Amazing Heroes #15

"P. T. Barnum was Right! An Interview with Keith Giffen"

By Kevin C. McConnell

Before getting into the good stuff, I'd like to preface this interview with a few personal comments. Why a Keith Giffen interview? Well, for various reasons I've always enjoyed his artistry, and with the advent of his recent work on The Legion of Super-Heroes and Dr. Fate, I felt the proper time had come.

Although the interview focus of this publication has been mainly on new artists, Keith's style and approach has been revamped and refined to such a degree, that he essentially is a new artist. Folks like Byrne and Miller certainly deserve all of the accolades they get, but all too often, an excellent illustrator such as Giffen is overlooked in the superstar shuffle. He's talented, he's underrated, he's modest, and I sincere­ly believe that he's due the recognition afforded to him here. —Kevin C. McConnell

AMAZING HEROES: As a youngster, did you have a wish to one day draw comic books, or was this a late developing aspiration?

Keith Giffen: Always. For as far back as I can remember. Actually, now that you mention it, there was a time when I considered a career in archaeology, but that was before my mother, quite innocently, dropped a copy of World's Finest in my then 8-year-old lap, thereby condemning me to an eternity of sleepless nights and too tight deadlines.

AH: Are your artistic skills the result of formal training, or are you largely self-taught?

KG: Formal training? Well, I did manage to put in one abysmal year at the New York School of Visual Arts … the less said about that, the better. Ah, and leave us not forget the years worth of night classes at DuCret, a then obscure, now non-existent little lesson in redundancy operating out of Plainfield, New Jersey. I guess self-taught is as good a way to put it as any other. Four long years spent working as a mail-boy for a large pharmaceutical firm by day, and studying books on anatomy, perspective, etc. by night. Thank God for the Little Falls public library. (Odd now, to think how [threw all that away to become an instant clone of whichever artist happened to be hot at the time … )

AH: What artists have influenced your own work?

KG: Whew, that's tough. I guess just about everyone. Strange thing though, I really don't think I started producing any work worth the cost of printing until I took that two-year retreat.

AH: Yes, prior to illustrating Dr. Fate, you've been absent from the comics scene for several months. If it's not too personal, what is the reason for this?

KG: Where was I? Down in South Jersey trying to wash Kirby, Nino, Ditko, etc., etc. out of my system. My momma didn't raise no clones. Seriously, it was really getting out of hand … all the swipes, the imitations. I figured my best bet was to get the hell out for a bit; do a total re-evaluation if you will. Two years and some odd number of life drawing classes later, I made another try at it. I think I finally got it right! One other thing-during those two years, I totally divorced myself from anything that had anything to do with comics. About the only exposure I had was passing the comics rack at the local 7-11 to reach the coffee counter.

AH: What is your average work pace (pages per day)?

KG: About two to three fully penciled pages a day. If I'm doing breakdowns, add another one or two.

AH: Is there a certain writer that you prefer working with as opposed to others?

KG: I've never had much difficulty with any of the writers I've worked with. Guess I've been lucky. But if I've gotta get really specific, I'd have to give the nod to … Y'know, I caught myself just in time. I was about to launch into an incredible line of drivel. I don't think I want to dissect the writers I've worked with; pick them apart. I think what I stated earlier on sums up my feelings best-guess I've been lucky. (But if Levitz leaves The Legion,I'll firebomb'his office … ).

AH: Also, do you have any preferences when it comes to who embellishes your pencil art?

KG: Mahlstedt!!! DEFINITELY MAHLSTEDT!!! As to why, just look at the incredible work he's been putting out lately. I'd take Larry over anybody else in the business.

AH: You've worked for both Marvel and DC. Which company do you prefer?

KG: DC definitely. They've much mote open to different interpretations of their material than our competition—at least now. I think we can all thank Dick Giordano for that. As a matter of fact, I can't see myself working for anyone except DC for a good long while.

AH: Do you have any desire to illustrate stories for alternative publishers such as Pacific Comics or Eclipse?

KG: Hmmmm. Possibly. But first, I think I'd have to come up with something really unique. I don't want to windup doing a Legion rip-off, or a Dr. Fate swipe in which I can show Imra or Inza nude, if y'know what I mean. (If not; just check out the latest issue of Adventure Illustrated or Ep-echh …)

AH:.What do you think of DC's new royalties system?

KG: First in a long series of overdue steps (and in the right direction yet).

AH: What are your feelings towards art reproduction quality in mainstream comics? Do you see something like Marvel Fanfare as a breakthrough in this area?

KG: I always figured … I guess you work within the limitations of the field. If the printing process used in Marvel Fanfare becomes the norm, then you work with those limitations in mind. And so on and on and on …

AH: Would you like to plot or write comics as well as illustrate them?

KG: Plot, yes! Although I am in on the plotting end of The Legion due to Paul's desire for a true collaborative effort. Writing, however... Well, let's just say that the jury's still out on that one. My main interest right now is telling a story Visually. Besides, the English language and yours truly are just now coming to terms with one another (hey, I only stopped pronouncing the "b" in subtle recently).

AH: Who's your favorite comic book character?

KG: Favorite? Group-wise, The Legion of course—I even volunteered for that one. Individually, I'd have to say The Creeper—if only for all the wasted potential. Same reason as The Legion. Again, I got lucky.

AH: You've drawn both individual hero and group-oriented titles. Do you find one more stimulating than the other?

KG: I'd go for a book over an individual character any day. More to play around with. Plus, if you get tired of character A, there's always character B to play around with. I find that working on a character like Dr. Fate, I tend to become much more involved with the villain; at least they're something new to explore. Let's face it, no matter how great the hero is, there's still only so much you can do with him, her, or it… unfortunately...

AH: Over the last few years, you've illustrated primarily super-hero titles. Do you have any desire to delve into other genres (fantasy, sword and sorcery, etc.)?

KG: Fantasy or sword and sorcery? No. I would like to try my hand at a real, no holds barred horror story … or a good, solid, well-researched yarn set in ancient Egypt or Tenochtitlan. Most especially the latter.

AH: To date, what do you feel is your best art job?

KG: The next one. (Although I am rather pleased with the Dr. Fate stuff.)

AH: What do your friends and relatives think of Keith Giffen, the comics artist? Do they think it's neat, or does it weird some of them out?

KG: Let's see now … half don't have the slightest idea what I'm doing, and the other half can't believe I'm getting paid for it. No real weird reactions … yet. It's a job. Granted, an enjoyable one, but it's still a job nonetheless.

©1982 Fantagraphics.