Richard: How does your art accentuate the story of "Jason And The Argonauts"?

Rantz: Honestly, I’m not exactly sure. I think it’s probably the whole style thing, mostly. But the title alone does a fairly decent job of drawing its own attention. Most people are familiar with the movie, no matter which version they’ve seen, or heard of. But I think people are drawn to the artwork, because its shiny….and pretty….and….shiny! And because Tiago does a fantastic job making me look better than I really am! Which is probably the REAL reason, actually!

Richard: What is the most important aspect of being an artist?

Rantz: Being true to yourself, and to provide artwork that you yourself are proud of – that to me, is the most important aspect of being an artist. A close second would be having fun, and having that show in the artwork. Of course meeting deadlines and being on time, is also quite important – so I’ve heard…..

Richard: Do you enjoy drawing creatures?

Rantz: I thoroughly enjoy drawing creatures. It’s probably the one area as an artist that we get to be the most creative, since there really aren’t any "rules", per-say. The options are pretty much endless, as far as designs are concerned. And As a matter of fact, I’ve considered doing a sketchbook dedicated solely to just creatures, just because they ARE so fun to draw.

Richard: What is the "Ninth Order"?

Rantz: The Ninth Order is a campy, very satirical look at the never ending battle between heaven and hell that happen just so happens to take place at everyone’s favorite destination: Las Vegas. In biblical terms:

"The Ninth Order of Angels are those beings who maintain the laws set into motion we call the physical realms. They are keepers and teachers of the laws and are known as Powers. These are information gatherers and depositors of truth and information to all things that exist

The Powers are Virtues embodied. They were not created with the other Angelic Orders, but came into being during Lucifer's rebellion. The noblest and purest angels, led by Archangel Uriel, became a new kind of celestial, warrior angels so resolute that they could not Fall. Since then, they have been Heaven's first and last line of defense against the diabolical hordes." Not to give TOO much away, it’s basically about "someone" and his little band of buddies, trying to make an appearance in Las Vegas, and our little band of four angelic girls are going to do everything in their "powers" to stop them.

Richard: Why would someone want to become an artist?

Rantz: For the Fame, Fortune, and all the free stuff, silly! Actually, I don’t believe that an artist is something that you "become". Everyone is an artist in some form or fashion, and expresses it differently. As far as why one would choose one particular area of artist expression over another, depends on the individuals’ personal taste. I chose to be a Comic Artist, because I love the medium, and thought that it would be rather fun to try. But if you find something that is inspirational to you, most of the time you’ll try to imitate it, because it is inspirational.

Richard: Why are you looking forward to drawing "The Muse"?

Rantz: Honestly, I am looking forward to FINISHING the Muse. This one I started almost 18 months ago, but due to priority shifting, and other life obstacles, this one got placed on the back burner. Leaving things incomplete, absolutely drives me batty, so being able to finish this series, will be a warm welcome indeed.

Richard: Do you prefer doing covers to interiors?

Rantz: I prefer doing covers over interiors? Yes and no. I enjoy doing covers, and my dream was to draw ONE cover and have it published. Then I could die a happy man, knowing that I had (and have) met one of my life goals. But creating, and being able to draw a story is quite fun, as well.

Richard: What will the Isis DVD feature?

Rantz: The Isis DVD features a copy of the first issue of Bluewaters Legend of Isis Comic book, in which I was fortunate enough to provide a cover for. Well that, and the episodes of the TV series, I guess. LOL.

Richard: What was it like working on "Power Of The Valkyrie"?

Rantz: My involvement on the Power of the Valkyrie series was limited to just the covers. But for the collectors out there, Issue number three is officially my first professionally published piece. So I’m sure it will be worth Billions, and Billions…….of grains of sand…..

Richard: What was it like growing up in Oregon?

Rantz: Growing up, we mostly lived in the rural parts of outlying Portland area. So most of my early days, were spent on the seat of a dirt bike, rather than in a comic shop. So growing up in Oregon, was mainly focused more around Motocross, and girls, and Commodore 64 games, and hanging out at the local arcade playing Asteriods til I went cross-eyed, and Star Wars. But most of my friends’ parents were either in the logging industry, or farming.

Richard: Where do your priorities lay in life?

Rantz: Do you want "my list", or my wife’s list? LOL. First and foremost, is my family. They take precedence over everything, and everyone. Next on the list would be my careers – and yes that is plural. I have more than one Career. By day, I am a Mechanical Design Engineer, and by night, the comic book world, but that is purely by choice. Everything after that, depends on the weather, and how much energy this old body has left.

Richard: What comics did you read as a child and do you read now?

Rantz: As a child, I remember reading a few Batman books, and even a Superman one from time to time, but mostly I remember reading the MAD and Cracked Magazines. But that was early in my childhood. But I really didn’t read, or get into comic books, when I was growing up. As a matter of fact, I really didn’t get "into" comics themselves, until I just happened to wander into a comic store on my way home from work one day. It was a little shop that was on the main drag, that I passed every day. Anyway, I just happened to stop in, and I noticed that there was this really cool looking book sitting on the rack. It was Nightwing #1.

I started thumbing through it, and found myself really drawn (HA! Pun intended of course) to the artwork. Then I started looking around, and seeing even more really cool stuff. And THEN, after years, and years of suppression, I remembered I knew how to draw…..But as far as what I am reading now, there are very, VERY few books that I will pick up now, mainly because I just don’t have the time to read anything. But I am picking up the latest Uncanny X-Men issues – mainly because of Ramos, and Bachalo though, more than anything else.

Richard: How can someone contact you?

Rantz: Either through Deviantart: www.rantz.deviantart.com ; email: rantz67@hotmail.com ; or through the Bluewater Comics forums. I can be found on Myspace under rantz9; and Comicspace under RANdykinTZ.

Richard: Any last words of wisdom?

Rantz: Follow your dreams, no matter what those dreams may be, and don’t let anyone discourage you from doing so.