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Interview with: Keith Tucker
Job: artist
Comic book: Puppy Power: Bo Obama
Company: Bluewater Productions
Interviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets
www.jazmaonline.com
Allen: It is an honor to have Emmy Award winning Disney
and Warner Brothers artist Keith Tucker with us today
at Jazma. Welcome Keith Tucker. Did you like to read
many comic books in your youth?
Keith: TONS!
Allen: When did you start drawing characters?
Keith: I think I got serious at about five.
Allen: How did you develop your art style?
Keith: It took a lot of pencil mileage.
Allen: Who were some of your artist inspirations?
Keith: You know I really can't nail this down because I like a
whole lot of comic artists. If I had to give you a short list it
would have to include: Dave Stevens, Aurthur Addams,
Frank Frazetta,Wally Wood, Al Williamson, and Jack Kirby.
Allen: How did you actually break into industry? When and how did this occur?
Keith: Hard one to pin down, I have always been an artist and my break in's happened at different times through
the years, be it animation, illustration and comics, all related fields, and all equally important in the development of
an artist. Biggest break was entering the animation field and the years of fun it led me through.
Allen: What are some of your favorite past art projects?
Keith: The last one I just did or the next on my calendar.
Allen: How did you venture from doing art for stories like Who Framed Roger Rabbit to working at Bluewater
Productions?
Keith: I was a cover artist for Disney comics for a couple of years, in another galaxy a long time ago. I actually
approached Bluewater with my Idea for a Bo Obama comic, they already had a script for one. I offered my services
to work on theirs.
Allen: Tell me about PUPPY POWER: BO OBAMA story. Also, what is reader age group for this story?
Keith: The reader range is wide on this one because of the history of the White House it presents.
Allen: How did concept for this story come about?
Keith: You will have to take this up with Paul J. Salamoff on that one, I just drew the pictures. I added a couple of
historic moments, but this baby is all Paul's.
Allen I interviewed Paul J. Salamoff few months ago for Roger Corman Presents: Black Scorpion comic. What has it
been like working with writer Paul on PUPPY POWER: BO OBAMA story?
Keith: Fine, he presented an interesting story laid out in a top professional manner.
Allen: How long is BO Obama story?
Keith: 22 pages.
Allen: Why do you feel there was need to tell story through Bo’s eyes? Did you have hard time with The White
House images?
Keith: Why tell a story through a dog's eyes? Because it's a fun way to tell a story that includes historic facts that
many adults have no Idea happened. As to the White House, I've worked on animated projects that took place
there like Pinky & the Brain, and I draw a weekly political cartoon series, What Now Toons, that has been running
since 2003
Allen: Do you find it easier to draw fictional or non-fictional characters?
Keith: Each presents individual challenges.
Allen: How much research did you have to do on
The White House for setting?
Keith: More than I thought I would have to when
I started.
Allen: What type of dog is Bo Obama?
Keith: A Portuguese water dog.
Allen: When was he born and where?
Keith: He's a Puppy from the late Ted Kennedy's
dog.
Allen: How did he end up at The White House?
Keith: Bo was a gift from Ted Kennedy, to the
Obama family.
Allen: Did you have lots of fun drawing from
Bo’s perspective?
Keith: Yes, I like drawing from the animal kingdom's
world, a common task in the animation world.
Allen: How many covers will there be? Who are the artists?
Keith: There was an existing cover. I asked if I could do one too.
Allen: Do you do many covers for comic books? How did you decide what to put on Bo Obama cover?
Keith: I was a cover artist at Disney comics. I did a couple for TSR a while back. Bo is the current White House
dog. The elements were there.
Allen: When will this comic arrive in stores? What is best way to get copies of PUPPY POWER: BO OBAMA comic
book?
Keith: The last week of September, 2009. The best way to get copies? Tell your comic shop you want it.
Allen: Do you own any pets of your own?
Keith: Nope.
Allen: Would you like to do art on more stories about Bo Obama? Are there other Bo Obama stories planned for
future?
Keith: If any come along I would consider it, but this is just a one shot.
Allen: What other comic book related projects are you working on?
Keith: Something of my own in the SF world and a political graphic novel about the labor movement.
Allen: Do you do any other professional work in other media fields?
Keith: political cartoons, storyboards for animation and live action, as well as illustration assignments and cover art
for the weekly newspaper world.
Allen: What comic books do you like to read at present time?
Keith: I really miss the ABC books from Alan Moore, but I do follow The Spirit, Darkest Night, and a few others.
Allen: What kinds of novels, movies do you like to relax with?
Keith: I'm a big SF fan so I read a lot of that genre.
And the Anne Rice vampire chronicles. Movies,
Historical drama big budget extravaganzas, SF,
Super Heroes, TV shows like Primevil, Being Human,
Stargate Atlantis, BattleStar Galactica, Heroes, the
usual comic geek fair with a lot of politics and history
and science thrown in to shake things up.
Allen: Do you have website? What is best way to contact you?
Keith: Sure www.keithtuckercartoonist.com and my left of center political cartoon series www.whatnowtoons.com
Allen: What inspires your creativity?
Keith: Just about anything, life in general if you pay attention.
Allen: Thank you Keith Tucker for your insightful interview. Would you like to lead us out with any closing thoughts?
Keith: Check out the Bo Obama "Puppy Power" comic, I think people will be presently surprised and you might
learn a few things you might not have known, I know I did.
Cheers
"Hail to the Chief"
US Marine Corps Band