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Molek FMLeinil Yu: The Art of Superheroes
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Malaysia has had our fair share of artists who had been commissioned to work in the States. We’re just wondering if you knew any of ‘em?
Tan Eng Huat and Billy Tan of course! Both Amazing artists!
What sort of exposure to American comics did you get when you were younger in the Philippines? What or who inspired you?
The Philippines is heavily influenced by American pop culture and I think that is the main reason why we produce many artists that are attuned to the American taste, I guess. We are also massively English-speaking and are drawn to American stuff more than local movies and books, much to the dismay of our local talents. It’s a good and bad thing. Good for aspiring comic artists, of course.
When I was younger, I was mostly drawing Japanese and American cartoon characters. Transformers, Robotech, The Ghostbusters, TMNT, and Marvel and DC characters. American comics are also very accessible although in my case, I only bought my first comic when I was 14-15.
Your oeuvre is mostly works with the big two. Doesn’t it get blasé after a while drawing stories and characters that aren’t entirely (or at all) your own? Ever thought of doing more personal projects that are wholly your own? Or at least co-created by a peer.
I honestly can’t get enough of drawing superhero comics that I am never miserable drawing them. I do have a desire of doing my own thing and Mark Millar has made that possible for me, without really having to tighten my belt too much. A predicament endured by many who delves into creator-owned endeavours. I also have a couple of my own stories that I would want to tell, and illustrate but the allure of steady income always gets in the way. I love illustration. The act of creating a single piece excites me and I guess I’m satisfied enough to not spread out my wings more. That could be a bad thing.
Your last personal smaller titles were almost a decade old, what’s stopping you from making more?
If you are talking about Highroads and Silent Dragon, they are no different than my works with Mark Millar. I co-own those with Scott Lobdell and Andy Diggle the same way I share Superior and Supercrooks with Mark Millar. In fact, I literally co-own Superior and Supercrooks, without any legal fineprint that is imbedded in my older stuff with Wildstorm/DC. In a practical sense, DC owns Highroads and Silent Dragon.
Who’s your favorite writer to work with and why?
Mark Millar of course! One of the best in the world and a great person to work with. Just an amazing experience working with him and gave me the opportunity to set up IPs that we’ll own forever. We’ll be working together for a long time, I hope.
Do you think this is an issue; that the mainstream industry is just an endless cycle of the same characters and universes over and over again?
I guess it is but it seems that the American fans can’t get enough of them. Besides, new creative teams bring fresh blood to the properties. I do hope there’d be more Sci-fi stuff in the industry, a market share substantial enough for me to work on without losing audience visibility and financial strain.
