10 Quick With Artist Freddie E. Williams II

Freddie E. Williams II is the current artist on JSA: All-Stars, and has come a long way since a 7-year stint at Hallmark. But before moving up to work for DC, he would do work for Image, Paladium and Independent Comic companies on titles such as Invincible, Noble Causes and Project Eon. His work for DC first began with the 2005 San Diego Comic-Con and the DC Talent Search. Williams submitted his portfolio, and a couple of months later recieved the call to do three issues of Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle, which would lead to him doing runs on both The Flash and Robin, which would lead to fill-in work on 52, Countdown, Aquaman, Blue Beetle, Outsiders and more.

DC knew talent when they saw it, and signed Williams to an exclusive contract in 2006. Williams is also one of a select group of artists that work primarily in digital format, with the exception of the occasional page, and the commissions he does through his website. Because of his amazing digital abilities, DC tapped him to write The DC Comics Guide To Digitally Drawing Comics. Check out Freddie’s website to see lot’s of work, and buy one of his amazing commissions. Williams has been on JSA: All-Stars since the beginning of the title, and I caught up with him via his Twitter and he agreed to do an interview. Here’s what he had to say.

ACBB: What was it like recieving the call from DC to do work on your Seven Soldiers issues?

Freddie: It shot me up out of bed, on an early Friday morning – I wasn’t prepared for it and since I had been trying so long to get something going with DC I thought it was a friend playing a prank on me.

ACBB: What was it like when you found out DC wanted to sign you to an exclusive contract?

Freddie: Again, I was completely unprepared and got the call while coming back from lunch with a friend, it was almost a year to the day from when I had started on Robin.

ACBB: Your most well-known projects are Robin and JSA All Stars. On Robin you worked with Adam Beechen, and on JSA you work with Matthew Sturges. What is it like working with them?

Freddie: With Adam Beechen, he was virtually brad new just like me so were both finding our way together,  and with Matt Sturges we are highly collaborative and its cool seeing some of the crazy ideas he comes up with – 26 Dimension Hyper Gryphon anyone?!

ACBB: You’re one of a select group of artists that work nearly completely digital. What is it about digital art that is so appealing, is it easier or do you just like being able to make on-the-fly adjustments to your work?

Freddie: Working Digital, is more versatile, so on-the-fly adjustments are a big draw but working digitally can also improve the quality of your work as well.

ACBB: What titles are you currently reading, and who are your favorite artists and writers?

Freddie: Mainly, I wait for trades – I am reading Invincible and DC Comics’ collections; Superman vs. Brainiac, JLA/Avengers, Superman Past & Future.  As far as artists of course Jim Lee, Mike Mignola and Arthur Adams and as for writers Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, Robert Kirkman and Alan More.

ACBB: Are there any specific titles or characters you’d like to draw that you haven’t already?

Freddie: I would love to draw Batman, I have gotten to draw him in Robin but I would love to draw for the title and the all time crown jewel of course is Superman.

ACBB: What was it like doing The DC Comics Guide To Digitally Drawing Comics?

Freddie: It was a labor of love – it was over two year in the making. I couldn’t have done without John Morgan, he was my editor for that book and a great help for sure. DC was completely understanding on deadlines as well, since I was always doing Robin and The Flash while I was writing The DC Comics Guide to Digitally Drawing Comics.

ACBB: Are there any specific writers you’d like to work with?

Freddie: I have been fortunate enough to work with Mark Waid and Grant Morrison early on in my career but with welcome the opportunity again. I would love to work with Robrt Kirkman or Alan More.

ACBB: Which of your past projects did you enjoy doing the most?

Freddie: I really got to know Robin really well, and I miss working on that the most.  I enjoyed the story and I enjoyed the art work. I really got to go dark with it and loved playing with the shadows.  But I am always excited to work on new projects and themed books and JSA All Stars has pushed me artistically on every level.

ACBB: Are there any upcoming projects you’re involved in besides JSA All Stars?

Freddie: Currently, I’m on some artwork for the new DC comic’s who’s who series, and some 3D modeling for DC as well.

Once again, huge thanks to Freddie for the interview, to see his work check out JSA: All-Stars at your local comic book store asap! Make sure to come back to ACB for reviews, blogs and soon, and interview with upcoming Green Lantern Corps artist Ardian Syaf!

–moyermason@yahoo.com

Tags: Freddie E. Williams Interview JSA: All-Stars Robin