QdEarl

I wrote this piece a few years ago...and I still find it amusing, and it actually does give you all the facts...

The “Q.D. Earl” Biography

Brought to you by…

G.R.P.

In conjunction with…

EYEDIDITMYSEFF Enterprises

(This interview takes place on or about the time, I had the time, to take the time for this interview to take place)

“It’s about 10:45pm, and I’ve finally caught up with Q.D., taking some “rare” free time to relax with a few prime pieces of Japanese Anime.” Let’s listen in…….
D.M.: Hey…!
Q.D.: Hey….
D.M.: What’s that you’re watching?....Looks like Cowboy Bebop…
Q.D.: …the Movie, yeah…that girls’ got one of the nicest pieces of animated as….
D.M.: SSssooo…. Seems like you put on a little weight since the last time I’ve seen you.
Q.D.: …NO….(he’s lying) …god look at her….
D.M.: Anyway I’m here to interview you for a spot in uuhhh… “Who’s Who in America, 2012 Edition, (I’m lying) and I’d like to start with a little bit of background information, y’know, how’d you get started, how long you been doing this, influences, formal training, etc, etc.
Q.D.: ...HMmmm…?
D.M.: DRAWING….!! HOW long YOU been DRAWING!
Q.D.: Um…I don’t know…since I was like in the 1st grade. I remember 1st grade because my teacher made me go up to the blackboard and show the class how to draw an object in 3D, a car as I recall. It wasn’t a very good one, basically just square blocks with ovals on the bottom, but using a vague form of 2 point perspective and foreshortening, I was….
D.M.: HOW about something a little more…”recent”…let’s say around your teen years.
Q.D.: …OK…Lemme see…most of my formal training began while I was attending “Arts High” High School, in Newark, where I grew up. There I met my 1st unofficial mentor, a junior named Joseph Horne, (who’s done great things in the field of animation) whose quick, fluid anime style really impressed me and gave me the enthusiasm to pursue his position of cartoonist of the school paper when he left.
D.M.: He…left…?...funny, I had heard something about “anonymous death threats”…
Q.D.: Really…? Very interesting…so, is anyone expecting you after this interview?
D.M.: Uuuuhhhh…yeah. (I’m lying, again.)
Q.D.: Anyway, after a short stint as school cartoonist, I along with my cohorts at the time, (Danny Nunez, Allen P. Smith, and Joaquin Ipina) began taking Saturday art classes held at the School of Industrial and Commercial Art, which was then located in the same building as Arts High. This is where I met my 1st official mentor and teacher Don Brown. Who gave me my 1stst script “Coat of the West”, he introduced me to seeking reference (The Art of Stealing) using contracts, and a lot of the basic fundamentals associated with this medium. For those that don’t know, Don Brown was affiliated with a local publication called “Watch Out” of which Bill Sienkiewicz is an alumnus of. Then through a mutual friend I was introduced to a, then unknown, artist by the name of GOZA!...
D.M.: ….why did you just yell the name Goza in my ear?
Q.D.: Whoops….sorry about that, it’s just that kind of name, y’know? So for the next few years Darrell was a major influence in the development of my abilities and techniques, along with Keith Royster, Danny, Allen & Joaquin. (we always fed off of each other, sort of like a friendly rivalry…) DG showed me the ins and outs of, not only how to put down great pencils and inks, but loads of info about the business itself (including the Art of Stealing) and the type of philosophy and mindset needed to survive in this medium. Through many back and forth collaborations I created a lot of impressive (at the time) short stories, covers and pin-ups, intended for use under the ScriptGraphics banner Darrell had developed.
D.M.: OH YEAH…! I remember that stuff…boy, I loved that Professionals book, what ever happened after issue 3…?
Q.D.: I…didn’t…have…anything…to…do…with…the…Professionals…
D.M.: (sigh)…oh…okay….continue.
Q.D.: “Ahem” anyway, after graduating Arts High, I attended the School of Visual Arts for a year. Around that time I began working with a young writer by the name of Mark-Wayne Harris. With Mark I helped develop some of the characters for a line of color comics for the, now defunct, Blackthorne Publishing. A company I also did 11 book logos for….
D.M.: …that you never got paid for, did you…?
Q.D.: (“I hate him…”) Grrrr…who’s telling this story, ME or YOU?!
D.M.: ….”!?!”....
Q.D.: DON’T…..answer that!...like I was saying, 11 logos which included the Mark Harris/Dennis Francis (who also taught me a thing or two…) book Streetwolf. In which I did a few pages of the backgrounds in. Now after the “Blackthorne Affair” I drifted into my other passion, music and music production, during which I created several logos and cover art for Rebel Productions, Ace Beat Records, Zakia Records, Tribal/IRS records, and Next Rebellion Productions. Then in about 1993, thanks to Darrell, I was introduced to Kelly Williams and Beatnik Productions, which led successfully to my first published “full story” (inks by Goza!) “The Mission” #2 (still available) Then, unfortunately, Beatnik closed up shop and I tagged along with Darrell to work on another project in 1997, from a new independent “Third Eye Comics” (logo design by me, assisted by Goza) with whom I was hired to ink their initial release “ShadowWalker” though the work was completed. It never made it to the stores. A few years ago amid the graphic design work I’ve been doing for the last 15 years I began working with another Small Press company, Landmark Comics, my 1st assignment. Pencils and inks for the cover of their book "Flying Objects" [I also designed the logo] then my next assignment was an 8 page superhero story pencils/inks. But they stopped publication soon after I started, so it remains unfinished. I’m also developing a superhero series based on characters of my own and a daily comic strip revolving around social commentary. Presently I'm writing and illustrating a weekly online comic strip The Artifyce Connection© for the ADAPT© group which can be found at Smackjeeves.com.
D.M.: Wow…that’s a pretty interesting career so far seems like you owe that cat Goza a lot. One might even say you would be nowhere if not for Goza.
Q.D.: no1wouldnotsaythat…”have you been listening to me?”…yeah, well look it’s gettin’ late….got things to do in the morning …you got what you need?...
D.M.: Well….any influences in the business…?
Q.D.: Influences…? Uuuhh… John Byrne, Michael Golden, George Perez, Paul Gulacy, Winsor-Smith, Frank Miller, Walt Simonson, Jim Starlin, Howard Chaykin, Kirby, Ditko, Neal Adams, Art Adams, Butch Guice, Gil Kane, P.Craig, Marshall Rogers, Frazetta, Steranko and a whole lot of other people past and present….is that it?!...good….see ya…!
D.M.: …
Q.D.: Yep…there’s the door…
D.M.: ….
Q.D.: Un huh..really enjoyed your company….
D.M.: …..
Q.D.: see you later…if I don’t see you first…
SLAMMM!!
D.M. Sheesh....what a nerve!...aahhh, what can I say , if it was me, Id’ve done the same thing….

The End