Allen: What is it you like most Gerald Novoa Sheppard about drawing Manga stories?

Gerald: I love to draw characters with the manga style. The hair, eyes and facial features have an especially romantic touch and are definitely more expressive than comic's characters and get the correct dramatic reaction from the readers. I hope that my readers cry and laugh when they read my work. I think that is the best reward for a comic or manga artist.

Allen: Tell me about little of history of Manga art. How is it different from other comic book styles of art?

Gerald: Mainly, the manga work is with black and white colors, using screen tones to get the effects with shadows and brightness. We can see the famous "effects lines" called speed lines and focus lines to get a better movement and expressive effect. There are many themes with the popular ones including sports, action, romance, science fiction and the supernatural. Themes for boys are called Shonen and girl's themes are called Shojo. Adult themes are called Hentai.

Allen: So whats the history of Gerald Novoa Sheppard? It will also help our readers if tell your age and where you live. Also, schools you attended which helped with career choice?

Gerald: I am 27 years old and live in Lima, Peru (South America). I was born in the city of Arequipa, which is the second largest city in Peru. I studied art and graphic design in San Ignacio de Loyola Institute and Manga art in an independent school called Sugoi School. I also studied 2D animation in other Peruvian schools and lately have studied 3D animation in a new institution called the FX School.

Allen: What does your family think of your career choice?

Gerald: At the beginning it was difficult, as they did not understand this kind of art. They thought that it's only for kids. They have always supported me and now they are happy with my career choice.

Allen: How did you get your start in the comic book field?

Gerald: Thanks to the Internet, I was able to contact artists and other writers and work with them.

Allen: Who are some of your Manga art influences?

Gerald: Wow, I have a lot of influences. At the beginning of my career it was the work Saint Seiya and and Captain Tsubasa and then I was fascinated with other mangas like Rurouni Kenshin, IS, Dna2, Death Note, Ghost in the Shell, Ninja Scroll, Akira and , of course, Japanese animation "Ghost in the Shell", Akira, Perfect Blue, Hayao MiyasakiA's movies, etc.

Allen: Why have you wanted to be involved with doing art for comic books?

Gerald: As an artist, you need to improve your art and learn other techniques and styles in order to improve your own style.

Allen: Tell me about your responsibilities as artist.

Gerald: I have to think about the reader and what he wants. I have to create interesting and wonderful stories with characters, background and effects, so the reader will be satisfied and happy with the product.

Allen: What are your art tools of choice?

Gerald: I used to work with pens, screen tones, water colors, but now I am using a digital tablet to create spectacular and perfect illustrations. It also helps me to draw and paint in less time.

Allen: What were some of your favorite older comics or comic related projects?

Gerald: I have 3 projects: one is called "30" and it is about a pizza delivery boy, who has to fight with all kinds of creatures to deliver the pizza in 30 minutes; another is called "Black Star" and is about a war in a futuristic medieval world with robots; and the last is called Uruwashii Reikon or Beautiful Souls and is about the war between 13 vampire clans.

Allen: Who have been some of your greatest inspirational people who helped you in comic book field?

Gerald: Most of them have been Japanese artists such as, Masamune Shirow, Katsuhiro Otomo, Nobuhiro Watsuki, Akira Toriyama, Masami Kurumada and Masakutatsu Katsura. I love the work of I love the work Of John Cassaday and Laura Martin too.

Allen: How did you become associated with Bluewater Productions?

Gerald: I think I was very lucky I found the mail of Darren G. Davis* in a website and immediately I sent him my work, He liked my work a lot and you know the rest of the story.

Allen: Tell me about The 10th Muse Manga. Also please tell me about Stars and supporting characters.

Gerald: It will feature all the cast from the regular 10th Muse series, Like Emma, Dawn and Morgan. The book will be more like an Elseworld comic. It does not go into the continuity of the regular series. It is a new take on the character,

Allen: What is storyline for this comic? Also, what is reader level for this story?

Gerald: Cyclops. Medusa. The Minotaur. They've all slipped from Greek mythology and into our world. There's only one force who can stop them: the 10th Muse. But what happens when the Muse of Justice goes too far? Will justice come for her, too? Find out in this all-new manga, inspired by the comic made famous by Bluewater Productions. It is going to be an all ages title.

Allen: How has Darren Davis helped with your vision for artistic pages?

Gerald: He gave me a lot of freedom to design the characters.

Allen: Who are writer, cover artist and colorist for 10th Muse Manga?

Gerald: The writer is Dan Rafter* and I am the cover artist, inker and colorist.

Allen: How many issues are planned? Also, how frequent will issues be at stand?

Gerald: For now, there are 4 planned issues.

Allen: When will issues be at comic book store?

Gerald: The comic will be in stores in 2ND Quarter 2009. Bluewater has a lot of plans for the 10th Muse in 2009.

Allen: Convince me Gerald on reason why I should buy 10th Muse Manga.

Gerald: Simple! When you start to read it, you won't want to stop. The story is absolutely incredible with spectacular graphics.

Allen: If you could work on any comic books which ones would they be and why?

Gerald: I would like to work with Spider-Man Comics, because he is my favorite superhero and I would love to draw his suit! It is awesome!

Allen: Do you or would you like to do commissions?

Gerald: Yes, I would love to. I draw all of the time.

Allen: How can some one contact you?

Gerald: My e-mails are as follows: geothemask@yahoo.com and neofuriousangel@hotmail.com

Allen: Do you have website? Also, what is best way for readers of our interview to see samples of your art?

Gerald: Yes, you can find my work on these web-sites: http://www.gercrowork.blogspot.com/ and http://gercrow.deviantart.com/

Allen: What conventions have you been to or plan on attending?

Gerald: I want to go to Comic-con next year. That convention is marvelous and would love to be there.

Allen: What do you do with your spare time?

Gerald: I like to chat with my friends, go to the movies and read lots of comics and mangas. I enjoy seeing the styles and the details in order to improve myself as an artist.

Allen: Do you have any pets?

Gerald: I don't have any right now, but have had dogs, spiders(tarantula), small lizards, fish, and a Russian hamster when I was younger.

Allen: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Gerald: All kinds of music. Original sound tracks, rock, metal, alternative, jpop music and music from anime.

Allen: If you can have 6 dinner guests, 3 fictional and 3 real-life from any time period, who would those 6 people be and why?

Gerald: Fictional: Optimus Prime, because I love the robots; Samurai Kenshin Himura, because he is my favorite manga character and Homer Simpson, because he is Homer!
Real Life: Keifer Sutherland, my favorite actor; Nohubiro Watsuki(author of Rurouni Kenshin), because I love his art and Ayrton Senna, a Formula 1 racer, because for me was the best racer and I love Formula 1.

Allen: If you could go into any time machine, what year would you stop at and tell me why?

If go to some remote past will have use of Sue Richards invisible force field also help from universal translator device. Translator is created by Reed Richards. Also, time machine will have return device installed by H.G. Wells Inc., company.

Gerald: I would like to go to the future to drive a huge robot!! A transformer would be amazing.

Allen: You mentioned movies several questions back. What did you think of some of recent comic book related movies of past couple years?

Gerald: I loved Spiderman; X-Men; Batman and Iron Man. Great movies, but Daredevil and Ghost Rider could have been better. As comic or manga artists, our dream is to watch our art adapted to animation or a movie. It would be just incredible!

Allen: What kinds of cartoons do you or have you enjoyed?

Gerald: I loved Looney Toons; Thundercats; The Simpson’s and Family Guy. They are not as spectacular as some of the anime titles, but they are funny and innovative.

Allen: What books do you enjoy reading?

Gerald: The Lord of the Rings trilogy; Jules Verne's books and The Da Vinci Code.

Allen: Do you recall some of the first comic books you ever read? What comic books do you read now?

Gerald: I used to read Superman and Batman comics, now I am reading Spiderman and X-Men comics.

Allen: Do you have any other careers?

Gerald: I am a Graphic designer and 3d artist.

Allen: What gives you your creative energy?

Gerald: I am always watching people, cars, animals, etc. I love to watch and create something related to moving things.

Allen: Do you have any future comic book projects?

Gerald: For now, I dedicate all of my time to The 10th Muse manga.

Allen: This ends the interview, any encouraging words of wisdom?

Gerald: When you are thinking of creating a new illustration or character, you need patience, dedication and passion. It can be the difference between good art and perfect art!