically as possible; a hero doesn’t have to be only a muscle pack. The reader is much more demanding these days. They need something they can relate to.

I love this. Some artist tend to make superheroes look like they are taking steroids. And give the muscles on top of muscles on top of muscles.

It like with Spider-Man. He doesn't looks like he could lift ten ton hell much a couple of hundred. So when he does people are holy crap. The same with Nova. He should like a guy who is great shape but when you look at him you wouldn't think he could bench press tanks.

[Peasily]

Would like to see Kev Walker doing pencils on Nova, again.