BIONICLEsector01:Pop Mhan Interview
The Pop Mhan Interview was conducted by BIONICLEsector01 Wiki, and the KanohiJournal to interview Pop Mhan.
BIONICLEsector01 Wiki
1) What do you do for the LEGO Company and DC Comics?
Pop: I am the artist of Bionicle 2009 "The Glatorian." I pencil and ink the comics.
2) Are you a freelance artist, and if so, how does it feel like being one?
Pop: I am indeed a freelance artist. Being a freelancer is both rewarding and very difficult.
3) Have you done any other major comic books before this?
Pop: The books I'm most known for are: Batgirl, SpyBoy, The Flash, Marvel Adventures Spider-man and Ghost Rider. But I've had my hand in many, many books over the years so it's hard to list them all.
Erebus: Nice, so mostly Marvel comics, at least the ones that were listed?
Pop: Oh, sorry. I should've have listed all of the different companies to coincide with the titles. Actually, I'd say that most of my career is spent at DC. However, I've done work for DC, Marvel, Dark Horse Comics, and Image Comics.
4) How did you get selected to be the BIONICLE artist?
Pop: I've been working with the DC Bionicle editors on some other projects previously and have a nice rapport. I was asked to tryout for the book when Leigh was leaving. The selection was pretty daunting. There were two stages and I hear there were quite a few artists that tried out.
Erebus: So you had connections then?
Pop: I wouldn't say that I had connections because ultimately it was LEGO that had the final say on who would be drawing the book. Trying out for the book was one of the more difficult projects I've had to do as well.We were asked to draw a sample page from an earlier script. Of which, I previously hadn't had much exposure to the Bionicle property.
I was taken aback at the amount of detail that is involved in an Bionicle figure. Very intricate! It was also difficult to get the figures just right from internet pictures.
5) What is the illustration process?
Pop: First I read and reread the script until I'm familiar with what's involved and who the characters are. Then, I thumbnail the book out on a smaller piece of paper. I then match the toys and to the thumbs and draw the page in pencil. I then ink the page, adding all of the intricate details and match the accuracy of the drawings to the toys while making sure that the figures on the page have life and movement and convey the events and feeling of the story and script.
6) What is your method in bringing the characters to life?
Pop: Hmm, first thing I try to do is "get into the mind of the character" and try to figure them out. I'll even act out the scene. It looks pretty loony if you happen to see me talking and waving my arms around to myself...
Dorek: Mr. Farshety said he does something similar (getting into the mindset of characters), so I wonder if he also acts out scenes...
Pop: Probably not. He's actually cool. :)
7) Do you ever take any liberties with the sets?
Pop: Hahaha, that taboo, is it not? I DO take certain liberties. However, I'll usually ask what's allowable and what's not according to LEGO. For instance, the hands. The 2009 sets have "hands" with fingers and at first, I didn't draw the fingers. However, LEGO said it was ok to draw the digits since in script there was a scene where someone was pointing. Hence, thereafter, I'll draw fingers when I think it it's necessary.
8) Is there any particular aspect of drawing BIONICLE that you dislike?
Pop: It's not so much a dislike. But there is the DETAIL. There's a LOT of it. It's time consuming but it's a necessary evil. :) But I actually enjoy it. I think I get lost it sometimes.
9) Does your work ever somehow get skewed in the coloring process?
Pop: I think that my jobs is only a part of the creative process. I try to let the colorist have as much freedom and enjoyment as possible to do his job. That said, I think my colorist is rocking pretty hard on the book!
10) Does that limit how you draw at all, having to keep the colorist in mind?
Pop: No, I don't think that there's a limitation. I do keep in mind how the colorist might interpret the line art but I rather like to be surprised by the end product.
11) Who is your favorite character to draw?
Pop: Hmmm. I really like drawing the Skrall but I think I really dig Gresh as well. I like Skrall's looks but I think I infuse more of my style into Gresh.
12) Who would you say is your biggest influence in art?
Pop: Oh! Great, Carlos Pacheco, Jim Lee and a whole slew of others!
13) When you draw the BIONICLE comics, do you draw inspiration from any other artistic styles (your own, the past comics, etc), or do you try to make it unique as possible?
Pop: I always approach a new property with a fresh perspective in relation to my art style. As in I'll study the job and what's come before, possibly drawing some influence from it. Then slowly, over time, I'll inject more of my own personal style into the work but only in ways that would work for the book and in ways that hopefully the fans will like.
14) Do you have any writing experience, and would you like to have any input on how the dialogue and story of the comic come out?
Pop: I do a graphic novel for TOKYOPOP called BLANK. I do the writing on that. However, I think Greg Farshtey is an excellent writer and totally would not want to soil his awesome scripts with my writing. :)
And now for the public questions!
1) Gravitan: Now it seems to me that "Pop" is a rather unusual name, so I was curious as to whether or not it was your real name, a nickname, orpart of your pen name.
Pop: It's all of the above, actually. :) My real nick name is Pop and Mhan is shortened from my real last name: Mhanaojyakorn.
2) Gravitan: Have you met Greg Farshtey in person, and if so, how often?
Pop: I have not met Greg yet. Hopefully soon!
3) Gravitan: Now, how long do you expect or hope to be helping to make the BIONICLE comics?
Pop: As long as the fans and the powers that be will have me. I really like the property a lot and enjoy working on it. So hopefully my tenure will last a while!
4) Gravitan: How much satisfaction do you get out of your job? Greg talks all the time about how much he loves his work, and I wanted to know if that holds true for artists as well?
Pop: I geta LOT of satisfaction out of my job. I feel I'm particularly lucky to have a job that I love. I also feel that Bionicle especially holds true as a job I really enjoy.
1) Dorek: Will you be at Comic-Con this year, Mr. Mhan?
Pop: I'm not sure at this point. I'd like to go but it all depends on the schedule. I tend to get really busy arond tha time of year.
1) Swert: Do you happen to have any (brief) tips on how to improve comics for aspiring people?
Pop: I'll let you all in on a secret. One of the main reasons I took on Bionicle was because of the fact that I can't draw "tech" and robots and structured things very well. It's a weakness I've had for a looooong time. Because of this, I knew this would be a very HARD project for me to tackle and the reason I persued it.
Tips on how to improve... Go after things you are NOT good at. Tackle it with all of your heart. Even if you never do well with it. You'll definitely be much better at it than before. Of course, you just keep going around and tackling all of your weaknesses and eventually you'll find that you have none...
2) Swert: Would you like to join BZPower and BS01 as a member, if you haven't already?
Pop: I would. Actually, my username is popm on BZ. I haven't posted before because I wasn't sure if LEGO would let me yet. I guess since they gave me the go ahead with this interview, I'm officially allowed.
(This question affects ALL of BS01)
3) Swert: If you had enough time on your hands, could you do an exclusive BIONICLE picture for BS01?
Pop: Of course! Just let me know what and when and give me plenty of time.
4) Swert: Anything else you would like to say to the BIONICLE fans?
Pop: Thank you so very much for the warm reception I received. It's humbling and exciting since Bionicle has such a deep and rich history with phenomenal artists who've come before. I hope not to dissapoint!
KanohiJournal
1) What are the most difficult aspects to draw in a BIONICLE character?
Well, I think the most difficult aspect would have to be getting just the right mix of stylization versus set accuracy. It's important to have accuracy because it’s something that Bionicle fans have come to expect. It's also important to really make the figures come to life. Otherwise all of it would just be a bunch of photos superimposed over a backdrop, yes?
2) Definitely. What are the easiest, then?
The easiest? The easiest would be… nothing.
Just kidding. The easiest would have to be the emotions conveyed on the figures. I’ve always really enjoyed that aspect of drawing.
3) Would it be hard to mold an Agori or Glatorian’s masks into faces with emotion, though?
I try not to mold the mask, actually. I really just add little nuances to make it easy on me.
4) Are there any things which you need to take special notice of when drawing a BIONICLE character? Aside from set accuracy?
Wow, heck yes! Set accuracy is important, but I also have to figure out the characteristics of the landscape as well as the tone of the scene. I always try to glean as much info out of the script as possible to ensure that Mr. Farshtey’s visions are portrayed accurately as well.
5) Speaking of landscape, in the first comic, we see that the landscape is mainly orientated around the deserts of Bara Magna. Will we be seeing various landscapes and landmarks in the upcoming comics?
Hmm. That’s kind of a spoiler question.
It’s alright if you can’t answer it.
Hahaha, sorry.
They’ll be going to Dagobah where the Glatorian will fight Darth Vader!!!!!!!
6) Regarding Mr. Farshtey, then, what are your impressions of him?
Mr. Farshtey is an amazing writer and I have a lot of fun with his scripts! I really like the fact that he seems to be able to juggle so much writing and still keep it all so fresh and exciting.
Many BIONICLE fans share the same statement. He has indeed made BIONICLE very unique and fun. Nice to see you share a similar opinion!
I think that the property would be severely lacking without Greg.
7) Indeed. So, how would you describe the responsibilities as a comic artist?
The responsibities include a lot of studying. I took a lot of time to really familiarize myself with Bionicle and the universe. I really hate seeming like a noob on a property I work on. I also study what fans like and dislike and thusly try my best to make a product that they will enjoy! The drawing and such are important as well, which is why it’s a good idea to always hone your craft.
8] It all sounds very exciting, and you sure are doing a great job at it. Fans love your artwork, and they look excellent on BS01′s templates. So, what do you like being a comic artist? And what don’t you like?
I really dig the freedom involved with being a comic artist. I am in many ways my own boss. Oh yeah, really enjoying your work is nice.
The hours suck, though. Bionicle is produced with pretty tough deadlines, and they can require some insane hours behind the drawing board!
That sure shows us how much LEGO loves efficiency!
They DO, don’t they?
9) So, you have said before that you have visited BZPower. What are your impressions of the site and the fans?
First off, let me say again that Bionicle fans are some of the nicest and coolest on the planet! I feel that the site is very nicely run and organized. As said before, I was taken at the warm reception that I received when the first issue came out. I was very nervous at first, but the fan reaction from BZPower has been great and I am very appreciative.
10) I’m sure our readers will be delighted to hear that! So, one last question before we go. Have you visited BS01? If so, what are your impressions on it?
I have! My wife tends to send me links that she finds online that pertain to me. BS01 is also very cool. Does BS01 have a picture of me on there?
They do!
Hahaha…My wife made fun of me for that photo.
Well then, thanks for the opportunity!
Hahah. Thanks! I really enjoyed these questions!
You’re welcome, and likewise!