SPECIAL IN THIS ISSUE
(by special guest-interviewer LadyWayne)
Even though I'm a long-time fan of Batman in all his many guises, it's only very recently that I started surrounding myself (engulfing myself would be a better way of putting it) with every kind of Batman collectible you can name. Statues, collector plates, original artwork and
books/comics galore.
One of my favorite things to collect is original art. Some of the names are quiet familiar to most of us: Alex Ross, Kelley Jones, George Perez, Neal Adams, Bruce Timm, Michael Zeck and Scott Hampton to name but a few. But there are a handful of up-and-coming artists who bear
watching. One such person is Loston Wallace, a member of that much-envied group of people we call Batman artists.
(Lady Wayne bows respectfully and grins.)
I was lucky enough to pick up one of Loston's original drawings that appeared in a Batman colouring book entitled "Deep Freeze." Following the Bruce Timm-animated style of drawing, Loston and fellow artist, John Trumbull, rendered page after page of totally cool
images. Truth be known, I'd never given much thought to how colouring books were drawn and produced - though I had more than my fair share of them as a kid). Imagine my surprise and delight to find that actual artists' pages were available for sale! I snapped up a wonderful
picture (pencilled by Loston, of course) that depicts Bruce preparing to make the transition from bachelor billionaire, Bruce Wayne, to the serious and imposing Dark Knight. And Alfred, ever the obedient servant, is shown standing sentinel in the background holding Bruce's cape and cowl.
After receiving this purchased piece, I contacted Loston, and we traded a few emails. Our conversations regarding the art and mythos of Batman resulted in this interview! Let's find out more about Loston's work in the realm of the Batman!
(LADY WAYNE) First of all, I'd like to thank you for taking time to share your experiences with us, Loston. I, and a great many subscribers to Batman: The Animated Newsletter, will be excited to hear how you got into this line of work.
(LADY WAYNE): What kind of background do you have in art/illustration?
(LOSTON WALLACE): I've been drawing Batman since I was four. He was my first and favourite hero. I still own the 1974 issue drawn by Mike Grell - my first comic! I've always been an artfan, and it seemed I was drawing everything. Hong Kong Fooey, Speedbuggy, and yes, Batman.
When I got to be a teen, I was still collecting comics, and continued applying my artist skills to roleplaying characters (for myself and my friends).
I tried to find an art course in college, but they didn't have anything worthwhile in the area I lived (which, by the way was in a small coalfield town in southwest Virginia). I started getting heavy into 'gaming' and went to many conventions with a friend of mine who just happens to
be a writer of Conan novels for Tor (John Maddex Roberts!), and I began to meet artistic folks.
During college, Charles Vess, artist of Sandman, came by our art class to show his work. He mentioned the Joe Kubert School of Art to me. (For those who don't know of Joe, he's a comic legend. He drew Hawkman and Sergeant Rock for decades.) I applied to the school and moved to New
Jersey in 1994. After two years of school, I began working professionally as a roleplaying artist for the Deadlands Roleplaying game. I still do roleplaying illustrations for a living and have worked on Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Battletech, Shadow-run, Middle Earth and Steve Jackson's
Gurps, as well as Dead-lands. I've even illustrated a map in one of my friend's Conan novel!
(LADY): How did you get started in this business and what sort of Batman-related work have you done?
(LOSTON): I got work at DC Comics by going to their offices with my class as a field trip. I wasn't in school at the time, but I took some stuff in anyway. Unfortunately, the trip came right after the big comic implosion, and all I had taken with me were inking samples. This was
at a time when twenty year inking veterans were trying to find work, so I got this from the editors: "Your stuff is great - two years ago, we could have given you work, but now you'll have to get in line."
I was crushed. I didn't bring any pencil samples because I'd been so busy with rpg art that I didn't have time to do anything new. However, a friend of mine, John Trumbull, had brought some Batman animated art to show the editors, and it was warmly received! Steve Korte of the
license department dug his stuff and told him he would have some work for him in the future. I talked to John and got Steve's number then called and asked Steve if I could send him some of my stuff. He told me I could, and I set up an appointment to go in with John to show Steve some new
art. Steve liked my work, and John and I were both hired to do Batman "Deep Freeze", a colouring/activity book for kids. After that, I did a Superman colouring/activity book called "Superman: Stop the Presses." It seemed that DC was grooming John and me to do comics via
the license department. (Alex Ross started there, by the way!)
In early 1999 I pencilled a JLA coloring/activity book, but that never made it to print. With The New Adventures of Batman and Superman cancelled to keep Batman Beyond going, the book was shelved. I've been told by Steve that I'm still on the list of choice artists, but without a host
of cartoons or a movie project underway, all the license is really doing is re-printing and doing some anniversary coffee table books right now. I'm still doing a host of role playing projects, and you guys are up to snuff on my current pro career!
(LADY): Are you a fan of Batman and/or other super heroes?
(LOSTON): I'm a huge fan of comics in general! My faves are numerous, but I dig Batman, Hulk, Spiderman, Conan, and Nightwing, to name a few.
(LADY): How is it decided what character(s) you get to draw (as with the "Deep Freeze" colouring/activity book)?
(LOSTON): With the Batman book, they split the book in half. I drew the last half. John got to draw all the pin-ups in that book, and I hate him for it!!!! (hehe) The drawings were described to us in a paragraph and were pretty pedestrian in description. As artists, we got to 'beef'
them up!
(LADY): Is there any particular thing you like to draw more than others?
(LOSTON): I like to draw anything. I get into monsters and the like, but find that I draw people best. I dig lighting and do a lot of that in my realistic work.
(LADY): Do you have a personal favorite character?
(LOSTON): I have several. In Batman, I like Batman, Nightwing, Harley Quinn, Joker, Creeper, and Mr Freeze. They are fun to draw - Clayface too!
(LADY): Who is the most underused character, in your opinion?
(LOSTON): Within the Batman universe, I'd have to say that everyone seems used as often as I feel is necessary. I do miss Dick Grayson in the Batman books a little, but they do cross over frequently enough.
(LADY): What would you like to see in the future for the Dark Knight?
(LOSTON): Better stories. Larry Hama's Batman stories have Bats travelling around during the day which bugs me. Batman works best at night. Period. Also, there's a recent book where Batman takes two bullets to the head...then he declares himself fortunate for having kevlar under his
mask! What?!! That's just plain stupid. Throw in "dialogue" where the characters are calling each other "turkeys," and you've got a poorly-executed book.
(LADY): What are your future goals within the realm of Batman-related illustration?
(LOSTON): I'm actually working on a trial script in my free time (which unfortunately, isn't often).
(LADY): Unfortunately, Loston didn't elaborate on the details of his script-writing effort, but maybe we can get a bit more in-depth on that subject in a future interview!
Somewhere in the midst of my chattering, Loston was able to get a word in edge-wise and offered to do a "commissioned" work for me of Nightwing and Batman. A two-week window of opportunity arose in Loston's busy schedule, and we arranged for him to pencil an original
drawing for me in his more realistic style! Can we say "excited"?! :-)
I want to thank Loston for taking time out from his hectic day to speak with us, and I, personally, wish him all the best in his future endeavors with Bats and company!
For a peek at some of Loston's work, click on the link below. He and his wife, Carolyn (a fellow Joe Kubert School of Art alumni and a graphic design artist in her own right), share their creative talents online with us and with the world at large!
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AND THAT'S THE FACTS
(by "Reliable Source")
(Yes, I understand that the title is grammatically incorrect. So sue us. Actually, nix that. Don't sue us.)
(DISCLAIMER: For those of you who are not yet familiar, Reliable Source is an anonymous character who first surfaced on Batman: The Animated Message Boards, spewing forth ridiculous predictions about the future of Batman Beyond under the guise of spoiler warnings. His
controversial posts created quite a buzz, and have landed him a temporary column with this newsletter. The thoughts and ideas expressed by this shady character are in no way officially connected to Kids WB, Batman Beyond, this newsletter, or anything that is decent or holy.
That said, on with the show.)
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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 based on the show. Remember, answer the questions WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE ANIMATED CONTINUITY. Now have fun - let's see how well you do! Answers are provided below.
"Aimless ramblings from the editor's brain..."
311. Jeep Swenson provides the voice for what character on BTAS?
A: Commissioner Gordon
B: Killer Croc
C: Bane
D: Nightwing
E: NONE
312. What does the clock read after Batman halts the Scarecrow from dumping his fear toxin into the Arkham resevoir?
A: ONE MINUTE
B: ONE SECOND
C: TWO SECONDS
D: THREE SECONDS
E: This never happened
313. Bud and Lou are:
A: The first names of Rocco and Henshaw
B: Spouses of Sugar and Spice
C: Stand-up comics in MAKE 'EM LAUGH
D: Hyenas
E: Dini & Quinzel's love-children
314. What was the first BATMAN BEYOND episode to take advantage of "digital colouring" technology?
A: EYEWITNESS
B: TERRY'S FRIEND DATES A ROBOT
C: REBIRTH (Pt. 1)
D: MELTDOWN
E: THE EGGBABY
315. To date, Terry McGinnis has NOT fought (either in a training session or real life):
A: Two-Face
B: The Riddler
C: Egghead
D: The Joker
E: Bane
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AND THESE ARE OUR FINAL ANSWERS (to the trivia)
Answer to #311: E
Answer to #312: C
Answer to #313: D
Answer to #314: A
Answer to #315: C, E
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LITTLE FACTS AND BLOOPERS
(by Tim "TWO-FACE" Leighton)
Here is a section that just points out various little facts and bloopers that we have noticed while watching BTAS and STAS countless times. If you have anything to contribute, feel free to do so! Enjoy!
CONTRIBUTED BY STAFF:
1) Kevin Conroy smokes cigarettes in order to keep his gruff Bruce Wayne voice.
2) The "Ingagement" girl from MASK OF THE PHANTASM makes a small cameo in JOKER'S MILLIONS. Watch the scene where Dick and Babs are waiting in line. You'll see her.
CONTRIBUTED BY OTHERS:
(by "SSS 979")
3) In the BEYOND episode "PLAGUE", while Batman and Stalker are chasing False Face (who had changed into Nelson), Stalker is knocked down and Batman stops at his side. After their short conversation, Batman flies up and away and Stalker magically disappears from the place
where he'd been laying.
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