Q & A with the cover artist of Phantom comics published by Regal publishers in India
Q1. Tell us briefly
about your background. Are you a professional artist? Where exactly do you
stay? Where did you study? etc
I'm a professional Italian comic book artist and illustrator, and I'm currently
living in France.
I've done this job for the last 19 years, mostly for French publishers, but
also for US, Swedish and Australian publisher.
Q2. Who were your inspirations? Did you get inspired by any particular
artist?
I have many
inspirations, from US, Italians, Argentinian and French comics. Joe Kubert,
Alan Davis, Ralph Meyer, Hermann, Domingo Mandrafina...The list is too long to
do it! I also love looking at some classic painters and illustrators, like
Zorn, Sorolla, Mort Kunstler, Dean Cornwell...
Q3. Are you a
Phantom fan yourself? When were you introduced to Phantom?
Yes! I don't remember exactly when I've started to read the Phantom. I was
probably around twenty-five, but immediately loved the character, and the Idea
of a Phantom dynasty.
Q.4 Tell us a bit about Phantom comics publishing in Italy. is
Phantom still popular there?
Phantom has been
quite popular in Italy in the sixties. He was known as "L'uomo
mascherato" (the masked man). It has been published until the nineties,
then it has almost disappeared, and now it's just a thing for nostalgic fans.
Q5. How did you get to draw Phantom covers for Fantomen?
Thanks to a friend,
I've discovered that the Phantom was still be published in Sweden, were they
produced new stories and also plenty of new covers.
I've sent a portfolio to the editor. He liked it and he proposed me to do some
covers.
Q6. Who is your
favourite Phantom artist ? Why ?
From the past, Sy
Berry, of course. From the actual artists, Henrik Sahlstrom. His covers are
amazing. Very powerful and effective!!!
Q7. How do the
current Phantom artists compare with the classic ones like McCoy/Sy Barry?
Personally, It's hard. But I understood that I can't do what they did, and that
I have to find a way to b get "my" Phantom.
Q8. How did you
decide to get to draw the cover for the Phantom comics by Regal?
My dream is to do at least one Phantom cover for each country where is
published. So, I've contacted Regal and asked them if they were interested.
Q9. Did you receive any guidelines from King Features to draw the cover?
No. I never have
any guidelines from KF. Just from the local editors. In this case, from Regal.
They just asked me to do a "Phantom in the jungle". So ,that's what I
did! 😊
Q10. Were you able
to read the stories before you drew the cover ?
No. That almost never happens.
Q.11 Do you draw digitally now or the traditional way using paper and pencil?
I use both. The Phantom cover I did for Regal was done in ink on paper, then
colored in Photoshop.
Q12. Have you also drawn Mandrake the magician ? (other popular character
created by Lee Falk)?
No, never. But I love magicians, and it would be fun, someday!
Q13. What has been the feedback so far on your cover art for the Phantom comic?
Astonishingly good! It can happen that sometimes, someone doesn't like a
particular cover, but generally I have very, very good feedback!
Q.14 Would you like to do a complete Phantom story someday?
Yes. But I would do it only if all the conditions are good (time, money, and a
very good story) So, for the moment, I can't. But we will never know.
Q.15 Do you accept commissions and how can people contact you for the
same?
Yes. But, I'm just very busy, so, even if I have very few requests, if someone asks me, it must be veeery, patient. 😊
If you want to follow me online, you can go to my Instagram page:
and subscribe for my newsletter at: www.lucaerbettaart.com
Contact Regal publishers for the comics @ 94810 52592 (India)
Also available with Frew in Australia
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