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Your bro' with the mo'. And he's no poser either.
Comic artist David Williams was rockin' a mohawk long before it came back en vogue a few years ago. He and the odious Puff Daddy actually started wearing one around the same time.
Puffy adopted the look as publicity for his run in the 2004 New York City Marathon. David's reasons were a bit more personal. Peep the interview, please...
While preparing to speak with him, we took a look at David's timeline in comic books and found that to be a point of interest unto itself. He started out as a penciler, worked into the '90s, went into animation and consumer products for about 10 years, and thankfully, is back doing more comics stuff than ever before.
If you wanna "see what he got", check out his pencil and brushwork on characters like The Authority, Batman, Hulk and Power Pack, She-Hulk and Uncanny X-men. And his current assignment doing covers for IDW's G.I. Joe title is straight up monthly eye-candy.
David says his time in animation pushed him and made him a more well-rounded artist. I agree, although my first introduction to his stuff wasn't until 2008 (tardy to the party, I know). And I have my buddy, colorist Rico Renzi (Loose Ends, Frenemy of the State), to thank for it.
Rico not only put me on to his work, but also shared one of Dave's dirty little secrets — he's a big Prince fan, just like me.
As a matter of factoid, back in '94, David illustrated a book called Prince and the New Power Generation: Three Chains of Gold. It was pubbed by Piranha Press/DC Comics and was penned by the recently deceased, Dwayne McDuffie.
*I have this book, by the way, but more on all that later.*
Renzi and McDuffie aren't the only 'creator-badasses' Williams has rolled with in his time. Over his career, he's been mentored and/or friended by guys like Darick Robertson (The Boys), the late Dave Stevens (The Rocketeer), Bruce Timm and Glen Murakami (Justice League, Batman Beyond) and Frank Espinosa (Rocketo). Yeah, I know, right?
We caught up with Brohawk at his hidden lair in Alburquerque, New Mexico and ran it all down. From the rooter to the tooter, as we say! His background, his start in comics, some great stories from his past, and what lies ahead for him (can you say creator-owned?).
It's all in there. Hope you enjoy.
- SWAiN
**Below is a Cobra-esque Joe image David calls 'Endless Love' (left) and a somber 'Cap's Back' image (right).
Two creatures of the night: Batman from the DCU proper (left) and Midnighter from the Wildstorm side of things (right). Notice the blood on Trent's nightsticks.
An older piece called 'Heroic Trio' (left) and a pencil drawing of the Man of Steel in up, up and away mode (right).
Great interview guys. I love David's enthusiasm for comics. He's had quite a career so far and his stories are fantastic. Not to mention his art is spectacular.
Posted by: shawn | May 11, 2011 at 08:37
One of my favorite interviews to date. Ranks right up there with the Brian Stelfreeze interviews to me (which I also really dig). Please keep up the great work sirs.
(RE: Hey, Pusher! Thanks for checking the show out and for the kind words. David and Brian both do great work. And this episode with David was a long time coming. Take care! - S)
Posted by: pointpusher | May 15, 2011 at 22:16