An DC:UNG Interview with Yanick Paquette
DCUNG: What first got you interested in comics, both as a hobby and as a career?
YP: I found my first comic books in a trashcan (a horrible French translated and poorly re-colored copies of Clairmont and Byrne's X-men), I was twelve and never stopped reading comics since. I started my own photocopied publication in my secondary years (I believe it equals college or something). I've also made some B.D.s in many student journals. But never the idea of doing comics on a professional scale occurred to me. I thought that comic books making meant horrible starvation in the most complete disrespect. That is basically true for most of the French guys who fight for some rare poor jobs in my province of Quebec. I was a student in art history when I've meet Denis Rodier (inker of Man of Steel for years) at a small Montreal convention. I suddenly realized that some one can do comics for a living! Wow! I came back, convention after convention, seeking advise from Denis and Gabriel Morrisette (Ragman). Eventually I sent submission to unknown company ( most of them are closed now) and get a few jobs.
DCUNG: What was your first professional work in comics?
YP: If you consider "professional" a job you're get paid for, the Space: Above and Beyond TV show adaptation for Topps.
DCUNG: How did you get the Wonder Woman gig?
YP: I sent a submition to Dan Raspler, (some of my previous Areala stuff). He took a chance and offered me the JLA's Girlfrenzy, Tomorrow Woman. I guess the quality and my speed impressed him because a week after that he offered me WW.
DCUNG: What's it like to be pencilling the most recognizable female hero in comics? Who is you favorite supporting cast member to draw?
YP: I'm proud of course (after all a couple of months back I was hopelessly dreaming of working at DC) but I'm just starting really. Right now I've made my hand on Artemis and haven't much worked on the others.
DCUNG: Will you be doing any makeovers for any characters (especially Cassie -- the girl needs a decent costume) or will their costumes be the same? Will you be designing a new costume for Donna Troy?
YP: Ha ha! I've received tons of email on that. Some even want Cassie to get killed. She's very controversial. I cant say much -- in fact these are Eric and Paul's vision, but I will try to pencil a less androgynous young woman.
DCUNG: What's up with Donna Troy anyway? Will she be freed up to get back together with Green Lantern, and can you give us any clues as to what her newly discovered powers and/or origin will be?
YP: I hope you've asked that to Eric because I don't have a clue yet.
DCUNG: Will Hyppolyta remain a regular character in the book? Will Paradise Island be seen more or less frequently than on Byrne's run? By the way, it must be awful to have to draw a whole island full of nothing but beautiful Amazons, I bet. :-)
YP: Again, that's Eric domain. But I don't know what I like the most with the island, The girls or the architecture (no kidding).
DCUNG: Since Tomorrow Woman is getting a one-shot, will that mean she'll be popping up again in the DCU soon? What can you tell us about the one-shot coming up?
YP: I'm so late answering that! TW is already out. I don't know if TW is about to get back. There's mention of a second prototype in girlfrenzy but that's a JLA office matter.
DCUNG: Who do you consider your biggest influences on your art style?
YP: There are millions of artists that influence me. Some Europeans like Breccia, and some Americans like Kevin Nowlan, Mike Mignola, Adam Hugues, Mark Shultz.
DCUNG: Why do you think teen heroes (especially sidekicks) are becoming popular again?
YP: I guess the public finds it easier to associate themselves with teen heroes and there's often a humorous side that other superhero books do not explore.
DCUNG: Which comics or characters would you most like to have a chance to draw?
YP: I've always liked the HULK, But Peter David is leaving and for me the writer comes first. I would have not gladly drawn Swamp Thing, but with Alan Moore he has become amazing.
DCUNG: Any future plans or projects we should be looking for?
YP: There's a JLA: Secret Files #2 coming out soon, but WW will monopolize my life for (I hope) the couple of years to come. I'll take them one at a time.