Multiversity Comics Presents: Joëlle Jones

Today at MC, we have an interview with another one of our favorite artists after talking with Nick Pitarra yesterday. We talk with Joëlle Jones of She Has Killed Me, House of Night, and Ultimate Spider-Man fame about how she got into comics, working with Jamie S. Rich, what’s next for her and a whole lot more. Check it out after the jump.

You’ve been working in comics for a decent amount of time now and worked on a great mix of projects throughout. How did you decide that comics were the right direction for you? What about the medium attracts you as an artist?

Well I have been reading comics since I was a kid and declared to my family that I wanted to draw comic books when I was around 12 or something. I love being able to tell stories through illustration and comics can be so dynamic and full of emotion. I just feel really lucky that I get the opportunity to express myself and indulge my imagination for a living.

We’re talking to a good amount of Portland creators for this project, and it’s become quickly apparent that Portland is a hotbed of incredible comic talent. To you, what is it about that city that makes it so artist friendly?

I think there are a million reasons why this city works for artists but top two on my list is affordability and weather. Oh and number three is being in a city full of creative types.

Do you find that living in Portland offers any distinct advantages or disadvantages for your career as an artist?

Yeah the weather is so grey and wet sometimes that all that sounds appealing is staying in and drawing the night away with a couple of pots of Portland coffee, or a local brew, whatever.

A page of Joëlle’s art from House of Night #1

You’re currently wrapping up House of Night with Dark Horse, and PC Cast told us you were a fan of the books before you had picked up this project. For you as a fan, how exciting was it to work in this world PC and Kristin had created, and that they chose you out of a big list of other contenders? I do want to note that PC adores your work.

I was pretty excited when I found out what the project was and I knew I was going to have a lot of fun with it. And I was right. I like the characters and I feel like reading the books before I started gave me a lot to work with and be inspired by.

On this project, you provide the art for the story that takes place in present while five different artists (like Karl Kerschl and Eric Canete) provide the art for the flashbacks. We know you aren’t working with them directly, but how is it seeing your art paired up with theirs when you see the books come together?

I waited till the issues came out to see the art all together in the book and I am glad I did. The other artist’s stories were done so well I might have gotten stage fright and crumbled under the pressure of measuring up. Ultimately though I like the way it all came together and it was always a wonderful surprise getting to read it that way.

You’ve worked with Jamie S. Rich on multiple projects before, namely personal favorites of mine in 12 Reasons Why I Love Her and You Have Killed Me, and it’s a working relationship that seems to be a great one. Not only that, but having seen the two of you paired up at Emerald City, you two seem like good friends. How is it working with Jamie? Is it easier working with him on a project than another writer, or can it sometimes be more difficult because of that friendship?

We actually worked together first and then became friends. He is lots of fun to collaborate with and if I said otherwise he find out and probably throw a fit, so lets just say he is an absolute joy to work with.

A Spell Checkers piece by Joëlle

The second volume of Spell Checkers, your Oni series with Rich and Nico Hitori De, came out towards the end of 2011. How successful have the three of you felt on that project to date, and have you all already started on the third book?

I know Nico has started the third book and I will be starting soon. He actually moved to Portland to work on it so the whole team will go out together and blow off steam sometimes. We have really had a good time working together and I think the next book really reflects that.

One thing that I love about that project — Spell Checkers — is it stemmed from your tendency to draw people you see when you’re at the bar. Potentially one of the great, random origins of a comic ever. Is drawing fellow bar folk still a favorite past time? I’m very curious about this, and definitely curious if anyone has ever come up and asked if you were drawing them as well.

Yeah I will still creep people out by drawing them at the bar from time to time. I find it a really fun way to exercise my drawing muscles. The key to not getting caught is to make it look like you are an FBI agent and that you are out on a stake or something be sure to glare suspiciously at however you are drawing when you think they are on to you. Nobody will mess with you if you do it right.

One previous project that stands out in your collected work is the story you worked on in Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #150. How did you get pulled in for that major anniversary issue, and are you interested in doing more superhero work of the sort in the future?

Brian Michael Bendis actually approached me and asked if I would be interested in contributing to it. Obviously I said yes and the result was major Aunt cred. My nephew thinks I am the coolest now (he is only 4). I would love to try my hand at superhero books though. It would be a challenge that I think I could learn a lot from.

In your career so far, you’ve worked in a wide variety of genres, ranging from romance to noir and everything in-between. Do you prefer working in some genres to others, or is it really just an exciting new adventure with each new project?

Right now I have really enjoyed how great it has been to try all sorts of things artistically. I feel as if it has been the most rewarding on the job training possible. I really don’t know what’s in store for me in the future but I just hope that my style will continue to develop and that I will find a perfect fit someday or maybe not I am cool with that too.

Let’s say you had your choice of project — anything, the world is your oyster – what would you choose to work on, and who with?

I have so many dream jobs but I think the one I will be doing next with Oni Press is going to be amazing. It is more of a horror comic with Cullen Bunn writing who, by the way, I think is just the greatest.

What does 2012 look like for you?

Good. I think I will be having a few books come out. First one off the top of my head is called Girl Who Owned a City written by Dan Jolley it is adapted from a Y.A. book and I think its pretty great.