We here at Multiversity are fascinated by everything comics, and that includes finding out all about the people that make the books that we love. With that in mind, welcome to MCWorkSpaces! This is where creators let us into their homes and, by getting a glimpse into their surroundings, we uncover a little about their process and their inspirations.
This week: Daniel Warren Johnson
Daniel is a comic book creator, writer, and artist based in Chicago. His most recent project – “Extremity” from Image Comics – recently concluded, and his previous work includes “Space-Mullet” from Dark Horse, as well as work for BOOM, DC, Dynamite and Marvel.
Thanks so much for letting us explore your creative space! So what can you tell us about your workspace? Are you very particular about your environment?
Daniel Warren Johnson: My studio is actually the lower part of my apartment. We have a duplex style place with a winding staircase that leads down to where I work. It’s great because I get to have my own nook that I can escape to, while also not worrying about it when I’m upstairs, and I can truly break away from drawing.
I’d say the most important thing for me when getting to work and making a space, is comfort. I need room to breathe, while also having inspiration all around me, and all the tools I might need to finish a page. There’s nothing more frustrating than needing a french curve and you can’t find it or forgot to bring it to the coffee shop, or whatever. I work best when I have all my stuff right there next to me. I have a tendency to get distracted if I lose something (I’m looking for my ruler and then I check my email AGAIN while looking for it). So having things relatively organized is a must. Also, I like my studio to be nice and cool. I have a tendency to overheat when I’m drawing. My poor interns have to wear sweaters during the summer because I blast the AC!
Do you have anything around you that inspires you and your work?
DWJ: So much stuff. There’s original art, prints, reference books for human and animal anatomy, toys (a lot of those), and old newspaper clippings of stories that resonate with me.
Here are some OA highlights. A page from “Grendel Tales: Devils and Deaths” by Edvin Biukovic, right above my desk.
And here’s a wall or original art that I pass by as I walk downstairs to the studio. It definitely gets me in the “mood” to start creating. There’s some James Harren, Wes Craig, Simon Roy, Tradd Moore, Goran Parlov, Riley Rossmo, Tyrell Cannon, Lee Weeks, and Aaron Conley.
Here’s an old Pacific Rim Print done by Hideo Kojima that’s just to the left of my desk.
And here’s a signed picture of my favorite Star Trek character, General Martok, from DS9, right above my favorite page from my favorite children’s book, “The Chronicles of Harris Burdick.” These are right above my desk.
I have a top shelf above where my interns sit with some cool stuff, including a fantastic Briareos drawing by Buster Moody and an original piece of my “Space-Mullet” characters by Jake Parker, an amazing illustrator. This is one of my most prized pieces of original art. I’m also a big Mass Effect fan.
Here’s a newspaper article that I read many years ago and have kept on to it ever since.
So it’s a bit random, but there’s a lot for me to look at if I’m feeling discouraged about my art.
What’s a usual ‘Day in the Life’ like for you, do you have a set routine?
DWJ: I try and get up at a reasonable time. Currently, I’m trying to figure out my schedule as a brand new dad, which is quite the challenge. But, I try to be up by 8:30 at the latest and at the drawing board by 9 to 9:30 after making coffee and saying hi to my daughter and wife. Then comes emails and any little logistical things that I fell behind on the week or day before. I’ll also draw and problem-solve any thumbnails I have to do, for covers and illustrations. After that, it’s on to drawing a finished page, which takes anywhere from five to eight hours. I usually try and finish the pencils before I take any sort of break, whether for lunch or to jam a bit on the guitar. (I’m kind of a guitar nut)
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After that, it’s back to the page, usually to start or finish the inks. I try and run five times a week, so as soon as I finish my page, I go exercise. It helps me let go of the page especially if I didn’t like the way it came out and clears my head to hang with friends and family when I get back. Then, back to it the next day!
Daniel, this has been fascinating thank you so much!
Daniel Warren Johnson can be found on his website, on Instagram or on Twitter. You can find all of his work, including “Extremity,” “The Ghost Fleet,” and “Space-Mullet” over on Comixology, or from your local comic shop.
