Allen: How long have you created comic book covers?

Joel: Two years. My first professional cover was Pistolfist #1 for Alias and was published September 2006. My brand new cover for Pistolfist #1 was released July 4, 2008 and is published by Pistolfist’s new home, Bluewater Productions. Pistolfist led to the opportunity to work on Bluewater Productions Vincent Price Presents. Vincent Price Presents debuted September 2008 and is a monthly series.

Allen: What professional training do you have?

Joel: I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Columbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, Ohio. I majored in Illustration with a minor in Advertising Design. It was a very traditional education, focusing on drawing and painting. I was quite disillusioned when I arrived. Call it naiveté but I was actually expecting a more "wild" atmosphere at Art College. Pink Mohawks, piercing and tattoos as far as the eye could see. What I actually got was a cross section of people. All cliques were still represented (just like in high school). I learned a lot that first day, college is college. Outside the walls of college is where the inspiration is.

I also have a Masters in Education from Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. I had been teaching general studies for the last ten 10 years. I worked with students with Multi-Disabilities and Emotional Disturbance. I had been moonlighting as a freelance artist the entire time. In March 2008 I was laid off due to a reduction in force. Amazing enough that was the same month I received the opportunity to work on Vincent Price Presents. Sometimes when a door closes, a window opens.

Allen: How do you decide what to draw into comic book cover?

Joel: I think the key to a good cover is to show enough to get a new reader curious but not enough to give away the story. I want to get the person interested enough to pick the book off the rack, get a closer look at the cover and then open it up.

Allen: Do you also do other sort of comic book work?

Joel: Besides Cover work on Vincent Price Presents, I will also be creating 2 interior pages for the monthly series. The pages where Mr. Price will introduce and conclude the story. I will also contribute a movie pinup page each issue. I did a cover for the new Bluewater/Lionsgate comic Leprechaun based from the movies. I have a lot of more projects coming next year now in the beginning stages. More up to date info at www.artpusher.net/news.htm

Allen: Have you read many comic books in your youth?

Joel: When I was young I spent a lot of weekends at my Grandparents house. My Grandma worked at a convenient store (back in the day you could find comics everywhere). There was a plethora of books, I would spend all day looking at the books, sipping on Slush Puppies and soaking in the art. One of my favorites was always Creepy, Eerie, Cracked and Mad magazines. My Grandma still has an incredible comic book collection. She collected a lot of 1st issues that came through the store (for over 25 years). A lot of the more popular titles she would collect the series or first 3. So hanging out at my Grandparents house I introduced myself to a lot of more traditional comics. I also used steal my older brother's Famous Monsters of Filmland books which would usually end in a mighty thrashing and reposition of said books.

Allen: Who were some of your comic book influences?

Joel:My earliest influences were Jack Davis, Wallace Wood and Don Martin. Jack Davis work is amazing. He just captures the moment with his expressions and gestures. As I got older I began listening to music more and unfortunately looking at comics less. I started studying art on the album covers. One very influential cover artist for me was, Derek Riggs. He created Eddie and painted covers for the metal band, Iron Maiden. After that, it was all over for me. I wanted to be an artist!

Allen: Do you recall some of your first professional jobs in comic book field?

Joel: I can remember it like it was only 2 years ago.

Allen: That’s funny Joel. You mentioned Pistolfist #1 for Alias was published in September 2006. Can you describe your artist style? Do you accomplish most of work on computer or other way?

Joel: I consider myself a digital artist with a traditional brain. I use an Aiptek board to create a large majority of the art and use traditional techniques (such as scanned watercolors) to enhance it. My work is multi-media but digital in the end.

Allen: Take me through your personal steps of creating artist cover.

Joel: I begin with reading the story and if I'm lucky enough, looking at the interior art. Cover artist are usually 4 months ahead of the comic (due to solicitation) so I don’t always have finished art for reference. Usually I get an idea right away and begin making thumbnail sketches of the cover, keeping in mind the placement of logos, credits and UPC code. After I choose the best thumbnail I begin drawing it to size. I scan the drawing into the computer, open it in Photoshop and go to work.

Here is a step by step process for the cover of Vincent Price Presents #7 I did for ComicMonsters.com http://www.comicmonsters.com/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=211

Allen: What would you like readers to know about Vincent Price Presents comic?

Joel: Vincent Price Presents is a monthly comic from Bluewater Productions which began in September 2008. Each issue contains a stand-alone story with Vincent Price in a myriad of roles including host, muse, background player, and protagonist. Besides the cover, Vincent's intro and outro, I also create a movie pinup from Vincent Price's incredible body of work.

Allen: How did you get job as cover artist for Vincent Price Presents comic?

Joel: Working on Pistolfist for Bluewater Productions led to the opportunity to work on Vincent Price Presents. While working on Pistolfist Darren Davis asked me if I'd be interested in creating something for a new horror comic. I couldn't believe it had something to do with Vincent Price. I immediately went to work. My audition piece is actually the portrait of Vincent for Issue One. That piece got me the job and I like to think the confidence of Darren.

Allen: What do you like most about being cover artist for Vincent Price Presents comic?

Joel: Two words. Vincent Price. I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity to bring Vincent Price into another medium. He has always been there, lurking in the shadows, waiting to give us another scare.

Allen: Did you watch many Vincent Price movies? What are some that you like the most?

Joel: I grew up watching horror movies. My father worked the graveyard shift so my Mother and I used to watch of late night movies. Also we were fortunate enough to have a Horror Host in Dayton Ohio. His name was Dr. Creep and for many years he entertained us with his late night antics. My favorites were the classic Universal monsters and anything with Vincent Price. My favorite Vincent Price movies would have to be the Poe adaptations produced by Roger Corman. My favorite being, The Mask of the Red Death and The Pit and the Pendulum. His body of work is incredible and I don't think you can go wrong with anything he did.

Allen: Have you ever won any awards for your art?

Joel: Just the ones you receive in school. The one I’m proudest of was for a design I created for The Lion’s Club. It’s an organization known for working to end preventable blindness. I was around 12 and it was one of the first times I was in the Local Newspaper. I remember the thing that struck me the most was that I was helping someone by doing art.

Allen: What other places has your art been published?

Joel: I've currently doing interior pieces for HorrorHound Magazine (look for a cover in 09). I've also been creating Horror Convention posters and doing a little work for Unknown Hinson (King of Country Western Troubadours, voice of Early Kyler on Adult Swim's Squidbillies).

Allen: What is it about Bluewater Studios that attracted you to work on Vincent Price Presents? How did you get the job?

Joel: Darren Davis, the President of Bluewater is very knowledgeable and passionate about comics. A friend of mine, J.S. Earls (Pistolfist co-creator) introduced my art to Darren by way of the Pistolfist Series. J.S. mentioned I was big horror fan and that must have stuck in his Darren's head because he asked my to audition for Vincent Price which also lead to Leprechaun.

Allen: What does your family think of career choice?

Joel: Everyone is behind me 100%

Allen: How old are you? Where do you live? What's your present family life like?

Joel: I’m in my thirties and I live in Ohio. I have a lovely wife of 8 years and a bunch of 4-legged kids.

Allen: Do you have any hobbies?

Joel: Wii and Xbox 360. My wife and I are fiends. We just finished Lego Batman the other day. Also I really dig racing games. My favorites being Burnout: Revenge and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.

I love watching movies. I try to get at least 5 in a week.

Allen: Do you still read any comic books at present time?

Joel: I enjoy Steve Niles work. I’m currently reading Simon Dark and finishing up Aleister Arcane. I also really dig Eric Powell's The Goon.

Allen: What genre of novels do you like to read? Do you have any favorite authors?

Joel: There are other genres besides horror? Man, I got get out more. Most of my reading takes place in magazine form. My favorites being HorrorHound, Rue Morgue and Scars.

Allen: How can someone contact you? Also, do you have place that shows examples of your art?

Joel: A have a website at www.artpusher.net . There you can find my art, info and even a store. I also have a myspace page at www.myspace.com/joel_robinson .

Allen: Do you have any future projects that you’re working on?

Joel: I'm currently working on Vincent Price Presents Gallery of Terror to be released April 2009. This special one shot will feature images of Vincent Price from the classic movies he made famous and will include a wrap around cover by me. It will contain new never seen before portraits and my collected movie pinups from the Vincent Price Presents comic book series.

I also begin my Horror Convention tour in March. I'll be taking my Prints of the Macabre (portraits of famous Horror characters) and Vincent merch mobile. The confirmed dates so far are

March 27-29, 2009 - HorrorHound Weekend - Indianapolis, IN
April 3-5, 2009 - Cinema Wasteland - Cleveland, OH
April 24-26, 2009 - Full Moon Tattoo & Horror Festival - Nashville, TN
June 2009 - HorrorHound Weekend - Detroit, MI
Aug 2009 - Fright Night Film Fest - Louisville, KY
Sept 11-13, 2009 - The ScareFest - Lexington, KY

Look for New Jersey, Illinois and Michigan shows to be added. Maybe even Canada.

Allen: What inspires your creativity?

Joel: For me, it all comes down to the character. Add an interesting situation and great story and you got the makings of fine piece.

The Vincent Price Series is always challenging me. I really try to get in Vincent's head. I look at as just another stage for Vincent to shine (and scare). The pressure helps too.

For my Prints of the Macabre Series, it is the actors that portrayed the characters. I've been lucky enough to meet most of the talented people I have portrayed in my portraits which only inspires me more. Creative people inspire creativity.

Allen: Thank you for participating in this interview Joel. What would you like to say to readers attempting to break into comic book industry?

Joel:Don't be afraid to be yourself. Create the art you want to create and always push yourself to be better. Get out there and never quit learning.