*Special-Guest

This is the transcript from the Featured Chat with Stuart Immonen (*stuartimmonen).

[20:03:10] * stuartimmonen has joined #auditorium
[20:03:11] <tachy-on> Please help me in welcoming Stuart Immonen!
[20:03:19] <dan14lev> b0r3d13: wtfff
[20:03:22] <dan14lev>
[20:03:23] <moshdj2uk> b0r3d13: That's not an official emote though.
[20:03:23] <stuartimmonen> Hello everyone
[20:03:25] <angelofgod87> Wow!
[20:03:25] <b0r3d13> Dan14Lev:
[20:03:26] <anjules>
[20:03:28] <crackwalker> yay
[20:03:28] <kihanna> Hey hey!
[20:03:29] <athos-of-light>
[20:03:29] <obsidian-nightfire> welcome stuartimmonen
[20:03:30] <b0r3d13> moshdj2uk: oh
[20:03:30] <moshdj2uk> Hey Stuart.
[20:03:33] <codyo> stuartimmonen: Hello
[20:03:34] <b0r3d13> moshdj2uk:
[20:03:34] <anjum> Hi there!
[20:03:35] <angelofgod87> Welcome!
[20:03:36] <tachy-on>
[20:03:38] <squible> Heya stuartimmonen
[20:03:41] <frozenpandaman>
[20:03:42] <athos-of-light> stuartimmonen:
[20:03:46] <obsidian-nightfire>
[20:03:47] <frozenpandaman> stuartimmonen:
[20:03:50] <crackwalker> :woot:
[20:03:50] <moshdj2uk>
[20:03:54] <angelofgod87> haha
[20:03:56] <stuartimmonen> That's me...
[20:03:59] <dan14lev>
[20:04:10] <tachy-on> Welcome Stuart! We're very pleased you could join us for this Featured Chat.
[20:04:22] <stuartimmonen> Thanks very much... my pleasure.
[20:04:29] <tachy-on>
[20:04:31] <tachy-on> We're glad everyone else could join us too! This is a Panel-style featured chat, so the Audience will be muted for the duration of the event as our pre-selected Panel members ask their questions. So, sit back, relax, and we hope you enjoy this event!
[20:05:06] <tachy-on> There will be a log of the event for people that couldn't be here with us tonight
[20:05:24] <tachy-on> Misskittyooo, as acting Comics and Cartoons gallery director, would you like to introduce Stuart to the audience?
[20:05:42] <misskittyoooo> Stuart Immonen is a Canadian Comic artist who studied art at Toronto's York University. His first published work was a self-published series called Playground. He worked at some smaller comic book companies as well as Top Cow and Image Comics. He was hired by DC Comics and Marvel Comics in 1993 where he has drawn memorable characters such as Superman, Hulk, Legion of Superheros and X-men. Immonen's most recent work is Ultimate Spider-man, starting with issue #111. Immonen also maintains and online comic called Never as Bad as You Think which is co-authored by his wife, Kathryn.
[20:06:09] <stuartimmonen> Never As Bad finished up a year or so back...
[20:06:14] <stuartimmonen> .. since then...
[20:06:38] <stuartimmonen> Kathryn and I have been working on another longform webcomic called "Moving Pictures."
[20:06:49] <tachy-on>
[20:07:07] <stuartimmonen> We're 67 pages in... whew.
[20:07:11] <tachy-on> When is that due out Stuart?
[20:07:21] <stuartimmonen> Which project? MP?
[20:07:33] <tachy-on> Yes
[20:08:06] <stuartimmonen> In print, Moving Pictures will hopefully be in stores by this time next year, published by Top Shelf.
[20:08:26] <tachy-on> Awesome...
[20:08:36] <tachy-on> Okay, I'm sure the Panel is excited to start asking some questions...
[20:08:40] <stuartimmonen> "Never" will also be coming out in a HC print edition, probably by November.
[20:08:47] <stuartimmonen> Yes, let's go!
[20:08:49] <tachy-on> Cool
[20:08:59] <tachy-on> Okay, squible do you have a question for Stuart?
[20:09:06] <squible> stuartimmonen What made you decide to get into the Comic Industry?
[20:09:20] <stuartimmonen> I've always liked to draw...
[20:09:32] <stuartimmonen> ... and I've always liked comics.
[20:09:36] <stuartimmonen> .... I
[20:09:51] <stuartimmonen> never thoguht to put together the two interests until I was about 18.
[20:10:10] <tachy-on> And I bet the lure of the millions of dollars you can make in the Comics Industry helped too!
[20:10:29] <stuartimmonen> This was the late 80s, and there were a lot of b&w comics out... money didn't enter into it until later
[20:10:35] <tachy-on> heheh
[20:10:39] <stuartimmonen> Yeah, millions! :lol
[20:11:11] <stuartimmonen> There was a lot of energy in the industry then... seemed like a good way to turn 20.
[20:11:35] <stuartimmonen> I figured I could always return to University if it didn't pan out.
[20:12:07] <stuartimmonen> next?
[20:12:33] <tachy-on> perfect
[20:12:48] <tachy-on> Thanks Stuart, squible was your question answered okay?
[20:13:04] <squible> Tachy-on sure
[20:13:22] <magicalclover> Hey Stuart Do you make independent decisions on the paneling of your work, or do you have more strict guidelines given to you by the writer(s)? As your career has gone on, have you been able to make more independent decisions and had more creative freedom and control over your work?
[20:14:04] <stuartimmonen> 1) usually, the scripts include a description of the number of panels, and their contents.
[20:14:37] <stuartimmonen> This is open for change, if I can't make it work as written, or if I have a better/ different idea.
[20:15:05] <stuartimmonen> I've enjoyed a lot fo freedom since the beginning, I think...
[20:15:30] <stuartimmonen> ... writers and editors have been very willing to acommodate changes...
[20:15:51] <stuartimmonen> ... but I always try to give them what I think they want anyway.
[20:16:37] <stuartimmonen> Does that answer the question sufficiently?
[20:16:44] <magicalclover> Yes, thank you
[20:16:50] <stuartimmonen>
[20:16:50] <tachy-on>
[20:16:59] <tachy-on> anjum: You had a question yes?
[20:17:08] <anjum> Great to have you here Stuart
[20:17:12] <anjum> It's apparent that you use different methods and techniques to assist your penciling, like light-boxing and referencing with Google SketchUp. I'd very much like to hear about your process from script to finished pencils.
[20:17:23] <stuartimmonen> That's a big one!
[20:17:28] <tachy-on> wow lol
[20:17:30] <anjum> It can be brief!
[20:17:34] * tachy-on sits back
[20:17:38] <stuartimmonen> I'll try...
[20:18:28] <stuartimmonen> The script usually has panel descriptions and dialogue written in... I'll make a very small thumbnail of how I want the page divided up.
[20:18:38] <stuartimmonen> Usually just one or two inches high.
[20:19:06] <stuartimmonen> From there, I go straight to the drawing board-- they are 11x17 inches.
[20:19:36] <stuartimmonen> After I ruel the panel borders, I'll draw loosely in non-repro blue pencil...
[20:20:10] <stuartimmonen> The blue doesn't show up in scans, so I can be energetic and gestural.
[20:20:26] <stuartimmonen> I'll tighten the compositions up with regular lead pencil.
[20:20:49] <squible> How many thumbnails do you normally make for one page?
[20:20:59] <stuartimmonen> Just one
[20:21:25] <stuartimmonen> If I need to reference something, I'll gather photos
[20:21:32] <stuartimmonen> or build it in 3D
[20:21:53] <magicalclover> From card?
[20:22:04] <stuartimmonen> Sometimes I lightbox these models, but I usually just fit them in to the existing composition by eye.
[20:22:29] <stuartimmonen> Magical: no, virtual computer models.
[20:22:37] <crackwalker> do you ever get rough thumbnails from a writer?
[20:22:42] <magicalclover> Aah
[20:22:50] <stuartimmonen> Not usually, though that's a possibility.
[20:23:37] <stuartimmonen> So the photos or whatever are supplementary tools, not the primary source material.
[20:24:02] <stuartimmonen> That is the quickest version I could manage...
[20:24:12] <crackwalker>
[20:24:14] <anjum> Awesome
[20:24:21] <tachy-on> Great question anjum, thank you.
[20:24:29] <anjum> In addition
[20:24:29] <tachy-on> Kihanna: You are up!
[20:24:32] <kihanna> Righto!
[20:24:36] <kihanna> You have quite a variety of styles that you can do. What style do you enjoy doing the most?
[20:24:58] <stuartimmonen> I try to get the most out of the way I happen to be working at any point.
[20:25:15] <stuartimmonen> Sometimes I juggle a couple of styles at once, like on MP and USM.
[20:25:28] <stuartimmonen> It usually takes a few minutes to set in.
[20:25:30] <stuartimmonen>
[20:25:42] <stuartimmonen> I also..
[20:25:57] <stuartimmonen> try to choose a style that suits the type and tone of the story.
[20:26:04] <kihanna> Makes sense. Whatever works out
[20:26:11] <stuartimmonen> Cartoony, or dark, yes, exactly.
[20:26:18] <stuartimmonen> I'll also...
[20:26:35] <stuartimmonen> attempt to modify the way I work depending on who's inking or colouring.
[20:26:57] <kihanna> So whatever suits how they work also?
[20:27:08] <stuartimmonen> Yes, I try, anyway.
[20:27:21] <stuartimmonen> OK?
[20:28:01] <tachy-on> Kihanna: Does that answer your question?
[20:28:05] <kihanna> Yup yup
[20:28:21] <tachy-on> Okay... crackwalker, you are up
[20:28:31] <crackwalker> hey
[20:28:34] <crackwalker> You've made statements before about how the comics industry has lost touch with children. Do you have any advice for the comics industry to help them reconnect with younger readers?
[20:28:57] <stuartimmonen> They need age-appropriate stories, first.
[20:29:31] <stuartimmonen> And I think it's a problem that characters are used for both mature- and younger-reader stories.
[20:29:35] <tachy-on> wb GH-MoNGo
[20:29:44] <gh-mongo> Tachy-on: thanks :B
[20:29:44] <stuartimmonen> People who aren't familiar with comics...
[20:30:11] <stuartimmonen> ... don't know the difference between one type and the other... not without looking carefully.
[20:30:19] <stuartimmonen> They also need....
[20:30:39] <stuartimmonen> ... to get comics into more mainstream venues.
[20:30:57] <stuartimmonen> The trade and HC expansion has helped in this way.
[20:31:03] <crackwalker> They have Trade paperbacks at chapters...
[20:31:11] <stuartimmonen> Yes, that's right.
[20:31:15] <crackwalker> but you have to know they're there
[20:31:22] <stuartimmonen> That's right, too!
[20:31:25] <crackwalker> waaaay in the back
[20:31:30] <tachy-on> heheh
[20:31:38] <anjum>
[20:31:39] <stuartimmonen> They are in their own section, and usually away from the kid's section
[20:31:49] <stuartimmonen> Manga is more spread out...
[20:31:50] <misskittyoooo> Most of it's Manga too
[20:32:02] <stuartimmonen> ... different genres in different sections of the store.
[20:32:20] <gh-mongo> Chapters = Canadian bookstore chain?
[20:32:26] <tachy-on> GH-MoNGo: Yes
[20:32:29] <gh-mongo> ah, thank you
[20:32:34] <magicalclover> Haha same!
[20:32:39] <crackwalker> There's been some recent comics versions of young readers' book like Artemis fowl
[20:32:41] <stuartimmonen> There are probably many other things the business could do... I'm not a marketing person....
[20:33:02] <stuartimmonen> Yes, true... I'm not sure how well they reach kids.
[20:33:16] <stuartimmonen> How many copies sold, etc...
[20:33:38] <crackwalker> true
[20:33:44] <kihanna> Yeah, like Marvel Adventures
[20:33:48] <stuartimmonen> I think some of the traditonal publishers that now do comics....
[20:33:58] <stuartimmonen> like Random House and Scholastic...
[20:34:23] <stuartimmonen> are not always getting the best comic people they can....
[20:34:40] <stuartimmonen> I could be wrong. Again, I don't know enough about the "business" part.
[20:34:51] <tachy-on>
[20:34:58] <crackwalker> cool
[20:35:01] <stuartimmonen> Thanks.
[20:35:16] <tachy-on> Great question and answer,thanks guys
[20:35:33] <tachy-on> GH-MoNGo: You had a question?
[20:35:36] <gh-mongo> yes
[20:35:45] <gh-mongo> Many people speculate that in four or five years, print comics will give way to full digital media; comics that you download to your phone or PDA. What are your thoughts on this? What are the advantages (and disadvantages) to such a format?
[20:35:59] <stuartimmonen> Oh, I have no idea!
[20:36:06] <stuartimmonen> This might happen!
[20:36:06] <tachy-on> lolz... next!
[20:36:11] <stuartimmonen> no, no...
[20:36:13] <gh-mongo>
[20:36:15] <tachy-on> heheh
[20:36:25] <anjum>
[20:36:29] <magicalclover> What is your preference if you have one?
[20:36:36] <stuartimmonen> I think five years might be to soon...
[20:36:43] <stuartimmonen> first of all.
[20:37:02] <crackwalker> we could run out of trees...
[20:37:07] <tachy-on> lol
[20:37:10] <kihanna> Haha
[20:37:11] <magicalclover> :0
[20:37:13] <gh-mongo>
[20:37:20] <stuartimmonen> I do like print. A friend sent me a PDF of a comic he did, and it's taken me a week to get through.
[20:37:32] <stuartimmonen> Yes, trees need to be conserved.
[20:37:51] <stuartimmonen> But comics are printed too expensively here in North America
[20:38:06] <crackwalker> Do you miss newsprint?
[20:38:06] <stuartimmonen> With colour and glossy paper-- they are too collectable, still
[20:38:22] <squible> A phone or PDA might have some navigation issues as well, a turning of a page is a lot easier than pressing several buttons to get to a certain point
[20:38:23] <stuartimmonen> I don't mind newsprint.
[20:38:39] <stuartimmonen> Yes, the multi-platform issue is tricky, too.
[20:39:00] <stuartimmonen> I'm sure someone can overcome it, though.
[20:39:09] <sine-out> e-book readers with e-paper are a better digital option, but none of them have colour at present
[20:39:15] <magicalclover> The pleasure of owning the book and being able to hold it is something that I would personally miss if this did come about.
[20:39:24] <misskittyoooo> Ditto
[20:39:32] <misskittyoooo> I love printed comics
[20:39:33] <stuartimmonen> I just think that print comics don't have to be "precious".
[20:39:35] <anjum> Same here
[20:39:45] <squible> true, pixels have a different feel than paper
[20:39:48] <stuartimmonen> MagicalClover, yes, people still like "things". Nice things.
[20:39:59] <magicalclover> Indeed
[20:40:12] <stuartimmonen> But the average monthy series should be consumed and recycled.
[20:40:13] <magicalclover> I can see the benefit of digital though, definitely.
[20:40:25] <crackwalker> I love my collected Dr Strange printed in B&amp;W on newsprint
[20:40:49] <kihanna> Yeah, Essentials and Showcases are awesome. And cheap.
[20:40:54] <stuartimmonen> My personal preference is print, but I'm willing to take advantage of greater readership, many platforms, etc of digital.
[20:40:58] <squible> Though I have seen several comic sites offer a few pages for free, but the rest require a subscription fee
[20:41:23] <stuartimmonen> There are many comics online for free now...
[20:41:26] <tachy-on> stuartimmonen: That's a very good point about it might having a greater readership.
[20:41:27] <stuartimmonen> All free!
[20:41:32] <tachy-on> yes
[20:41:37] <magicalclover> I agree, good answer.
[20:41:49] <stuartimmonen> I think that covers it. Yes?
[20:42:01] <tachy-on> Yes, I think so, crackwalker you good?
[20:42:09] <tachy-on> oh, that was GH-MoNGo's question lol
[20:42:14] <gh-mongo>
[20:42:14] <magicalclover>
[20:42:21] <gh-mongo> yeah, sorry if I threw you a curveball there!
[20:42:25] <tachy-on> Okay, squible, you're up again!
[20:42:29] <squible> I know about several other artists who work on a comic, are there any colorists, inkers, or writers who fit your style, or have you found it easier to do some of these jobs yourself?
[20:42:48] <crackwalker> I'm good
[20:42:51] <crackwalker>
[20:43:09] <stuartimmonen> Well, I'm too slow to do all of those jobs on a monthly...
[20:43:49] <stuartimmonen> ... but if I can do inks and colours on something like a cover or pinup, then I like to. It's fun, and it challenges a different part of my brain.
[20:44:13] <stuartimmonen> I've been working with Wade Von Grawbadger (inker) for over a decade now... he's tops.
[20:44:32] <stuartimmonen> Always able and willing to try something new. And super-talented.
[20:44:44] <crackwalker> He's da bomm
[20:44:48] <stuartimmonen> I LOVED Dave McCaig's colours on Nextwave, too.
[20:45:04] <stuartimmonen> Actually NW was a high point for everyone who worked on it.
[20:45:29] <stuartimmonen> squible: But I wouldn't say it's easier, not for me.
[20:45:43] <stuartimmonen> Sometimes fun, never easy!
[20:45:50] <tachy-on>
[20:45:52] <crackwalker> You did all the finishes yourself on 'Secret Identity'
[20:46:06] <stuartimmonen> Yes, and it took over 2 years to complete...
[20:46:10] <tachy-on> haha
[20:46:19] <tachy-on>
[20:46:20] <squible> I was wondering since I've asked for help from others but several parts didn't feel right, has that happened?
[20:46:29] <stuartimmonen> ... it was one of the reasons I tried to open up my working style for subsequent jobs.
[20:46:51] <stuartimmonen> It can be hard to find good collaborators.
[20:47:03] <stuartimmonen> Even very talented people don't always mesh well.
[20:47:09] <crackwalker> so you were lucky to find Wade
[20:47:16] <stuartimmonen> Well, he found me!
[20:47:21] <crackwalker> ?
[20:47:23] <stuartimmonen> But, yes, lucky.
[20:47:40] <stuartimmonen> He approached me at a Dragon*Con in the early 90s
[20:47:55] <stuartimmonen> He was associated with the Gaijin Studio group in Atlanta
[20:48:08] <stuartimmonen> And was looking for work. I was on Legion of Superheoes at DC
[20:48:26] <stuartimmonen> This kind of networking happens a lot in comics.
[20:48:44] <stuartimmonen> Getting jobs can really depend on who you know.
[20:48:56] <crackwalker> does he still live in Atlanta
[20:49:06] <stuartimmonen> No, he's on the west coast now.
[20:49:23] <crackwalker> so you work via email and couriers and such
[20:49:38] <stuartimmonen> Yes, more by "e" now than ever.
[20:49:56] <stuartimmonen> Pages used to have to be sent to the Marvel offices...
[20:50:05] <stuartimmonen> ... and then to the inker or whomever...
[20:50:18] <stuartimmonen> now, an emailed scan is good enough.
[20:50:28] <stuartimmonen> Sometimes, with the right setup...
[20:50:58] <stuartimmonen> ... an inker can receive a scan, print in on his or her own paper, and ink that way. Or with a tablet onscreen.
[20:51:25] <stuartimmonen> I inked almost all (?) the Nextwave covers with my tablet.
[20:51:38] <stuartimmonen> OK?
[20:51:41] <tachy-on>
[20:51:49] <tachy-on> Yep!
[20:51:53] <tachy-on> Okay, MagicalClover?
[20:51:53] <stuartimmonen>
[20:51:58] <magicalclover>
[20:52:01] <magicalclover> You've said you reference photos as a source for your images. Do you ever work from life as well? Figure drawing for example?
[20:52:18] <magicalclover> Or on location drawing for buildings, etc?
[20:52:25] <stuartimmonen> More for fun than for work....
[20:52:44] <stuartimmonen> although I'll take a quick photo of myself for reference...
[20:52:55] <stuartimmonen> for an expression or for a complicated pose.
[20:53:06] <magicalclover> Mm-hm
[20:53:08] <crackwalker> I saw that one you did for Nextwave
[20:53:13] <stuartimmonen> It's also not necessary to be "onsite"...
[20:53:20] <stuartimmonen> crack-- yes, that's right.
[20:53:23] <crackwalker> where you're posing for the hole in the chest
[20:53:28] <stuartimmonen> .yes
[20:53:47] <stuartimmonen> ... for buildings, as there is SO much material online for famous sites.
[20:53:57] <stuartimmonen> Or Google Earth
[20:54:25] <stuartimmonen> If I need ref on New York... which I frequently do....
[20:54:33] <stuartimmonen> Google Earth is AMAZING.
[20:54:37] <anjum> The internet is a huge resource for comic artists, that's for sure.
[20:54:37] <tachy-on> heheh
[20:54:42] <stuartimmonen> SMaller cities, not so much.
[20:54:45] <magicalclover> It's a wonderful resource.
[20:55:04] <stuartimmonen> You have to know how to use it and make it work for you, though.
[20:55:07] <magicalclover> So, more observational drawing for your 'free' time then? Relaxing?
[20:55:13] <stuartimmonen> Yes.
[20:55:15] <magicalclover>
[20:55:17] <crackwalker> Sergio Aragones used to keep a library of National Geographics near his drawing table
[20:55:24] <magicalclover> Thank you
[20:55:26] <stuartimmonen> Not too much free time lately.
[20:55:32] <magicalclover> I thought not haha
[20:55:32] <gh-mongo> I could imagine
[20:55:39] <tachy-on> lol
[20:55:40] <stuartimmonen> I have a number of NGs nearby myself.
[20:55:43] <magicalclover> Hence my 'free'
[20:55:51] <stuartimmonen> BIG quotes.
[20:56:13] <magicalclover>
[20:56:13] <stuartimmonen> I do try to sketch en plein air when I can.
[20:56:25] <magicalclover> Awesome
[20:56:29] <stuartimmonen>
[20:56:31] <tachy-on> Okay MagicalClover, did that answer your question?
[20:56:38] <magicalclover> Indeed! Very well, thank you
[20:56:42] <tachy-on>
[20:56:44] <anjum> Centifolia is a good example collecting your studies
[20:56:50] <stuartimmonen> Thanks anjum!
[20:57:09] <tachy-on> Okay, anjum, you're actually up next!
[20:57:16] <anjum> What's the most rewarding thing about working in the comics field?... While on the subject, what’s the worst thing about working in the comics business?
[20:57:22] <stuartimmonen> whew...
[20:57:27] <anjum>
[20:57:28] <crackwalker> heh heh
[20:57:40] <stuartimmonen> It's a small business, so it can be like a family...
[20:57:47] <tachy-on> stuartimmonen: If you need a break at any time, just let us know
[20:57:52] <stuartimmonen> ... this can be both good and bad!
[20:58:18] <stuartimmonen> An editor at Marvel told me...
[20:58:30] <stuartimmonen> If someone at DC farts, they can smell it at Marvel.
[20:58:36] <magicalclover> Hahahaha
[20:58:37] <anjules> lol
[20:58:40] <anjum> Hahaha!
[20:58:40] <gh-mongo>
[20:58:43] <crackwalker> eew
[20:58:47] <magicalclover> XD
[20:59:01] <tachy-on>
[20:59:02] <gh-mongo> I'd hate to think what they serve at those hot dog carts outside DC HQ
[20:59:11] <stuartimmonen>
[20:59:26] <stuartimmonen> So getting to know a lot of people is rewarding,
[20:59:45] <stuartimmonen> From diffferent places. Travelling is HUGE draw for me.
[21:00:03] <crackwalker> Get to South America much?
[21:00:09] <stuartimmonen> I wish! Not yet.
[21:00:19] <magicalclover> England?
[21:00:24] <stuartimmonen> No...;(
[21:00:28] <stuartimmonen>
[21:00:29] <magicalclover> Boo hahah
[21:00:51] <stuartimmonen> If I can, I'll go to a con or festival and stay on a bit.
[21:00:53] <crackwalker> You'll never get to meet Alan Moore that way
[21:01:04] <stuartimmonen> Not unless I go to his house, I think.
[21:01:17] <crackwalker>
[21:01:23] <stuartimmonen> So that's the best thing.
[21:01:30] <stuartimmonen> The worst?
[21:01:30] <anjum> Cool!
[21:01:51] <stuartimmonen> Not sure-- it's a lot of work, and not much time built in for vacation like normal people.
[21:02:21] <crackwalker> that's a drag
[21:02:23] <stuartimmonen> I wish that I could manage my time better, that's the worst.
[21:02:24] <magicalclover> Worth it though?
[21:02:29] <anjum> Yeah, especially with monthly regular work.
[21:02:29] <stuartimmonen> Oh yes.
[21:02:34] <tachy-on> We'll have 2 more questions after this one is answered and then we'll wrap it up
[21:02:41] <magicalclover>
[21:02:41] <stuartimmonen> TY anjum
[21:02:41] <tachy-on>
[21:02:56] <tachy-on> Okay then...
[21:03:02] <anjum> Thank you!
[21:03:03] <tachy-on> Kihanna you're up!
[21:03:12] <kihanna> How do you like working with Bendis on Ultimate Spider-man? What's it like working with him.
[21:03:20] <stuartimmonen> Brian
[21:03:26] <stuartimmonen> is a pro's pro.
[21:03:39] <stuartimmonen> He's always five or six issues ahead...
[21:03:40] <kihanna> He's insane.
[21:03:48] <anjum>
[21:03:52] <stuartimmonen> and he's also an artist, so he thinks visually.
[21:04:40] <stuartimmonen> We don't talk a lot...
[21:04:41] <kihanna> Is that at all intimidating?
[21:04:47] <stuartimmonen> no, not really.
[21:05:08] <stuartimmonen> ... but that's a mark of respect, I think. I trust him, and he lets me do what I do best.
[21:05:27] <crackwalker> Are there many changes after you deliver pencils to him?
[21:05:31] <stuartimmonen> There haven't been any problems so far...
[21:05:37] <stuartimmonen> none, actually.
[21:05:48] <crackwalker> wow
[21:05:54] <tachy-on>
[21:06:05] <magicalclover> That's awesome that you have a mutual respect for one another.
[21:06:07] <stuartimmonen> I send my work to the editor... and Brian sees them after. I never hear a peep.
[21:06:22] <kihanna> Well that's good.
[21:06:23] <stuartimmonen> It's the best way to work
[21:06:43] <tachy-on> Okay, is that question answered folks?
[21:06:51] <anjum> You work with Bill Rosemann, right?
[21:06:58] <stuartimmonen> Yes, that's right.
[21:07:21] <anjum> Cool!
[21:07:29] <kihanna> *thumbsup*
[21:07:37] <crackwalker> XD
[21:07:40] <tachy-on> Okay, Kihanna does that all answer your question?
[21:07:46] <kihanna> Ayurp
[21:07:47] <stuartimmonen> Not exclusively, though. Nick Lowe is the editor on Hellcat, for which I provide covers.
[21:07:54] <stuartimmonen> For example.
[21:08:11] <anjum> Oh! I see.
[21:08:17] <crackwalker> Loved Hellcat in MCP
[21:08:24] <anjum> Excellent work
[21:08:26] <stuartimmonen> TY. I'll tell Kathryn
[21:08:33] <tachy-on>
[21:08:36] <tachy-on> stuartimmonen: You ready for your last question of the night!
[21:08:44] <stuartimmonen> sure!
[21:08:52] <crackwalker> What's your take on the way Nextwave was received by the comic-buying public? Among people I've spoken to, reactions were polarized; either people 'got it' and enjoyed it immensely, or they wrote it off as a 'arody book' and thought it was a waste of time.
[21:08:52] <tachy-on> Okay crackwalker, you have the honors.
[21:08:59] <crackwalker> beat ya to it
[21:08:59] <tachy-on> wow, he's fast.
[21:09:09] <stuartimmonen> I think that makes sense.
[21:09:32] <stuartimmonen> Parody or comedy superhero comics have usually very hot but short lifespans.
[21:09:49] <crackwalker> I'd go in to the shop and ask for it, and get these looks. slow shake of the head
[21:09:53] <stuartimmonen> Even with big name characters like the JLA titles.
[21:10:09] <stuartimmonen> Yeah, people take their continuity seriously.
[21:10:31] <stuartimmonen> It's kind of too bad... but like you say, the people who enjoyed it, LOVED it.
[21:10:40] <crackwalker> I don't know if Kirby ever took it that seriously
[21:11:04] <stuartimmonen> I don't know either... I think he had a good time, and did the best he could.
[21:11:27] <stuartimmonen> I was happy to take a stab at Devil Dinosaur myself.
[21:11:27] <crackwalker> how else could someone come up with a character like MODOK
[21:11:32] <stuartimmonen>
[21:11:37] <crackwalker> Devil Dino was Awesome
[21:11:40] <tachy-on>
[21:12:02] <anjum> Fin Fan Foom was hilarious too!
[21:12:03] <stuartimmonen> I do wish we'd been able to make it go past 12 issues.
[21:12:19] <stuartimmonen> But the appetite was not strong enough...
[21:12:36] <crackwalker> there's always hope - sometimes trades do very well... ?
[21:12:37] <stuartimmonen> Perhaps in a different format?
[21:12:42] <stuartimmonen> Yes, exactly.
[21:12:55] <stuartimmonen> It's up to Warren right now....
[21:12:59] <anjum> Hopefully you'll all get together for another mini series in the future. I'd very much like to see that.
[21:13:07] <kihanna> Would you do it again/more if it ever happened?
[21:13:21] <crackwalker> was it very different working with Ellis (as opposed to Bendis?)
[21:13:23] <stuartimmonen> ... the support is there at Marvel, and I and Wade and Dave are in if it comes together.
[21:13:35] <stuartimmonen> crack, no.... totally hands-off.
[21:13:40] <stuartimmonen> the saem way.
[21:13:42] <stuartimmonen> saem
[21:13:46] <crackwalker> LOL
[21:13:47] <stuartimmonen> same... getting tired...
[21:13:57] <anjum>
[21:13:59] <tachy-on>
[21:14:02] <tachy-on> Okay!
[21:14:03] <crackwalker>
[21:14:07] <tachy-on> Well Stuart...
[21:14:14] <tachy-on> I want to thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be here for this Featured Chat event. Really, thanks so much Stuart!
[21:14:16] <crackwalker> you've been great
[21:14:26] <magicalclover> Yes, thank you ever so much It's been really interesting!
[21:14:31] <kihanna> Yeah! Thanks a ton!
[21:14:34] <tachy-on>
[21:14:36] <stickmanwww>
[21:14:37] <sting1>
[21:14:38] <magicalclover>
[21:14:38] <anjum> Thank you very much, Stuart!
[21:14:38] <stuartimmonen> Thanks everyone, for the interest!
[21:14:41] <squible> What fun it is to talk to someone in the field you want to be in
[21:14:45] <magicalclover> Our pleasure
[21:14:54] <ananasjihad> Thanks Stuart!
[21:15:00] <magicalclover> Agreed Squible
[21:15:00] <dustin-archibald> Thanks!
[21:15:01] <stuartimmonen> It
[21:15:02] <dan14lev>
[21:15:06] <mechangel2002> Thanks Stuart!
[21:15:14] <stuartimmonen> It's been fun-- thanks again!
[21:15:16] <gravemaster7> It's always interesting to hear about the goings-on with professional artists. Thanks!
[21:15:27] <squible> MagicalClover I really should pay attention to these kind of events more
[21:15:43] <magicalclover> squible - Same
[21:15:52] <captivx> The man, The legend, the guy who draws dinosaurs with guns
[21:15:55] <ed-spike-link>
[21:15:59] <stuartimmonen> bye all-- until next time.
[21:16:01] <gh-mongo> Thanks!
[21:16:02] <caektiems>
[21:16:07] <tachy-on>
[21:16:08] <magicalclover> squible - Was awesome to be on the panel
[21:16:09] <rsj> laters Stuart Immonen
[21:16:12] <magicalclover> yes, byee!
[21:16:15] <magicalclover>
[21:16:16] <misskittyoooo>
[21:16:17] <stickmanwww> Bye stuartimmonen
[21:16:18] <kihanna> Byyyeee!
[21:16:22] <ed-spike-link>
[21:16:22] <anjum> Bye! Keep up the great work.
[21:16:23] * stuartimmonen has left #auditorium ( )