The following is an interview with Tyler Kirkham, the new ongoing artist for the Green Lantern Corps series. Brought to you buyTheGreenLanternCorps.com
TheGreenLanternCorps.com: So Tyler, please tell us the surely amazing story of how you got into the comics industry?
Tyler Kirkham: Well when I was young I had my mom take me to conventions, showing my portfolio to whoever would look at it. When I was in high school I drew my own comics hoping to submit to Image[Comics] one day. I had a friend that was living in California who I would send him copies of my art once in a while. His roommate saw my art and wanted to take it to a comic publisher near by– Top Cow. He walked right in and ended up talking to one of the editors at the time. She must have saw some potential, because she took my info. I started talking to her on and off while sending her any new pages I did. I would also go to cons and talk to her. She liked my art enough to tell me about an indy book she was editing on the side– The Gift. I got that gig and worked on that until Top cow felt I was ready to move to LA and work there in the studio..
TheGLC: Seems like a great friend to have. We had a chance to talk with Editor Eddie Berganza at this years San Diego Comic Con about you bringing your talents to Green Lantern Corps. He told us how dynamic you were and how he believed you and Tony Bedard would create something special. I’d like to hear your view of this move. What factored into your decision to join DC Comics and what about Green Lantern Corps made you accept the offer?
Tyler: Well I had been talking to Eddie on and off for years about doing some DC work at some point, I was just under contract with Top cow or doing Marvel books. My contract was ending and I was starting to think about seriously wanting to do some DC work. We talked on the phone and worked out a deal. I weighed out my options with Top cow, and after talking to multiple people who worked or currently work for DC I felt it was the best move for me. I really love the folks at Top cow so it was quite hard leaving to be honest.
As far as doing Green Lantern Corps, Eddie and Adam [Schlagman, Associate Editor] already knew they wanted to put me on it And when they asked if I was cool with it, I was extremely happy. The first thing that popped in my head was ‘this is gonna be a major challenge due to all the characters and worlds’, but that was also gonna be the fun part. Drawing so many different characters! The movie coming out soon also helped in my decision. The other major factor was how DC went up and beyond to get the team I wanted to work with. I was also super excited to work with Tony [Bedard]. Just overall from the first time I talked to DC till now they have been super awesome!
