10 Questions with Phil Boyer

Continuing with reprinting the "10 Questions" interviews I conducted with the "Simon Says" artists, here's Phil Boyer's from issue 2. Enjoy...

1) Tell us about your background in art...where did you study and do you have any other professional credits?

I am a self-taught artist, with a few art classes at UVA and Thomas Nelson Community College. I began drawing my own cartoon books when I was eight years old. I have done commissioned artwork and paintings for various individuals and served as cartoonist and editor for The Apprentice School Student Newsletter, The Radar Room.

2) Who are some of your major artistic influences, within and outside of the comic field? 

I have been influenced by Andrew Wyeth, Bill Phillips, Norman Rockwell, and Maxfield Parrish in my painting, and within the comics field, Neal Adams (early 1970s Batman), George Perez (mid-1980s The New Teen Titans), Frank Miller (scripting and artwork for The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One).

3) Besides artists, are there any writers, musicians, directors, etc. that influence your art in any way?  

I often play music when I draw or paint, and have been influenced by the music of John Williams (Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Saving Private Ryan, just to name a few), and on the rock 'n' roll side, the lyrics and writings of Neil Peart (drummer and lyricist for Rush, as well as author of Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road). I've always been greatly influenced by the work of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Super 8 was a great movie, and really appealed to the kid in me!

4) After reading a script page, how do you tackle drawing that particular page? Walk us through the process of doing a page from start to finish...   

I usually visualize the entire page as a whole before I begin laying out the panels. Then I lay out the borders within a 10" x 15" space, and figure out the best dimensions for each panel. It's not too difficult with a script to follow. I'm convinced that having a script is the best way to do a comic book, rather than playing it by ear from page to page.

5) What attracted you to working on "Simon Says"?   

Matthew Smith saw one of my paintings and recruited me to drawing issue 2 of "Simon Says". I liked the teenage "dramedy" aspect of the series.

6) As you started "Simon Says", all of the major characters already had their "look" established. Was this more of a challenge to match their existing looks or was it a little easier because you didn't have to "create" a look for them? 

It made it easier, definitely. The only challenge was to adapt the various characters to my own style.

7) Phil, you dabble in more than just comic book art, you also do paintings. Which do you enjoy more now that you've given both a shot?   

That's a difficult question. As I did more of "Simon Says", I found I was enjoying the project more, caring about the characters more, and wondering how the various plot elements would play out. I enjoy doing painting because it's a developing process, and it's a real thrill when I have an artistic epiphany! Danielle As a Varga Girl was where I finally figured out how to do skin tones properly.

8) What are some comic titles you enjoy, either current or all-time favorites?  

Right now I'm subscribing to the series Scarlet, which is produced through Marvel Comics. My all-time favorite superhero is definitely Batman. I was amazed and delighted when Batman Begins came out several years ago, and am anxiously awaiting The Dark Knight Rises, which features one of the classic villains from the 1990s, Bane. I've really enjoyed the Spider-man movies as well.

9) What are your hobbies/interests?  Besides art, I am an airplane pilot and a passionate motorcycle rider. I've ridden over 100,000 miles and have had some amazing adventures on two wheels. I've also written a book, The Philzer Moto-Diaries an autobiographical journey through my riding adventures and my own life.

10) What can we next expect to see from you and where can we find you online?  

My current comic book project is "Faster Blue", which is a story of a motorcycle police officer investigating a series of bizarre assaults where the victims are dragged behind a motorcycle and severely injured. It turns out that the victims were all bullies in their earlier days. The subplot involves the motorcycle officer's wife, a psychiatric nurse who reaches out to an abused, bullied young teenager in her care. You can see my artwork on my Philzer Graphs page on Facebook. Eventually, I plan to create my own website by the same name and offer myself as a professional artist.

Til next time,
Matthew