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| Thanks to Chris D Poe for the flyers!!! |
The Steve Strout: To kick it off, how would you describe your book, Sukotto, to a potential reader? Whats the book about?
Scott Adams: I have basic been describing as a story that follows the last remaining member of a ninja clan. Sukotto has been sent on a mission to recover a valuable artifact from an evil samurai lord.
TSS: What inspired the story? It makes me think of the old kung fu movies we loved as children ( and still do), with a bit of a supernatural twist...
S.A.: There is a supernatural element that will become more and more pronounced as the story progresses. I was heavily influenced by the Saturday martial arts movies that came on when I was a kid. I loved watching those, and eventually I was a martial arts student for a while. But the core of where Sukotto comes from is in tribute to the old GI Joe comic books. The character Snake Eyes always held my fascination. I drew ninja all day every day growing up. I drew other things such as mecha from Robotech but ninjas have always held a place deep in my creative being and to this day I am still captured by their true history as well as the fantasy built up around them.
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| Scott drawing issue #2, page 9 |
TSS: I can defintely see those influences in your work. If I'm not mistaken, Sukotto is 3 issues in. Is there plans to keep the book ongoing for a while?
S.A.: Yes. I am currently working on issue #4 and this specific story arc will end with issue #5, but that is just the start of Sukotto's journey. My thoughts are putting out future story arcs in a graphic novel format so that people can get the whole story at once. These would also be in color but the time between novels would most likely be 1.5-2 years. Right now I am able to put a single issue every 4 months or so. But yest I plan to have Sukotto go for a long time.
TSS: How long have you been working on Sukotto?
S.A.: Well Sukotto started about 13 years ago, meaning I thought of his story and who he is, though he has gone through some changes. I started drawing the comic around 2002-2003, but didn't have the resources to self publish it. I also didn't have the technology to make it feasible. Then about 3 years or so ago I ordered a full bed scanner that could accommodate the pages I draw on (11x17) then about 2 years ago I got the software (Manga Studio) I use and a Wacom Bamboo tablet. and I upgarded to a Wacom 13HD tablet. My first issue was published in August 2013
TSS: Where can people find Sukotto locally and abroad? Is it available digitally yet?
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| Scott digitally inking Issue #2, page 9 |
S.A.: Sukotto is carried in a few comic shops The Comics Keep In Bremerton, Avalon in the Silverdale Mall, Atomic Comics In Tacoma, Danger Room in Olympia. It's also available on my website www.sukottostudios.com I have submitted the first issue to comixology and I am waiting to hear back if it is accepted yet. Then of course there are always the comic events I try to attend where people can get them.
TSS: Are there any other projects your working on right now that you can talk about, or in the near future? I know how the industry can be hush hush on things.
S.A.: HaHa I am working on a project right now that I can speak a little about. I was approached by a writer. Mark Dizon, who wrote a screenplay and is interested in putting it into a comic book format. I agreed to work with him but told him he should look at other local artists, which surprised him I think, lol, but I said 'My art style is not for everyone, look around'. He knew an penciler, John Campbell, who has excellent skills and we started meeting. I suggested bringing in a colorist and introduced Marcus Jackson. We have finalized contracts and are currently working on issue #1. I will be inking, lettering and providing technical consultation since I have self published my comic book. It's shaping up to be an amazing project and I think it can go far.
I can share that for the cover of issue 5 for Sukotto I am going to have a guest artist. Jeffrey Veregge is going to honor me with his amazing skills, I can share that since Sukotto is my book.
TSS: I will definitely be on the lookout! Veregge is an amazing artist and even cooler guy. I'm excited to see that.
S.A.: Yes I like Jeff, he is an amzing individual, one of the nicest guys I have met
TSS: Obviously you read comics as well..You mentioned Robotech and G.I. Joe, but what other titles did you grow up reading? What are you reading nowadays?
S.A.: I grew up reading Iron Man, Daredevil. Moon Knight, Groo, and several other Marvel titles. I would read Bat Man sometimes, but I was primarily a Marvel kid. Today I read Iron Man, Daredevil, Star Trek, X-Files, Electra, Ultimate Spider Man, 7th Sword, Moon knight, Iron patriot, and anything else that catches my eye. I read the Samurai's Blood series and a few other. Mostly Marvel and IDW titles
TSS: Groo was awesome..I met Sergio Aragones at Emerald City Comic Con a few years ago..I stood and watched that guy do sketches for like an hour and a half! It's awseome watching people with that level of talent do their thing. Very inspiring. What comic artists/creators, or artists in general inspire you?
S.A.: Looking back I would have to say Larry Hama, he wrote GI Joe and he penciled my favorite GI Joe issue #21. That issue changed my comic book life. It was a revelation for me, and has stuck with me to this day (though when i joined the Navy my comics disappeared, thanks mom!). Herb Trimpe was also a favorite, he penciled a lot of the GI Joes as well as Mike Vosberg. As I got older I was a fan of Marc Silvestri and Todd McFarland. Jeff Veregge has also become a favorite of mine. His infusion of comics and traditional native style art is unique and he has been an inspiration in what hard work and dedication (not to mention his talent) can lead you to your dreams.
TSS: What other mediums, if any, do you like to work with artistically?
S.A.: I like to paint actually and I have used chalk and watercolors. I love drawing traditionally first and then going digital. I have a few commissions with watercolor and acrylic on canvas coming up. I also like to create animated cells, like the old school method of animating
TSS: Can any of that work be seen online?
S.A.: I have posted some pictures of my oil and acrylic paintings on my website. I plan on posting watercolors and the animation cells when I create more.
TSS: Do you have any comic book dream gigs you'd like to have?
S.A.: Oh that's an excellent question. If I were able to work on any of the books I read, especially Moon Knight or Daredevil I'd be in heaven. Of course even getting to do a cover for a nationally distributed book would be an honor.
TSS: You've started hitting the convention scene to promote your work. What shows and events are you going to be at in the coming future?
S.A.: I have done some local shows and one in Olympia. I plan on doing the Comic Book Swap Meet show sponsored by you, thank you for getting that set up by the way. I am on the wait list for Jet City Comicon and I applied to Emerald City Comicon for 2015, but was turned down as they are trying to get more variety in the artist alley. That was a blow to the self-esteem but maybe next time.
TSS: What is Scott Adams all about when he;s not creating comics or art?
S.A.: Well I love to spend time with my family, and I still read novels, and I love watching movies and TV shows and of course I am a gamer. If I didn't have to work my day job to pay the bills I would have more time to do all the things that interest me.
TSS: I always like to give my interviewee a chance to sound off and share anything theyd like. Advice. Website plugs. Whatever is on your mind. Whatcha got for us?
S.A.: Well of course I want to plug www.sukottostudios.com as for advice to those who have an interest in creating their own comics I think it is important to stress that it takes time and lots of practice, I stopped drawing for many years and I lot a lot of skill that I have been fighting to get back. Keep drawing and keep refining your craft. You might get some harsh criticism but you can't let that stop you. If you don't try your dream will never get out there.
TSS: Thanks for the time Scott! See ya at the Comic Book Swap Meet or sooner!
Be sure to check out :
Sukotto Studios
www.sukottostudios.com
And enjoy this video of Scott Adams at work on Sukotto:
