Interview with Dustin Nguyen
Dustin Nguyen is a comic book artist with a wonderful style who has drawn the
stunning cover for issue #4 of Supernatural: Origins. We tracked him down to ask
a few questions about his work on the comic and his life in the comic book industry.
Many thanks to Dustin for agreeing to this interview. Click on any of the cover
images to see the larger version.
Feel free to link to this interview, but DO NOT copy it anywhere else on the
web without express permission.
Supernatural: Origins
How did you get involved with Supernatural: Origins?
I believe Ben Abernathy, the editor of the book, showed the producers of the
Supernatural show a bunch of art from different artists, and I guess they felt
I might do a good cover. I was more than willing, lucky me, right?
How much of a briefing were you given for the cover image? Were you just
given the main elements of the design or were you told a little about the story?
We had the basic plot, then Ben and I worked closely with the people from the
show to get it to how they'd like it, it went really smooth.
Have you been asked to do any more art for Origins? We'd like to see your
take on Dean and Sam.
Unfortunately I haven't done anything with the book since, but I have done
a few pieces for fun for friends who are big fans of the show.
Had you ever heard of Supernatural before taking the job?
Of course! haha, that's why I was so excited to get the gig. However, I haven't
been able to follow it much. When it first came out, I was temporarily living
in northern Ohio, and only parts of the city would get the WB network, and it
had to be thru a cable provider. Weird right? I had Direct TV and we still didn't
get it. I'd see bits and pieces of episodes here and there. Finally, when I
moved back to California, I was too far behind in seasons. I'll be picking up
the DVD's this week.
Some people have complained about Matthew Dow Smith's art in the Origins
comics. You do both the stylised art and photo-realistic art. Do you think that
either style works better than the other in comic books?
I think it comes down to what the reader prefers, everyone will have their
own tastes. I for one, think Matthew does an amazing job on it, his style fits
the mood of the book perfectly. I think it's a good thing, also, that he has
stylized the way he is, this helps the book stand on it's own rather than come
off as screen shots from the show.
Other Work
When did you first get involved with comic books?
I started reading them at about junior high I think, but it was sparse and
I never really followed anything continuously at first. I didn't get serious
about trying to draw them until probably in 97 when I was out of high school
already and just tired of my day job. Then for the next 2 years, I just drew
like crazy, eventually got in started with Wildstorm/DC comics. and I've been
with them since.
Do you prefer doing cover illustrations or full pencils for a comic?
I really do enjoy drawing pages more, telling a story with panels and such.
It's what comics is all about. Covers are more of a treat once in a while...
like recess, and I need it once in a while...
That didn't really answer anything. Maybe I like them equally.
Do you have a favourite character (or group of characters) to draw?
The original Batgirl is one of my favorites. Batman would be the one I enjoy
drawing most. Then after that, Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy. I'm all about the
rogues gallery :D
Which comic titles do you read regularly?
Sadly, I haven't been able to follow any book regularly :(
I know.. I'm always ashamed to admit that. The closest I can get to regular
is "Blade of the Immortal" and I am almost half year behind. Besides
that, I just re-read a bunch of old comics I have and watch X-Files all day.
And King of the Hill....
If you had the opportunity to illustrate any book, which would you choose?
Besides my own creations, I'm happy drawing tons of Batman stuff. And if ever
given the chance, Power Pack.
You've got another cover coming out the same month as Origins, this time
for Friday 13th. Generally how many covers do you do in one month? Are they
all for the same publisher?
Every month, I do covers for my own title, Superman Batman, which I do interiors
for as well. That keeps me busy for about 40 days a month. Whenever I get ahead
a little, I take on additional work such as covers and design work outside of
comics, usually toys and animation. But that's pretty rare nowadays with a monthly
schedule.
Currently, I'm exclusive to DC and Wildstorm, so those are the only publishers
I really do work for in comics.
What other work do you have coming out soon that we can look out for?
The first issue of my Superman Batman arc just came out a few weeks back, pick
that up if you can, and follow it thru the next 6 issues. I normally post updates
and new art on my site as well as the step
by step for the Supernatural cover on my site - www.duss005.com
( there's also another version of the cover on there, with red hair and freckles,
that I liked a lot.)
Again, thank you very much to Dustin for agreeing to this interview.
Feel free to link to this interview, but DO NOT copy it anywhere else on
the web without express permission.
This interview was done in July 2007.
