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A Q&A with Leinil
"Wolverine" Yu
by Paul Dale Roberts
Q: Leinil, can you tell me something about yourself? Where were you born? Something about your family and regular home life?
A: Hi Paul! First of all, I'd like to say that this is a great pleasure. I'm an (almost) 20 yr. old fanboy who got lucky and got a job at comics. I was born here in the Philippines and I pretty much spent my whole life here. I used to go to college but I stopped, to take a shot at comic books. Fortunately, I made it.
Q: What was the first comic book you ever read?
A: I think the first comic book that I really read and enjoyed was an issue of Superman (I think). It's the "Superman without powers" storyline which had great art. I think Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert drew it. But what got me into collecting comics was Spawn 11. I accidentally destroyed my friend's copy so I had to buy him another one. That was the start of my addiction to comics.
Q: What is it about comic books you like?
A: I think comic books have an edge over other mediums. I think being able to give the readers a surprise every turn of the page is something only comics can do. Also, the graphic representation of the story makes it more exciting. Pictures are more powerful than words in the sense that, drawing a beautiful girl could never be matched by describing her in 50 words. A picture paints a thousand words, right?
Q: How did you become such a good penciler? Did you go to art school or was this a natural gift (sort of like a artistic mutation of some sort)?
A: My mom attempted to abort me! LOL! Just kidding. I'm sure genes played a part on it. I draw almost everyday since I held a pencil. I went to the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts and took up Advertising, a course that I wasn't able to finish because of this comics thingie. I think the major thing that made me fit to be a penciller was the training I got from Whilce Portacio (Wetworks, X-books). I'm actually working under his studio right now. Whilce really did a lot for me.
Q: One of the things, that I'm curious about artists is why comic books, why not paintings of landscapes or something?
A: Simply because I love reading comicbooks. And its only logical that people want to be involved in something that they want to do. Besides, drawing Wolverine is more fun than Painting a couple of trees.
Q: Can you tell me of any past experience you had with other comic books, before jumping on with Marvel?
A: Man! Do I really have to? OK, I drew an issue of Aster: The Last Celestial Knight
from Entity Comics (I bet you've never heard of that!). Please don't try to look it up
cause it was horrible. But I was really happy when it came out. It wasn't that good but at
that time, it was the best I can do.
[Paul Roberts response to Leinil's answer: Yes, I did read Aster, along with the other
Entity titles!! I thought Aster was done superbly!! It wasn't bad at all. Bill Maus is a
good friend of mine. ]
Q: How did you get through the open doors of the Marvel House of Ideas?
A: Whilce Portacio brought our(my studio mates) samples to the states. Marvel saw my work and was willing to give me a chance. So they gave me a sample plot, and luckily, they liked it. So here I am!
Q: What is it like penciling a great comic book like Wolverine?
A: I have to tell you, I still can't believe I'm here. I knew deep in myself that I could make it, but not this fast. And to be given a big title like Wolverine right away really blew me away. I came out from nowhere.
Q: What do you think of the story direction of Wolverine?
A: I'm really excited about the current Zero Tol story line. The story before the crossover was also cool but It got interrupted, I think they will resolve it.
Q: Can you disclose any inside scoop, like will Wolverine ever get his adamantium skeleton back?
A: This is really a top secret info but... OK. Wolverine's nose is actually fake/prosthetic. He still doesn't have one. LOL. To tell you the truth, I don't know that much yet. That makes the job more exciting. I DO hope I get to draw the re-adamantiumed Wolvy. I just hope they'll stick with me.
Q: What is in store for the future of Wolverine? I bet you can't answer that.
A: Yup, I can't answer that. Not that I don't want to, but because I really don't know. Those guys at the bullpen are really secretive.
Q: What is it like to work with Larry Hama, the writer of Wolverine? Larry's plots are one of the most artist-friendly plots I have ever seen.
A: They are really easy to follow and are not confusing. I've seen different kinds of plots and I think his is on top. It's funny, cause I'm like a reader sometimes, cause he doesn't reveal what's what untill it's the comicbook readers' turn to know. It happened in issue 115. If you read the story, The readers were made to think that The X-Men disguised themselves as the stormtroopers. It turns out that they weren't. Plots don't come in at the same time so while I was actually drawing that, I actually thought they were the stormtroopers. It's fun.
Q: Who will be the new writer of Wolverine and what issue is he jumping on board at?
A: WARREN ELLIS!!!!! One of my favs! He'll be writing issues 19-22. I'm really excited and also nervous cause I might screw up.
Q: If you could be penciling any other comic book(s), what comic book(s) would that be and why?
A: I hope some editors can read this, hint, hint.BATMAN: I really love that character. Maybe It's the movie (first two). I'm really not sure why, all I know is: I can't die without drawing this
character. DAREDEVIL: I think non-superpowered heroes appeals to me a lot. Frank Miller's take on this character is outstanding. I also loved how John Romita Jr. drew him. SPIDERMAN: If only Todd Mcfarlane didn't drew all the cool poses. UNCANNY X-MEN: My life wouldn't be complete without doing even a single issue. I really love this title so much, I don't know why. PREDATOR/ALIENS: I like Dark characters.
Q: Do you have any problems meeting the deadlines?
A: Yes, but not that bad. Sometimes just one day. I am really frustrated with deadlines. No matter how hard I try, something always comes up. Thank God, Mark Powers (editor) is being really patient with us. But I guess deadlines are important. It'd be hard for me to make myself draw without deadlines.
Q: What is it like to be part of the Merry Marvel Bullpen?
A: It's nice. Although I have yet to see my name in the bullpen sections.
Q: Do you have much interaction with the man, Stan Lee?
A: Unfortunately, not yet. I bet you 50 bucks, he doesn't even know I exist in the comic world. I'd love to talk to him though.
Q: What artists give you inspiration?
A: I think my biggest single influence is Whilce Portacio. But I also get inspired when I see the works of: Kevin Nowlan, Mike Mignola, Duncan Fegredo, Travis Charest, Gene Ha, Joe Quesada, Aaron Wiesenfeld, Edvin Biukovic, Jim Lee, Greg Capullo, Marc Silvestri, Todd Mcfarlane, Adam Hughes, Chris Sprouse, Glenn Fabry, Tony Harris and many others.
Q: Who are your 3 real life heroes and why?
A: Jesus Christ, I don't mean to be preachy but, he's the one who gave me my life. My Parents, Who without their Love and support, I wouldn't be in this position. Whilce, who helped me break in the industry and shape my future. If there was a fourth, I'd say David Letterman.
Q: Who are your 3 fictional heroes and why?
A: Spiderman, for not taking the law in his own hands.
Punisher, for doing the exact opposite. Batman, for having a bit of both.
Q: What are some of your hobbies and recreational activities?
A: I love riding my BMX bike but I wasn't brave enough so it didn't really get me that far. Right now I'm playing tons of games with my PC (Lara Croft is simply awesome!) and surfing the Net. I draw while Listening to Weezer, The Dave Matthews Band, Smashing Pumpkins, STP, Radiohead and a lot of other alternative rock bands. And of course, reading comic books. I think I should have a girlfriend soon.
Q: What are some of your favorite movies, tv shows, books?
A: I love Jim Carrey movies, Harrison Ford movies, The Shawshank Redemption, the Batman movies, Crimson Tide and a lot more. I spend a lot of TV time watching the X-Games, MTV, Friends, X-Files, Space: Above and Beyond, The Late Show, The Tonight Show, ER. The last good book I read was for my college class. You probably haven't heard of it.
Q: What comic books do you read now?
A: Let's see, Starman, Stormwatch, Unc X-Men/X-Men, Preacher. Some titles that I really love to read but it is hard to find are, Astro City, Leave it to Chance, Alan Moore's Supreme. I think I'll wait for the TPB's. Most of the stuff I read is limited series.
Q: Where will you be 5 years or 10 years from now?
A: I'd be probably in my penthouse in manhattan with ten gorgeous girls in bikinis. LOL, Yeah right! Seriously, I'd still be drawing comics. Ask me again after that ten years and I'm sure I'll give another answer.
Q: What are some of your hopes and dreams?
A: I'm not really someone with lofty dreams. I guess, being successful in this profession is enough for me. Well, I just hope to marry the right girl for me and have a family. That's it.
Q: If there was any other occupation that you could jump into, besides comic books, what would that be?
A: I think, advertising is big possibility for me. I'd love to design computer games. To tell you the truth, I can't think of anything else that can make me happy other than what I'm doing now.
Q: Besides working on superhero type of comic books, what other genre of comic books would you like to work on?
A: I'd love to do a Sci-fi. Like the Moebius stuff. Also the Aliens and Predator stories. Star Wars would be fun. But also the alternative comic scene.
Q: Have you created any of your own characters and if you have, who are they and will we ever see them in print?
A: It's weird. I've been drawing superheroes most of the time but the stories and characters that I ceate has little to do with them. I think alternative comics is a thing that I'll go for I were to do my own thing. Maybe a Vertigo type. Not necessarily dark though.
For example, I have this story I call the SoulTakers. It's based on the premise that when people die, they go to either heaven or hell, right. What if the souls go to neither one. Heaven and hell have no idea where the heck they are and they sure want to find out and retrieve the "lost souls" before uh, God finds out. So what the Angels and Devils do is form a secret partnership to investigate. Their first clue leads them to earth, so Heaven sent an old archangel named Rivas, and Hell sent a hip, novice and female devil named Maru. So this is basically what I'm building up. It's not really a serious story and it does have its share of dark humor. I wish I can find time to this. I really don't trust my writing so I don't think I'd be doing it soon.
Q: What does your family think about you being in the comic book business? Do they support you?
A: Yes! They are indeed very supportive. They believed in me. I had to quit school for this and they stayed by my side and supported me all the way. Even gave me allowance while I was waiting for a job. Actually, I waited for over a year for a book.
Q: What do you think about the comic book industry (pro & con)?
A: I think the comic book industry is still feeling its way through the market slump that happened a few years back. I'm not sure how much longer will it take for the market to stabilize. Many good titles were canceled because the market could no longer support them and I think that's sad. I'm not sure if the market will ever recover. I sure hope so, my job depends on it.
Q: What do you think about self publishers?
A: I think self publishers are heroes in this field. Nothing stops them from publishing their work. They are obviously hard-working people and I admire them for that. They are responsible for elevating the quality of comics that are coming out. They deserve the attention that they are getting now, which is to say, a lot. Who needs the men in suits, eh?
Q: Is there anything that you can tell aspiring comic book artists about how to break into the industry?
A: All I can say is: It is very possible and It can happen!! If you want it bad enough, If you work for it hard enough you'll get it. There is nothing that'll keep the editor from hiring you if he thinks you can do it. Draw everyday and practice real hard. Send in your submissions and listen to the editor. It can happen, hey, it happened to me!
Q: I guess that about winds up this interview, is there anything you would like to add? Please add it here and continue with your success on Wolverine, your doing an outstanding job!
A: Thank you Paul! I guess this is pretty long. Please feel free to edit this and remove things that you think are not appropriate. Maybe you can fix some typos if you find one. Again, thanks.
Best, Leinil