The COMP Magazine Daniel Warren Johnson - Martok, Space-Mullet & Beyond...

Through his webcomic Space-Mullet (now available in printed form via Dark Horse Comics), artist commissions and freelance efforts, comic artist Daniel Warren Johnson is establishing himself as one of the mediums rising talents. This is clearly illustrated in his thoughtful storytelling, wry wit, and diligent work ethic. This week The COMP Magazine caught up with Johnson at his north side studio located near Winnemac Park to discuss his early introduction to figure drawing, his wonderfully conceptualized webcomic, Space-Mullet, his ongoing fascination with Kaiju, and the numerous commissions and projects that are currently in process.

Daniel Warren Johnson, Space-Mullet, volume 1, chapter 3, 2013

You are from out east near Boston, but have since settled in Chicago. I am wandering if we can start with you sharing with us a little background? Perhaps, you could offer any insight on what piqued your interest to focus upon comic art and illustration. Are there any specific experiences or individuals that inspired this pursuit?

I loved reading when I was little, but I especially loved the big collections of newspaper strips. Calvin and Hobbes is what first comes to mind. I would read it every single day. It was Watterson’s work that first exposed me to cartooning, and stretching forms to highlight action and movement. Of course my parents helped a lot in my artistic growth as well. They signed me up for drawing classes when I was in late elementary school, where I met Rosetta, a small Italian lady who specialized in traditional figure drawing and painting. I suppose she saw something in me, because she promptly approached my parents and told me I should try figure drawing under her supervision. I was then the only sixth grader in a room full of high school and adult students, drawing the human form three times a week. I hated it at the time, but it did wonders for me later on. Rosetta forced me to concentrate on the “rules” of drawing, which set the foundation for me diving into cartooning.

Daniel Warren Johnson, Space-Mullet, volume 1, chapter 4, 2013

Lets jump into Space-Mullet! This is a wonderfully playful, yet complex sci-fi series that was first realized as a webcomic in 2012, but has since been published by Dark Horse Comics. Can you share with us an introduction on your initial intent for this series? Have you seen any specific changes or adaptations in the 4 years you’ve been creating this work?

When I first started Space-Mullet, it was simply me trying to get better at writing and drawing comics. I started my career by taking any illustration job I could get, and then fitting in Space-Mullet whenever I could find the time. It started as (and still is) a labor of love, but it also freed me to try new storytelling techniques and tools on it. Because of that, Space-Mullet has gone through many stylistic and visual changes over the years. It’s essentially been a blank canvas for me to try new things on. Some of these have been successful, and some not so much, but as a learning tool it’s been absolutely life changing.

Daniel Warren Johnson, Space-Mullet, volume 1, chapter 4, 2013

Tell us about Jonah and Alphius. Their relationship reminds one of those somewhat uncomfortable familial exchanges. I’m wandering if their personas are taken from any personal experience or people in your life?

They are, in fact! There are elements to each character that have been influenced by a handful of close friends and relatives. Mostly though, Alphius reminds me of myself, or rather, the person that I wish I was, while Jonah is the person that I feel that I actually am. I like the idea of using two different parts of myself as conflicting characters, who love each other, but in an awkward, frustrating way.

Daniel Warren Johnson, Star Wars Sketch Cover Commission, 2016

I am interested in the diverse content that you post in social media and on your website. Having grown up with Star Wars, your “Green Leader” post (6/5/15) stands out. I am wandering what role social media plays in your working method. How do you balance this time consuming aspect within your daily schedule?

Social media, especially Twitter, has really helped expose my work to people who have the ability to give me paying work. Because of that, I still try and post as much art as I can, especially my commissions, or projects that I do for fun, like Green Leader. As long as I only post art or comic related things, it keeps me focused on the work at hand. Also, I know all too well the feeling of a day wasted because of being distracted by a computer, so that keeps me away from it most of the time.

Daniel Warren Johnson, Ladytron Commission, 2016

While at your place, I noticed that you work primarily in a traditional tactile manner, rather than digitally. Your use of line and layout reminds me of the work of Paul Pope and other artists that use a looser, more fluid approach. I am wandering if you can describe your process in terms of developing narrative and your aesthetic style?

Certainly. When reading comics that I loved, I noticed that I didn’t focus too terribly on the small details. As long as I knew what was going on in a scene, and where it was taking place, I enjoyed the story just as much as if everything had been perfectly rendered. That being said, I do love detail, especially drawing it. So from the beginning, I tried to incorporate details in my work in a loose way, something that wouldn’t tie me down when needing to finish a page in a realistic amount of time. This has helped form my own style, and I’m thankful now that I thought it out beforehand, as it keeps me from burning out. When developing stories, I usually have to start with loose character designs, and when I know what a character will look like (for the most part), I can start writing them. Even when writing a narrative, things can change on the fly. Sometimes, when thumb-nailing an issue I’ve written out, it doesn’t work. When that happens, I have to sit down and sketch the whole thing out, step by step visually, until I’m happy with the result.

Daniel Warren Johnson, Life in a New Land, Illustration for NewStory Church, 2016

In our conversation, you noted your deep fascination with Guillermo del Torro’s Pacific Rim (2013). Can you tell us what you’ve been reading? Are there any other comics or films that people need to get out there and see?

I love Kaijumaxx, by Xander Cannon. Wonderful story and the art is very unique. I’ve been enjoying One Punch Man tremendously. I’ve also been enjoying a Texan author, S.C. Gwynne, who wrote Empire of the Summer Moon, one of my favorite non fiction novels. And my favorite movie, of course, is Children of Men. Fantastic piece of fiction. Life changing.

Daniel Warren Johnson, MARTOK, Cover, 2016

What are you currently working upon? Do you have any other projects in addition to Space-Mullet in process? Are there any upcoming Comic Cons or other events you will be participating in?

I have a new series that I’m writing and drawing that will be announced sometime in October 2016, and that’s taking up most of my time. I’m also working on a twelve page fan comic about the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 Klingon, MARTOK, which I’ll have with me at New York Comic Con in October.