Today’s Best of the Year choices come from Jon Haward, a stalwart member of the British comics community, Jon has illustrated a huge variety of works, from comics to annuals, film story boards, game character designs, kid’s books and more, in a career which has seen him depict characters from Sooty to Judge Dredd, Dan Dare to the X-Men. His artwork for Classical Comics’ adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth drew high praise even from the mainstream press (and rightly so, his three witches – “Hail, Macbeth!” – are fabulous) and as Art Director for Classical he was instrumental in helping and encouraging Declan Shalvey with their recent Frankenstein adaptation (as Declan acknowledged in an interview a couple of months ago). Currently working on one of my personal favourite Shakespeare plays, The Tempest, Jon took some time to share some of his favourites with us:
(I detect bubble and trouble… Shakespeare’s three witches from Macbeth, illustrated by Jon Haward for Classical Comics)
FPI: Could you tell us what your favourite three comics/graphic novels and/or books have been this year and why they stood out for you?
Jon: All-Star Superman written by Grant Morrison, drawn by Frank Quitely, Action Comics by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, Alan Davis Thor one-shot The Truth of History, all three well-written and drawn by artists on the top of their game. Also special mention for Shark-Man by Image, story and art by Steve Pugh; Steve in my mind is my generation’s Ron Embleton, his work is just jaw-dropping at times and his next project, Hotwire, looks even better than Shark-Man!
(Steve Pugh’s artwork for Shark-Man #1, published by Image)
The above classic Superman tales and I wish Alan Davis would draw more Thor. I’ve enjoyed the JMS Thor but I’m old school and I really enjoyed Alan’s action packed romp in Egypt. Shark-Man made me feel like a kid again reading it and he just looks so cool well done Mr Pugh!
FPI: In other art forms was there anything in the world of radio, TV, film or other artistic endeavours that really drew your attention this year?
Jon: I was impressed by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s monkey animation work for the Olympics and their Journey to the West opera. Also I have been enjoying Heroes on TV and I really enjoyed the Hellboy 2: the Golden Army and Iron Man at the flicks; also just seen the remake of ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still‘ and I enjoyed it a lot. The original is one of my all time fave movies.
(some of the characters from Monkey: Journey to the West, distinctive artwork by who else but Jamie Hewlett)
In books Roger Moore’s biography My Word is my Bond is a very funny, honest and open book; I loved it, a great read.
FPI: On the professional front how did you see the comics world in 2008; from your own point of view as a creator putting your work out there (did you feel it was a good year for you?)
Jon: A very good year for me – Macbeth selling well, plus the British production and design award and being nominated for a Cybil award has been very special, plus Frankenstein out now and getting good reviews, that’s been great too. Seeing Buddha in Wasted was great. Sideburns getting good feedback in Bulletproof has also been great.
There is a great amount of talented people I’ve met at cons viewing their art work and seeing stuff on-line we should be proud that such a small country has got such great talent that is being used for the world market.
FPI: And what did you think of the way the comics biz was in general this year?
Jon: Quality is up. I still feel the major American publishers don’t know how to grab new readers which is a problem, but with more graphic novels being used in schools in the U.S. and U.K. that might start the ball rolling with getting kids into reading mainstream comics (one can but hope).
FPI: Do you think the business becoming more diversified,
Jon: Yes, looking through Previews recently I think the market is better with more of a range of material; nice to see so many new Western comics being done again.
FPI: Is it more accessible to new readers and creators or less welcoming?
Jon: That depends, I guess, to the shops who sell and the companies who produce the comics. I think blogs help promote stuff that creators are doing; also your blog shows many different forms of content and range of comics from main stream to small press, so all good.
FPI: What’s the next project you are working on that we can look forward to?
Jon: I’m still working on Shakespeare’s The Tempest for Classical Comics, then I have Simba-Khan to draw and a new Sideburns to draw for Bulletproof comic. I’m putting out feelers at the moment to see what else I can get off the ground for work for 2009, so any publishers reading this I’m open to offers!
(a sneak peek preview of Jon’s art for Classical Comics’ The Tempest, due in May 2009, borrowed from the Classical site)
FPI: Lastly, are there any new names you’ve come across recently you’d like to pass on as one to watch for?
Jon: Sean O’Connor and Ben Macloud both have the chops to draw great stuff and I wish them all the best for the future.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:30 am
forgot to mention best animated film for me was KUNG FU PANDA a very funny film with great characters and voice work ,a real gem!