To describe Mick Grey a simply an inker is a gross underestimation of his artistic abilities. The man is just hyper-talented as both an artist, teacher, writer and musician. I had the opportunity to chat with him online and he graciously agreed to doing an interview. I wanted to keep as much of the interview as topical to his work as possible but seeing as this is a comic book movie site, we talk briefly about his likes and dislikes of Nolan’s franchise.
1) You’ve had a long history inking comics. Starting from your days with Slave Labor Graphics and TSR. Then moving up through the ranks of Marvel and DC on the Punisher, Spider-Man, Hawkman and now Batman and Robin, to name only a sparse few. Is there any one book where you felt your style and abilities served the story best? Or where you just felt most at home?
Promethea was the book on which I thought I really came into my own. Because of that book having such a great team, it turned out to be possibly the best thing I ever worked on.
2) You have had an incredible experience I want to talk about, especially for someone so young, you got to ink Jack Kirby’s pencils. Talk a little about finding out that it was really going to happen. And then talk about the nerd meltdown you must have had.
Yes, that was probably, to this day, the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me in comics. I was just starting out in the business, doing my first full inks on the book Phantom Force over Michael Thibodeaux. Because of him being Jack Kirby's assistant, Jack had helped him flesh out a lot of the storyline and characters for Phantom Force. So when it came to inking the splash page for the book I got a call from Michael one days saying, "Oh, by the way I'm sending you this Jack Kirby splash page to ink. " I said, "Excuse me??? You want me to ink Jack Kirby???" When I got the page it sat around in my studio for like six months, while I tried to get up enough nerve to ink it. I looked at the way Joe Sinnott and Mike Royer inked Jack over the years to try and get the right look. When I was finally ready to hit it, I just went for it! It turned out pretty good and before Jack died I even got to get a little feedback from him. He liked it! I got chills up my spine when I heard that! Now I own that page thanks to Michael and it will remain my prize posession forever.
3) The Joker graphic novel must have been somewhat of a milestone for you. Did you feel as though the book was trying to grasp the grittiness of the films?
The biggest misconception about the Joker book is that it was based on the film. But what happened is that the artwork had been done prior to the movie coming out. Because the book was released after the movie that's what fueled it. It's never been confirmed, but we always thought the director of the movie saw Lee Bermejo's character design of The Joker (which was done two years before the movie) and ran with it. When the movie came out this was the only place people could get that character so it became a huge thing. Then to top it off, the death of Heath Ledger added to people being more interested in this book. This book to date is the biggest selling thing I've ever worked on.
4) Is the Joker graphic novel the darkest book you’ve ever worked on as far as the story’s tone. If so what was going through your mind as you first read it?
Definitely the darkest, grossest and most offensive book I've ever worked on! As I was working on it, my little girl would come walking in the room and I'd be shielding her from looking at the pages. I was really kind of concerned about her seeing them. It's NOT a kids book. This is an adult book all the way. I don't particularly care for violence. You might think that strange considering I work in comics. But this was not my cup of tea. I love the character, the Joker, but this was a little rough to work on every day for two years. The art is beautiful, but the subject matter is a bit much. Of course, when the checks started rolling in I lightened my view of it all and I was honored to work on such a high profile project.
5) What is your overall impression of Christopher Nolan’s films? You can be as specific or as vague as you like.
Batman Begins is my favorite of the Batman movie franchise. The way he handled the Joker in The Dark Knight was just AMAZING. I loved Inception, too. That movie twisted my mind!
6) What is the major difference between Batman in film and in comics? Is there anything you think the movies have missed?
My biggest complaint is the movie costumes. There has never been a Batman costume in film that I've liked. All the goofy armor. What's up with that? Batman doesn't need no stinkin' armor! He's a detective! In DC Comics right now Batman wears a little bit of kevlar in his costume, but the movies just go way overboard. Other than that, I think the movies are moving in the right direction.
7) If you could pick one villain that has yet to appear on the big screen for Batman, who would it be?
I would love to see Harley Quinn done really well. But if they can't do it well, then don't do it at all. (*hint" Have you seen the new Arkham City game? Ugh. That is NOT Harley Quinn!)
9) Were you relieved that Batman and Robin was not going to be restarted with the New 52? Or do you feel it would not have made that much of a difference to you?
I am very very happy that it was not restarted. Grant Morrison had left us a great storyline so when Bruce Wayne returned from being lost in time it was the logical thing that he would become Batman again and take over from Dick Grayson. Some people aren't really liking the father/son banter between Bruce and Damien, but myself, being a father, I'm digging it! I think Peter Tomasi is doing a fantastic job of writing this book! And Patrick Gleason is interpreting Peter's ideas amazingly!
10) Let’s talk about starting out in comics. I think a lot of readers assume that you kind of show up for a job interview with a portfolio under your arm and you start working on Batman the following day. Can you give those folks a dose of reality? For example, were there books or work you did for no pay or back end pay?
Well, when I started in comics, I did show off my technical illustration portfolio at Slave Labor Graphics because that was all I had to show. I was trying to get gigs doing background inks. So all my technical expertise helped sell me as an inker. For the first six years of my 20+ year career I worked for anybody and everybody who needed an inking assistant. It didn't matter how much they were paying and I always tell people starting in this business to work for free if it gets their foot in the door. Some of the people I worked for in the beginning were Chuck Austen, Alex Sheikman, Frank Cirocco, Randy Emberlin, Ian Aiken and Mark McKenna (who is my true comic book inking mentor and got me my first mainstream comics gigs). It obviously didn't happen overnight.
11) Name some comics you are following, and please mention any independent books (as that’s what I’m trying to promote most. What??? You think Batman and Robin needs my help?)
I don't read many comics because I'm working a lot. But I do get a chance to read them once in awhile. I just read How To Understand Israel in 60 Days Or Less by Sarah Glidden and it was a great read (BTW, I still don't understand it). I just picked up Orchid by Tom Morello because I'm a huge fan of his music (Rage Against The Machine, Audio Slave, Night Watchman). This book looks pretty cool. I also picked up Kirby Genesis because, well, it's about Jack Kirby! Just read Batman: NOEL by, my pal, Lee Bermejo... IT'S AMAZING!
12) Are you inking over original pencils or over blue line prints?
I will avoid inking over blue line anytime I can. I make all my students at the Academy of Art ink over blue line and it's very tough to do, makes you go blind. But when the original pencils are not available it's the only way. I'm starting to experiment using red line copies rather than blue to see if that is easier on the eyes.
Describe a typical work day.
I get up in the morning, bring my daughter to school, eat breakfast, read the newspaper, check facebook and hit the drawing board by 10 am. I work until 1:30 pm, pick up my daughter, have a snack, maybe a nap, back to the board for awhile. Around 4 pm we eat dinner. Now if it's a rush day I watch a bit of TV after dinner and then go back to the drawing board until however late I need to work. Sometimes I'm up working and listening to the Coast to Coast radio show with George Noory until 3 am! Being a comic book inker requires me to work any and all hours I need to in order to finish the issue. You just never know when you're going to get pages, so you have to finish whatever you have in hand as quickly as possible.
Finally, on some of his own independent projects:
I have written one book so far, Al B. Mouse's Abecedarium. This was my "labor of Love"! I drew my character, Al B. Mouse, for 15 years wanting to do some thing with him but never knowing what. Then, in 2009, I got the time, inspiration AND funds to make this book. I am VERY happy that I got the opportunity to do it! Only 200 hardcover books were created and I have some left. We're also in the process of making a digital color version for e-readers. You can see the book in its entirety on my website www.mickgray.net
or www.albmouse.com.