Bill Nichols’ Prescription:
Comics 10ccs of the Process with
Mike Perkins

Mike does some incredible artwork that just amazes me. 

-Bill

What inspires you to create and keeps you going?

The love of my work and the privilege I feel to be working in a field I have always wanted to work in. The chance that the next page will be better than the previous.

Do you have a set routine?

It’s not set in stone but I usually get up at 5:30am , start work at 7:00am, finish at 5pm. If I’m starting to lag, I’ll go for a swim in my pool at about 1:30. It’s Florida-we all have pools!

What kind of output do you try to achieve?

A page per day. If you’re on a monthly book that’s what you HAVE to do. Let’s say 20 pages for a comic which comes out every  month -5 pages per week-that’s your month. Plus covers and commissions every now and again…but always at least one day off at the weekend.

What inspires you WHEN you create? Music? Noise? Silence?

It differs. Usually the Today program and Start the Week on BBC Radio 4. Audiobooks. Music. Big Finish Doctor Who/Prisoner/The Avengers dramas.

Who was the first comic book creator that influenced you to pursue this?

Face to face-I would say Steve Dillon. Too many influences from the published page to mention, though.

When did you realize you could follow this path yourself?

Probably when I was 6 six years old and Captain Britain hit the stands in the UK. Followed by 2000ad the year afterwards.

What do you find to be a challenge in creating?

Covers are a challenge. A welcome challenge, though. There’s a LOT of thinking that goes into creating an engaging, design-led cover image.

What else do you have to learn?

I’d love to have the time to sit down and teach myself more Photoshop and digital techniques-particularly colouring. 

What keeps you motivated to get better?

All the other brilliant artists out there and a wonderfully challenging creator.  

Can you turn your brain (creativity) off (and on)?

I’m not going to say it’s easy-but I can- kind of . My 10 year old daughter helps with that!

Booster Shots

What advice do you have for aspiring creators?

Draw, draw and draw. Draw from life-don’t depend on your comic reading muscle memory. 

Do you ever worry about running out of ideas?

That;s what I have my writers for!

How do you handle the slow times?

I’ve been lucky enough that I haven’t had any slow time for…oh, the last 23 years at least! Since starting at CrossGen in 2001 I’ve been constantly under contract with companies.Going from CrossGen to Marvel for 14 years and then more recently at DC for the past 2 years…and I’ve recently renewed my contract there for the next 3 years.

How do you feel about the industry?

I, personally, think the creative quality at this moment is incredibly high. We’re pursuing an art rather than a production line mentality and yet still keeping those deadlines in sight. The perfect marriage of art and commerce.

Do you have a website you would like to promote?

My website is mikeperkinsart.com. From there you can order commissions and follow the link to comicbookartgallery.com if you wish to purchase any of my original artwork.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed by the above creator are theirs. This interview may not be reprinted or reposted without permission.