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| RB and his pug Frank |
Today on Artist August, we have Brazilian up-and-comer RB Silva, a man who is a DC exclusive artist and the artist of the upcoming DCnU launch book “Superboy.” Silva has earned a ton of critical acclaim for his work on the “Jimmy Olsen” comic with Nick Spencer and his efforts in Greg Pak’s “Vision Machine,” and its thanks to his beautiful and remarkably clean pencils. The guy is a talent, and I think he’ll really be showing that off with his efforts on “Superboy” with Scott Lobdell.
We talk to RB about breaking into the comic industry all the way from Brazil, what the industry is like there, whether or not having to end “Jimmy Olsen” was sad for him like it was for us, and a whole lot more. You can find all of that after the jump.
Can you look back on your life and recall the single moment that made you wanted to work in comics? Or was it more of a natural progression that led you here?
RB Silva: It was something natural. I (have been) drawing since I was a child, but only child’s sketches. The coolest is that I never stopped. Work with comic books or animation was always my dream and what I had in mind. Back in 2006 I started to go to an Art School, I studied there for 2 years until I was able to get in the area.
Who or what has influenced the development of your art?
RBS: Ivan Reis, I definitely love his work. It’s perfect. With the time I was applying other references into my work. And the result is what we can see today.
Your home of Brazil has produced a ton of incredible comic artists, like Gabriel Ba, Fabio Moon, Rafael Albuquerque, Ivan Reis and a slew of others. What is it about Brazil that is so encouraging to artists such as yourself? How is the art world overall there?
RBS: In Brazil, the comic book market is too limited and weak. That’s my opinion. We grew up watching our favorites characters on TV, reading their stories, and wondering one day to draw, color, or write their stories etc…the only way for this to work out is to work hard and do your best to make this happen where it’s really possible to.
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| Superboy #1 cover by Eric Canete |
Congrats on being the artist of the upcoming Superboy relaunch! How did you get the gig, and how is it going so far?
RBS: Thank you so much. I’m very happy with all that’s happening. Work to DC Universe has always been my childhood dream, specially to Superman Universe. The invitation came after the Jimmy Olsen Big Week project. Until now all that I’m seeing is fantastic. The team has a great connection and we are doing a work from fan to fan. I am very fond of the character and I am trying to create everything I see it’s ideal to the new Superboy phase.
Based off what little we’ve seen (mostly the Eric Canete cover), it looks like Superboy has a bit of a techno/futuristic look now. Is that just for the cover, or were you tasked with redesigning the character?
RBS: If I talk about it I will kill with the surprise factor, don’t you think? J
You became a DC exclusive artist this year. What does that exclusive contract provide for you as an artist, and how exciting was it for you to get that offer?
RBS: I signed the exclusivity contract in November of 2010. That happened by the end of the Jimmy Olsen series. I was very surprised with the offer, (be)cause it was everything I wanted. I’m very happy.
How does the experience of working on a book like Vision Machine (where you are the creator of all visuals) compared to your for hire experience on Superboy and Jimmy Olsen?
Continued belowRBS: It was a big challenge. I had worked on a science fiction comic book already, but Machine Vision went far beyond what I had done so far. Work with Greg Pak is always a great pleasure. Great professional and a great guy. In Superboy and Jimmy Olsen, despite their new stuff, was a little more controlled. In Vision Machine I have 100% freedom. The concept phase, to my surprise, was a little easier.
RBS: Were you as heartbroken as we were when it was announced that the Jimmy Olsen story was ending?
RBS: I was. It was great fun and a character that was a surprise in my career. A very pleasant surprise. It’s definitely the best thing I’ve done so far. Nick Spencer has always been very creative in his writing. Not forgetting the Editor and friend Will Moss, who did a great job. All were very important in this project, which was a success.
In the digital age, new tools are available to artists of all types. How does that affect and expand your work?
RBS: I belong to the old style (and that sounds funny). I do not use any software to help layout the page, or vanishing points and so on. But I assume and understand that this is necessary for the progress of work. Adaptation is necessary.
Does feedback (both positive and negative) with fans and critics via social media (like Twitter) push you as an artist? Do you turn to it for motivation?
RBS: The feedback is very necessary. Positive or negative (but it has to be constructive, in order to help). It is with the constructive criticism we fix what does not please the majority and improve. The contact with the fans is something very important to me, and I am a big fan of many artists. I’d love to have contact with them all, without being inconvenient. So I always make easier the contact with the fans.
In the average comic book criticism or review, artists are typically given a lot less hype than writers are, even though this is a visual medium. Why do you think that is?
RBS: I see nothing wrong. The script is as important as the art to reading become enjoyable and informative. Inks, color, letters.. All are important. It is a great team that work hard to provide the best for the reader. I envy the ones with the gift to write.
What would be a dream project for you? Any particular writers you’re dying to work with or titles you’d like to take a stab at? Perhaps a personal project you just want to see come to fruition?
RBS: A personal project is something that probably we all have. But it’s something that needs time and money to become reality. I love the Green Lantern, he is my favorite character, I’d love to work a day in a mini series of Hal Jordan and the entire troop.
What are three things that you absolutely cannot work without?
RBS: A playlist with good music, I work listening music. I think we all work. Internet connection to find all references I need. And the companionship of my dog Frank (a pug), he sure make my day better. I may be stressed about anything, just look at him, no matter what place he is, he’s always doing something funny.
Desert Island question: one book, one album, one film and one comic. What do you take with you?
RBS: Book: Kingdom of Heaven
Album: Rebirth (Angra, a brazilian band)
Movie: Avatar
Comic book: Green Lantern, secret origins
Who are your favorite artists working in comics today?
RBS: Ivan Reis, Paulo Siqueira, Olivier Coipel, Stuart Immonen, Clayton Henry.
What projects do you have coming up?
RBS: Only Superboy at moment.
