The Big Question with Stephen Sadowski: 5-29-01
The Big Question with Stephen Sadowski
Interview with: Troy Brownfield
Rounding out our trifecta of the JSA creative team, this penciler has done fine work for things like Bob Burden’s Mystery Men and The Big Book of the Weird West. He began his association with the Justice Society by working on the Starman 80-page giant and the Smash Comics issue of the JSA “Fifth Week” event of a couple years back. Currently, of course, he’s the artist on DCs outstanding JSA (which has the best last pages in the business).
Everyone, please welcome a guy that’s done more for “money shots” than Dirk Diggler . . . Stephen Sadowski!
THE BIG Q&A
Q1. A lot of pencilers these days go for a splashy style that mimics other styles or genres (like anime). Your style strikes me as very realistic and disciplined. How did you come by your particular look and approach?
A1. Well, I’m a BIG believer in having one’s OWN style. There are a lot of popular artists out there who seem to have piggybacked their success on another artists style. I’m always amazed at this.There are a LOT of artists out there who have inspired me greatly, but I was given the advice to create my OWN style early on, so THAT’S what I’ve TRIED to do. I’m not sure if it’s worked yet, but I feel like I’m on my way.I just try to do the best job I can , and to make it as REAL as I can. There are certain limitations..or rather..certain tricks that I have to compensate to get the finished look..I’m basically pretty happy with where I’m headed..BUT I’M NOT THERE YET!!
Q2. As the artist of JSA, you get a unique set of characters to interpret. Some are 60 years old, and some are brand-new incarnations. How do you strike a balance between the classic and modern looks and make it all fit into one cohesive whole?
A2. I approach ALL of the characters the same way..To give them that realistic approach..It’s difficult when you consider SOME of these guys are supposed to be ..what, 80 years old? BUT..I do think it’s possible to make them vital and realistic.As far as the “balance” thing goes..I try sometimes to NOT make them blend so much..I LOVE the charm of seeing JAY GARRICK and JAKEEM THUNDER in the same panel..It really works…It’s what the book is ALL about actually.
Q3. Different teams of pencilers and inkers often have their own way of communicating or determining the best look for a project. What’s the process like between you and Mike Bair?
A3. Well..THAT’S a tricky question..I have heard of some GREAT Artist/Inker relationships. It’s something I have wanted from the beginning. Unfortunately..Michael Bair and I have never “gelled” as a “team”.There have been NUMEROUS conflicts ..usually on my end, not being happy with the results. I believe Mike has always seen himself as “the second penciller” on the book and made MANY changes to the drawings that I was VERY unhappy with. I understand that he and Rags Morales have a GREAT artistic relationship and that will make for a dynamic art team on HAWKMAN, the monthly series. I hope that with Christian Alamy on board as inker for the foreseeable future..JSA will be a stronger title artistically as well.
Q4. You did the Smash Comics special for the JSA 5th week event a couple of years back. I understand that you really did have a particular interest in drawing the Golden Age Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite. What about those two characters appeals to you particulary?
A4. I don’t know..They just seem to work well as a team..There’s SOMETHING about how they look together that really looks good. I think too, that they were a couple of the few that never had Silver Age counterparts. They always seemed more..honorable..sounds weird..MAYBE IT’S JUST THE CAPES!!!
Q5. In terms of individual JSA issues, what is your level of plot input?
A5. I really have very little input with the plots. Geoff and David come up with all the STORY stuff. That’s not to say I don’t throw in my two bits, when it comes to MY turn at the bat. Usually Geoff and I will go over the script and I’ll throw any ideas at him. Sometimes he’ll agree, sometimes not. I think he likes my input.There have been times when I take a certain license on a script, just from a visual standpoint. Sometimes slight changes need to be made just to help the artistic “flow”.Other than that, I let them do THEIR thing..it’s what THEY know BEST!!
Q6. What’s one Golden Age or Infinity Inc. character that you haven’t done yet that you’d like to bring in?
A6. Hmmmm..It seems we’re slowly doing them all…Ummm..Well, to start I was never a BIG INFINITY INC. fan in the day.. so the characters are ALMOST as new to me as they are to some of the new readers of today..so..I don’t have a BURNING INFINITY INC. jones to exorcise!! Perhaps Northwind..just because he looks so silly to me..I’d kinda like to see if I could make him “cool” looking, y’know? As far as GOLDEN AGERS? Ummm.. Bulletman would be fun…Firebrand maybe…Johnny Quick always had a GREAT costume..I think there’s still a TONNE of life left to those characters.
Q7. JSA routinely has the best last pages in comics. When you set to work on each last page, is it your personal goal to make each reader jump out of his or her seat?
A7. Heh..I’ve heard that before..Well..It’s my JOB to have EVERY PAGE make the reader jump out of their seats, but Yeah..Geoff and David have a knack for those last pages, don’t they? Well..It’s kind of the “money shot” isn’t it? It’s what makes the reader WANT to come back next month. Sort of like the old movie serials..If you leave them WANTING MORE..well,You’ve done your job. I LOVE the last pages, too.They are almost ALWAYS the fist page I do every month..just because they ARE so much fun.
Q8. Assuming that DC Direct does any figures based on the “newer incarnation” characters, like Sand, Mr. Terrific, or Atom-Smasher, will you get design input?
A8. I dunno..I would hope so..There has been some talk of the next wave of JSA figures to start on the new guys..but I haven’t heard anything official yet.
Q9. Basic comics question: who gets more chicks, the writer or the artist? [Editor's Note:Yes, I know. Mr. Sadowski said to ask him a question that no one else ever had. I think that qualifies.]
A9. Well..In our case the writers..DEFINITELY the writers..:)
Q10. Name the single best thing about being in comics.
A10. Well..This is a hard one..the SINGLE best thing??..NEVER HAVING TO GROW UP!! ( I can just hear the Psych students..”Peter Pan syndrome!!”);Getting to draw comics for a living. PERIOD. It’s what I’ve ALWAYS wanted to do. There are other factors like meeting and working with other freaks like me, but really just the ability to be creative and get my comics fix…it’s what makes it ALL worthwhile.
——————————————————————————–
We’d like to thank Mr. Sadowski and the rest of the JSA creative team for stopping by the Big Question! Hang your head in abject shame if you don’t read this book.
As always, if you have any suggestions for future Big Qs, contact Troy at psikotyk@aol.com
