Comic Book Resources

Idol Thoughts 11/7

Here’s a Q & A with the other latest exiting contestant, Jose Holder!

Enjoy!

1. Okay, so what’s the deal with “Joh James”? What does that mean, exactly?

“Joh James”… I haven’t gone by that name since… Actually, it’s quite simple and harmless enough. I was practicing multiple ways to sign my artwork and totally fell in love with JOH(naturally), which are my initials, and laid it out in such a way as to accent an Asian influence. “James” is what I’m called at home and occasionally respond to in public, and bashfully so. Why James? That’s between me and the missus…. Ha!

2. You’ve been using “Joh James” for awhile, so was it like a sort of “unmasking” when you told everyone your real name?

My online alter ego was my playful attempt at working in the dark where I’m able to create comic book style work and completely disconnect myself from my storyboarding roots and history of film work. It’s like starting over as a new 2.0 version of myself. Minus the bionics, pec implants, and flashy footwear. Not really different, just better. I so get a kick out of the double take people do when they figure out the truth behind my secret identity, even though I’ve never really gone to great lengths to separate the two personas. Although “we” frequently argue over who has more hair.

3. In a competition like this, it is obviously not a case of people NOT liking your stuff, just perhaps liking someone else’s work more that week. But if you had to guess, what do you think about your pages didn’t click with the audience this week?

I think those who favored the style I churned out liked it for that reason. People develop attachments to work or artists that reflect material they’re familiar with or gravitate to. “People eat with their eyes first…” a great chef once told me and I believe that wholeheartedly. A person’s appetite stems from an unconscious association to recognizable/similar sources and preferences. Although I draw in a multitude of styles, I started off with a realistic take for Round 1 and I’m sure viewers who like hyper-realism might have appreciated it just a tad more than others. I think for the most part that core voting constituency for each artist remained the same with few fluctuations come game time.

Some fans were heavily devoted to the integrity of the script and cast their votes accordingly. Although I caused(though not intentionally) quite a stir in the earlier rounds over what I deemed playful liberties script wise, I stayed on story point and decided to have fun and play a little with the Invincible character himself for my last round(perceivably). Obviously with no disrespect to the legends that created him, Kirkman and Ottley. Whether it sealed my fate or not, I’ll never know! But my intent was to push the envelope, jazz things up and get the townsfolk talking. I certainly achieved that goal! I’m still really pleased with the outcome and deeply appreciative of the crits I received as a result. Thanks judges!

4. You’ve read the judges comments as well as the public comment thread — did any comments strike you as unfair? Which comments were right on the mark?

Unfair, never. That would involve some measure of insecurity on my part and I’ve been doing this too long to be that emotionally attached to the work. Honestly, working in a relative vacuum as long as I have makes you totally open to the concept of receiving feedback, regardless of its form. All things being equal, I got a tremendous kick out of reading the members comments, and got a chance to see how my work resonates with people. On my blog I discuss this in great detail, but I’ll say here that I always strive for the extreme reaction, be it through storytelling or aesthetics. Or a “WOW” factor. There are artists and writers that stole my fascination over the years by incorporating it into their work and I endeavor to do the same. Kubrick(2001), Scott(Alien), and Friedkin(Exorcist) did it in film. Kirby, Shultz, Neal, Jim and McFarlane did it in comics. Drawing emotional responses from their public(pardon the pun) that sometimes bordered on the manic, lovers and haters all.
The judges excelled at doing what judges do best. That is to reveal our flaws and help us reconstruct better, smarter pages. I was outted on several occasions that opened my eyes to points I’d missed in the heat of battle(like the car “crash” in round 2), and overworked material(Octoboss - 1st reveal). All crits were both constructive and inspiring and raised my game to a different level.

The CBR family really put us through our paces, singling out inconsistencies that were sometimes apparent, and sometimes not. There was certainly no lack of passion from the fans, and opinions varied from one extreme to the next. I treasure it all and wouldn’t have traded the experience for anything. If there was one oddity I found it was that some aficionados felt that a writer’s visual descriptiveness/shot list is an artist’s storytelling bible. No two directors envision the same dialogue the same way and I think artists should define their skill set and contribution to the work in more of a generous, reciprocal fashion. That way everyone grows. Young artists and beginners learn that as they begin to work more closely with writers and start to develop an almost symbiotic relationship. Feeding off each others energy. I’ve worked with hundreds of writers developing material for the big and small screen, and I can say with certainty, there’s no better feeling in the world than marrying visuals to text in a way that surpasses the individual’s works. Creating surprises and the odd wonderful accident. That can’t happen if someone’s telling me what to draw and how to draw it.

5. What was the hardest part about this week’s assignment for you?

The assignments themselves were fine. And my speed allows me to move in and out of jobs with relative ease(thanks to storyboarding). The real challenge has always been in the research phase of any project. What you find and how long it takes you to find it can take its toll. I’ll do upwards of several hours of reference work before even outlining a sketch. I’ll save ridiculous amounts of data, peruse it over and over and then just walk away. At some point hoping that I’ve absorbed enough background details to work from instinct and memory. Never imagination. Then the page mechanics take up the least amount of time, and on some assignments in particular I buzzed through the 3-pager in a day and a half. Wonderlost was done within a 24-hour period, but I admit the aftermath felt like I’d downed a full bottle of JD! Just without the strippers and well-dressed monkeys!

6. Did you prefer the detailed scripts of the first two rounds or the loose script of this past round?

I swing either way. That didn’t come out right…. I read a lot, mostly scripts and novels and I have to say if there was a preference, it would be for prose that doesn’t influence me visually, but inspires me. Work that’s hinted but never implied. It tells me that a writer knows exactly what they’re doing and doesn’t need visual cues to over-emphasize the work. It reflects confidence, in themselves, their craft, and in me, the artist, to translate the work accordingly. Be it comic book, music, theater, dance, or screen. Another big thing for me is silence. Regardless of script format when a writer can implement silence, or contemplative periods within a body of work I’m in sheer ecstasy. It gives me a chance to slow the pace down and give characters a chance to reflect on a moment, and allow their body language to come through without words. You can actually see the wheels turning in their heads!

7. Of the remaining contestants, if you had to pick, who do you think has the best shot at going all the way (feel free to be diplomatic and say, “I love them all!”)?

Winning the contest and creating a healthy career in this medium with widespread fan appeal are two different things. Selling comic books is a completely separate creature. Time will tell. If there’s any indication of each contestant’s promise as an up and comer I think it will depend heavily on their work ethic and personality(be nice and respectable to everyone, boys!). As a general rule I say to everybody “Your Perspective Defines Your Reality”, but these cats are already on their way with stunning portfolios coming into CBI3. The talent pool is awesome this year and I really can’t imagine a scenario where each member of the coveted Top Ten spot doesn’t receive work in some form from one of many North American publishing houses. Each artist has a bag of tricks that entice me as a viewer and as a consumer. I’m impartial in that I’ve always been the business man’s artist. I look for work that stands out in a market that’s predominantly visual. To do that it’s got to be distinctive and push boundaries. It has to be better than what’s out there!

8. Are you planning on stopping by and participating in the play-at-home thread?

A little late in the game for me but I’ll definitely contribute a piece when time permits. I more prefer to enjoy the work of others and rally them on. I’m the guy who goes to a coffee shop in the middle of the afternoon, sits down with a good book, and once in a while looks up to watch people strolling by. I’m very invested in the psychology of it all. Why artists choose certain shots, sometimes predictable ones, and others dare to see the unseeable.

9. Has this encouraged or discouraged you from continuing to pursue your dream as full-time comic artist?

Hope this isn’t too Zen(it probably will be so I apologize in advance), but I’m neither encouraged nor discouraged to continue on. I’m simply resolute in my decision to draw professionally and that never waivers. I’m a naturally positive person and drawbacks, mistakes, or regrets don’t really fit into my everyday vocabulary. They’re all learning tools. And whatever happens is meant to. I just give 110% out of the gate on every project, and let the chips fall where they may.

10. Finally, take this space to promote the heck out of whatever you would like to promote!

Sure thing. First up, I just wanted to thank the tireless members at CBR for going above and beyond the call of duty and making this online experience for me a memorable one. I wasn’t as computer savvy as the other hopefuls and the fine officiators went the extra mile for me. Thanks Torres, Hanvey, Cronin, and Davis! You’re tops! My immeasurable gratitude to the judges and fans that put me in the Top Ten and supported my silly exploits and chicken scratches! Your crits and advice served to fuel my desire to become a more efficient artist!

So…my latest body of work, The Sire: Revelations # 3, completed within days of the competition is due out November 27th from AfterShock Comics, bringing that mini-series to a climactic ending. Check out www.Mikebooks.com and my blog for more details. Mike Dolce is the uber talented mastermind behind the series as its creator, writer, and colourist! Good Lord! Order no.: #AUG073297 in Diamond. TSR:2 is still out on shelves so check it out, too.

I’m doing an absolutely sick WEREWOLF book with a unique twist called TORN that’ll be due out in 2008 from mega talented Australian writer Craig Court! It’s going to ROCK! An 8-page short for Ape Entertainment of the gritty western variety for 2008. Tale spinner Pat Loika on the wheels of steel on that one! Also, I’m wrapping up a comic book pitch called The Scarab for visionary Jamie Cottle from DW fame. Watch out for this guy! Check out the artwork here.

And I’ve been approached to sit at the grown up table with the BIG kids on a project that’s in its tentative stages. More than that you’ll have to wait and see. I’m still very active with my writing and have penned two shorts I plan to have filmed and edited for next summer’s festival season. Aspiring actors sign here….X. Ciao.

Jose’s Artwork

More of Jose’s Artwork

And check out Jose’s webcomic, The Beginning of Zero!

Thanks so much, Jose!