AMANDA CONNER: TALKING POWER GIRL

[MattBrady]

Getting back into the mainstream game just before the “Whatever Happened to…?” questions were going to start popping up, Amanda Conner is once again turning heads with her art, currently seen in JSA: Classified issue #2 of which is due in stores this week.

After seeing a sell-out with its first issue, the Classified storyline starring Power Girl, “Power Trip” is a perfect fit for Conner who’s career is filled with strong, female protagonists from Vampirella to The Pro. We caught up with the artist to find out where she’s been, her view on Power Girl, and what’s to come.

Like many other comic artists whose work used to show up with greater frequency, just because Conner’s pencilers haven’t been gracing pages lately doesn’t mean she’s out on the street – or even has that much free time.

“I’ve been doing other stuff here and there,” Conner said. “Not always comic work, sometimes advertising stuff, other times, magazine stuff. I get occasional gigs in Revolver magazine, MAD magazine and Spin.

“I tend to work in story arcs. It’s very difficult for me to maintain a monthly schedule. For some bizarro reason I tend to burn out, and then need to regroup. I wish I could do a monthly… if I could work faster, I could make more money. I could also do more characters that I want to do!”

That said, and her personal concerns aside, Conner said it was a combination of the character, the writer (Geoff Johns) and the editor (Steve Wacker) that saw her land on the inaugural arc of Classified.

“Jimmy [Palmiotti] had been working with Steve Wacker a lot, and really liked working with him,” Conner said. “I’d been running around the city one day, and an overworked Jimmy asked if I’d drop off some stuff at DC. So while I was up there, Steve coaxed me into his office and said Geoff was doing a Power Girl story arc. And I said, ‘hmmmm…’ and here we are.”

A few years back, and even the idea of drawing Power Girl would’ve been something new to Conner. But not anymore.

“I have to admit, several years back, I didn’t know very much about the character at all, but since then, a few diehard Power Girl fans - y’all know who you are! - have approached me at various conventions for Power Girl sketches. They’d tell me about the character and what her story is - or isn’t, and they’d say it would be fun to see me draw a Power Girl book. Plus, she was a lot of fun to do sketches of. So when Steve approached me about doing this series, it sort of felt like it was meant to be.”

In convention appearances, Conner said that, in drawing the arc, she’d be channeling her inner Wally Wood, referencing the comics master who’d handled Power Girl in many memorable stories, and helped give the character her look back in the days of the All-Star Comics, when she debuted in issue #58.

Clarifying her comment a little, Conner said that finding her inner Wally is adapting her style in a certain manner.

“It’s all in the boobs,” Conner said, laughing. “I’m not too great at mimicking the styles of other artists, but I know that Wally Wood was a boob man. Adam Hughes told me a story he’d heard about Wally Wood doing Power Girl. The legend goes this way: Wally said that in each issue, he was gonna make Power Girl’s boobies slightly larger than in the last issue, until the editors catch him. I think he made it all the way up to his 11th issue before the editors said, HEY!!! NOW CUT THAT OUT AND BEHAVE! I’d love to take a close look at those eleven issues and see what went on with that.”

Power Girl’s….boobs aside for a minute, the storyline is also giving Conner a chance to showcase her talents in capturing the emotional state of the characters under her pencil. As she sees it, in this regard, Conner couldn’t ask for a better collaborator than Johns.

“Geoff is very thorough with the scripts that he sends me,” Conner said. “He knows exactly how he wants the characters to be feeling, and then I try to nail exactly what he’s trying to go for. Sometimes when there is no emotion suggested in the script I’ll try to imagine what the character would be feeling in that particular situation. I’ve locked myself out of my apartment enough times that I’ve slid down the wall and sat on the floor in exasperation… and I’ve come home after a long absence to find a really pissed off cat that studiously ignores me. My favorite thing to draw is different and various emotions, facial expressions and body language and stuff. I like the idea of seeing bigger than life characters feeling and acting the same way as you or I would in certain situations. It makes the characters seem more real to me.

For instance, there are some instances when I don’t want Power Girl to come across as too vulnerable, but that is what’s going on inside her, so she’ll be doing something like fiddling with her fingers. You know, the kind of nervous things we all do without even realizing it.”

Conner got her chance to put a clear expression on Power Girl’s face in issue #1 when a man she’s just rescued finds himself staring at her…ample cleavage.

“The face she made there – that was exasperation mixed with “oh here we go again” and also mixed with a little bit of humor in the way that you know you can get your pets excited when you use a can opener.”

Well, taking that as an opening, Conner does have a pretty strong opinion about Power Girl’s costume, and it doesn’t even venture close to “it’s exploitative” territory.

“In her first appearances, her outfit seemed relatively tame, although Wally did have the circle cut out at first,” Conner said. “I’ve never had a chance to read all the things she appeared in, so I’m not sure at what exact point it became the hot bombshell costume, but some women are just extremely comfortable with their bodies, and don’t mind showing off the parts that they’re proud of. And as it’s been mentioned before, it does provide a great distraction for those that would cause her trouble. Power Girl isn’t too sure of what’s going on inside of her right now, but the one thing she can be sure of is that killer bod of hers. She might as well run with it. I’ve only had one person express concern about her body and her costume, and I explained that’s just the way the character is. I also mentioned that I draw each character differently, ‘cause just like real people, they’re all not going to look the same. If you look at Saturn Girl, she is much more slender and wiry than Power Girl. Power Girl is Power Girl.”

As for more on the look: “Actually, there is a scene in #2 where she explains her costume, so I won’t tell you. I’ll let you read it. Although in my circus of a brain, I don’t know if it has any other meaning than ‘WOW! Nice ones! … and thanks for lettin’ them breathe!’”

Getting away from that topic and back to the larger picture of the storyarc, Conner said that in this week’s issue, she’s proudest of a moment shared between, of all people, Power Girl and Jimmy Olsen where she was able to rise to a challenge of making a spoken conversation interesting.

“I thought that the standard thing to do with a long conversation to make it visually interesting would be to draw it from a lot of different angles. Instead, I decided to make it all the same shot and let those two do all the acting with their expressions and body language, and some lunch. I wasn’t sure if it would work well, but it seemed to, and I kinda really like the way it came out.”

Given Conner’s more recent work (The Pro, Two-Step - both with strong female protagonists), it might lead one to wonder if Conner goes looking for this particular kind of work, or if this kind of work comes looking for her.

If you do find yourself wondering, Conner has the answer. “I like doing any character with a quirky bent. When a character is too perfect, I kind of lose interest. It’s hard to identify with a character that is flawless. I like to read a storyline and see something that makes me say, ‘Oh yeah, I know what that feels like…’

“I’d done lots of characters that were too perfect and it started to drive me a little nuts after a while, and then I’d gotten the opportunity to do characters that were a little off the beaten path, such as Painkiller Jane and Gatecrasher, and I discovered that is what I absolutely love to do… weirdo characters that are a little bit of a mess, but are still loveable, with a big helping of offbeat - and occasionally sick and twisted - humor. I started to hunt for jobs that have those elements, and now I’m hoping that that kind of work finds me.”

Immediately after JSA Classified though, finding that kind of work will have to wait just a little, Conner said. “I’ll be doing some character designs for the L.A. Avengers, which is an arena football team, and I have a monthly gig with revolver magazine where I do illos to go with a crazy advice column where Vinnie Paul Abbot, the drummer, acts as a dear Abby type guy for frustrated metal-heads.

“After that, I also have another gig coming up with DC but it might be one of those things where if I tell you, they’ll have to shoot me. All I can say is that I’ll be working with somebody I like a lot!”

[BlueThunderArmy]

Good interview. Ms Conner seems like a fun person.

But... ah... I'm not sure I would count The Pro as a "strong female character..."

[algertman]

I've decided that Jimmy Olsen has probably had sex with more ladies than Tony Stark

[NeroMan]

I find that the oninions and concepts expressed in the above article imply that Amanda Conner is entirely suitible to draw this comic, talented at body facial and body language for an expressive comic about a character, not just a background filling piece of -


dude, those are hot

[kingofcities]

Can't wait for issue #2! Conners art looks fantastic as always. She was the perfect choice for this story.

[algertman]

That's also Old School Legion. My guesse is that whoever PowerGirl is, she wasn't suppose to live past Crisis. But somehow missed the glitch. GA Superman's daughter. that's why her powers keep acting up. She's half human, and Superman sent her into the future to protect her from getting wiped out during the crisis

[Kevin Street]

MattBrady quoting Amanda Conner:
“The face she made there – that was exasperation mixed with “oh here we go again” and also mixed with a little bit of humor in the way that you know you can get your pets excited when you use a can opener.”

Great. Now I'll think of Power Girl every time I hear a can opener.

Seriously though, Ms. Conner's art in JSA Classified is really well done. With the facial expressions and body language she has PG's personality down so well, it's hard to imagine another artist doing the character now. Excellent work all around on that title.

[UnknownEric]

Amanda Conner rocks (and is way cute... that lucky bastard Palmiotti ).

[siskods9]

I hate the art and because of it it can stay on the rack.

[SmileOnADog]

I met Amanda at a small convention in CT in the mid-90's while she was drawing Barbie. She is one of the nicest professionals I have met. She is also extemely talented and deserves to be doing more projects in comics ( I mean, if she wants to.) and more than just female characters. She is far superior to most artists who do have regular gigs.

[Faithless]

Must ... resist ... urge ... to make a "rack" joke ....

[algertman]

Originally posted by siskods9
I hate the art and because of it it can stay on the rack.

yeah, you said rack

[SimonMoon5]

Originally posted by algertman
That's also Old School Legion. My guesse is that whoever PowerGirl is, she wasn't suppose to live past Crisis.

That's not Old School Legion. That's the newest New School Legion. You can tell by Cosmic Boy's purple costume, Saturn Girl's cape, and Lightning Lad's lightning effects, especially the ones that go down his legs.

[algertman]

Originally posted by SimonMoon5
That's not Old School Legion. That's the newest New School Legion. You can tell by Cosmic Boy's purple costume, Saturn Girl's cape, and Lightning Lad's lightning effects, especially the ones that go down his legs.

well, you're right. I was so use to to the new Legion being _______s they just looked different after they are drawn with smiles

[IvCNuB4]

Originally posted by algertman
That's also Old School Legion. My guesse is that whoever PowerGirl is, she wasn't suppose to live past Crisis. But somehow missed the glitch. GA Superman's daughter. that's why her powers keep acting up. She's half human, and Superman sent her into the future to protect her from getting wiped out during the crisis

That doesn't even make sense. She was the pre-Crisis GA Superman's cousin. Geoff Johns suggested last year (in either JSA or Hawkman) that she's from the future, and has said definitely she was sent to the past by her mother for safe-keeping. Hence the Legion's appearance this issue ...

[Banana_Oil]

Originally posted by algertman
That's also Old School Legion.

Don't think so. Those look like the Waid-era suits. Plus you'll notice Saturn Girl's word balloon is not a normal one; it's the telepathic balloon and Waid's Saturn Girl never actually speaks.

[Lonewolf]

Ummm,

I'm totally confused. I brought and read this comic last week. Isn't it already out? Or is that just the UK?

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by Lonewolf
Ummm,

I'm totally confused. I brought and read this comic last week. Isn't it already out? Or is that just the UK?

Must be UK - it's out this week in the US.

MattB

[Lonewolf]

Originally posted by MattBrady
Must be UK - it's out this week in the US.

MattB

WHOOOOOO!

We get something first again. That's twice DC have made that mistake this year.

In that case, here have the brief review I wrote of it for the message board I moderate...no spoilers don't worry.

JSA Classified 2 – I really dig this book. The artwork is a bit ‘different’ sometimes, but it kind of works in the context of the Powergirl character at least. I’m really enjoying the story of her origin, the crossover between this and Supergirl and I’m fascinated in how it will al play out in relation to Infinite Crisis. The surprise ending will make at least one of my ex customers feel very smug (respect to Paul) and was my ‘mark out moment of the week’. Really suprising, I think this ones going to be a sellout. One complaint, wasn’t the Daily Planet totalled by Superman about three weeks back? Looked fine here. I hate that.
3/5

Hope that's ok, if not tell me and I'll edit. I'm still finding my feet.

[Utizzle]

Holy moly is Amanda Conner ever cute. Her Gargoyles stuff will always be some of my favorite work from her ever.

[adamcasey]

I really enjoy Amanda Conner's art (I picked up the JSA Classified cover by her instead of Adam Hughes.)

[OM]

Originally posted by algertman
I've decided that Jimmy Olsen has probably had sex with more ladies than Tony Stark

...Which will probably be explained in the Power Girl Secret Files hidden page:

Kara: Jimmy? I want to know one thing. *Why* aren't you staring at my breasts like all other men do?

Jimmy: Well, you see, it's...er...ah...

Kara: Oh wait, lemme guess: you're gay?

Jimmy *NO!!!* Uh, I mean, not that it's anything wrong to be gay [whew! Remembered to be PC in a DC comic!], but...well, you promise you won't hit me if I tell you?

Kara: You're not into big boobs, huh?

Jimmy: No, that's not it either.

Kara: Then *WHAT*???

Jimmy: Well, you see, there was this time I got dragged to Apokolips with Superman, and I got tossed into the Female Furies' quarters with no clothes on, and only a bottle of my Elastic Lad formula, and the next thing I know Stompa's buck assed nekkid on top of me and...

Kara: *STOMPA*???? She's five times my size!!

Jimmy: Yeah, well, her boobs are five times your size too. And they're actually pretty fun to play with when you get down to it. I mean, you've heard about how scrawny guys tend to go for women who are big and huge all over? I mean, you've got a nice pair of titties, but Stompa sort of spoiled me and...

Kara: "Titties".

Jimmy: Oh, I'm sorry...I meant boobs. Yeah. Boobs.

Kara: I see. Speaking of things that are bigger when seen up close...Jimmy, do you see that Lexcorp laser defense satellite in geosynchronous orbit?

Jimmy: No. Why?

Kara: Provided my pitching arm is still on game, you're *about* to...

Next issue: While Jimmy holds his breath and hangs onto the Lexcorp satellite for dear life, he flashes back to his various affairs over the years, including one with...Sue Dibny!

[Lonewolf]

Funny, that's not far off a conversation Jimmy and Kara actually have in this issue.

[dinohin22]

i felt that it was a very good article as well. i always like to see what artists do other than comics. it's funny if you go back 15 years and look at your comics almost none of those artists and writers are still around. so i found it interesting what they do other than just comics to pay the bills.

as for powergirl. i personally have 2 ideas.

1. maybe she does have something to do with the original crisis and the earth 2 superman (who i think is going to be the "timelost character" to return in issue 2 of crisis) geoff johns can make up anything and we will all believe it. he's just that good of a writer.

or

2. she's laurel kent from the old legion days, she would just be updated here for post crisis. she could be a distant family member of superman or supergirl (to explain the powers going weird, especially when supergirl is near) being a distant family memeber from the future will explain why her powers are not always working 100% too.

just my ideas, can't wait for thursday for jas classified (yes, thursday. i'am in canada so i have to wait an extra day)

[xanderxerxes]

WHOA!!! isn't that archie disguising as jimmy olsen that PG's talking to(didn't knew archie was a pervert)? that's definitely Archie!!!

If this wasn't PG's arc i won't be buying it... But well... you can't have it all.