Each
time I have the chance to confab with an artist or writer in the
comic book industry I find their freedom of just believing, that if
you love something...GO FOR IT! Whether it is a penciler, inker,
story guru, layout director, editor, publisher, or coffee 'boy' they
all have this incredible passion for what they love, and it shows in
all they create.
Recently,
artist and writer Shelby
Robertson owner of, American
Dischord, and I were chatting and I asked if he would introduce
me to some inkers he really respected in the industry. Of course
several came to mind, but as he talked about Le
Beau Underwood the intrigue over came me to find out more about
his work, his talents, and his passion. When I finally had the
chance to speak with Le
Beau about what he does, his eyes lit up immediately and
sparkled, he spoke of past and current projects he was affiliated
with. His extensive knowledge is astounding in his field, and with
the keenly unusual diverse ability to do pencil or ink... choosing
inking... well... I will let you read on.
The
comic world certainly has a copious amount of talent to glean from
and Le Beau has clearly defined his mark. He has been involved with
many DC, Marvel, Devil's Due Productions, Image Comics, Zenescope,
Digital Webbing, Dabel Brothers Productions, Angelgate, plus several
others. The lists are long and the projects vast. With a bio that
holds inking on Stormwatch, Batwing, Nobel Causes, Fantastic Four,
Arrow, The Justice League 3000, and so on.
According to Le Beau's biography he entered the DC world in 2011 and landed an assignment of inking over penciler Luke Ross of The Incredible Hulk Annual #1 for Marvel. With that I would say, Le Beau can shout proudly and share that he would love to work on Superman, Batman, Black Panther and more!
Garnering
knowledge by working hard, listening carefully, skillfully making
application Le
Beau credits Don
Perlin as a mentor plus many other great professionals in the
industry. Humble, yet so exquisitely brilliant in all he
accomplishes, Professional Inker- Le Beau Underwood.
A Taste for Ink
03/24/15
Song River
Song:
Who were some of your early influences in the comic world?
Le
Beau: When I first became
interested in the inner workings of the comic book industry, my
influences were Neal Adams,
Don McGregor, Art
Adams, Don Perlin, John
Byrne, Jim Lee
and Todd McFarlane.
Song:
Why did you choose to go into inking, as opposed to illustrating or
writing? Or do you actually do all of them? Do you have a preference?
Le
Beau: I can actually pencil: most
people don't know this, but I have been formally trained in fine
arts. I can draw in pastels, charcoal, ink, pencil, graphite, and
oils. I chose inking because that is the final art that people see in
comic book work. So for me, that meant that my work had to be on
point, to accentuate the penciler's intent. Most inkers can pencil,
but the ink art is the culmination of the marriage between both skill
sets.Song: The comic book industry has so many levels and depths. Do you feel it has been a place where you could truly come in and explore your passions?
Le
Beau: Somewhat. There are certain titles that I believe that my inks
would enhance, but that also depends upon the penciler I am assigned
to and editors to whom my style appeals to. As a comics professional
and as a fan, there are MANY titles and characters I would love to
work on. Alas....that depends on editors, the publishers, and other
factors.
Le
Beau: In my experience, the opportunity has always been there. What
most fans don't understand is: there is a certain amount of skill,
tolerance and business acumen that has to be in place before all of
comes into fruition. True: the industry is made up of individuals,
with their own way of thinking and mindsets. Yet, I believe that,
once you (as a creator) are able to move beyond that, then the
opportunity becomes more known. In my career, I've seen and
interacted with fans from ALL walks of life, and as a creator, it's
not my place to judge: only to be able to relate to an individual as
a FAN. To me? THAT means EVERYTHING. Fans are FANS: We ALL have a
love for this industry, and we all embrace it in our own way.
That within itself requires a certain amount of acceptance, and at
the end of the day, that is ALL that matters.
Song:
What opportunities are there in this industry for young people? Do
you mentor?
Le
Beau: I choose not to mentor, because so many hopefuls think that
they know more about the industry than those who get paid to
participate. I personally don't have the time nor the patience to
deal with some who choose to tell me how to do my job, when that
individual doesn't have the slightest inkling (no pun intended) of
what is required to work in this industry. I am more than willing to
give advice, but I won't (at this point) take someone on who doesn't
have the respect for the creators of this industry that is
appropriate.
There
are MANY opportunities available, but I think that one has to allow
themselves to be open to receive knowledge, experience and job acumen
to know what is required to not only prosper, but to thrive.
Song:
Is there a difference in inking from illustrator to illustrator- how
about from comic industry name to comic industry name?
Le
Beau: Well, names have the ability to choose who they want to ink
them. As an inker, you have to be able to discern the penciler's
intent and build upon it.
Song:
Do you recommend working freelance in the inking industry? Why or why
not?
Le
Beau: If you truly love this industry and truly believe in the impact
that you could make upon it, then GO FOR IT. I won't lie: it is HARD.
VERY, VERY HARD. I personally have endured so MUCH to to get in it.
But, it was worth it. To be able to walk into any comic book store,
to see my name on a title that I've inked? To know that I was
selected out of hundreds, thousands...maybe millions? Yeah. that
makes ALL the difference.
Song:
Can you recall your very first inking project for a name like Marvel
or DC and what it felt like knowing who you were finishing creating
into a story?
Le
Beau: I recall my first inking assignment with DC
Comics: inking over Yildiray
Cinar on Legion of Superheroes. I was in awe of his
pencils: they were so CLEAN. Yet, I felt confident (at the time) that
my inks would elevate his work. Knowing what I know now, perhaps
better decisions should have been made, but....it's an experience
that I will never forget.
For
Marvel? Inking an unpublished story
for Marvel Age: The Fantastic Four over penciler Gregory
Titus: to know that I would have the chance to ink the characters
who STARTED the Marvel Universe? WOOOOOOOOOOOW.....Nuff said.
(laughed)
Song:
Any favorite characters yourself? Ones that you love to work on, but
also ones you just enjoy reading or watching on TV or in the movies?
Le
Beau: Personally, I would LOVE to work on Superman, Black
Panther, Captain America, Spider-man, Batman, The Flash, Cloak and
Dagger, Hardware, and Green Lantern.
Song:
Go through the process a little bit of what you do. Step by step
overview.
Le
Beau: Hmm. Refer to Sketch
Magazine #44: I did a step by step tutorial of inking in there.
Or...just follow my page on
Facebook!
Song:
Next project on the horizon?
Le
Beau: That depends on where the powers that be at Marvel, DC,
Image,Valiant, or any other publisher who figures that I am a great
fit!." (smiled broadly)
Song:
Are your kids artistically inclined and what do they think of dad's
profession?
Le
Beau: All of my kids love what I do (4), but my youngest daughters
(Lamiyah and Leiyla) LOVE what I do. I regularly spend time with
them, developing their own skill sets, as well as teaching them of
the history, impact and significance of the comic book industry upon
not only America, but the on a world-wide scale. I feel that as an
artist, that is not only the responsible thing to do, it is a higher
calling.
Interview for L3 Magazine April Edition
Song River is the owner of CowGirlZen Photography. She is also a freelance photojournalist. Currently working with L3 Magazine, Vents Mag, Silverplatter. You can follow her interviews, reviews of great musicians, writers, artists on her blog, http://cowgirlzenphoto.cowgirlzenphotojournalist.com/. She is also quite active in social media working as a copywriter for several companies, and individuals. Never wrong, always right... and filled with a twisted satirical outlooks on life sometimes... you have to be thinking out of the box most of the time to catch her. A mess of delight and quandary at times, but known for her love and compassion to help others succeed. A die hard Nikon proficient!
Contact Info: cowgirlzenphoto {at} gmail dot com
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/CowGirlZen.Photojournalist
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cowgirlzenphoto
Charity Involvements (past and present) : Playing for Change, Be the Change, Human Society Fundraiser, Tsunami Relief Fund, Red Cross, Grieving Parents Photography.