Bill Nichols’ Prescription:
Comics 10ccs of the Process with
Pat Broderick

I used to buy covers and comics just because Pat did the art. He was one of those artists I definitely followed and if you had told me then that years later I would be FRIENDS with him, I would have just shaken my head and said, “Yeah, right”. But it’s true. We’re friends and I still follow his work. Pretty cool.

-Bill

 

What inspires you to create and keeps you going?

Inspiration, where does it come from for me? Everywhere at this point in my life. Books, Netflix.  Family. Sounds corny but just a wonderful day.

Reality also has a huge bearing. Professional also means getting up and getting down to business.

 

Do you have a set routine?

Yes. I generally get up quite early. A daily benchmark is generally my goal. Finishing a page in inks per day, plus additionally a couple of 8.5 x 11 pre-convention sketches each day.

 

What kind of output do you try to achieve?

See question 2.  But output is always driven by deadlines.

 

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

Television in the background. Music is also nice. 

 

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

I would have to say Kirby/Ditko

 

When did you realize you could follow this path yourself?

It’s not a path I realized I could follow so much as one I was destined to do. 

 

What do you find to be a challenge in creating?

Clear precise storytelling visually.  

 

What else do you have to learn?

I could be snarky and say “everything” but one of the lessons I learned as an adjunct instructor is every artist is constantly learning and adding to their understanding. I’ve seen exponential improvement in my own art over these last decades.

 

What keeps you motivated to get better?

nspiration… Its affect on me is compulsive at times. Almost like an addictive drug.

 

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

Yes, you can turn it on. You can also let it rest and need to or you can run the danger of suffering burnout. 

 

Booster Answers:

 

What advice do you have for aspiring creators?

My advice is to hit the books. Without TRADITIONAL TRAINING which is available at your very fingertips. Don’t put all of your creative eggs in one basket..

 

Do you ever worry about running out of ideas?

Running out of ideas at my age is not an issue. Having enough time left to do the stories I have is the larger issue.

 

How do you handle the slow times?

At this point our needs are basic so we get by. 

 

What are your thoughts on the comics industry?

Ahh the loaded question has arrived. This industry has gone through great traumatic changes. Some have been positive and clearly more than a few have been less than. We’ve seen the comic convention industry expand greatly. We’ve also seen the retail price skyrocket for comics. 

 

The expansion of the independent market has finally secured itself in the commercial marketplace place but still has great hurdles ahead. Getting their product into the shops. Pressing the flesh at shows. 

 

What do you consider your crowning achievement?

Becoming independent with my own product. If there is one or more than a few regrets I have looking back is that I didn’t publish my own properties sooner. 

Check out my series Nibiru and the Legend of the Anunnaki 

 

Do you have a website or link to promote your work?

My website is patbroderickart.com 

earlysunpat@aol is my email

I’m all over Facebook and I do point of sales on my series at any show I attend.

 

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed by the above creator are theirs. This interview may not 

be reprinted or reposted without permission.