As this is the year I promised to carve a little niche for myself within the comics industry. I thought I'd start a series of blogs showing the journey I've taken up to this point. As is usually the way I have decided to start at the beginning. In this case my influences. Now this is not necessarily just artistic influences. It is anything or anybody that has influenced me to start making comics and to illustrate.
My first real memory of sequential art was a book given to me by my grandparents at a young age. Looking back on it 'Very Posy' was perhaps not the most age appropriate present for an under 6 year old. However It did get me interested in the medium and still inspires me.
My first real memory of sequential art was a book given to me by my grandparents at a young age. Looking back on it 'Very Posy' was perhaps not the most age appropriate present for an under 6 year old. However It did get me interested in the medium and still inspires me.
My first exposure to comics.
Next up is one of the most important books in my collection. The fantastic Dracula's Omnibus by one of my all time favourite artists. Victor Ambrus. This book was read so many times as a kid and still is today. I've always found myself drawn to his unique artistic style and yes that includes when he was on Time Team. I used to spend hours sitting trying to draw the pages of this book and I'm sure some of that influence must appear somewhere in my work.
Dracula Omnibus by Victor Ambrus
My other two big loves as a kid where Asterix and Tin Tin. Goscinny and Uderzo are one of the most classic pairings in my opinion there work is timeless and will stand for generations to come. For some bizarre reason this is the only Asterix book I own. I always thought I had more. I certainly remember reading them all anyway.
My only remaining Asterix book
'Herge's adventures of Tin Tin' (said in appropriate voice) used to be on the TV when I was a kid which in itself was awesome. It also got me going down the library to read every single one of them religiously. (This probably explains the other Asterix books too) I also remember going to Belgium when I was 11 or 12 and to my amazement in Antwerp was the Herge museum!!! If I could go back now it would make so much more sense to me, but I do still have one of the coolest pencil cases ever from there.
So there we have the start of many inspirations. I will do more posts showing other aspects of what's influenced me but I'll leave you with that for now.
Mike (Elblondino)
So there we have the start of many inspirations. I will do more posts showing other aspects of what's influenced me but I'll leave you with that for now.
Mike (Elblondino)
18 years old and still going strong
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