BY JENNIFER M. CONTINO After covering Superman for a few issues, and illustrating a story of two featuring the Man of Steel and his supporting players, artist Renato Guedes is joining writer James Robinson for a whole new adventure of Superman. Guedes is excited for this opportunity and told us what it was like working on this iconic hero.
THE PULSE: Superman is an icon that has been drawn by hundreds of artists from all over the world. Which ones solidified in your mind the way the Man of Steel should look in any comic incarnation?
RENATO GUEDES: I believe Superman's image has been chiseled along the years, and I for one have a very strong image in my mind, influencing my work. However, there's one image in special that really gets to me like no other -- that is Christopher Reeve donning the red/blue uniform, as his movies left a very strong mark in my childhood.
THE PULSE: How, if at all, did those artists influence your version of the hero?
GUEDES: From Curt Swann thru Dan Jurgens, I've always had a clear image of Superman, and all the artists I admired when I was just a fan , back in the 80's and 90's had some sort of influence in my work.
THE PULSE: What are the biggest challenges of incorporating an influence into your own incarnation of a character so it still feels unique to Renato Guedes, but also is true to what's expected of the character?
GUEDES: I never stop to think about challenges or difficulties -- I try to concentrate on what I'm doing and guide my work by making the choices I'm convinced of being the right ones. So I try to work having fun with both the character and the stories. This way I'm sure I'll always chose what is best for me and the character.
THE PULSE: How intimidating is it to be drawing Superman? I mean, there's so much expected of this hero and the stories he stars in. What kind of pressure do you feel to make sure it's picture perfect -- or as picture perfect as any comic book can actually be?
GUEDES: Well... I try not to think how intimidating this or that job is, or the challenges along the way. I'm much better off thinking, “Hey, those guys were part of my childhood and now I can play along with them. If I do something and have fun with, whatever it is will surely wind up good -- it will be more inspired and will definitely please me and, hopefully, the fans.
THE PULSE: You're working with James Robinson on this new era for the Man of Steel. How big a draw was it for you that Robinson was involved in this project?
GUEDES: WOW, James Robinson is an outstanding writer. Let's say I'm a real lucky guy! I'm way excited and feeling such a privilege to be part of that specific moment of the title.
THE PULSE: Solicits mentioned Green Lantern would be guest-staring in issue # 677. Which GL is on the scene?
GUEDES: Yes, it's a small part, but it feels great to have the chance of working with other characters -- especially Green Lantern. And the Lantern is Hal.
THE PULSE: How important is it for you when you're drawing different leads in the comics to have them look unique, not just be separate by the way each is colored or the costume one wears?
GUEDES: I try and imagine each character as a real and unique person, with peculiar traces and personality. From then on everything becomes easier.
THE PULSE: We know some artists who say the S-shield is the most difficult part of Superman to draw, while others, surprisingly, had trouble with the spit curl. What aspects of the Man of Steel did you have the most difficulty or the biggest learning curve to draw?
GUEDES: You're right -- S-shield is not easy to draw (it's easy to spot any asymmetries. The hair is also an important part (and hard to choose) when you start fleshing out the character..
THE PULSE: Metropolis is almost as much a character in this series as the people themselves. How did you get to know this majestic city so you would feel very comfortable illustrating it in these pages?
GUEDES: Metropolis is very important in the stories as Gotham is in Batman's -- they're not common cities and should really look special and iconic. I like what's in the animated cartoons. And the German movie “Metropolis” also inspires me a lot.
THE PULSE: What, aside from some of the characters, are some of the things you're getting the chance to draw for the first time in these pages?
GUEDES: This is my first as a regular artist on a title, and the biggest difference is the chance to develop a consistent work with the characters and everything else along the issues. The rest I'm discovering on a page-by-page basis...
THE PULSE: What do you enjoy the most about working on a series like Superman?
GUEDES: I work with something I really like, which is drawing comics. I try to get really involved with the mood and character whenever I'm working a given series to be in synch with it. What I enjoy the most about working on a series like Superman is the involvement with the project.
THE PULSE: What are some of the down-sides to working on an icon?
GUEDES: I don't see down-sides while working with an icon -- just up-sides. Everyone knows the character, knows what he is all about -- it's extremely good for an artist to have his name linked to an icon.
THE PULSE: How does it feel to be working with José Wilson Magalháes on the art?
GUEDES: I feel completely at ease with him -- we've been working together for over two years now. The guy is real good and had a long experience as a "Disney inker” . We are constantly talking it off to get the best possible work out of our team.
THE PULSE: How long are you going to be on Superman? Is this a series you would like to do as long as James Robinson is involved?
GUEDES: I still don't know how long my run will be on Superman, but I hope it is not a short one. I really want to put all of myself into the new phase James is planning out.
Superman # 677 will be in stores this June from James Robinson, Renato Guedes and José Wilson Magalháes.
Posts: 20849 | From: PA | Registered: Aug 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Guedes and Wilson Magalhaes are already doing some beautiful work on this title; I expect that they'll only get better as they settle into the assignment -- yes, hopefully for a good, long run.
Matthew
Posts: 4947 | From: Seattle, WA USA | Registered: Jun 2000
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
