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Gabriele Dell'Otto interview Posted By: MACK! The Itallian artist that I met in France a 2 years ago and told you about... Gabriele Dell'Otto Interview! Image Comics Community -> Brian Michael Bendis
JIM LEE-A-RAMA: CAMMO by Jim Lee There is a new wave of incredible talent coming out of Europe and Italy is leading the charge. You've already met Giuseppe Camuncoli, and now it's time to meet another of the vanguard - a young artist named Gabriele Dell'Otto. Gabriele Dell'Otto isn't a household name yet in American comics but he will be soon. Very soon. Count on it. This 30 year old artist hails from the eternal city, Rome, and is working nonstop on Marvel's Secret War. Yeah, I hear you out there scoffing already. Another Secret War?! Wait, wait. Come back. This isn't your daddy's Secret War. This new project is written by the insanely talented wordsmith Brian Bendis and stands to be a blockbuster event for Marvel. Since it's being written by Bendis, we all know it will be a fantastic story but like many fans out there, I know I will be scrutinizing the art, checking out every inset panel and painting technique. What, you didn't know? Yep, unlike Secret Wars and SW2, Secret War is being hand painted and it will mark Gabriele's first interior work for the US. I had a chance recently to hang out with Gabriele in Italy and talk about this up and coming artist's art, his life and dreams. Jim Lee: Gabriele, since this is your first major US interview, please tell the fans who you are: where you were born, what formal or informal training you had as an artist and why you decided to become a comic book artist? Gabriele Dell'Otto: Actually, Jim, this is my third interview, I just did my first US interview some months ago with Benjamin Ong Pang Kean for X-FAN website and the second one with Wizard magazine. JL: I see…unfortunately we here at Lee-a-Rama like to think no other comics newsite or magazines exist, so work with me. Was there a turning point where you said, I want to draw comics? GdO: I was born in Rome, and I 'm 30 years old. I decided to become a comic book artist when…hmmm, well when I was born!! Yes I'm not joking. I don't remember when I decided it exactly, but I probably have had it inside me from the very beginning…. a comic-mutant-gene!! JL: So there wasn't a single event in your childhood that inspired you to become a comic book artist? I know that I was a huge, rabid fan of a Korean cartoon character called Han-Goo-Bak-Chee - I think that's spelled right - a skeleton who wore a kickass cape when I was very, very young like 4 or 5 in Korea. GdO: No, not really-like I said, I just always read and loved comics….but I think an important factor was that my father was - and still is - a great comic book fan and that I grew up my entire life reading comics! JL: Did you always follow US superhero comics or are you a fan of more European fare such as Dylan Dog and Tex? GdO: I just followed good comics regardless of origin, I'm interested in the artists, the writers…but necessarily their nationality! I enjoyed reading European - France/Belgium/England - comics, US comics and even Manga…all of it! JL: Wow, that's pretty unusual. Marvel editor CB Cebulski also had the same reading history. But the norm in the US, at least when I was growing up, was that the readership was divided into those who liked Marvel, those who liked DC, those who liked Archie and Richie Rich and those into Manga. Not as much crossover. Switching over to Secret War…you are painting it, yes? Any particular reason? GdO: Why? I don't know why, heh, heh, heh! I just know it's an incredible opportunity to work with a great writer and for Marvel…I can't believe I'm actually doing it yet! I love painting my projects but I like the quality and look of ink as well. I've done some black and white covers before - and colored them with Photoshop. In fact, I think if an artist can create a strong pen and ink image with dynamic contrast between black and white, it can be just as powerful as a painting. You can probably understand that I just love Mignola's art! JL: Oh yeah, he's a master, and I definitely agree. I've been a big fan of his all the way back to Rocket Raccoon. Hellboy was when he really made the work his own. Perfection, really. Well, explain a little bit of your technique. You pencil then ink then paint, yes? GdO: Right. I do the pencil sketch first. After the final pencils - on the thick, solid paper suitable for painting, I finally apply paint…and yes, I do retouch the picture just a little with Photoshop-mostly cleaning up the image and when necessary, I put on it some special effects like blurs, glows, etc. JL: Which comic book artists do you like? I see some influences from Travis Charest, Bill Sienkiewicz. Any I am missing? GdO: Uh-oh. That's a dangerous question, I could write five pages on this… I love: Buscema, Charest, Mignola, Mack, Madureira, Pearson, Quitely, McKean, Bisley, Fabry, Windsor-Smith…the list goes on and on. JL: That's not too shabby of a list. Anyway, before Secret War, I know you mostly painted covers for Panini, the European publisher of many DC and Marvel comics in various European countries. Is it different or a refreshing change of pace for you to do panel to panel storytelling? GdO: Yes it's very different…certainly more complicated. I'm always looking for the best way to create art whether it's a single image on covers, or panelled pages…I hope I'm doing it well! JL: From the little I have been fortunate to see, I think everyone would agree. I think it's breathtaking; very dynamic, very visceral, so complete. How's working with Brian Bendis? Is it difficult working with an American writer? Have you had to redraw scenes or panels because there was a mistake or confusion in the translation? GdO: Oh no - it's good. I haven't had problems, but when I have any doubt, Brian and I speak, and he clears it up for me…it's fantastic. I have a good relationship with my editor, Andy Schmidt, at Marvel too. He's very considerate and he's always trying to help me every time for everything really. JL: Compared to your other work is Secret War challenging to work on? GdO: It's very challenging - after all, I'm working on a lot of characters. It's given me the chance to draw many, many characters I have never painted before…there is a surprise in every page of every issue…it's great! JL: What other writers, projects interest you? Do you have a creator owned project in mind or are you just interested in painting your childhood favorites? You'll see soon! I have a lot of ideas and I'd love to work on a lot of different projects with a lot of different creators, but I'm cautious; I want to take it step by step. Right now, I want to do my best for Secret War…after that, we'll see! JL: What hours do you keep? Do you take a pause in the afternoon like many Italians? GdO: I usually paint from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm - with a lunch pause - listening mostly to music, I love music! And after dinner I usually draw 'till midnight…."listening" to the TV. JL: I see… are there any superhero movies in your rotation? GdO: Oh yeah - I love three movies: Tim Burton's Batman - and Batman Returns, X-Men and X2, and, of course, Spider-Man. JL: Switching gears for a second…I heard that you once painted a calendar for the Italian Carabinieri [the Italian paramilitary force]. How'd you get that job? Is it true they busted you and that you had to do the paintings as a way to remain free? GdO: Ah, ah, ah, yes it's true, it's true! That was a while back so I don't remember how it happened exactly but I'm really honoured to have had the chance to work on it. In Italy, the Carabinieri is an institution, and the calendar turned out to be a really cool publication. JL: I spent some time with you at a comic festival in Essen, Germany (http://www.comicaction.de/php/programm/zeichnerallee2003.php). I saw how friendly and kind you are with the fans and was struck by how you give it your all on your free sketches….hell, they aren't sketches…they are full mini-paintings! Is there a reason you go so all out? Is it a good way to meet girls? GdO: Heh, heh, heh, good question, I'm glad you asked me this, because I love conventions and I love meeting the people. I like learning from the people, it's always a great experience. As for my "little paintings," I never done them before, but I try to change the technique/approach every year, to give the fans something different from the previous year…and moreover this year at to the booth, you and Cammo were there drawing beside me…you guys were good inspiration to do better. About girls…ahem...I never saw a girl at the conventions! JL: OK, I'll stop trying to get you into trouble… I know you have a girlfriend. Is she interested in comics? Is she a fan of your work? Do you make her dress up and model for you for "photo reference?" I saw a picture of you online as Wolverine, complete with Wolverine sideburns and chopsticks in your hand! Was that for fun, for a new job or for reference? GdO: Yes, my girlfriend loves my work, but she's not into comics at all {sigh}! Sometimes I use her for reference, but without super-heroine costumes. About my picture where I look like Wolvie? I did it just for fun, for my fan club site…it's funny, but I didn't think it was going to be circulated beyond that web-site! JL: Well, I thought it was funny--funny in a good way! I have pictures of me in poses…wearing costumes…ok, that's probably too much information…but they're just for reference! Yeah, that's the line. Thanks, Gabriele, I'll let you get back to Secret War. I'm confident it'll blow people away!
David Mack's Message Board © 2004 David Mack and World Famous Comics. World Famous Comics Community © 2004 World Famous Comics and part of the World Famous Comics Network. All rights reserved. All other © and belong to their respective owners. |
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