X-STATIX MEET THE POPE: THE X-STATIX #5 INTERVIEW

[Benjamin Ong]

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/1102/xstatix_5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/1102/xstatix_5t.jpg" align=left alt="X-Statix #5 preview"></a>X-Fan Correspondent Benjamin Ong Pang Kean recently checked in with independent creator Paul Pope to discuss his upcoming fill-in work on X-Statix with this month's issue #5. Pope was kind enough to provide some preview X-Statix art as he talked about his other works, his background as a comic creator, and the comics industry in general.

X-FAN: For those not familiar with you or your work, tell us about yourself. How did you first get into the comics scene? What were some of your first works? And what are your favourite comics?

PAUL POPE: I was always into comics. I drew them constantly since I was about 5 years old. I went to university to study fine art/art history, painting and print making. I've had years of life drawing, too. I started self publishing my own comics when I was about 20 years old, and it went up from there.

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/xstatix2a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/xstatix2at.jpg" align=right alt="X-Statix #5 preview art by Paul Pope"></a>I loved Nexus by {Mike} Baron and {Steve} Rude. I love Jeff Smith's Bone. I'm really into manga (I worked for Japan's largest publisher Kodansha for 5 years making manga), and lots of great stuff from Europe. I love Jack Kirby and Russ Manning and Hugo Pratt and Jim Woodring. I love Enemy Ace and the old Doom Patrol. I love the oldtime Magnus Robot Fighter. And I love the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen series.

X-FAN: Coming from the independent scene, what is it like to be now working for Marvel and DC?

POPE: It's different, because you're working with a team. You have fixed deadlines and certain outside pressures, but I love it.

X-FAN: What DC projects have you worked on?

POPE: Batman: Black & White and a few other Batman-related things, Bizarro Superman, Weird War {Tales}, and my DC/Vertigo graphic novels Heavy Liquid and the new 100%.

X-FAN: And what Marvel stuff have you handled?

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/mumv2001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/covers/mumv2001t.jpg" align=right alt="Marvel Universe: Millennial Visions 2001"></a>POPE: Not a lot, yet. An issue of {Spider-Man's} Tangled Web, a pin up for Marvel Universe: Millennial Visions {2001} (I did the Mandarin) and X-Statix #5.

X-FAN: How did you end up with the X-Statix gig, and what's it like working with Mike Allred and company?

POPE: I've know Mike for years. I did a Madman trading card for him years ago, and he's done a couple pin-ups for my book THB. And I've worked with {X-Statix editor} Axel Alonso on a number of things. The guys {just} asked me to join 'em on X-Statix.

X-FAN: Did you create any new characters for the X-Statix issue that you're filling in for Doc?

POPE: Milly {X-Statix writer Peter Milligan} had a new villain called "Razorback" who needed a look (there were no specific designs for the character), so I came up with this kooky "Bugs Bunny meets The Hulk"-style bad guy - like one of those crazy bad guy wrestlers BB would beat up on from time to time in the cartoons. And "The Mysterious Fanboy" needed a costume, which I supplied. I wanted to make him look like a mummy. All Milligan said was, he has a mask which covers part of his face.

X-FAN: Who is your favourite X-Statix character to draw, and why?

POPE: I like a lot of 'em, especially Vivisector (those dumb glasses!), but Tike is my all-time favorite. With those dot eyeballs, he's like what you'd get if Herge put Dennis Rodman into a Tin Tin comic!

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/xstatix1a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/previews/xstatix1at.jpg" align=right alt="X-Statix #5 preview art by Paul Pope"></a>X-FAN: Any hints as to who dies in this issue?

POPE: Ain't tellin'.

X-FAN: If you're familiar with Milligan and Allred's X-Force, death was common in the early issues. So, who would you kill if given the choice?

POPE: I wouldn't have killed The Spike, at least not before I drew an issue. He'd have been fun to draw. I'd kill Lacuna, cos' she's a pain in the butt.

X-FAN: What would be your dream Marvel project?

POPE: I really want to do an issue of New X-Men, or a special thing with the New X-Men cast (with {series writer Grant} Morrison on script). His recent Shi'ar story arc was really engaging, huh? I love {New X-Men penciller Frank} Quietly's art, too. He's one of the best.

X-FAN: What other projects are you currently working on?

<a href="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/misc/thb06c.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/images/misc/thb06ct.jpg" align=right alt="THB #6c"></a>POPE: I'm finishing the final issue of 100% (my current series from DC/Vertigo), and I have a couple new things lined with with DC for next year. And I'm working on THB, my on-going sci-fi series which comes out roughly once a year.

X-FAN: What do you think of the industry at the moment? How would you revive interest in comics?

POPE: That's a big question. I have my ideas certainly, but I'd rather sit down and talk it through over a few drinks at some bar with a great jukebox. Then go put those ideas to work. If you want to see my best efforts at making great comics, check out my book THB.

For more on Paul and his work, be sure to click on over to PaulPope.com (http://www.paulpope.com/)!

Pre-order X-Statix #5 online now from X-World Comics and save! (http://x-worldcomics.com/yourvirtualstore/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=51&cat=X%2DSTATIX+%28X%2DFORCE%29)

[venombytes]

Good interveiw Ben. :) One thing though. Someones gonna die? I hope it's not Viv, as the preveiw cover to #7 only shows his hand at the top. I think it might be him though. :(

[BoomBot]

Good job, Ben! ;) Keep bringing us these rare interviews.

Hell, at this point I wouldn't care who died. I just need the book to have an event occur where interest peaks.

[Anthony Zisa]

Interesting interview.

I hope that preview art doesn't mean what I think it means. It would be a shame for Mike's unbeaten arc record to come to an end.

--acz

[Benjamin Ong]

Thanks, guys. I hope you guys check out this issue of X-Statix! This is one book that has really cool and good fill-in artists, IMO.

[Andy James]

good interview ben, but too me the art is horrid. of course ill be picking up the issue but the art really lacks any deatil or definition to me and appears sloppy. still i wait and see the rest of the finished issue before i comment any further.
someones dying???? no!

[citizenx]

Paul Pope's 100% is good. X-Statix is good, so I believe that this issue will be no less than that.... :)

[spinarakboi]

For some reason the art reminds me of Kordy..... o well.

[ManolisV]

damn you ben, i've been trying to contact paul pope for weeks and i got no reply :p

nice article, although i wish we got a full size cover... :)

[Benjamin Ong]

Originally posted by ManolisV
damn you ben, i've been trying to contact paul pope for weeks and i got no reply :p

nice article, although i wish we got a full size cover... :)

;)

But I envy your other article :p

Healthy competition, my friend :)

[mr-sprout]

I love Paul Pope's stuff. Heavy Liquid was awesome, as is 100%.
THB is also great, though I've only read the 4 issue long #6, and some of the back story left me confused. I hope the trade appears at some point, somewhere.
I can't actually see the preview art blown up cos my computer is screwy, but I think his style'll fit in quite well with Mike Allred's, both are cartoony, but detailed and kind've retro, only not. And expressive.
Any word on whether Paul is inking his own art for this, because I think his inks might be a little heavy for the colour scheme of X-Statix. It worked in colour for the Tangled Webs he did, but that was soft, subdued colours for the most part. I'm not sure his thick, black lines would suit Laura Allred's colours.
Have to wait and see, I guess. Only a month or so now.

[Benjamin Ong]

mr-sprout, email me and I'll send you the art pages ;)

You're a fan of Paul Pope, I'm sure you'll love this issue! I know I am looking forward to it :)

[rstevens]

all right! the one artist i dig MORE than allred

[mr-sprout]

mr-sprout, email me and I'll send you the art pages


Thanks, but I think I can wait to see the art. My computer is evil incarnate, and my internet connection is even worse, no matter how small the files, I can guarantee they'll take forever for me to see. ;)

[pulp hope]

Hi everyone, Paul Pope here. Ben has kindly asked me to post something, so here I am (nice guy, huh?)

Well. This X Statix issue was a lot of fun, and it was a lot different from the sort of stuff I usually do in comics. And I too love X Statix (although I have a hard time saying why if I'm asked so by "civilians"), so it was a blast.

I've been asked to do more X-related stuff, but I'm holding out for NEW X-MEN (my favorite X book). In the meanwhile, I'll be having some other mainstream things coming, so keep posted.

Spinarakboi, guess you don't like Kordey's work (or mine!)... Well, you should check out his Tarzan/Batman thing from a few years ago. pretty cool. My gripe with IK is that he thinks he's Kirby, drawing like 3 monthly books. Sheer madness. I loved his Soldier X/Weapon X covers.

Nova-- you sound beyond convincing. Luckily, there are plenty of other comics out there for you.

Hey, Anthony, don't worry. Doc Allred won't turn away a cashcow like X Statix. He's likely to stick around. If anything, he's likely to pull a Kordey and take on more work. You know he's doing a Teen Titans book for DC with my friend Jay Stephens... and I think some other stuff, too. Better email Doc and tell him to fly right!

I'm trying to develop a less (ahem) "sloppy" style for my mainstream work, so working with Laura is a thrill. I'll be doing more mainstream stuff, for which I hope to, since I'll be in Rome, as it were, act like a Roman. But no fears, THB fans. If God didn't want me to ink like a man weilding a mop, he'd have given me smaller brushes and less ink.

[Anthony Zisa]

Originally posted by pulp hope
Hey, Anthony, don't worry. Doc Allred won't turn away a cashcow like X Statix. He's likely to stick around. If anything, he's likely to pull a Kordey and take on more work. You know he's doing a Teen Titans book for DC with my friend Jay Stephens... and I think some other stuff, too. Better email Doc and tell him to fly right!

I wasn't worried he was leaving. I was worried the beautiful setup of Allred-does-an-arc, then other-cool artist does a fill-in, and back to Doc system was going to be changed with "Good Omens" being labelled as a five-parter. Mid-arc artistic changes killed the momentum on my other favourite X-book, NXM, and I didn't want it to happen to the best book Marvel's publishing. :)

New Teen Titans, eh? I'll have to give that a look.

I'm trying to develop a less (ahem) "sloppy" style for my mainstream work, so working with Laura is a thrill. I'll be doing more mainstream stuff, for which I hope to, since I'll be in Rome, as it were, act like a Roman. But no fears, THB fans. If God didn't want me to ink like a man weilding a mop, he'd have given me smaller brushes and less ink.

:LOL: Love your work, Paul. Hope Marvel gives you some NXM work--you and Grant would be a scream.

--acz

[Eric J. Moreels]

Hey Paul, thanks for stopping by! Hope you liked the final interview - thanks for agreeing to do it! :yes:

Hope you like what you see here at X-Fan and decide to stick around! :)

[ManolisV]

Originally posted by Benjamin Ong
;)

But I envy your other article :p

Healthy competition, my friend :)

lol :p

btw, the full sized cover to mr pope's issue is available in retroxpunk's covers gallery section :) (if god wanted me to have shame he wouldn't have given me internet access)

[Anthony Zisa]

Originally posted by ManolisV
btw, the full sized cover to mr pope's issue is available in retroxpunk's covers gallery section :) (if god wanted me to have shame he wouldn't have given me internet access)

If God wanted people to have shame, He wouldn't have invented spandex.

You shameless plug whore. You got me to your site, and may I say, what a fantastic cover. Paul, you've really outdone yourself.

Manolis, this is off-topic, but didn't Darick Robertson do some X-statiX pin ups a while back? I didn't see any on your site.

--acz

[mr-sprout]

I'm blessed, my computer decided to let me see the art :D
Very impressed, and I'm curious to see why someone appears to be pointing a toilet roll at Guy, even threatening him with it.

Reading Paul's comments, and seeing the art properly now, I've lost all concern I had about his art being coloured too. Yay. Now totally looking forward to this, as well as the prospect of Paul on NXM, but even moreso to more THB in the future, or even old THB.


originally posted by anthony zisa
I was worried the beautiful setup of Allred-does-an-arc, then other-cool artist does a fill-in, and back to Doc system was going to be changed with "Good Omens" being labelled as a five-parter. Mid-arc artistic changes killed the momentum on my other favourite X-book, NXM, and I didn't want it to happen to the best book Marvel's publishing.

I know what you mean... but I don't think these two styles are dissimilar enough for the transition to be as jarring as say, Quitely to Korday. Or even if Darwyn Cooke's issue of X-Force had been mid-arc.

--- Mark.

ps: Apologies if I spelled Darwyn Cooke's name wrong, I'm too lazy to go look it up, and edited post cos I botched the formatting 1st time round.

[ManolisV]

Originally posted by Anthony Zisa
If God wanted people to have shame, He wouldn't have invented spandex.

You shameless plug whore. You got me to your site, and may I say, what a fantastic cover. Paul, you've really outdone yourself.

Manolis, this is off-topic, but didn't Darick Robertson do some X-statiX pin ups a while back? I didn't see any on your site.

--acz

i've seen the pin-up but i haven't been able to contact darick robertson so i cxan't just put the piece on my site without his consent :)

btw mr pope if you're reading this, i'd gladly showcase any xstatix pinups/sketches you have and are willing to offer ;)

[Benjamin Ong]

Hi, Paul, thanks for dropping by. Remember to pop up again when the issue hits the racks ;)

[pulp hope]

Hi guys-- If you want to see some new and/or unpublished THB stuff, you can check out my site (http://www.paulpope.com)-- under the "p-city" page. Or did I already say that? I forget!

I'll be returning to THB in 2003 (I have about 60 pages of the next story arc done now, for maybe a 120 pg. story...)

I don't believe Allred will drop X Statix anytime too soon. He's having waaaay too much fun with the book. I read Milligan's LONDON POP #1 the other day, and it's quite a bit different from X Statix. Same goes for the older SKREEMER book Vertigo recently re-published (which wasn't to my taste, I admit).

Anybody remember the old Warrior magazine, with V for Vendetta and all that Kimota stuff? Good stuff!

My next big "mainstream" project after 100% and the X Statix issue is this thing for DC called SOLO, and I think Ben and I are going to do some kinda interview for it down the road... And I have a few new things planned for after that, all from DC. Marvel offerred me a "Hulk vs. Doop" team-up, which Milligan is apparently writing, but I passed on it. I'm sure someone will do it justice, though.

I guess it isn't a suprize Darrick Robertson is doing a DEATHLOK book for Marvel, right? Lucky devil-- He's a cool character. I got to see some of Kyle Baker's Capt. America stuff, too.

Another point you Marvel fans may be interested to hear: I was up at Marvel a week or two ago, and got to see a lot of the "top secret" character designs for the Daredevil and Hulk movies. Bruce Timm did some NICE Elektra spot illos which I guess are being used for various DD merch items-- but I was particularly interested in seeing the Hulk stuff. I don't know the name of the actor playing Bruce Banner, but the Hulk CGI design looks a lot like him-- only much larger and greener. Reminescent of the Lou Ferigno version of Hulk from the TV show...

I was afraid they'd do a "Godzilla" on the Hulk, y'know, and totally mess up his design the way they did with that favorite Japanese Lizard King in the late 90s US film version... Happily, I can report-- and I'm not breaking any REAL news here, only offerring an insider's view-- although the Hulk doesn't look like the original Kirby incarnation (which was my hope), he doesn't look stupid or overly vein-y and cheesy. Or like an extra from Jurrasic Park.

[BoomBot]

Originally posted by pulp hope
Marvel offerred me a &quot;Hulk vs. Doop&quot; team-up, which Milligan is apparently writing, but I passed on it. I'm sure someone will do it justice, though.

I guess it isn't a suprize Darrick Robertson is doing a DEATHLOK book for Marvel, right? Lucky devil-- He's a cool character. I got to see some of Kyle Baker's Capt. America stuff, too.

Another point you Marvel fans may be interested to hear: I was up at Marvel a week or two ago, and got to see a lot of the &quot;top secret&quot; character designs for the Daredevil and Hulk movies. Bruce Timm did some NICE Elektra spot illos which I guess are being used for various DD merch items-- but I was particularly interested in seeing the Hulk stuff. I don't know the name of the actor playing Bruce Banner, but the Hulk CGI design looks a lot like him-- only much larger and greener. Reminescent of the Lou Ferigno version of Hulk from the TV show...

I was afraid they'd do a &quot;Godzilla&quot; on the Hulk, y'know, and totally mess up his design the way they did with that favorite Japanese Lizard King in the late 90s US film version... Happily, I can report-- and I'm not breaking any REAL news here, only offerring an insider's view-- although the Hulk doesn't look like the original Kirby incarnation (which was my hope), he doesn't look stupid or overly vein-y and cheesy. Or like an extra from Jurrasic Park.
You passed on "Hulk vs. Doop"?!? Oh well but thanks for letting us know first. I can't wait until that comes out.

The Truth and Deathlok: Detour look good too. I might wait for the TPBs though.

Thanks for letting us in on the Hulk movie stuff. I'm really excited about that. I love Timm's stuff too.

[pulp hope]

Darwyn Cooke's got some Doop project in the works currently. It oughta be out sometime soon, I imagine.

[Benjamin Ong]

Hi, Paul
The "Cooke doing Doop" news has been announcd already. Question is, whether the Doop vs Hulk story is the same as Cooke's? It's too bad that we won't be seeing you doing the team-up. Would've been great, though.

Any luck on New X-Men? Will you be doing any fill-in issues? Special issues? More X-projects?

Anyway, I think you'll be pretty busy with SOLO and I'm all ready for an interview when you're free to talk :)

Do update on the latest in your professional life. See ya around :)

Ben

[BoomBot]

The Cooke project is Wolverine & Doop.

[citizenx]

Hey, Paul nice of you to stop by, I'm looking forward to X-Statix #5 and the rest of 100%. Good Luck, I hope you get to do some New X-Men down the road.

[ManolisV]

hulkversus doop? glad to see marvel pushing the doopster to new projects :) and the cooke projct is indeed wolverine/doop coming soon :)

[Benjamin Ong]

X-Statix #5 review: http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13176

X-Statix #5 discussion thread: http://x-mencomics.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13154

Enjoy!