UP AND COMING: JESS HICKMAN

**MattBrady** · 08-10-2005, 07:22 AM

by Chris Arrant

For those that think comics are a dying medium, you have but to look at the next generation of comic creators that are blossoming in self-published comics, online, and at your nearest convention's artist alley. One such artist is Jess Hickman.

Jess Hickman graduated from Arizona State University with a BFA, and has done work for Disney Interactive and IDW Publishing. Her first published work in comics was a pin-up for Penny Farthing Press' Decoy: Storm of the Century, and she has several upcoming projects in the works. She made an appearance at last weekend’s WizardWorld: Chicago, and Newsarama chatted with the illustrator about her work and future plans in the industry.

Newsarama: Your current project is a story for Grafika Press' 3 Days the Devil Danced entitled 'Betrayal of Innocence'. Can you tell us what it's about, and when readers can start looking for it?

Jess Hickman: 'Betrayal of Innocence', written by Michael May, depicts demons running free on Earth, killing the guilty. The only protection from them is the innocence of children. A Yakuza gang chains a group of children together to use as a human shield. The 3 Days the Devil Danced preview issue, Annunciation, is currently available at grafikapress.com, and the 3 Days the Devil Danced graphic novel should be available by September.

NRAMA: You contributed pencils to the first volume of Tales from the Inner Sanctum graphic novel, which was put together by some of the members of the 'Inner Sanctum' forum on Steve Niles' website. The story you worked on was called 'Ruined', can you tell us about that?

JH: 'Ruined' was also written by Michael May. It's about a guy who comes upon a headless horseman and soon becomes his victim. I had a great time working with Michael and with everyone involved in that book. The excitement and creativity was wonderful to be around and I am definitely proud of the product.

NRAMA: You also had some of your artwork in Steve Niles' Dial 'M' for Monster for IDW Publishing. How did you get involved with that project?

JH: Steve contacted me after I posted some of my artwork online. He liked my style and I was more than happy to work with him. I hope to be able to do more work for IDW in the future.

NRAMA: What prompted you to seriously look at comics and art as a career?

JH: Friends and family. Everyone around me has always been very supportive of my artwork, and when I started seriously thinking about pursuing it, I got nothing but positive feedback.

NRAMA: From the artwork on your website, it seems your artwork is un-inked and takes full use of pencil shading. With the majority of comics work being inked and not shaded in this manner, what led you to your own unique style?

JH: I think I've always been stronger in my pencil and shading work. I like the look that I get using pencil, both in style and in emotion.

NRAMA: Ultimately, what kind of work would you like to do in comics?

JH: I would love to do horror comics. Anything creepy. I've been attracted to that genre since I was a child, which would explain my dark sense of humor! I like the challenge involved with horror comics. The pacing that is needed to make a horror comic work.
For more information on Jess Hickman's work, visit her website at www.deadplayground.com.

adamcasey · 08-10-2005, 08:12 AM

Very interesting.

Glad to see more female creators in the industry.

Cray_ws · 08-10-2005, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by adamcasey
Very interesting.

Glad to see more female creators in the industry.

Interesting indeed, and there are alot more female creators than most fans realize. They just don't get the publicity nor do fans realize the books they just read was produced by women.

Headhunter · 08-10-2005, 08:39 AM

Art looks hot, especially the covers.

Now, that's how a portfolio site should look!

Headhunter · 08-10-2005, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cray_ws
Interesting indeed, and there are alot more female creators than most fans realize.

Bit out of date, but this list will do for anyone seeking out female creators.

NightRiver · 08-10-2005, 08:58 AM

Beautifull art! Ill be looking for that Sketchbook.

mikey_danger · 08-10-2005, 09:57 AM

Such a great idea for an article! And definetly a quality artist to start it off with.

I would love to see this become a regular feature here.

Gordon McAlpin · 08-10-2005, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikey_danger
Such a great idea for an article! And definetly a quality artist to start it off with.

I would love to see this become a regular feature here.

I'm going to second that. Please make this a regular feature!

RonC · 08-10-2005, 10:27 AM

Jesse has a beautiful portfolio site, and she's a welcome addition to the comics industry. I hope we get to see more of her more detailed, realistic looking artwork in the comic books she does.

smitch · 08-10-2005, 10:35 AM

Not to mention SHE'S gorgeous (from the picture on the grafika site). Jess Hickman, what's up girl!

jmarshall · 08-10-2005, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cray_ws
Interesting indeed, and there are alot more female creators than most fans realize. They just don't get the publicity nor do fans realize the books they just read was produced by women.

Like who?

SGeabhart · 08-10-2005, 05:40 PM

I met Jess in Chicago and she was extremely cool...I really liked the sketchbook she had available at the show.

Shawn

CaptainTemerity · 08-10-2005, 05:49 PM

I've been following Jess, in her LiveJournal, for about a year now, I think. Her artwork has always been amazing, but I really want to see her get some of her own ideas published. She has some characters I've seen multiple drawings of, and I really want to see their stories make it to print.

I agree, though... A great idea for an article, and a perfect artist to start with.