Mark Mazz’s 12 Questions
with Jim Webb...

1) Any relation to the Democratic U.S. Senator-Elect Jim Webb of Virginia? Should we be using a middle initial so as to avoid any confusion?
No relation. No middle initial necessary...

2) What is your background as an artist... are you classically trained? Any particular art school or program?
I went to the and the School of Visual Arts.High School of Art and Design

3) If you had to name any three artists that have influenced your style who are they and why these particular artists?
I could name a lot of artists. A problem of mine is I tend to get infatuated with whoever I’m looking at the moment. But I guess the foundation artists for me would be... John Buscema, he brought a naturalism to superheroes. Jack Kirby-dynamism. It amazes me how few artists look at his work today. Will Eisner-creative storytelling. I went to Continuity a couple of times and had my ass handed to me by Neal Adams. He pounded into my head the importance of using reference. I look at Mike Mignola for his masterful use of light and shadow and his minimalist approach. I’m starting to study Frank Cho’s inking approach. Again minimalist but clean and effective. Bruce Timm — a genius at everything,

4) What comes first, the story or the character? Is there some kind of synergy between the creation of a character and the type of story you want to tell?
With me the character very much defines how I approach him/her. You’ve seen Blondezilla. I have another character called Innocent Faith which is more of an animated character with more shadow. I’m about to start doing Heroic Publishing’s Liberty Girl, which I’m thinking will be more of a straightforward superhero thing.

5) Who among your friends has been the most influential in getting your art career going? What do you think made the difference?
Without question Mark Sparacio, a terrific artist who’s been working on Liberty Girl for several issues. You’ve also seen his work as a cover artist on many, many publications. Very simply, he’s had a lot of faith in my work.

6) So how did BlondeZilla come about?
Ahh, Blondezilla...sigh. Blondezilla is the creation of actress/model Rachael Robbins. We’ve been friends for at least five or six years now and when she showed me photos of her wearing this wild Dinosaur tail and claws, I wanted to write and draw this character’s story. We’ve been trying to find a home for Rachael’s alter ego for a couple of years now. One publisher who shall remain nameless turned it down because he thought it was too sexy. No, I’m not kidding. But thankfully Mark Mazz, a real man.. not in any way intimidated by drawings of a gorgeous woman who can grow upwards to forty feet tall with a lethal dinosaur tail, came to the rescue. Finally, the Blonde Bombshell has a home.

7) What types of characters are you drawn to? Any favorites in animation or children’s books?
Very simple, Babes and Beasts. That’s what I like to draw. How about Batgirl, (Barbara Gordon of course) meets Hellboy? Bruce Timm’s Batman, Superman and JLA animation work over the last ten years is head and shoulders above anything else done of it’s kind...EVER. The Incredibles was a better Fantastic Four movie than the Fantastic Four movies, Chris Grimly is a terrific children’s book guy.

8) Who do you feel are the top five writers working today in the comics field?
Mark Millar , Mark Millar, Mark Millar, Mark Millar, and Alan Moore. The Ultimates is the best read out there... and anything Alan Moore has written.

9) Have you belonged to any studios, animation firms, or art associations?
I’ve worked mainly in the animation field so all of my studio work is there. I’ve worked for MTV Animation, Curious Pictures, TV Land, Noodle Soup and 4Kids Productions. Most recently, I did storyboard work for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show. I’d like to send my gratitude and love to Penny M., who was so helpful in getting me started in this field.

10) What would be your Extreme Make-over Dream Project, which includes total creative control?
I don’t know about makeovers. I can’t imagine that I’d have anything to say that would be an improvement on what’s going on. It would be great if one of my own creations became successful.

11) You’re back in High School, and your future self is able to
communicate with that junior in school. What would you tell yourself about your future?
I’d tell myself the honest truth about how tough the art field really is.

12) So where do you see your artwork and comics work in five years?
Hopefully, being created in a much nicer apartment than the one I’m in now.

TopBackInterview © 2007 MazzStudio /
Artwork on this page © 2007 Jim Webb.