Not Quite 20 Questions - Bill Nichols
By John Wilson
Bill Nichols is one of my oldest friends in comics... heck in life. He has been my teacher and mentor for as long as I can remember. He is one of the key reasons that I began to make the transition from comic reader to would be comics professional. It was through him that I came to be connected with Comics Related. So to kick off my first column of (not quite) 20 questions, it made perfect sense that he should be my first choice.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm the editor of Sketch Magazine, co-publisher of SkyStorm Studios with Bob Hickey, an inker and writer, a husband and father and a comics lover.
- What is your earliest comic related memory?
That would be of my dad bringing home a comic book for my sister and me. Usually I would get the Spider-man or Avengers, and she'd get an Archie, but sometimes she would grab my book and run away with it... until she decided to fork it over.
- We first met at a comic book store in Elizabethtown... tell us your fondest memories of Cliffhangers Comics.
I was surrounded by comic books! The worst part was that, years later when I'd broken into the business and started getting published, I never got the chance to celebrate that with my estranged ex-partner, who had passed away.
- Back in the days before the internet, our earliest way of connecting with other comic enthusiasts was through APA-5; explain the APA process for the uninitiated. Who were some of the "famous folks" that were part of the APAs that you belonged to?
Basically, you do your own section, your "zine", and mail off copies to the Central Mailer, who takes one of each submitted zine, collates them all into one complete volume and mails the thing back to you.
Famous folk? About the time I joined Apa-5, several of the members on the way out were the main guys starting Dark Horse Comics, like Chris Warner, Mike Richardson, Randy Stradley, Mark Badger, Mark Verheiden and others. I've met those guys and the apa is something we have in common... oh, and comics!
In X-Apa, Tom and Mary Bierbaum were writing the Legion of Super-Heroes for DC. They're great people and are largely responsible for me being here now when they recommended me as the inker for Dead Kid, their creator-owned book.
- You are a successful inker of several independent titles, tell us about them and explain what an inker does.
Not all that successful really... I just do it. However, if you really want to know the job of the inker, check out www.inkwellawards.com. Bob Almond has covered the subject well!
- Sketch publisher Bob Hickey is one of your oldest comics' collaborators. How did you meet the inimitable Mr. Hickey?
I'd met Bob at some of the comics shows and shown him my portfolio, etc. so that when Tom and Mary Bierbaum suggested me, he already had an idea of who I was and what I could do.
- Some time ago, you took over as editor of Sketch Magazine. What is Sketch and how did that come about?
Sketch Magazine is the magazine about creating comics, from the writing, to the penciling all the way to the publication and promotion, etc. It's all in there!
Not many know this, but I was the original editor of Sketch way back when but had to beg off. I regretted it, but when Bob asked me again a few years later, I said Yeah!
So now I get the opportunity to give back some to the next generation (and even this own) by getting information and articles out there that entertain and inform!
- What has been your most rewarding experience as Sketch's editor?
Passing along what I know, but mostly being a conduit for the folks out there who are coming up, wanting to learn more about this thing they love doing.
- What is the toughest part of your job?
Staying on schedule. Making the time to do my own How To articles on inking... , which are coming, by the way...
- You have been around comics off and on for a couple of decades. How has the industry changed in those years?
The Internet has had a major effect on comics, the audience, etc., but comics are still comics.
- What do you see as the future of the industry?
I still see it as being somewhat rosy. Yes, I know things change, but 20 years ago, I had people telling me that comics were dead, that there was nothing good to read, etc. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. There are tons of good comics out there in print and on the web!
- What comics are you following right now?
None regularly but when I get the chance I load up. Having no comic book shop around, it's tougher to keep up on things, but I love trade paperbacks and graphic novels these days...
- Who are your influences in the industry?
My influences aren't really so much about style and technique anymore, but about perseverance and working in the business. Different folks inspire me, like Beau Smith when he's just being Beau. He's hard working and not-near-as-tough as he'd like you to think. The same with Bob Hickey who has become one of my best friends in this world.
Inker-wise, I'd have to say Tim Townsend, Mark McKenna and Bob Almond right off. Tim's a super guy and I used to have several examples of his inked books in my Admire File. Mark's my buddy and I love his childrens book Banana Tail (www.bananatail.com) . Bob Almond started the Inkwell Awards this year and keeps plugging away!
And I'd have to say Bob McLeod is definitely one of my mentors. Back in the day, he was the first pro to say when I showed him my portfolio. "Why aren't you working?" I'll always be grateful to him for saying that.
And of course, Dick Giordano, my hero!
- Where would you like to be in say, five years in terms of your involvement in comics?
Still doing comics, still being a mentor.
- What do you think is the most common misconception that "regular people" have about comics and comics' readers? Is there any truth to that?
That comics are just kids stuff.
- What was your best convention experience?
It would probably this past year's Wizard World Chicago, my first con in several years. I got the chance to meet and re-meet several artists that I've admired, some of whom have contributed to Sketch Magazine and others whom I welcome to contribute! And I met several of the creative members of our Art Unleashed message board (www.bloodandroses.com/forums) as well as Billy Tucci, Jim Valentino and Sean McKeever. And I got to salivate over some incredible paintings that David Michael Beck had in his portfolio case. Awesome work!
- What is your "silliest" comic related purchase ever?
I can't really think of any. If it's comics, it counts...
- Final thoughts?
I keep saying, "Make your days count" and I mean it. Do things for other people. Use your talents to make things happen that are positive. Write. Draw. Network. Learn and pass along useful information. Be an encourager. And be encouraged, because you'll have people like me in your corner.
blog comments powered by Disqus