Doin’ Alright With The Boys: Q&A With Comic Creator Darick Robertson

Movies based on comics are becoming more and more lucrative. What role should the comic artist have in the look and feel of the film?
I’m happy that they do now more than ever before.

Having created the iconic look for the story’s world, should the artist be involved in the design, or do you relinquish any connection with the work once the rights have been sold?
That all comes down to the individual deal and who’s making the movie. Robert Rodriguez brought Frank Miller into the production of Sin City and it showed! Dave Gibbons was heavily involved in Watchmen and the movie looked absolutely incredible.

What were your biggest thrills and disappointments in comic movies?
I loved Iron Man, Dark Knight, and Watchmen as all three felt like they really understood the genre they were depicting, not trying to alter it, but sincerely adapting it.

Biggest disappointment would be when they get it totally wrong, like Constantine and the Schumacher Batman movies.

Comics fans are getting behind the writing and directing now and it’s generating films I absolutely love watching.

With respect to Nightman, would you say that you got the Kirby treatment? If the character had taken off, do you think you would have eventually gotten vindication?
No. I got hosed.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
I’m sort of stuck in my New Wave ’80s, but I like Alternative Pop, like Rilo Kiley, Snow Patrol, Green Day, and I’m loyal to new stuff from my old favorites like Chris Isaak’s new album and U2.

Do you have any plans to release tunes, like Mike Allred did with his band The Gear?
No, but I am in a small band doing original and New Wave ’80s cover tunes acoustically with my drummer pal, Miguel Sanchez. We’re called “Panador.” Don’t expect any major releases anytime soon, as we barely get time to practice.

Speaking of gear, what sort of musical setup do you have at home?
I have a small amp, and five guitars—my favorite is my Martin acoustic—and I have an electric piano with weighted keys.

What’s in your pull list now? Any books you’re especially excited about, besides The Boys?
I’m loving Conan the Cimmerian by Tim Truman and Tomas Giarello, Jonah Hex by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Grey, and I’m looking forward to Eric Trautman’s The Shield!

Many thanks to Darick for taking the time to answer my questions! Comic lovers (and the comic-curious) should check out The Boys (see why it was nominated for an Eisner award!) and Transmetropolitan (see why WIRED magazine called it “the graphic novel of the decade”!), at the very least.

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