Image Intellectual Property Rights: Dark Horse Comics

Interview with Marvel comic artist Chad Hunt

Occasionally the LOP Team likes to pull some of our interviews from the vault for re-airing. These oldies but goodies were originally corralled during the days of LOP Magazine. They say that good wine and cheeses get better with age, and we say “why not interviews as well?!?!?” Be sure to also check out our new interviews and reviews that will be airing soon!

Original Publishing Date: Thursday, April 05, 2007

Hatch: Chad, How did you get into the wonderful world of comics?

Chad: Living near the Orlando area there were a lot of artists that I was able to learn from. I hit all of the conventions that rolled around every year and showed my work. I asked for pointers and advice. It paid off because I got my first break in the early 90′s at AC comics inking a FemForce story for Bill Black and Mark Heike. After a few years of inking FemForce I moved on to Dark Horse Comics where I did some Predator and Barb Wire issues. From there, Erik Larsen gave me my other big break inking Freak Force over Vic Bridges. I did a few things for Top Cow around that time also. After that I went on to Marvel Comics where I did a number of X-Books: X-Force, Generation X inking Rick Leonardi (but didn’t get credit!), X-Men, and a run on Wolverine (inking Val Semieks).

Hatch: Now, you have been doing art for comics for a longtime, early 90′s. Tell me what have you noticed the most change in comics?

Chad: In the 90′s, it seemed everyone wanted to do superheroes, but now, comics have really stretched out and are showing they can be so much more. Superheroes are still cool, but, books like Y the last man, Jonah Hex, Walking Dead, and all the good horror stuff that Steve Niles does, just shows the rich diversity that mainstream comics have now.

Hatch: What is the hardest thing about being Chad Hunt?

Chad: I’m sort of a shy person until I get to know someone, so I can be perceived as kind of quiet and mild. But I’m workin’ on it. Once that initial shyness passes, I’m one of the funniest guys working in comics today.

Hatch: What brand of art supplies do you stand behind?

Chad: Of course all Hunt products. Hunt pen nibs, Hunt Speedball Ink etc…( I’m still waitin’ for my spokesperson deal to come in the mail.)

I stick with Winsor Newton Brushes, Faber-Castell Brush Pens, Micron Pens, Sharpies, Q-Tips, Colgate Toothbrushes, Band-Aid brand bandages, white acrylic ink, Splenda, beef jerky, Turninkoff brand rubber gloves, cotton balls, and drink straws from McDonalds.

Hatch: What are your thoughts on todays comics VS the dime store comic of Yester-year?

Chad: I love ‘em both. I grew up on the comics of the 70′s and 80′s, and still love going back and reading whole runs of books from back then. Superman, Batman, but mostly Marvel. Fantastic Four, Spidey, Team up, Cap, Two-in-one, Ghost Rider, Man-Thing, I literally read anything from Marvel back then I could get my hands on. Especially all the black and white horror mags. Those books helped form a then clay-like mind into the steel trap it is today.

I also love the state of comics as it is now. The production values alone on comics these days makes it feel more like a movie than a reading experience. The stories are more sophisticated, more cinematic. And the diversity of comics we have to choose from now is mind staggering. Almost any subject you can think of to read about, there’s a comic for it. And that is a good thing. The only problem is, not enough people know that. Whoever figures out how to let people know that, will be a very rich person.

Hatch: Walk me through a day in the life of Chad Hunt.

Chad: Very simple, really.6 am I wake up. Coffee time. A little Rolling Stones or The Who to get the blood pumping. After a little breakfast and news, I start work. Some Black Label Society or Pantera to get the blood pumping. I’ll work til about 10 am. Have an apple and something to drink, go back to work. A little Ozzy or Blue Oyster Cult to help me along til noon. Eat lunch and work out til 1pm, back to work. A little Judas Priest or Iron Maiden keep me goin’ until 4pm or so. Dinner with my wife and son, maybe a movie or a little TV. After 8pm I work a couple hours more. Some Queensryche and Iced Earth during that time. Weekdays are pretty boring. Oh, but those weekends….

Hatch: What was your favorite comic character growing up?

Chad: Fantastic Four was the biggie for me growing up. Especially Jack Kirby’s FF. I was the biggest Thing fan you have ever seen. I used to draw the Thing on everything. Walls, book borders, school papers, wherever I could find empty space. I would draw my own FF comics on little sheets of paper that I would staple together and hand out to friends at school. Good time to be alive, my friend. After that it was Spidey, Hulk, Superman, and Batman. In that order.

Hatch: How long does it normally take you to complete a comic?

Chad: In a perfect day, and depending on the penciller, I can ink one and a half to two pages a day. So, about two to three weeks for a whole book.

Hatch: Who inspired you to be the person you are today? Not the artist, but Chad Hunt.

Chad: I’m pretty much inspired by anyone who does the right thing for the right reasons.

Hatch: Shameless Plugging time! The Floor is yours….

Chad: Well, I just penciled and inked a FemForce story not too long ago in FemForce #135, so check that out. Gabriel – Angel of Destruction for Moonstone should be out soon, And, I’m working on a western for Moonstone called Cisco Kid meets Wyatt Earp for Moonstone also. Check ‘em out, you won’t be sorry. You can also find me at
Comicspace.com : http://www.comicspace.com/thunderheadjones/

And MySpace at:
http://www.myspace.com/thunderheadjones

And a group of talented and intelligent folks that I’m glad to be associated with:
http://threecentpup.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Hatch! Hope to talk again with ya soon!