Q & A WITH THE ONE, THE ONLY, RICK BURCHETT
(by James Harvey)
You all know as the inker of THE BATMAN ADVENTURES, THE BATMAN & ROBIN
ADVENTURES and penciller on BATMAN: GOTHAM ADVENTURES. Now here is a 'sit back
& enjoy' Q & A with our favorite writer/penciller/inker, Rick Burchett!
Rick: Thanks for writing. I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to you
sooner, but they moved up our release date for the Batman Beyond mini-series so
I've been spending more time than usual at the board.
Anyway, on to the questions. I'll try to keep my answers as
succinct as possible, but I do tend to ramble at times. Feel free to
edit(which I didn't -JH) as you see fit.
BTAN#1: How did you break into the comic book industry and what was it like?
What were some of your first works?
RICK#1: I got into the business the same way everyone does. I kept showing
my work to editors and art directors until someone took a chance on me. In my
case the people who took that chance were Joe Staton and Mike Gold at the late,
lamented First Comics. Of course, there were years of rejection prior to
that, so the advice I give to aspiring comic artists is to work hard and
persist. If you can be discouraged, you have no business working in comics. Even
after you get in there are still times of disappointment and rejection.You have
to love it to do it.
My first published work was for a magazine Charlton Comics used to
produce called the Charlton Bullseye. It was a magazine devoted to giving
amateurs a chance to get work published in return for copies of the printed
book. I wrote, pencilled, lettered, and inked a Mike Mauser, Private Eye
story for editor George Wildman. In fact, it was this story that helped me
get work at First Comics.
BTAN#2: And eventually you ended up at "THE BATMAN ADVENTURES"...how
did you find working there?
RICK#2: I came to work on "Batman Adventures" by way of a phone call
from Bob Greenberger at DC. I was inking Dan Jurgens on the JLA at the time and
DC needed someone to ink Ty Templeton on what was then a three issue mini-series
based on a new animated TV series set to debut that fall. By sheer coincidence I
had seen a tape of the pilot sequence WB animation had produced to sell the
series and was in love with the concept. It just seemed to good to be true. I
enthusiastically jumped on board.
Well, soon the three issue series became a six issue series and then an
ongoing monthly. So, here I am, seven years later, still trying to get it
right.
BTAN#3: Who were your biggest art inspirations in the comic book industry and
artform?
RICK#3: My influences in the artform are practically anyone who's ever picked up
a pencil or brush to tell a story using words and pictures. I've found
that the best classroom for the study of the form is the work itself. You can
learn from anyone even if it's to learn how not to do something.
My major influences are the same ones that many people in the business
have: Jack Kirby, Will Eisner, Alex Toth, Harvey Kurtzman, Joe Kubert; the guys
who created the language of comics.
BTAN#4: Now, I have to ask this question, what was it like working with
personnal inspiration, Mike Parobeck.
RICK#4: The only complaint I have about working with Mike Parobeck is that it
didn't last long enough. It was easily the most exciting art collaberation
I've had. We seemed to be able to read each others mind. Comics
desperately needs more creators like Mike, not only for his obvious artistic
abilities, but also because of the kind of person he was. I still miss
him.
BTAN#5: What do you think your greatest achievement is so far in your steady
comic book career?
RICK#5: I guess my greatest achievement is the fact that I'm working steadily in
the business despite the fact that comics are in a serious depression and there
are many artists going without work. To be honest though, I think this has more
to do with luck rather than personal achievement. Working with the right people
on the right project at the right time.
BTAN#6: What do think is your best issue of any of the three BATMAN ADVENTURES
series? Why?
RICK#6: I don't feel I'm qualified to make a judgement on best issue or on
individual work. I think that's for the reader to decide. There are certain
issues that have gone smoother than others, but I am my own worst critic and not
a good judge of the work.
BTAN#7: Did you have to change your artstyle for the new BATMAN:GOTHAM
ADVENTURES series? Why?
RICK#7: There actually has been some work done to accomodate the designs changes
necessary for Gotham. As you can tell, the characters have become very graphic
in design, a more minimalist, geometrical approach. It's like learning a new
language. The same is true of the upcoming Batman Beyond. Again, the design is
similar but different. Jumping back and forth between art styles is making me
feel a little
like Harvey Dent.
(TIMTWOFACE INTERCESSION: Hey hey hey hey! What are you trying to say?
:-P)
BTAN#8: What do you think of the new simplier of THE NEW BATMAN ADVENTURES? Do
you like the original style or the new simple style?
RICK#8: Actually, this question is an extension of the last. Even though the
styles of all the WB shows have similarities they also have subtle differences.
I'm afraid I'm somewhat picky when it comes to getting the look right. I think
readers expect this, so it's my job to make it as close to the original as
possible, given my own limitations. There are some artists who are masters
at this: Ty Templeton, of course, and Mike Manley (Superman Adventures #25.Wow!)
My cap is off to them.
BTAN#9: Which do you prefer, doing stories for the 'regular' BATMAN comics or
for the animated Batman?
RICK#9: When it comes to the question of animated vs. regular Batman I really
have no strong choice. I like both depending on who's doing the art. What's more
important to me are the types of stories that are being told. On this point I
come down squarely in the animated camp. I like the stories we tell.
I think they're evocative in many ways and can be read on many different
levels. Many times at conventions fans will ask me if I wish I was working on
the "real" Batman. Let's see, my Batman doesn't have a yellow
ellipse around the bat emblem and he works with a little kid......hey! I am
working on the real Batman! Seriously, I think the fact that the two
versions can exist side by side is a great testament to the character.
BTAN#10: Okay, you knew I had to ask this so..which episode is your fav? Why?
RICK#10: Favorite episode? Boy, I have many. And please excuse me, I'm terrible
with episode titles. I liked the origin stories of Two-Face, Man-Bat, and
Clayface. World's Finest...Over the Edge...there are so many I like it would
probably be easier for me to tell the ones I think maybe missed the mark and
there have been very few of those. I am in awe of the good folks at Warner
animation. I simply do not know how they do what they do within the schedules
and restrictions they have. I just hope they keep doing it for a long time
to come.
BTAN#11: Okay, yet another predictable question! What suprises are in store for
us in BATMAN:GOTHAM ADVENTURES?
RICK#11: What's coming up in Gotham? Ty should really be the one to answer
this. Let's see...Batman and Batgirl take a jaunt around the world...we
introduce a new character created specifically for Gotham Adventures that we
could revisit from time to time if the readers want...Harley writes a tell-all
book on her years with the Joker...stuff like that. I hope you enjoy it.
Well, James ,I think that's it. Hope it's okay. Thanks for asking for the
interview and if there's anything else I can do let me know.
Thank you Rick Burchett for taking time out of your busy schedule (pencillng
for GOTHAM ADVENTURES and BATMAN BEYOND) and answering these questions! There's
nothin' more better then you doin' this! Good luck and I'll check ya out every
month in GOTHAM ADVENTURES!
_______________________________
EDITORAL
(by Laura Hysert, aka "Phoenix")
Sadly, Laura was unable to submit an editorial this week, but she will be back
in full-force in time for the next newsletter! (We'll all miss her though!
*SIGH*)
_______________________________
BATMAN:THE ANIMATED TRIVIA
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
This is one of my favourite sections, where I get to boggle the minds of
all our readers! *EVIL LAUGH* This trivia is all animated-related in some
form, and can deal with ANY aspect of the show or comics. Some are easy, some
are not. Now have fun - let's see how well you do! Answers are provided beneath
the "Animated Batman/Superman Sites" section.
23. Which is the only episode in which we see Bruce Wayne and/or Batman in
France?
A: CULT OF THE CAT
B: THE DEMON'S QUEST
C: THE LION AND THE UNICORN
D: BATGIRL RETURNS
E: He never went to France, dummy!
24. In what American state is Gotham City located?
A: GOTHAM STATE
B: NEW YORK STATE
C: NEW JERSEY
D: DISTRICT OF METROPOLIS
E: "THE TRI-STATE AREA"
25. To which nationality does the Joker belong?
A: AMERICAN
B: SCOTTISH
C: ENGLISH
D: CANADIAN
E: IRISH
26. When being chased by the mob, where did the Beaumont family eventually
settle down?
A: CALIFORNIA
B: AUSTRALIA
C: THE MEDITTERANEAN COAST
D: THE UNITED KINGDOM
E: CANADA
_______________________________
JOKER'S WILD
(by Gookie)
This column is just basic humor. Nothing special ot it, it's just here to make
you laugh a bit before we delve into serious things (yeah, like grown men in
tights!). Enjoy!
======================================
PERSONALIZED PLATES FOR THE BATMOBILE
(as suggested by the immediate Bat-Family)
======================================
DRK NITE
BAT LUVR
AX 2 GRND
BAT TOY
CANT TURN
GON BATY
SPD BUGY
IM BUFF
EAT GWNO
VROOOM
BIG BAT
MACH V
IM VNGNC
KP N KOWL
BALISTK
RT W WNGS
KIDS WB
ANGST RDN
KITT
POW BLAM
NICE PEX
SUPRMAN
HOT WHLZ
BAT GUY
FRESH
VNGNC RLZ
YEE HA
MU V PROP
B MAN
SEXY
GNRL LEE
ROT N RKM
BAT DUDE
TV Y7 FV
BOB KANE
FANBOY
JOKR SUX
MR WAYNE
GTS CHIX
KICK ASS
THISCARISJUSTSOTOTALLYCOOLITSAWESOME
ITRULESITROCKSITSSOBOSSITSDABOMBOHYEAH
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