Interview with: Daniel Cuchacovich
Position: artist
comic book: Roger Corman Presents: Black Scorpion
publisher: Bluewater Productions
interviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets
www.jazmaonline.com
origional date posted
10/24/2008 at Jazma home site in interview section
Comic arriving in stores Noveber 2009.
Allen: Daniel, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to
talk with me today. How are you doing?
Daniel: I´m doing great. Couldn´t be happier about drawing Black Scorpion.
Allen: I want you to back to your childhood. What got you interested
in comic books?
Daniel: Actually, I was rather old when I rediscovered comics and got
interested in the dynamic art and latter in the stories. A good comic
book story is often much better than a good movie story.
Allen: Tell readers of this interview about art influences which made
you say: "I could work in that field."
Daniel: Well, I used to really like Jim Lee but thought I would never
be as good as he is, but then I discovered Mike Mignola, Bill
Sinkiewicz, and others that helped me realize that there are so many
different options for drawing a comic book, and I shouldn't be
intimidated by my heroes. Then I started working in illustration and
learned to adapt my style to whatever the client required and figured
I could do the same with a comic book.
Allen: I noticed you live in Chile. How hard as kid was it for you to
get comic books.
Daniel: As a kid it wasn't so difficult because I would happily read
anything that fell into my hands. Latter it got more difficult to get
the comics I wanted to read, but thanks god for the Wizard magazine, I
knew exactly what I wanted to mail order. Latter I lived in USA for
about 5 years and got to catch up with the books I had been missing.
But I've got to say it took some of the fun of the hunt for the
precious comic, nothing could beat the joy of receiving my comic order
package in the mail after waiting for it for 4 to 6 weeks.
Allen: Did you always want to do art for comic books? Also,did you
publish any earlier comic book art pages.
Daniel: I´ve always loved comics, and I´ve never quit drawing, but
only recently I started seriously looking for a career in comics. I´m
a bit disperse, and I´ve worked in so many different things;
Industrial Design, Computer animation, Computer Games, Storyboards,
Illustration… I´ve published illustration for books and interactive
projects, but this is my first professional comic gig. First of many,
I hope.
Allen: What kind of professional training did you have?
Daniel: Well, I studied Industrial and Graphic design, which included
plenty on life drawing, art history and technique and things like
that, and that really helps when it comes to drawing comics. Actually,
as my graduate thesis I made a fully 3D rendered comic book based on a
Philip K. Dick story back in 97, when 3D software wasn´t all that
popular. Then I moved to the U. States to study computer animation,
where I learned a lot about storytelling, storyboarding (which is
remarkably similar to drawing a comic book) and a lot more life
drawing.
Allen: Have you won any awards for your artwork?
Daniel: Well, as a kid I won every award for my drawings at school,
and all my art school teachers loved me, but as a grown up I've never
found the time to get into any contests. I did get a Most Promising
Student and a Best Print Portfolio Award at the Art Institute of Fort
Lauderdale, does that count?...
Allen: Tell me about your art work on video games.
Daniel: Computer Games was hard work, but lots of fun too. I got to
work on Sponge Bob, Jimmy Neutron and Power Rangers games and I had to
do lots of storyboards, character designs and sets. And then build and
animate the characters to move and jump around. I feel that I learned
a lot about how to tell a story and how character move and overall it
helped me become a better artist and I'm sure it will translate into
my comic drawing skills.
Allen: How were you contacted about working on art for Roger Corman
Presents comic book?
Daniel: I sent a submission and Mr. Davis Liked it. I was so excited
when he contacted me back that I harassed him for weeks sending
character studies of Black Scorpion until he offered me the job.
Allen: What are a comic book artists responsibilities?
Daniel: I think the main responsibility is to remain truthful to the
writer's vision and the character itself, and find the best possible
way to tell the story visually. To try not to be pretentious and
obscure the storytelling with artsy effects or gimmicks. But still
put a little of yourself into the art to make it more interesting for
the reader.
Allen: What are the art tools for trade?
Daniel: Hard work, and love for what you are doing. Anyone can play
the piano if the work hard enough at it.
Allen: Are there sample pages for our readers to see?
Daniel: if you want to see the Black Scorpion pages, I´m afraid that
would have to go through Mr. Davis. But if you want some of my
previous work, no problem. I'll attach a few pictures.
Allen: What is it that inspired you to want to work on Roger Corman Presents?
Daniel: well, I think Mr. Cormans work translates very well to the
comic format and the Black Scorpion is iconic enough to stand the test
of time.
Allen: Are you working on specific issues?
Daniel: I´m working on issue one right now.
Allen: Can you give me synopsis of issues stories which you are doing art?
Daniel: It is a sort of year one, that tells how the cop woman end up
as a dark vigilante. I have to say that I really like what the writer
is doing with the story, the pacing and character development.
Unfortunately I don't get to draw her in her Black Scorpion outfit
until well into the story but it gives me and the reader the chance to
meet Darcy before we meet the Black Scorpion.
Allen: How many issues are planned for series?
Daniel: I´m only aware of four.
Allen: Who is writer that you are working with on Roger Corman
Presents comic book?
Daniel: Mr. Paul Salamoff.
Allen: Are you also the cover artist?
Daniel: I certainly hope so. I already have some roughs designs for the cover.
Allen: Have you seen many Roger Corman movies?
Daniel: Not many, I'm afraid. But I was well aware of the Black
Scorpion when they told me about the comic.
Allen: What would you do if Roger Corman called you and said he was
coming over for dinner?
Daniel: I would run to Blockbuster to rent some of his movies… no, but
I love talking to highly creative people and there is so much to learn
from people who are really good at what they do. I'd love to have that
kind of a change to look into his mind and get a few words of wisdom.
Allen: Would you consider doing more comic book art for comic books?
Do you have any future projects in works?
Daniel: At this point I´d just like to do as much of the Black
Scorpion as they will let me do. But eventually, when the time is
right, I have a bunch of comic book ideas that I would like to give a
chance to.
Allen: Do you read many comic books at present time?
Daniel: Right now I´m only reading a handful. The big events that
Marvel and DC have been doing, makes it harder to follow the
mainstream stuff. But I found a couple of Indi books I really liked
like Atomic Robot. And I really like the art on Blade of the Immortal.
Allen: Have you been to many comic book conventions? Do you plan on
going to any future conventions?
Daniel: No, I´ve never been to one. But it certainly is on my bucket list.
Allen: Do you have website?
Daniel: Nope, it's been on my list forever but, being an artist, it
would have to be really good looking and I really haven´t gotten
around to it. I'm cursed with always being offered work, so I never
really needed it to attract clients...or maybe I'm just lazy
Allen: What is best to contact you?
Daniel: daniel.cuchacovich@gmail.com
Allen: What are some of your favorite foods,hobbies and music?
Daniel: The bands I really like are NIN and Morphine, and classic Jazz
like Coltrane. As for food, you can´t beat a good burger. And
Hobbies, well comic books….dah
Allen: What kind of novels do you like to read?
Daniel: I grew up reading Asimov and Carl Sagan so I always go back to
science stuff like Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins, books about
the great questions without answer, but if a good Sci-fi or horror
book falls on my hands I like that too, like William Gibson or Clive
Barker.
Allen: What are some of your favorite recent movies which you have seen?
Daniel: Favorite movies are for sure Blade Runner, Fight Club and
Amadeus. And I think Tim Burton´s Batman and the Crow were really
groundbreaking movies. And, of course, I think that movies will never
be the same after Matrix.
Allen: What's your present family life like? How old are you? Do you
have any pets which you would like to mention?
Daniel: I have a great wife and a beautiful 3 year old daughter. They
are my life. I have six dogs that we picked up from the street because
they were injured and we thought that we would nurse them back to
health and then give them away, but then life doesn't always turn out
the way you think and now they all have names and live in my backyard.
It´s like a little dog farm.
Allen: What inspires your creativity?
Daniel: I love drawing. I don´t need inspiration, I just need some
free time to sit down at the drawing table.
Allen: Thank you Daniel for working so hard with me on this interview.
I really appreciate your efforts. Would you like to leave us with any
words of wisdom?
Daniel: I can´t think of anything deep and thoughtful. It would be
too corny to say just follow your dream. But if you really want
something, don´t be lazy and keep trying until you get it right.
That's how I got my wife, and that's how I'm getting my dream job of
drawing comics.
Thanks.
Position: artist
comic book: Roger Corman Presents: Black Scorpion
publisher: Bluewater Productions
interviewed by: Allen Klingelhoets
www.jazmaonline.com
origional date posted
10/24/2008 at Jazma home site in interview section
Comic arriving in stores Noveber 2009.
Allen: Daniel, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to
talk with me today. How are you doing?
Daniel: I´m doing great. Couldn´t be happier about drawing Black Scorpion.
Allen: I want you to back to your childhood. What got you interested
in comic books?
Daniel: Actually, I was rather old when I rediscovered comics and got
interested in the dynamic art and latter in the stories. A good comic
book story is often much better than a good movie story.
Allen: Tell readers of this interview about art influences which made
you say: "I could work in that field."
Daniel: Well, I used to really like Jim Lee but thought I would never
be as good as he is, but then I discovered Mike Mignola, Bill
Sinkiewicz, and others that helped me realize that there are so many
different options for drawing a comic book, and I shouldn't be
intimidated by my heroes. Then I started working in illustration and
learned to adapt my style to whatever the client required and figured
I could do the same with a comic book.
Allen: I noticed you live in Chile. How hard as kid was it for you to
get comic books.
Daniel: As a kid it wasn't so difficult because I would happily read
anything that fell into my hands. Latter it got more difficult to get
the comics I wanted to read, but thanks god for the Wizard magazine, I
knew exactly what I wanted to mail order. Latter I lived in USA for
about 5 years and got to catch up with the books I had been missing.
But I've got to say it took some of the fun of the hunt for the
precious comic, nothing could beat the joy of receiving my comic order
package in the mail after waiting for it for 4 to 6 weeks.
Allen: Did you always want to do art for comic books? Also,did you
publish any earlier comic book art pages.
Daniel: I´ve always loved comics, and I´ve never quit drawing, but
only recently I started seriously looking for a career in comics. I´m
a bit disperse, and I´ve worked in so many different things;
Industrial Design, Computer animation, Computer Games, Storyboards,
Illustration… I´ve published illustration for books and interactive
projects, but this is my first professional comic gig. First of many,
I hope.
Allen: What kind of professional training did you have?
Daniel: Well, I studied Industrial and Graphic design, which included
plenty on life drawing, art history and technique and things like
that, and that really helps when it comes to drawing comics. Actually,
as my graduate thesis I made a fully 3D rendered comic book based on a
Philip K. Dick story back in 97, when 3D software wasn´t all that
popular. Then I moved to the U. States to study computer animation,
where I learned a lot about storytelling, storyboarding (which is
remarkably similar to drawing a comic book) and a lot more life
drawing.
Allen: Have you won any awards for your artwork?
Daniel: Well, as a kid I won every award for my drawings at school,
and all my art school teachers loved me, but as a grown up I've never
found the time to get into any contests. I did get a Most Promising
Student and a Best Print Portfolio Award at the Art Institute of Fort
Lauderdale, does that count?...
Allen: Tell me about your art work on video games.
Daniel: Computer Games was hard work, but lots of fun too. I got to
work on Sponge Bob, Jimmy Neutron and Power Rangers games and I had to
do lots of storyboards, character designs and sets. And then build and
animate the characters to move and jump around. I feel that I learned
a lot about how to tell a story and how character move and overall it
helped me become a better artist and I'm sure it will translate into
my comic drawing skills.
Allen: How were you contacted about working on art for Roger Corman
Presents comic book?
Daniel: I sent a submission and Mr. Davis Liked it. I was so excited
when he contacted me back that I harassed him for weeks sending
character studies of Black Scorpion until he offered me the job.
Allen: What are a comic book artists responsibilities?
Daniel: I think the main responsibility is to remain truthful to the
writer's vision and the character itself, and find the best possible
way to tell the story visually. To try not to be pretentious and
obscure the storytelling with artsy effects or gimmicks. But still
put a little of yourself into the art to make it more interesting for
the reader.
Allen: What are the art tools for trade?
Daniel: Hard work, and love for what you are doing. Anyone can play
the piano if the work hard enough at it.
Allen: Are there sample pages for our readers to see?
Daniel: if you want to see the Black Scorpion pages, I´m afraid that
would have to go through Mr. Davis. But if you want some of my
previous work, no problem. I'll attach a few pictures.
Allen: What is it that inspired you to want to work on Roger Corman Presents?
Daniel: well, I think Mr. Cormans work translates very well to the
comic format and the Black Scorpion is iconic enough to stand the test
of time.
Allen: Are you working on specific issues?
Daniel: I´m working on issue one right now.
Allen: Can you give me synopsis of issues stories which you are doing art?
Daniel: It is a sort of year one, that tells how the cop woman end up
as a dark vigilante. I have to say that I really like what the writer
is doing with the story, the pacing and character development.
Unfortunately I don't get to draw her in her Black Scorpion outfit
until well into the story but it gives me and the reader the chance to
meet Darcy before we meet the Black Scorpion.
Allen: How many issues are planned for series?
Daniel: I´m only aware of four.
Allen: Who is writer that you are working with on Roger Corman
Presents comic book?
Daniel: Mr. Paul Salamoff.
Allen: Are you also the cover artist?
Daniel: I certainly hope so. I already have some roughs designs for the cover.
Allen: Have you seen many Roger Corman movies?
Daniel: Not many, I'm afraid. But I was well aware of the Black
Scorpion when they told me about the comic.
Allen: What would you do if Roger Corman called you and said he was
coming over for dinner?
Daniel: I would run to Blockbuster to rent some of his movies… no, but
I love talking to highly creative people and there is so much to learn
from people who are really good at what they do. I'd love to have that
kind of a change to look into his mind and get a few words of wisdom.
Allen: Would you consider doing more comic book art for comic books?
Do you have any future projects in works?
Daniel: At this point I´d just like to do as much of the Black
Scorpion as they will let me do. But eventually, when the time is
right, I have a bunch of comic book ideas that I would like to give a
chance to.
Allen: Do you read many comic books at present time?
Daniel: Right now I´m only reading a handful. The big events that
Marvel and DC have been doing, makes it harder to follow the
mainstream stuff. But I found a couple of Indi books I really liked
like Atomic Robot. And I really like the art on Blade of the Immortal.
Allen: Have you been to many comic book conventions? Do you plan on
going to any future conventions?
Daniel: No, I´ve never been to one. But it certainly is on my bucket list.
Allen: Do you have website?
Daniel: Nope, it's been on my list forever but, being an artist, it
would have to be really good looking and I really haven´t gotten
around to it. I'm cursed with always being offered work, so I never
really needed it to attract clients...or maybe I'm just lazy
Allen: What is best to contact you?
Daniel: daniel.cuchacovich@gmail.com
Allen: What are some of your favorite foods,hobbies and music?
Daniel: The bands I really like are NIN and Morphine, and classic Jazz
like Coltrane. As for food, you can´t beat a good burger. And
Hobbies, well comic books….dah
Allen: What kind of novels do you like to read?
Daniel: I grew up reading Asimov and Carl Sagan so I always go back to
science stuff like Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins, books about
the great questions without answer, but if a good Sci-fi or horror
book falls on my hands I like that too, like William Gibson or Clive
Barker.
Allen: What are some of your favorite recent movies which you have seen?
Daniel: Favorite movies are for sure Blade Runner, Fight Club and
Amadeus. And I think Tim Burton´s Batman and the Crow were really
groundbreaking movies. And, of course, I think that movies will never
be the same after Matrix.
Allen: What's your present family life like? How old are you? Do you
have any pets which you would like to mention?
Daniel: I have a great wife and a beautiful 3 year old daughter. They
are my life. I have six dogs that we picked up from the street because
they were injured and we thought that we would nurse them back to
health and then give them away, but then life doesn't always turn out
the way you think and now they all have names and live in my backyard.
It´s like a little dog farm.
Allen: What inspires your creativity?
Daniel: I love drawing. I don´t need inspiration, I just need some
free time to sit down at the drawing table.
Allen: Thank you Daniel for working so hard with me on this interview.
I really appreciate your efforts. Would you like to leave us with any
words of wisdom?
Daniel: I can´t think of anything deep and thoughtful. It would be
too corny to say just follow your dream. But if you really want
something, don´t be lazy and keep trying until you get it right.
That's how I got my wife, and that's how I'm getting my dream job of
drawing comics.
Thanks.
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