Tag Archives: Supermegafest

Supermegafest 2016: Interview with Graham Nolan

Posted on by

20160409_105404_resized.jpg

The weekend of April 9th – April 11th in Marlborough, MA I had the fortunate opportunity to speak candidly with many of the creative giants in the comic book and entertainment industry. I am proud to say that I personally got the chance to sit down with one of these men who I have looked up to in particular and is solely responsible for one of the most prized comics I possess in my personal collection: Batman #497 (1993)

It’s not every day you get to sit down and mix words with the man who broke the Batman. However I did just that. Without further ado, I give you Mr. Graham Nolan.

GP: First off I just have to ask. What was it like to be one of the people, who got to draw and create Bane: The man who would break the Batman?

Graham Nolan: Well first off when we did it, we never expected it to be as popular as it was. I mean you hope anytime you do something that it will be received well. You always hope from a creative stand point that anything you do will be the next big thing. You can’t plan on it, so it was a job to do and you do it the best you can. You hope for the best and with the case of Bane, it caught on and became something pretty great.

GP: So to follow up, does Bane’s popularity surprise you, and were you expecting it to have such longstanding fanfare?

GN: Well that’s an interesting question for sure. It sort of took on a life of its own when they started putting Bane in the Arkham franchise video games. That sort of put Bane in the forefront and introduced Bane to a whole new generation. He was big when he came out for Knightfall and then he sort of tapered off a bit. So when the Arkham games came out, from that point on it was like a steamroller. So that was great because he started to appeal to this newer, younger generation. I enjoy seeing that.

GP: Certainly. Also I’d have to say when Tom Hardy played him in The Dark Knight Rises, that was a big part of making the character focal, because you saw him on the big screen as well as the books and graphic novels. That has to give you a sense of pride that this character you created is in major motion pictures now. Bane is something you are so well known for.

GN: Sure, sure. I mean I would have been happier if they made it more like our Bane, instead of taking all the liberties they did but y’ know, that’s how it turned out.

GP: I’d have to agree. There is just something about the original Bane’s design that is so striking. I love the Lucha mask and the hulking physique. I enjoy the cerebral approach to him even more, no knock to Tom Hardy or Christopher Nolan. I just prefer the original Bane.

(Holds up Batman #497) For that fact, this is probably one of my favorite issues of Batman. I love it because it shows Batman at his weakest. Up till that point we’ve never seen him so humbled. What’s cool is that he’s humbled by a guy who’s not only his physical superior but also at that point his mental superior as well. This came at a time where you didn’t have that all the time.

GN: Well that was the whole purpose. The purpose of creating Bane, was to break Batman. We had to create him because there was nobody in his rogues gallery that was able to do it. There was nobody who was both super strong and super smart. I mean there was one of each but with Bane we had it all. So that’s what we needed to do for Batman to get broken.

GP: Well it worked out phenomenally. To another point. Do you have a favorite comic book or issue you’ve ever worked on?

GN: You mean that is Bane related?

GP: No it can be any of the ones you’ve worked on.

GN: I have a couple projects that I’ve worked on, which would be in my top tier. Vengeance of Bane would be one. Joker: Devil’s Advocate the graphic novel would be another and Superman: The Odyssey would be one as well. Let’s see, Monsters Island and Joe Frankenstein. Those would be them.

GP: So outside of your work on comics, do you have any hobbies or passions?

GN: I like fishing.

GP: Oh yeah?

GN: Yeah.

GP: Plan on doing any fishing while you’re here in New England?

GN: Oh no, it’s too cold. I like warm weather fishing.

GP: Ok, I can understand that. Last but not least, what does getting to be part of Comic Con mean to you?

GN: Oh it’s great! It’s an opportunity to meet the fans and get feedback. I also get to meet the people who help put food on my table. It’s a chance to meet people that are so passionate. I mean all of us who work in comics, love comics. So to be able to get to share the same passion on a grand level it’s just really satisfying.

GP: Well this was on my bucket list. I have to say it’s humbling to meet you. One of my all time favorite creators.

GN: (laughs) Oh wow. Well hey man, it was nice to meet you and great talking with you too.

*On a professional note, he was such a great person to converse with. He has a lot of passion for what he does and his level of work shows it. On a personal note, for me this was a joy. I got to meet the man who is responsible for visually bringing to life one of my favorite tales starring my absolute favorite character of all time. If you get to a Con and see this man, I highly suggest you take the time to introduce yourself. He’s a fan just like us. Only cooler.

Oh yes he did sign my original comic of Batman #497 that I’ve had for over 20 years. Now thanks to him, I will have it many years more.

Supermegafest 2015: Interview with Michelan Sisti

Posted on by

Michaelangelo

At Supermegafest held in Framingham, MA I had a very rare opportunity to meet and eat (yes we had pizza) with the man behind the turtle in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie, Michaelangelo himself: Michelan Sisti. Mich was very cool to give me some insight behind the movie magic and how it all came to be the great film most of us remember it as.

Graphic Policy: Ok so first off I’d like to state what an honor it is to be speaking to someone who had such an impact through a particular time in my childhood and gave me such great memories.

Michelan Sisti: Oh well thank you very much. That’s very kind of you to say.

Graphic Policy: So I wanted to talk to you and keep it Turtle-centric if at all possible?

Michelan Sisti: Sure, go ahead.

Graphic Policy: How hard was it, without giving a voice performance to portray the character of Michaelangelo in a way that was both memorable and at the same time, your own?

Michelan Sisti: Well that’s an excellent question. The way we did it, is that when we performed in the scene while we were filming, I would be speaking all the lines. My puppeteer Mac Wilson, who is the finest puppeteer in the world, he would also be speaking the lines. That way in my ears, in one ear I would hear him and in the other I would hear the director and what they call the “common feed” of the abient sound on set, but we would literally be saying the lines together. As an actor I have to say the lines. I mean it’s ok to mime the lines as they are going on, but it doesn’t have the same energy or the same intention unless you actually speak it. So that’s how we did it.

Graphic Policy: Sure, it becomes a silent movie at that point and I would think it would be harder to get the level of the performance across in a meaningful fashion.

Michelan Sisti: Exactly.

Graphic Policy: I was wondering what type of preparation physically you did to prepare for the role?

Michelan Sisti: Specifically after they hired all of us to be the Turtles, we were required to take 6 months of intensive martial arts training. That included us having special training with our weapons as well. We trained all the way through the filming of the first movie, and when they brought us for the second movie, that Leif (Tilden and myself. They then gave us another month of intensive training prior to shooting and then we trained all the way through. So all in all about 11 months of very intensive training.

Graphic Policy: Wow, that’s quite involving. I appreciate you sharing that. How do you feel about being directly involved with a franchise that has gone from such humble beginnings right here, in New England to over 25 years later now a worldwide phenomenon?

Michelan Sisti: It’s been an incredible and remarkable journey. The whole thing that had happened when the movie first came out, none of us expected. Maybe only Kevin (Eastman)and Peter (Laird) had an idea what it might turn into but we didn’t. We didn’t really know about the Turtles that much, and in fact when my agent called me with the audition in New York, we laughed because we have never really heard of it before. However as soon as the movie came out, everything changed. The attention and the amount of attention we got was just way over the top, I thought. Back then I started to get involved with conversations from the fans, and I realized at that point we were more than just actors in a movie. This was having a positive effect on people, especially young folks and I thought that was really cool. So all the way through the years, this kind of thing we are at now, this convention I had refused to do them. I had never wanted to sell my autograph, I would just give my autograph. I had it explained to me that these conventions were not about me, it is about the fans. So I said “Okay I’ll try one.”Let me tell you, that one experience was just like the beginning with all these people telling me that when they ten years old that I helped them get through a really tough time in their life is amazing. Those type of things, sorry… I’m getting a little emotional now. Those things touch my heart so much that I have to do more of this. I have to. So that’s why I do this. I’m squeezing this one in because right now I’m working on the new Muppet Show right now..

Graphic Policy: Oh wow, I had no idea!

Michelan Sisti: Yeah it’s great! So I haven’t had the time to do these as much as I’d like, but I already agreed to do this one and I wasn’t going to miss it. No way.

Graphic Policy: That’s great and glad you made it.

Michelan Sisti: Same here.

Graphic Policy: See I think the general direction of movies that we’ve moved into today since they are heavily based in CGI, we’ve lost the authenticity that someone like yourself and Leif gave to the role and because of that fact there hasn’t been a Turtle interpretation since then, that to me have captured what the Turtles are all about…

Michelan Sisti: Thank you. Thank you for saying that. I have also done motion capture work in the last ten years or so. So I know what effort goes into that. I agree with you though one hundred percent. Guys in suits, sweating and dying in front of the camera as it happens, for me have so much more of an effect than guys who are wearing motion capture suits where the CG is later tweaked, enhanced and played with isn’t the same. What we did, is what you saw. What they are doing, and I give full marks to the actors because they are working their asses off too. What they are doing though is being manipulated by three other people at least. It’s a different thing all together, as far I’m concerned.

Graphic Policy: I’d have to agree. To me what you guys did was more than just a 90’s action movie. It was a great movie that for decades now has stood the test of time. I watch it frequently so I know what I’m talking about. (laughs)

Michelan Sisti:(laughs) Well thank you so much.

Graphic Policy: So for me this has been an absolute joy to talk to you and hear the story behind the story. I thank you.

Mikey2

Michelan Sisti: Well it’s been a pleasure here too.

Graphic Policy: My final question would have to be, do you have any advice for someone who might want to follow in your footsteps?

Michelan Sisti: Follow your dream. As they say in this line of work, live your bliss. All those cliches, but what it comes down to is don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away or the way you want it to. I found, I came in the backdoor on Muppets and things like that, things happen in the strangest way. So keep at it. Find any way to perform and keep that fire burning and eventually Lord willing and the creek don’t rise it will happen for you too.

Graphic Policy: This has been fantastic. Thank you for your time sir.

Michelan Sisti: You’re welcome. Thank you for yours.

*This interview was an absolute blast. We talked about football and that week my team (Patriots) and his team (Bills) were going head to head so we had an exchange. (Sorry that one didn’t work out so well for you sir lol) Also of note, Leif Tilden (Donetello) was away from the table at the time this interview took place but I got to speak with him as well when he returned and we all  (including April O’Neil: Mrs. Judith Hoag!) bonded over pizza. Leif is a New Englander like myself so it was a good time. They were both two of the nicest people you’d ever meet in this field. What they did for the time they did it in, still is as good as anything you see in comic book or action movies today. They molded an absolute classic. The pizza was great too!

 

 

 

Supermegafest 2015: Interview with Steve Lavigne

Posted on by

stevetmnt

At Supermegafest held in Framingham, MA I was lucky enough to steal a few minutes with a man who has been a big part of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and success since their inception: Mr. Steve Lavigne

Graphic Policy: So how did your involvement with the Turtles begin?

Steve Lavigne: I knew Pete (Peter Laird) and I met up with him in a small Con in Dover, MA and Pete happened to be there and I had to get his full approval and then within months I started physically lettering the books from fifth Turtle book. From there I did and colored all the graphic novels. I helped Kevin (Eastman) with the first one and I was coloring them all basically by myself when the time the second one hit shelves. I had the task of taking the original black and white books and taking them into full color, as that progressed it got bigger and bigger and I became the licensing artist. So anything from the late mid 80’s, I was kind of the guy. For anything, that meant video game covers, Burger King boxes, so all that art that most people had hanging up, that was all the stuff I did.

Graphic Policy: Wow. I read somewhere that Kevin Eastman said that you were the inspiration for the character of Michaelangelo, I was wondering if you could tell your version of that story?

Steve Lavigne: (Laughs) There’s no story to it, it’s so funny I think that it was just because of my personality around the studio. I was the guy who goofed around a lot and would call anybody on anything. If anyone got a little to uppity I’d give them that call a little bit and check them back into reality. I was that guy. I actually didn’t even realize that it was the case until the Turtle Power documentary came out and everyone says “Oh you’re the guy who’s Michaelangelo” . So from here out I am but I guess it’s just a personality thing that sparked it.

Graphic Policy: To be able to walk into a whole building and have nothing Turtle centric on you and be surrounded by nothing but Turtle memorabilia, how surreal is that? 

Steve Lavigne: Oh it’s very surreal, it was surreal as it progressed and even now I’m a big fan of the Turtles cartoon on Nickelodeon. I watch it and enjoy it. I love how they kind of hodgepodged the original Mirage, the pizza eating Turtles, the cowabunga turtles and the 2k all really into this nice package. It’s very strange, I’ll be working at my drawing table drawing a cover for IDW (Publishing) and watching the Turtle cartoon and going “Whaaattt?” At times it will make you shrug and other times it’s oh well, it’s what we’ve been doing for so many years. It’s second nature now.

Graphic Policy: It’s got to be something for sure. I wanted to get your thoughts on the first movie, the very original first movie if you would please?

Steve Lavigne: The very first movie, well it’s incredible. Just incredible. We were very fortunate that we got to go down to the movie set and meet everybody. Brian Henson was the second unit director on a lot of the puppeteer stuff and it was Elias (Kotias) and Judith (Hoag) first movies. They were all very fun to talk to, and one night they were shooting the fight scene between Casey and Raphael and Jim Henson came to see his son shoot the scene so it was kind of neat that we got to meet Jim Henson. We were all overwhelmed in that pre-pubescent kind of crackily voice saying “Hi sir it’s nice to meet you”…

Graphic Policy: (chuckles) Ha ha..

Steve Lavigne: It was that kind of feeling which just was incredible. I mean I remember when we had a con in London after that we all got to go to the Creature Shop. So because of our involvement creatively with the Turtles we all got to experience nice little tradeoffs like that. The first movie was amazing, and I don’t think you can find a better overall version of it.

Graphic Policy: As something that was based as an obvious parody, with humble beginnings right here in New England did you guys ever have the foresight it would be one day where it is now?

Steve Lavigne: No not at all. I mean they killed The Shredder in the first book. So there was no thought process that there was going to be a second book but the first book sold so well that there was an immediate order for a reprint of the first book, we just immediately started getting cooking on the second book. Really The Shredder was dead in the first book. However in the Mirage stories he does eventually come back, and in the cartoon he never leaves. He’s literally in every episode and it’s a very different animal. So yeah, there wasn’t a lot of forethought in that sense. There was however a lot of Ramen noodle and mac and cheese pow wows early on so and all that stuff. I worked a full time job when at the same time lettering the book for Kevin and just scraping by. Pete’s wife Jeanine was a teacher, she had the only real job. She kind of was the reason we went to a few places that we moved to until we got to Northhampton (MA) as the studio’s final resting place.

Graphic Policy: Very interesting stuff. How did you guys land on the concept of we are just going to have the Turtles be so in love with pizza and what brought that on?

Steve Lavigne: Well I think that came from real life. For us that was the treat and if we’re constantly eating Kraft macaroni and cheese or Ramen noodles and at the end of the week you’re fortunate enough to afford a pizza it was a bonus and so it came from there. It’s what we ate and we figured it was good enough for the Turtles too. (laughs)

Graphic Policy: I grew up with the original Mirage black and white Turtles comics and I remember the issue they killed The Shredder, it was issue #10 and they are at April O’Neil’s family house and I fondly remember the black and white art. I loved it. It was so different from anything else being published at the time. It was more raw than DC and Marvel and the cookie cutter stuff they were putting out…

Steve Lavigne: I agree, without a doubt it has its appeal.

Graphic Policy: So with that being said, how did you feel when it transitioned to color with the removal of the all red masks, was it a better choice you think to change it? 

Steve Lavigne: Well in the Mirage world within the graphic novels they all had the red masks, but when it got into the toys we found it beneficially. That idea was sort of Pete’s thing. During one of our meetings he suggested we change the bandanna colors and put their initials on the belt buckles. It worked out for the better because you know, parents can’t differentiate if they all have red bandannas. They’d be telling their kids “Hey I got you Raphael” but they kids would turn around and say “No that’s Leonardo”. So in that instance it just made perfect sense.

Graphic Policy: From a marketing standpoint long-term that turned out to be pretty wise.

Steve Lavigne: Sure was.

Graphic Policy: Last question, what is your all time favorite interpretation of the Turtles?

Steve Lavigne: From default for me it’s the Mirage Turtles. It’s the one that brought us all here. Again though I really can’t echo enough how much I’m digging the new Nick show. I really like what they’ve injected into the mythos. I know they grew up Turtle fans so the last couple seasons have been really fun I like the movie references and stuff that we were watching when we were originally working on the Turtles ourselves so it’s very fun to see.

Graphic Policy: Well as a big fan of this property, this time with you was great thank you sir.

Steve Lavigne: Oh yeah, no doubt. Thank you too.

 

*Steve was a great guy and it was nice to get a lot of the behind the scenes back story. He currently runs a store called Shellback Artworks in Wells, ME if anyone wishes to check his collection and store out personally. I urge you to. You would be hard-pressed to find a more approachable guy on this particular platform. I intend to be making the trip myself sometime in the near future.

 

Shellback Artworks
1509 Post Rd.
Wells, ME 04090
Phone: 207-251-4340

Supermegafest 2015: Interview with Jason Casey

Posted on by

jason casey

At Supermegafest 2015 held in Framingham, MA I got the distinct privilege of meeting and speaking with a very personable and supremely talented freelance artist: Jason Casey. Jason was kind enough to give me a view into the life of self promoted artist as well as shed some light on his journey.

Graphic Policy: Hi nice to meet you. So I just noticed your artwork and it’s quite striking and especially the picture of Bob Ross drawing Groot. I have to get the story behind that if you don’t mind?

Jason Casey: Well thank you, it’s very nice to meet you too. My name is Jason Casey I’m a professional published illustrator. This is my 8th year on the Comic Con scene. So the story of Bob Ross painting Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy is, that movie came out a week before Boston Comic Con 2 years ago. Me having been on the scene for a while, I knew everyone in artists alley was going to have a Baby Groot print, since that was the thing most people remember about the movie. I said to myself, “I got to have something different.” It just so happened that after I woke up I just thought of it. I mean there’s no reason I should be thinking of Bob Ross on a Monday morning. It was right there I had the idea so I went to work sketching it out. I put up “work in progress” pics on Facebook and if someone else had the idea I was going to be really mad. I didn’t know it was going to take off the way it did and it’s undoubtedly become my best-selling piece. I can’t tell you how many people walk by and go “That’s so cool” or “That’s so funny”. It’s so great to get that response, but at the same time it was never supposed to be that you know?

Graphic Policy: Yeah. Guess it was just a happy little accident.

Jason Casey: (laughing) Yup it was just a happy little accident. Absolutely. So you know I’m very grateful. As an artist you’re grateful when you get a response about any of your work, but it’s really more of a surprise when you didn’t have a preconceived expectation for something going into it and then it just becomes what it becomes.

Graphic Policy: Well I think it’s genius. I mean that could become a meme on social media I mean the way that it came out it’s just fantastic.

Jason Casey: It’s been swiped actually. Someone just drew over mine and put it out there. I was like what the? I don’t know if that’s a compliment or just straight up theft, at the same time it’s just whatever.

Graphic Policy: I think anytime that someone sees your work, it’s got to be interpreted as a compliment since it’s being brought out to different venues…

 

bobrossTo my other point, you’re not just known for one piece. You have such a vast body of work that took quite some time. Who are some of your major influences artistically?

Jason Casey: My first comic book I ever got was Amazing Spider-Man #353. It was drawn by Mark Bagley…

Graphic Policy: No way that’s one of my favorite runs…

Jason Casey: Right on! So it just started from there, it became Todd McFarlane, Jim Lee, Erik Larson, Sal Buscema, Mark Texiera, who’s downstairs. It became so many, so many from that point on. Then I decided I wanted to draw more realistically, so it became Alex Ross…

Graphic Policy: Oh wow yes.

Jason Casey: Yeah, so then I became a fan of Adi Granov and Esad Ribic, for a more fun realistic style, and they’re great.

Graphic Policy: Oh I agree with all those picks. So how do you feel about someone like Greg Land, who art is described as photo realism?

Jason Casey: Now he’s the one who uses actors and models as references?

Graphic Policy: Yes, almost to the point where I feel like it could be considered tracing.

Jason Casey: Yeah for me I mean, I don’t really mind it. I used to follow artists, but now I’m following writers more and becoming a big fan of their stories.

Graphic Policy: So who would be some of your favorite writers?

Jason Casey: Let’s see, Brian Michael Bendis, Brian Azzarello, Brian K Vaughan.

Graphic Policy: All solid choices and Brians. Are you a fan of Scott Snyder or anybody like that?

Jason Casey: The one who does American Vampire?

Graphic Policy: Correct.

Jason Casey: Definitely. That’s a good book. I really like it, but I haven’t been able to purchase as many books as I’ve wanted too over the past year. Being so busy, but I’m the type that once I start I have to buy the whole story. When I started back in elementary school all the way through high school, I would blow all my chore money every week. That was the tradition, my mom would take me to the comic store every Friday and I would buy like five or six comics each time. I even had my own store in my room, I’d set up all my comics and new releases with the posters. It was really fun. I grew up with this Pop Culture and it’s been amazing to see this whole scene just blow up. It’s almost like “We Won”! “We finally made it cool!” Finally it’s cool to be a geek and it’s awesome. Everything, gaming and comics that we got picked on when we were kids is now the IT thing.

Graphic Policy: Yes I can certainly identify with that. Are you an 80’s baby?

Jason Casey: Oh yeah, well in 79′ I was born.

Graphic Policy: I was in 82 and I think to myself, if only I was born 10 years later I would have been the coolest kid in school. So funny how the dynamic has shifted.

Jason Casey: Well luckily for me it never got that bad. By high school I had a lot of balance. I was a baller, I played football and basketball so I had that luxury.

Graphic Policy: So you’re a big sports fan as well?

Jason Casey: Yeah I balance my geek with my sports fan very well.

Graphic Policy: I guess it’s the perfect balance these days. So do you tend to switch your style up often, like I noticed somethings that look like they are Frank Frazetta…

Jason Casey: Oh wow. That’s a compliment. Holy shit. Thank you.

Graphic Policy: You have a lot of great pieces but I’m telling you the Bob Ross one is the one that got me to want to sit down and talk to you…

Jason Casey: I’m very glad it did…

Graphic Policy: So it’s definitely doing something right. If nothing else it serves as a window to curiosity for your work.

Jason Casey: Oh yeah absolutely. So funny you mentioned Frank Frazetta. I just recently bought a piece off of his daughter or granddaughter. The Frazetta Girls, they travel to cons and I bought my favorite piece off them, it’s the one with the dog sled with the polar bears dragging the dog sled. Just oh man, what a brilliant artist.

Graphic Policy: He also does fantasy art with such flair it’s so powerful.

Jason Casey: The man is his own genre. He has his own style. It’s like you don’t call Johnny Cash, country he’s just Johnny Cash. That’s Frank Frazetta. I just wish I could have met the man before he passed.

Graphic Policy: One of the titans for sure.

Jason Casey: So back to the question. As far as switching my style, it started as me trying to just emulate and recreate what I saw in the books. Along the way though it’s become more of a portrait style and most of my commission work is drawing people’s kids or pets.

Graphic Policy: Very cool. My final question to you is, what advice do you have for anyone who is looking to get into this line of work and how should they start?

Jason Casey: Well I would say to those people, to start on paper. I know digital is the hot thing right now but if you start with photoshop you will never sell an original. So start on paper and try to utilize new mediums as much as you can. Try not to tie yourself to one thing. You never know if you try a new medium if you’re going to go with it or how it will work for you. Remember that the hardest thing about being an artist, is this thing we create all comes from isolation. Artists and musicians we look around and say “We don’t like the world like this”, we escape and do this on end for hours and hours and it becomes your own. Then suddenly years go by and you get really good and people say that you should sell those. Now you have to take this personal thing that’s only yours and you have to go “Okay world here you go, please don’t be too harsh”. Now that can be really hard, but you have to give it a shot at least. I would tell them to not be afraid of judgement, and learn to take constructive criticism. At the same time if people are going to hate on your work, not to take that seriously. It’s certainly a process and it takes time, but once you get there it’s the greatest feeling in the fricking world. It pays off.

Graphic Policy: I have to say I think you’ve done fantastic and thank you for your time. It was nice meeting you Jason. Good luck to you.

Jason Casey: Thank you and it was great meeting you.

 

* Just want to tell everyone that if you get the chance to meet Jason at a show, please do so, He’s a great guy and has just a wonderful variety of original pieces and he’s more than happy to make you something for a very reasonable price. I even purchased the Bob Ross painting Groot print. It was too good to pass up and I’m always happy to support a master of their craft. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @jasoncaseyart so you can see his work first hand. Lots of very cool stuff, nuff said!

Supermegafest 2015: Interview with Bob Camp

Posted on by

bobcamp

At Supermegafest 2015 held in Framingham, MA I was fortunate enough to meet an animation giant. I got up and close with the man who gave us the gross up, as well one of the greatest cartoons of all time: Ren and Stimpy, Mr. Bob Camp. Bob (sans magic nose goblins) was kind enough to share a few moments time and shed some light on his work in the industry.

Graphic Policy: I grew up with the Ren and Stimpy cartoon, it was one of my favorites. I was fortunate enough to do a tour of Nickelodeon Studios when it was at the height of its popularity. How did you come up with the idea for the character of Ren? What was the background inspiration for it?

Bob Camp: Actually Ren and Stimpy were characters that John K. created for an animated show called Your Gang and he pitched it around Nickelodeon, and they liked the dog and the cat, who were minor characters. They said let’s do a show about those guys. So we created The Ren and Stimpy Show based on those character designs and gave them personality on those designs.

Graphic Policy: The thing about The Ren and Stimpy Show that stands out to me is, it was so different from anything else on Nickelodeon. To me it was definitely an adult cartoon that was under the guise “for kids” especially with the toilet humor..

renandstimpyBob Camp: That’s definitely one way to describe it, but really we were making a kids cartoon. It just depends on your idea of what kids should or shouldn’t see is. I think that kids are smarter than people think. I think that kids know more than people think and they have good sense of humor. They’re funny it’s racy and we designed the show to be for kids and funny to watch because its just funny animation with funny characters doing funny stuff. Then under that we put layer upon layer upon layer of innuendo and suggestive stuff. Not in a creepy handed way mind you, it’s just sophisticated humor. I say sophisticated because it’s got pathos. it’s got satire. It’s got a million different kinds of humor. It’s deep stuff. There are jokes in the drawings and in the attitudes and deliveries. So you know, people have always put stuff in cartoons. If you watch Warner Bros. cartoons from the 40’s there’s tons of stuff in there, that when I grew up I go “Aha now I get that joke”.  So that’s what we wanted to do with Ren and Stimpy. We wanted it to be funny for kids, and then we wanted them to grow up and be just as fun for adults. The show has legs. It has such depth. I think a lot of cartoons are pigeon holed for audiences 6-11 years old. Which is this weird graph that got created for programming. So what happens is you actually talk down to kids and you have these preconceived notions. They go, well we better decide what’s right for a 6 or 11-year-old and I think it’s all b.s.

Graphic Policy: Well said. I think it ended all too soon personally. So how did you feel when they revamped it in the 2000’s when they put it on Spike TV?

Bob Camp: You know I actually had nothing to do with it…

Graphic Policy: Yeah that was way past innuendo. 

Bob Camp: Well, I don’t really have anything to say about it because I haven’t actually watched the cartoon. I was a little annoyed with it when I wasn’t asked to do them, because I was the one who finished the show. I was the one who delivered the show when someone else didn’t. So when that person was asked to do the new shows, and I had no idea they were thinking about it. I didn’t know they were being made. I never even get copies of the DVDs when they came out and somebody else did the commentary on my cartoons. So I wasn’t even given free copies of those cartoons and yet I was the creative director of the show. I was the one who delivered the show. You know I’m the one who directed more of them than anyone.

Graphic Policy: That’s unreal. I just don’t understand that.

Bob Camp: Yeah well.

Graphic Policy:  Do you have a favorite episode you’ve ever worked on? 

Bob Camp: Stimpy’s Invention. It’s my favorite because, well there’s a lot of me in it. I wrote it. It was my idea. I storyboarded it and when we showed it at a big party with lots of hollywood types were there. I mean people were laughing out loud with tears running down their face. I looked around and I’ve never seen anyone do more of a chuckle at even the funniest cartoons before. People were just belly laughing, I thought that “This is a high point in my life.” It was one of those moments that you got to remember and appreciate for the rest of your life. At least I did something right. So when John (K) and I worked pretty closely on a project it came out great and you know that’s kind of my favorite.

Graphic Policy: Well thank you for all your time and insight sir.

Bob Camp: Thank you.

 

*I just have to say on a personal note, Bob was one of the most approachable and down to earth people I’ve met. He answered every question professionally and even took the time to speak with me candidly quite a bit. Plus he signed my very awesome Powdered Toastman and Spider-Man team up from Ren and Stimpy #6. Great guy and very cool cat.