Mind-Meld with Aaron: Jay Fotos
Hi, welcome to the first edition of Mind-Meld with Aaron!
As someone just starting their career in comics, there’s no better way to learn than talking to the people who’ve already established their careers.
My hopes for mind-meld is to talk to industry professionals to learn about them and gain a deeper understanding of being a creative professional.
The first guest is a veteran of the Comic Book Industry: Jay Fotos, who was kind enough to answer some questions I sent him below!
A: Favorite Scary Movie?
J: My all-time favorite scary movie is Exorcist, every time I watch it it still gives me goosebumps!
A: What’s your current favorite ongoing comic book?
J: Hmm, that’s a tough one and not to sound biased being I work on the series, but Locke & Key.
A: How’d you get your start?
J: I got my start in comics in the late 90’s working with Todd McFarlane on Spawn and Spawn related sub-titles. I started off as an inker and then learned the computer side making comics.
A: With over twenty years of experience in the Comic industry, what has or continues to surprise you about comics?
J: What keeps things “fresh” for me is working with different creators and how we approach any new ideas or techniques on story-telling.
A: Your resume includes some really impressive horror work: 30 Days of Night, Locke and Key, Spawn, and The Great and Secret Show to name a few. From an artist standpoint, what is it about horror comics that captivates you?
J: For sure it’s setting the “mood” of a story, I tend to steer away from flashy style stuff. I see comics as movies on paper.
A: Is there anything about the art-side of comics or working with an art team that you wish was more well known, industry-wise?
J: I’m HUGE on collaborating, we as comic creators live in our caves alone and when working with like-minded creators makes everything more exciting and fun…plus I feel it makes a better product.
A: With Gorgon vol 2 now on Kickstarter, what do you believe is the most rewarding or exciting part about being able to use crowdfunding for your work?
J: I really like the Kickstarter platform, it breaks down the walls between creators and fans. We can offer way more than working with publishers and or distributors. It’s a lot of work, but more rewarding for sure!
A: How do you approach your creator-owned works compared to established pieces such as Godzilla, TMNT, or Spawn? Is there a difference?
J: As being hired to work on big titles such as TMNT, Godzilla etc. everything is broken up into parts working with a publisher (with editing, writing, penciling, inking, coloring, lettering etc) and I usually play one (or a few) of those roles and then I’m done. With creator-owned projects you’re in charge of EVERYTHING, from start to end. Again, LOTS more work, but way more rewarding for sure.
A: Do you have any advice for young artists wanting to join the comic book industry?
J: Hmm, I could write a book on this, haha! But I do teach it, I’m an instructor at Phoenix College (here in Phoenix, AZ) and teach under their Comics Arts Degree program. If I could give a “short n’sweet” answer it would be to keep at it, finish projects you start…too many young creators I see have a hard time finishing projects they start.
A: What project do you feel like you’ve learned the most from?
J: When I started at McFarlane it was “comic book boot camp” I learned so much from surroundings, working with other creators, to publishing, design and marketing. I was thrown in the shark tank with the best in the business and I’ll take those years as having the best time in my career.
A: Anything else you’d like to add / have us cover?
J: Thanks for taking the time and seeking me out, as I tell any fan or person that picks up any of our books… “Thank you for your support, without you we can’t do this.” …and I mean that, I value anyone that supports what we love to do.
Thanks again- Jay
Gorgon Vol 2 is live now: http://kck.st/3eXFEUW
