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Emily Warren — featured creator
We’ve wanted to feature Emily Warren on the site for a while, but we didn’t catch her before she moved from Jeff City to Los Angeles last November. Recently she was kind enough to answer some questions from us, so we can still count her as a mid-Missourian creator for the moment, right?
A little background on Emily: She broke into the comics business after graduating from the Illinois Institute of Art in 2007 and making some connections at a Wizard World Chicago. She’s worked as a cover artist & colorist for several mainstream comics including Grimm Fairy Tales, Big Hero 6, X-men – First Class, and Secret Invasion. You can see more of her art at her Frozen Lilacs website.
What are you working on now comics-wise?
Right now I’m working on coloring the upcoming Cloak and Dagger mini, and a 3 issue one shot of Incredible Hercules.
How’s your comic output been the last year? What’s helped or hindered your output?
Last year was actually my first year working in comics, so my output was higher toward the end of the year. At the beginning of the year, I was very slow and still trying to adjust to a schedule. Working at home can be both relaxing and distracting. The biggest help to me is having something on in the background to keep me focused and at my computer. Also, a steady supply of caffeine if I’m deadlining. Last year I worked on Big Hero 6, Secret Invasion, and some covers for Jay Company Comics.
Read any good comics/graphic novels lately?
The most recent thing I’ve read was Watchmen. I know, I’m so behind, but I wanted to be ready for the movie- and it was amazing. I really enjoyed the book AND the movie. Other than that I usually read manga, recently read Suppli and After School Nightmare.
How about other media … anything good you like lately? (video, music, books, etc.)
I’d say right now my big thing is the Watchmen movie. Ever since I read it I’d been dying to see the movie and I thought they pulled it off really well. Other than that I’ve been listening to a lot of Muse and Nightwish (as usual). As always I’m keeping up anxiously with Lost and the Office, and I’ve gone back to re-watching a little Sailor Moon. I’m a giant nerd!
Any advise for Mid-Missourians trying to break into the comics business?
Unfortunately there isn’t a lot around Mid-Missouri to help break into comics- the closest comic con is Wizard World Chicago, I believe, and that’s where I first broke into comics. Most of it is freelance so you can work from anywhere, but you need those connections to actually make it in. Post your art online, take it to conventions, go to the portfolio reviews. Whatever art you want to do make sure you have examples of it- like if you want to do sequentials, you’ll need to show sequentials. If nothing comes of it, keep trying, keep working on your portfolio and improving. But you’re definitely gonna have to go to a convention to seek out people in the comic industry!
Posted in: Featured creators