JAMAL IGLE Interview

Jamal Igle, artist extraordinaire, took some time from his busy schedule drawing SUPERGIRL and her part in the NEW KRYPTON saga to talk to PFB. Here's what he had to say.

SEB: Before we dive into SUPERGIRL, I have to tell you, I first became a fan of yours 8 years ago on the last few issues of NEW WARRIORS, Volume 2. I love the New Warriors, and I thought your work as fantastic. Any memories, fond or otherwise, of that ill fated series?


JAMAL: First I’ll say thank you, because as an artist you never know how well received a project is until well after it’s done, New Warriors was fun but it was also a really weird period for me. I had just left working at Sony Animation and NW was my first real monthly. So I didn’t have the speed I have now. So I always felt like I was under the gun. It was fun though, that’s where I met Jay Faerber, who is one of my favorite writers to work with. The bad.. well I was working on issue 7 when they told me the book was being cancelled and news of the cancellation came out before my first issue shipped. It didn’t do much for my ego because I knew it was ending and I really wasn’t sure where my next job was coming from.

I also felt very isolated at the time because I was living in Los Angeles and hating it. Luckily things kept going for a bit longer with Marvel , penciling Iron Fist/Wolverine and Iron Man.


SEB: So, how did you get the SUPERGIRL gig?


JAMAL: I’m a moderator on Comicbloc.com, which is Geoff Johns’ message board, and a fan of Geoff’s as well. Geoff has always been very complimentary of my work and I finally just said: Who do I have to kill to work with you. So we traded info back and forth and were talking about me doing something on the Superman books. At the same time, Matt Idelson, whom I’d already been working with on Tangent: Superman’s Reign with out either of us knowing had submitted my work to Geoff as someone he wante to wsork with on the books as well, so it all just came together at the same time.


SEB: Now, I know every project is different. What are some of the joys and some of the challenges of drawing this particular book?


JAMAL: The joy comes from being a massive Superman fan and finally getting to work with Kara and Clark on such a huge storyline. It’s been a great experience so far, I’m working my butt off. The Challenge is the same. I’m a Superman fan since childhood, and I think I’ve imposed so many preconceived notions of how the characters should look. There’s a little pressure because I want to, on purpose, maintain the look that Gary frank is doing on Action Comics without copying what he’s doing exactly. I’m in there of course, my drawing, my storytelling, but wanting to maintain the “look” people expect of Superman and Supergirl


SEB: As a character, SUPERGIRL has gone through a lot of change-up since her reimagining in SUPERMAN/BATMAN. What’s your take? In other words, how would you define SUPERGIRL?


JAMAL: She’s not human. She doesn’t think she’s human. She doesn’t fully understand humans but she wants to. She tries really hard and wants to live up to the example of Superman, but she’s a hero in training. So she stumbles a bit but she means well and she really is just a sweet kid at heart.


SEB: In that same vein, what kind of qualities and characteristics do you try to put into drawing the character of SUPERGIRL?


JAMAL: Well so far it’s been about showing her emotional vulnerability. So I’ve been really been just trying to play her as a sweet natured girl thrust into a life she never expected. With her parents back and the revelations of issue #35 she’s more confused about where her loyalties lie.


SEB: When I spoke to series writer, Sterling Gates, he had nothing but praise for you and your work. What’s it like working with him?


JAMAL: Honestly? I think Sterling will be DC’s next big thing.


SEB: Story-wise, how far ahead does he have scripted, at this point?


JAMAL: Well the beats are worked out through the next story line so we’re pretty far ahead.


SEB: Art-wise, what issue are you drawing right now?

JAMAL: I just started issue # 37 so we’re moving along pretty well.


SEB: With NEW KRYPTON starting to hit the shelves, what’s it like drawing all those Kryptonians?

JAMAL: Well, in my issues it’s pretty centered on the EL family so there are a only a few shots of the Kandorians. Although I do draw a few of the Byrne style Kandorians.


SEB: What’s it like to be a part of such a momentous SUPERMAN/SUPERGIRL event?


JAMAL: It’s huge, I mean fracking huge. The thing is , it’s just the tip of the Iceberg as far the entire Superman/Action/ Supergirl line goes for the next couple of years.


SEB: How involved are you in the whole process?

JAMAL:I don’t really discuss storypoints with anyone but Sterling, but they really don’t need my input.

SEB: Did you get to design any of the Kandorians?

JAMAL: Just random ones.

SEB: What can you tell us about the new SUPERWOMAN. I know, I know, you can’t divulge too much. All I got out of Sterling was “She is a friend to the “House of EL”. Anything you can say?


JAMAL: She’s a friend to the House of El.


SEB: I see. Have you had to draw her much?


JAMAL: I just drew a scene with her and Supergirl in issue #36.


SEB: Sterling had said you guys were going to build a rogues gallery for Kara. He mentioned Reactron, and teased us about other unrevealed, yet familiar faces. How about brand new villains? Will you be designing any new baddies?


JAMAL: I plan on it. I just turned in a design for a new character today actually who’ll be showing up in Supergirl in a few months.


SEB: What kinds of things can we look forward to in future issues of SUPERGIRL?


JAMAL: The full complete unabridged origin of Supergirl and a lot of things getting blowed up but good.


SEB: I myself, am a huge fan or your work, and you have quite the following out there. Can you tell us, how long do you think you’ll be on SUPERGIRL?


JAMAL: It’s open ended right now but I think I’ll see where I am at the end of next year. I’m having a great time so far.


SEB: Do you have any other projects going on?


JAMAL: Nothing I can discuss, they’re in the planning stage.


SEB: What titles or characters would you most like a chance to work on?


JAMAL: The Flash, maybe Aquaman. I was just thinking of a way to relaunch the character. There are a lot of great DC characters.


SEB: Jamal, thanks for talking with us. It’s been both an honor and a pleasure!


JAMAL: The honor has been mine.

Cool interview! I love Supergirl!
Issue # 34 was the best issue of this whole run!

JAMAL BUYS HIS COMICS WEEKLY AT MY STORE........HE IS A TRULY NICE GUY AND HUMBLE HUMAN BEING. I ALWAYS PUSH HIS BOOKS. HIS SUPERGIRL DEBUT SOLD OUT! HIS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS ARE SECOND ONLY TO KEVIN MCGUIRE!

Ya know, DW, I KNEW there was no way he could live in Brooklyn and not know you!

And I agree about his faces being 2nd only to Maguire!

GREG PAK ALSO CUMS TO OUR STORE AND BUYS HIS BOOKS TOO.
BRIAN WOOD AND CHRIS CLAIREMONT ALSO LIVE IN THE SLOPE BUT I DON'T SEE THEM CUMMIN' IN......I MAY NOT RECONIZE THEM