Ask Adi Anything

[Adi Granov]

Just what it says, ask me anything you want and I will try to answer as best I can. Comics related, hair products related, whatever. Even if I don't have the answer I will still answer with something...

[Professor Oreo]

Umm... do you actually follow any WWE wrestling, or maybe the UFC?

[Adi Granov]

Nope. I chose the category because it was the most absurd one of the bunch.

I loved wrestling when I was about 12-13 when i used to live in former Yugoslavia and get it on Eurosport, and when I believed it was all for real. Once I discovered it was all staged it had lost its appeal. Although, many years later, living in the US, I got into a habit of watching it occasionally with my college roomate while taking breaks from Mario Kart.

Do you remember a wrestler from the 80's called Jake the Snake? I watched a documentary which followed him around in recent years, a shell of a man addicted to hard drugs and doing country fare wrestling matches to earn some money. A really gritty and depressing look at the reality some of these people live in.

[Professor Oreo]

Yes, I saw that documentary on Jake the Snake too. It was some incredibly sad and humbling stuff.

Although on a side note, I must say that you've got great taste in videogames, Mario Kart is the shit!!! That game sucked so much of my life away that it hurts just to think about it. Do you still play any videogames Adi, or is your work schedule too hectic to permit any of that?

[Professor Oreo]

Also, I know you're under contract with Marvel, so are there any Marvel characters out there that you're dying to get a chance to work on that you haven't yet? Like possibly The X-Men, or the Fantastic Four?

What about non-Marvel characters? Do you have any desire to one day do your own interpretation of Batman, or Superman maybe?

[paintstain]

Wanna race?

[chrismarker]

What are your favorite films? Have you ever seen "Harold and Maude" -- awesome. Bot on a more sisnister note, have you seen any films by the great U.S. director Todd Haynes? His breakthorugh film was called "Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story": It's a work of horror genius , shot entirely with Barbie Dolls! Also, my ID name, "chrismarker" is taken from the great French director/writer Chris Marker, who's just flat out fucking amazing, shattering poet of words and images: Years ago, I posed as a reporter to his distributor in France and they sent me a xeroxed copy of his screen play for his masterpiece, "Sans Soleil" -- it was typed, with the errors and penciled editing included!

Lastly, last great film I saw was brilliant gem by a great writer/director team; Scott McGhee and David Siegel: It's called "Suture" and it's as orginal noir/suspense film as you'll ever, ever see: there's nothing like it, period.

[Adi Granov]

Professor Oreo, yeah, I spent many months playing MK back in college. It was that, Golden Eye and Tekken that we played religiously.

But games were always more about the social thing for me, a few of us going nuts trying to kill eachother on the screen. But otherwise I find games pretty boring, and the only ones in recent years that did anything for me were GranTurismo and Warhammer: Dawn of War (which is the only game I still play a couple of times a week for an hour or so, I like the strategic destruction).

One non Marvel property I'd really love to work on at some point is the Authority. Within Marvel U, it's kinda hard to tell because they keep making old/lame characters really cool and restructuring everything all the time so I think pretty much anything with the right writer would be great. But I always thought Fantastic Four would be great, but especially Dr. Doom. Also Galactus, although the way to use him in a story are kinda limited. I think it would be cool to reboot Warmachine too and make him A-list...

[Taki Soma]

annnnything?

[Adi Granov]

Wanna race?

Any day, but only if we can do it on scooters.

Actually, on Christmas day I drove a porsche 911 turbo (not mine ofcourse, I wish) at 90mph across Yorkshire country roads. It was an amazing thrill and beyond awesome.

[Adi Granov]

What are your favorite films? Have you ever seen "Harold and Maude" -- awesome. Bot on a more sisnister note, have you seen any films by the great U.S. director Todd Haynes? His breakthorugh film was called "Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story": It's a work of horror genius , shot entirely with Barbie Dolls! Also, my ID name, "chrismarker" is taken from the great French director/writer Chris Marker, who's just flat out fucking amazing, shattering poet of words and images: Years ago, I posed as a reporter to his distributor in France and they sent me a xeroxed copy of his screen play for his masterpiece, "Sans Soleil" -- it was typed, with the errors and penciled editing included!

Lastly, last great film I saw was brilliant gem by a great writer/director team; Scott McGhee and David Siegel: It's called "Suture" and it's as orginal noir/suspense film as you'll ever, ever see: there's nothing like it, period.

Actually, the first time I saw "Harold and Maude" was in art school in our cultural studies class, the teacher played it for us as a part of his teching. I've seen it again later. Great film.

I am not sure if I had seen any of the others, probably not, but since I've seen hundreds of movies translated to Croatian I find sometimes I've seen something I didn't know I had because the title was completely different.

My favorite films, the ones off the top of my head... Abyss: the director's cut, Brotherhood of the Wolf (also the 3hour dir. cut), Blade Runner (again, dir. cut), Mad Max, the new War of the Worlds, Aliens... you get the idea, I like a certain kind of genre, heh... But my current favorite thing to watch and better than any movie I've seen in the last 6 months is Battlestar Galactica show. I have the first season on DVD and it's pure sci-fi brilliance in my opinion.

[Adi Granov]

annnnything?

Anything at all. Doesn't guarantee I'll answer truthfully though ;)

[paintstain]

Any day, but only if we can do it on scooters.

Fuck yeah! See you in May! I'll race you home! Ummm...will we have to pay the traffic congestion fee?

Actually, on Christmas day I drove a porsche 911 turbo (not mine ofcourse, I wish) at 90mph across Yorkshire country roads. It was an amazing thrill and beyond awesome.

Only 90? I'm dissappointed in you.
;)

[Taki Soma]

Anything at all. Doesn't guarantee I'll answer truthfully though ;)
well what's the point? (that's a question! and a damn good one if you ask me) ;-)

[paintstain]

Real critiques can be hard to come by. I imagine even harder as you reach a certain level of professional acclaim. Who do you seek critiques from? Do you ever get tired of the polite admiration, or the blatant ass-kissing, or the criticisms lodged in the snotty recesses of the internet with no real critical thinking behind them? Is your best validation found in your collaborators, your fans, your editors, all of the above?

I still appreciate the critique you gave me on a previous piece of mine. Very succinct and honest (and spot on). Who do you find that from?

[Adi Granov]

well what's the point? (that's a question! and a damn good one if you ask me) ;-)

To have some fun and add some nonsense to the board. (that's an answer and a damn good one if you ask me) :P

Actually, I'll most likely be quite honest about anything you might ask me, but I must put a disclaimer in there because there are some things I might get in trouble for saying...

[Taki Soma]

To have some fun and add some nonsense to the board. (that's an answer and a damn good one if you ask me) :P

Actually, I'll most likely be quite honest about anything you might ask me, but I must put a disclaimer in there because there are some things I might get in trouble for saying...
fair enough, and you're right... a damn good answer.

okay then...

what is your dream project in comics?

[Professor Oreo]

But I always thought Fantastic Four would be great, but especially Dr. Doom.

Someone posted a sketch you did of The Thing and the Invisible Woman at a convention and I thought it was great. I'd love to see a full-on painted Granov version of the Fantastic Four. That would be totally sweet!

Okay another question...

Have you ever done any sculpting Adi? Does it interest you at all, or are you perfectly content doing 2D work?

[Adi Granov]

Real critiques can be hard to come by. I imagine even harder as you reach a certain level of professional acclaim. Who do you seek critiques from? Do you ever get tired of the polite admiration, or the blatant ass-kissing, or the criticisms lodged in the snotty recesses of the internet with no real critical thinking behind them? Is your best validation found in your collaborators, your fans, your editors, all of the above?

I still appreciate the critique you gave me on a previous piece of mine. Very succinct and honest (and spot on). Who do you find that from?

Well, I often, subconciously even, am aware of various shortcomings in my work, or various things I am too lazy to fix, so when I get a load of various criticism from people on message boards (nobody ever does it in person) some of them hit a chord and awaken me to certain things that then seem like I should've done that years ago. For instance, a couple of years ago I set out to search perfection in execution of my art and was too blind to see that as I got better I also drained a lot of life out of my work. So after I noticed a recuring criticism that my art looked plastic I was able to step back and look at it more objectively, hence a drastic shift towards grittier, harsher textures and exagerated, stylized motion. Interestingly I reverted to techniques I did years ago, but back then I used them to hide various shortcomings while today I use them to enhance the dynamics of the art.

But on top of that, I respect my editor Tom Brevoort's opinions most of all because he's, in very few words, made my work a whole load better. Everything he's ever suggested has been spot on, and I have great respect for his opinions.

[ds9]

have you checked out this thread?http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=50356
I would love to hear your opinions on it too.

[Adi Granov]

fair enough, and you're right... a damn good answer.

okay then...

what is your dream project in comics?

I used to think I knew, but I've done a lot of things which used to be my dreams. I guess my ultimate comics dream would be to do something like Enki Bilal, spend as much time on painting crazy sci-fi books and have them sell in millions to allow me to then spend just as much time on the next book.

But as a more tangible goal, doing something badass with Brian that will be remembered for years to come.

[Adi Granov]

Actually, never mind, I've cooled down and I change my mind. It's just not worth geting riled over something so petty.

[chrismarker]

Okay, two more questions: (1) I already asked one, but you didn't answer, namely, what exactly did your editor say to you about your latest work in Iron Man #6 that defined it as your best work to date -- especially given the incredible art in #5! Was it stylistic, or sequential in relation to other panels? BTW -- one of my favorite panels in #5 is that small little panel of the old Iron Man, where his circular chest plate radiates before it fires that repulsor! (Do you know what I'm talking about? It's so easy to gloss over, but IMO it's brilliant).

(2) It's a serious question, but no doubt important to futur biographers! Can you talk about how growing up in Croatia, when you did, influenced your work? I don't mean to be disrespectful, but it was a difficult time, no?

[ds9]

have you checked out this thread?http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=50356
I would love to hear your opinions on it too.:confused: :confused:

[Adi Granov]

:confused: :confused:
I have nothing to say that I haven't said before. We've had that same exact discussion multiple times... No matter what anyone says you keep arguing the same exact thing over and over so I really have no idea what it is you expect me to contribute to that.

[Adi Granov]

Someone posted a sketch you did of The Thing and the Invisible Woman at a convention and I thought it was great. I'd love to see a full-on painted Granov version of the Fantastic Four. That would be totally sweet!

Okay another question...

Have you ever done any sculpting Adi? Does it interest you at all, or are you perfectly content doing 2D work?

I did sculpture in school. I actually find it more natural than 2d, I just couldn't find a path for me to take with sculpture like I could with illustration. It seems to be a pretty limited field as far as actually making a living out of it.

[Adi Granov]

Okay, two more questions: (1) I already asked one, but you didn't answer, namely, what exactly did your editor say to you about your latest work in Iron Man #6 that defined it as your best work to date -- especially given the incredible art in #5! Was it stylistic, or sequential in relation to other panels? BTW -- one of my favorite panels in #5 is that small little panel of the old Iron Man, where his circular chest plate radiates before it fires that repulsor! (Do you know what I'm talking about? It's so easy to gloss over, but IMO it's brilliant).

(2) It's a serious question, but no doubt important to futur biographers! Can you talk about how growing up in Croatia, when you did, influenced your work? I don't mean to be disrespectful, but it was a difficult time, no?

1) it's just more dynamic, better flowing. I mean it's just a natural progression, it's nothing drastic but an evolution of the same thing. There are always ways to improve things, enhance them stylisticaly, which is what I am really focusing on. What he said in particular is that there is a real sense of motion and speed in a particular, destructive, action scene.

2) Well, I actually grew up in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and only lived in Croatia a couple of years. Drawing was a bit of an escapism for me from the war and it's the war years that really gave me the focus as to what I wanted to do in life. I can't say the war affected me as much as a lot of other people who'd gone through it. I have about 3 books worth of insane adventures I've gotten into living in those crazy times but back than it all kinda seemed normal. It's only now, looking back, that I realize just how crazy some of the stuff was. But, as a testament to human adaptability, being shot at every day is something you can actually get used to.

[chrismarker]

2) Well, I actually grew up in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and only lived in Croatia a couple of years. Drawing was a bit of an escapism for me from the war and it's the war years that really gave me the focus as to what I wanted to do in life. I can't say the war affected me as much as a lot of other people who'd gone through it. I have about 3 books worth of insane adventures I've gotten into living in those crazy times but back than it all kinda seemed normal. It's only now, looking back, that I realize just how crazy some of the stuff was. But, as a testament to human adaptability, being shot at every day is something you can actually get used to.[/QUOTE]

"But, as a testament to human adaptability, being shot at every day is something you can actually get used to."[/QUOTE]

If this were a live interview, I think this would be the part where everyone would take a long pause... wow, it's an experience most Americans have no relation to...

Okay, I've solicited my wife, who's 7 months pregnant (seriously), to ask a question:

"Um, I don't have a question, honey."

Yes, you do. Come on, this is your chance.

"Okay, (Laughter), All I can think of are stupid questions."

Come on, you're a great writer. Ask him something.

"I was downgraded from 'brilliant writer' to 'great writer'?"

I don't want Adi to think I over-use the word 'brilliant.'

"Oh, okay, has he ever thought about doing an Iron Woman?"

An Iron Woman?

"Yeah, like Iron Man. Only a woman. Like Maya."

Well, er, okay...

[Brandon191]

Would you like me to kick ds9's ass? I will if you ask nicely. :wink:

[Adi Granov]

chrismarker, heh, I can't say I have ever thought about doing an Iron Woman, no pun intended. I guess she'd look a lot like the robot from Metropolis. They are doing something like it in Ultimates where the Black Widow is wearing a female version of the IM suit but in black.

Brandon, hehe, don't know if it's come quite that far yet, but I am sure when the same discussion arises for IM#6... ;)

[dimeshop]

Do you have a post-Iron Man project lined up?

[John Drake]

Best cereal?

[Angel]

chrismarker, heh, I can't say I have ever thought about doing an Iron Woman, no pun intended. I guess she'd look a lot like the robot from Metropolis. They are doing something like it in Ultimates where the Black Widow is wearing a female version of the IM suit but in black.

Brandon, hehe, don't know if it's come quite that far yet, but I am sure when the same discussion arises for IM#6... ;)
adi, are you referring to the metroplis by osamu tezuka?

are you a fan of japanese animation? i would think that some of the mech shows would be right up your alley.

did you get the house all decorated yet? and is it finally starting to feel like home?

[Angel]

can you convince tams to post more? :D

[ds9]

Would you like me to kick ds9's ass? I will if you ask nicely. :wink::cry:

[chrismarker]

:cry:

Aw Ds9 -- don't take it seriously. From what I've read here and on other threads, people just have heard your complaint about the lateness of this book again and again ad nauseum. So it's time to move on, like when you've had a fight with your best friend or something and you've made your point and it's time to move on.

The best perspective I can give you on all of this comes from Adi himself, although in a different place than comics. That is, when Adi talke about living through war -- writing notebooks of the craziest truth is stranger than fiction stuff you or I or most every body could ever imagine. You know? When someone tells you that it's a testament to human adaptability that one could actually get used to being shot at by guns every day, well Ds9, that tends to put all complaints into perspective? You feeling me, here buddy? So think about that fro a while and when you've got new stuff to say about the book, or whatever, well, then, honestly, I'm sure lots of folks will accord you the respect all people posting deserve -- and no one will want to kick your ass! LOL! Peace.

[Dan]

Wrestling Question!

When you were watching it behind the Iron Curtain in the former Yugoslavia, was Nikolai Volkoff treated as the hero all the time on the TV broadcasts? Or is that too long ago for you :)

[Brandon191]

:cry:

I'm only joking. :D

[Adi Granov]

Do you have a post-Iron Man project lined up?

Yes and no, there are a few projects I am doing but some of them are not defined yet.

[Adi Granov]

Best cereal?

Hmm, Choco Shredies in the UK, and Blueberry Crunch in the US.

[Adi Granov]

adi, are you referring to the metroplis by osamu tezuka?

are you a fan of japanese animation? i would think that some of the mech shows would be right up your alley.

did you get the house all decorated yet? and is it finally starting to feel like home?

No, the 1927 silent classic Metropolis. Although I really like the animated Metropolis too.

I like some anime but a lot of the series are too soap-operaish for me. I love a lot of the Miyazaki films, Cowboy Bebop, the Big-O... There is a few others that i've really enjoyed but can't remember the names.

The house is a work in progress, but it does definitely feel like home now.

And I can try to get Tamsin to post more...

[Adi Granov]

Wrestling Question!

When you were watching it behind the Iron Curtain in the former Yugoslavia, was Nikolai Volkoff treated as the hero all the time on the TV broadcasts? Or is that too long ago for you :)

Before the war we actually had no real relations to the CCCP. I grew up on a diet of WWF and thrash metal. heh.

[GelfXIII]

Adi-
Who's cooler:
Neal Armstrong or Yuri Gagarin? Why?

Who's smarter:
Albert Einstein or Nikola Tesla? Show work.

Which of the four would be the most fun to make a scetch of, PLEASE show work. (lol)

[Adi Granov]

Adi-
Who's cooler:
Neal Armstrong or Yuri Gagarin? Why?

Who's smarter:
Albert Einstein or Nikola Tesla? Show work.

Which of the four would be the most fun to make a scetch of, PLEASE show work. (lol)

Hmm, they are both super cool and both have strong arguments in their favors. But I'd have to go for Neal. Although Gagarin did it alone and rode the insane rockets the Russians made, his flight lasted under two hours. And although Armstrong had company he did freakin go to the moon! So yeah, that beats pretty much anything ever.

Who's smarter? That's like asking what's more important, water or air... They both burned bright and went bonkers in their later years. Einstein was eaten up by his hatered for his work which he started to believe was challenging the existance of god, while he was deeply religious; and Tesla started claiming he invented a death ray and that he could communicate with aliens. They were both way beyond my capabilities to determine who I think was smarter.

Gagarin in his space suit.

[nancyraygun]

Adi,

Are you exclusive to Marvel? If so, until when?
Is there a Marvel character that you think your style would improve?

In my opinion, I'd love to see Spider-Man in the black and white costume done by you. I've always loved the cover to Web Of Spider-Man #1 and your style reminds me of that (I don't know why, must be the realistic look). Any chance you've attempted that particular Spidey?


NR

[John Drake]

Hmm, Choco Shredies in the UK, and Blueberry Crunch in the US.

I googled Choco Shreddies and couldn't find a pic.

Did you enjoy working on those She-Hulk covers? There's one..can't remember which, where she's pounding the ground and it looks like mud tearing apart. It's pretty cool.

[tamsin]

That's because Adi's daft and they're actually Coco Shreddies, not Choco Shreddies :P

Here they are: http://www.cerealpartners.co.uk/images/pic.p_coco1.gif

They don't look terribly exciting but they're amazingly tasty and chocolate-y.

Hi Angel :D

[Angel]

hi tams. good to see you again. hope your holidays and new year went well.

question for you and adi. what are conventions like for you? are they kind of a pain in the butt, because you're being dragged from one thing to the next. or are they kind of fun, like seeing friends and meeting new people from the industry?

[Adi Granov]

Adi,

Are you exclusive to Marvel? If so, until when?
Is there a Marvel character that you think your style would improve?

In my opinion, I'd love to see Spider-Man in the black and white costume done by you. I've always loved the cover to Web Of Spider-Man #1 and your style reminds me of that (I don't know why, must be the realistic look). Any chance you've attempted that particular Spidey?


NR

Yes, a bit less than two years left. I am not sure my style would improve them, but I think it would look good on Cap. America and Fantastic Four in particular. Lots of textures in the various outfits and the characters lend themselves to some big action, which I think my style is good for.

No, the only Spidey I've done is the regular one like on the cover to She-Hulk #4 I did.

[Adi Granov]

I googled Choco Shreddies and couldn't find a pic.

Did you enjoy working on those She-Hulk covers? There's one..can't remember which, where she's pounding the ground and it looks like mud tearing apart. It's pretty cool.

Oh yeah, Tamsin is right, I am daft and the cereal is Coco indeed.

Yeah, I loved working on SH. Especially covers 3 and 4 because I got the character by that point. At first I really had no clue what she was all about and it all seemed faintly ridiculous to me, until I realized that that was the point.

[Adi Granov]

hi tams. good to see you again. hope your holidays and new year went well.

question for you and adi. what are conventions like for you? are they kind of a pain in the butt, because you're being dragged from one thing to the next. or are they kind of fun, like seeing friends and meeting new people from the industry?

I do only one, two at most, conventions per year and I usually only do a couple of days so I rarely get burned out. I really like it. I get to sketch a lot for people and hear how much they liked my stuff (cause the people who didn't don't often come close) and I get to hang out with people from the industry and meet some of my favorite creators. Plus free stuff is always great as are big industry parties.

The only time I get very tired from cons is when i am a special guest so I actually have to be there the entire time since they are paying for me to do so. It can really wear you out after a couple of days.

[Angel]

Yes, a bit less than two years left. I am not sure my style would improve them, but I think it would look good on Cap. America and Fantastic Four in particular. Lots of textures in the various outfits and the characters lend themselves to some big action, which I think my style is good for.

No, the only Spidey I've done is the regular one like on the cover to She-Hulk #4 I did.
i'd love to see you do captain america with brubaker writing. this is the first time i've actually given a crap about the character, since brubaker's been on it.

[chrismarker]

Okay, sculpture again. Were you more into classical "realist" work, or highly expressionist work, say ranging from Brancusi to Moore, (hope I'm spelling their names right). What was your favoirte medium to work in?

[GelfXIII]

Gagarin huh? Cool. I always thought he was facinating. Valentina Tereshkova was an interesting subject from the early soviet space program as well.

OK, My next set of semi historical /art related queries:
Today's topic: military leaders:

Tactically speaking, who made a better general/conquerer, Napoleon, Ghengis Khan or Alexander? Which one's campaigns would make a better sequential art story?

[Professor Oreo]

Hey Adi, a few more questions for you...

When you're working on sequential art, do you work on each page to completion individually, or do you finish all of the pencil renderings for the book first, and then add color after they are all completed?

Do you ever make any personal art just for fun on your own, or is your schedule so busy that you don't have the time, or the desire, to "work" when you’re not working?

Also, what kind of scanner do you use to scan your pencil work into your computer?

Do you ever paint traditionally with oils or acrylic or something, or do you prefer to use the computer exclusively for working in color?

Thanks again for letting us all pick your brain like this, Adi!:D

[Adi Granov]

Okay, sculpture again. Were you more into classical "realist" work, or highly expressionist work, say ranging from Brancusi to Moore, (hope I'm spelling their names right). What was your favoirte medium to work in?

It was in art school so we mostly did realistic head and bust studies and such. My first two years of school were focused on perfecting the techniques and skill rather than any kind of creativity, and I only did sculpture those first two years after which I focused on illustration solely.

But I did do a bit of sculpture later on, on my own, which was kinda sci-fi realism type of stuff. In school we worked in clay and on my own I worked in sculpey.

[Adi Granov]

Gagarin huh? Cool. I always thought he was facinating. Valentina Tereshkova was an interesting subject from the early soviet space program as well.

OK, My next set of semi historical /art related queries:
Today's topic: military leaders:

Tactically speaking, who made a better general/conquerer, Napoleon, Ghengis Khan or Alexander? Which one's campaigns would make a better sequential art story?

Hmm, I am not sure, they were very different. Not Napoleon though, he's developed some revolutionary tactics but he's also had some shocking defeats and embarasments... I think both Ghengis Khan and Alexander would be awesome subjects for graphic novels. Their seemingly supernatural personas and incredible conquests would lend themselves beautifuly for some epic storytelling. And there is a great quote by Ghengis Khan that alone makes me want to illustrate his life:

All who surrender will be spared;
whoever does not surrender but opposes with struggle and dissension,
shall be annihilated.
--Genghis Khan

(I had to look up the quote, I didn't actually remember the thing of the top of my head...)

[Adi Granov]

Hey Adi, a few more questions for you...

When you're working on sequential art, do you work on each page to completion individually, or do you finish all of the pencil renderings for the book first, and then add color after they are all completed?

Do you ever make any personal art just for fun on your own, or is your schedule so busy that you don't have the time, or the desire, to "work" when you’re not working?

Also, what kind of scanner do you use to scan your pencil work into your computer?

Do you ever paint traditionally with oils or acrylic or something, or do you prefer to use the computer exclusively for working in color?

Thanks again for letting us all pick your brain like this, Adi!:D


I work on 3 or 4 pages at a time completing them before I move on.

I don't have any time to do personal art at all. A sketch here and there is about it but even that time can be spent on work.

I just use a regular Canon Lide scanner, nothing fancy. If I was scanning color I'd be more concearned, but since it's grayscale as long as I get a good tone I am happy. Canon has never let me down.

I haven't painted in color traditionaly in years. That is all I used to do, but I used more unconventional techniques like gouche and colored pencils, and airbrush too. It is more of a multimedia illustration rather than painting approach. So from that perspective taking on computers for coloring was natural.

[Professor Oreo]

Adi, do you have any concept drawings of the back of Iron Man's new suit that you're willing and able to share? I'm considering sculpting a mini bust of the new suit to work on my non-organic forms, and I thought I might as well be the first one out there (that I know of) to take a crack at sculpting his new look.

[Adi Granov]

I don't actually. I didn't have the time to go through the whole process so as soon as the overall concept was approved I made up the rest as I went. I had a good idea in my mind of what I wanted it to be like so I didn't run into many problems.

There is a shot in issue 5 of him walking out of the room (I think page 21) and that is the image I've been using for reference for his back ever since. Don't know how clear it is in print size so I can upload it bigger later on?

[Pat Loika]

Hey Adi,

Where's the best place for me to pick up one of your originals, and I was wondering if you'll be doing any conventions this year?

Thanks,

Pat

[tamsin]

Hi Pat! Adi has a few pieces (mainly Iron Man pages) at the moment, and obviously as IM ends soon he'll be starting to do one or two other things. The best thing is to contact him directly (PM or e-mail) and he'll get back to you.

And we're thinking of doing either San Diego or Chicago... not sure which yet! :)

[Professor Oreo]

I don't actually. I didn't have the time to go through the whole process so as soon as the overall concept was approved I made up the rest as I went. I had a good idea in my mind of what I wanted it to be like so I didn't run into many problems.

There is a shot in issue 5 of him walking out of the room (I think page 21) and that is the image I've been using for reference for his back ever since. Don't know how clear it is in print size so I can upload it bigger later on?

Hmmm... I don't know how I missed that shot in issue 5, but I think it should be a fine reference to work from. However, if you do have a larger version of it that you wouldn't mind uploading that would be incredibly helpful also. Thanks Adi! I'll be sure to keep you updated on the progress once I get started on it.

[Raphael J]

Adi, I'm not familiar with your work at all, outside of Iron Man. What else have you worked on that you could recommend to me?

[GelfXIII]

Would you pass the salt, please?

[Adi Granov]

Adi, I'm not familiar with your work at all, outside of Iron Man. What else have you worked on that you could recommend to me?

I haven't been doing comics for very long at all. I had a series at Dreamwave that lasted only 3 issues called Necrowar and I've done a couple of short stories for Humanoids and Marvel. For most of my career I've been doing concept design and illustration. Before Iron Man: Extremis I did regular covers for Iron Man, Inhumans, Thor: Son of Asgard, She-Hulk and GI Joe Reloaded... Plus a couple of Silver Surfer covers. Now that I think about it, I've done a whole load of covers.

But further before that I worked as a concept designer for Nintendo and I did a lot of work for Wizards of the Coast on their Star Wars stuff as well as Wheel of Time.

[Adi Granov]

Would you pass the salt, please?

It's bad for you.

[GelfXIII]

It's bad for you.
Hmmm... in that case, pass the strychnine instead, thanks.

[Pat Loika]

Hi Pat! Adi has a few pieces (mainly Iron Man pages) at the moment, and obviously as IM ends soon he'll be starting to do one or two other things. The best thing is to contact him directly (PM or e-mail) and he'll get back to you.

And we're thinking of doing either San Diego or Chicago... not sure which yet! :)

Thanks for the response! I'll be in both SD and Chicago, so I hope to run into Adi (and hopefully get a sketch!) there. BTW, that's a nice avatar. :)

P.

[tamsin]

Pat: Awesome :) We should definitely see you, then! Adi's always open to sketch requests at cons.

The avatar is an Adi original ;D

[Jacob Lyon Goddard]

what are some good Eastern European cartoonists and creators?
i don't care for Bilal's work, but i'm pretty smitten with Baru's work at the moment

[Adi Granov]

I have no idea anymore. I've been living in the US and now UK for the last 10 years and it's really hard to get that stuff around here. I don't even know what the comic publishing situation is in Eastern Europe. Though Bilal is considered a french artist really, as he's lived and worked most of his life in France.

I am going to Paris in a couple of weeks and will go on a shopping spree for graphic novels and art books. Might have a better idea then.

[Arnam]

Hey Adi,

Maybe ít's al little bit weard to contact you through a forum, but my mother (Nura Mackic) told me that you are here family and that she rememberes you when you were a little boy back in Bosnia. I don't know if you remember my mother, but she and my father, brother, sister and me live in the Netherlands now. I thought it would be nice to contact you because you are into art. Because i really like art (I want to go to the Design Academy) I wanted to see what kind of art you're making and so I typed youre name at google. I found youre website and I really like youre work.

Arna Mackic

[Adi Granov]

Hi Arna,

I do remember, although it's a bit hazy. I think your sister and I used to play when I was about 6 or 7. Heh, the time does go by...

Send me an email, adigra (at) hotmail (dot) com ...obviously, change the stuff in parenthesis...

Internet is a wonderous thing.

[batmanbooyah]

1: where were you born?
2: are you croatian?
3: do you know essad ribic?
4: all croatians know eachother. it's as much a fact as chuck norris is badass.

[tamsin]

1. Sarajevo, Bosnia (former Yugoslavia)
2. No
3. No
4. Chuck Norris was a one time karate world champion, so in fact he is badass.

edit/ this is Adi posting on my wife's computer without logging off. Ah well.

[Pat Loika]

Pat: Awesome :) We should definitely see you, then! Adi's always open to sketch requests at cons.

The avatar is an Adi original ;D

It's a very, very nice piece. :)

BTW, thank you both for adding me at myspace.

P.

[batmanbooyah]

1. Sarajevo, Bosnia (former Yugoslavia)
2. No
3. No
4. Chuck Norris was a one time karate world champion, so in fact he is badass.

edit/ this is Adi posting on my wife's computer without logging off. Ah well.


do you know croatian?
can i speak to you in croatian?
chuck norris knows croatian, but he can't write/speak/read it. that's how badass chuck norris is.


have you worked on any dc projects? thinking of doing creator owned projects?

[Adi Granov]

I do speak Croatian.
I prefer to keep it in English on the board so everyone can understand what's going on.

Haven't worked for DC. I've been offered stuff for DC related projects and creator owned stuff, but I am Marvel exclussive...

[batmanbooyah]

I do speak Croatian.
I prefer to keep it in English on the board so everyone can understand what's going on.

Haven't worked for DC. I've been offered stuff for DC related projects and creator owned stuff, but I am Marvel exclussive...


ahhh. when does your contract run out? since you worked on some iron man stuff, have you heard anything about the proposed iron man movie? i recall certain creators being brought in for movies like spiderman, daredevil, etc. to give their input on the character for the movie studios.

[Adi Granov]

My contract is until second half of 2007.

No, I have no insight on the movie. I know only what I've read on the internet.

[Hot Pink]

what is your weirdest sketch request?

[Adi Granov]

Hmm, not really sure. I get asked to draw a drunk Tony Stark a lot which seemed odd at first but has now become a staple. I got asked to draw a monkey in the Iron Man suit... But it's usually pretty standard, either Iron Man some other hero. She-Hulk is very popular because I did those covers...

[dimeshop]

Do you have any ideas for a creator owned project?

[GelfXIII]

I do speak Croatian.
I prefer to keep it in English on the board so everyone can understand what's going on.

Haven't worked for DC. I've been offered stuff for DC related projects and creator owned stuff, but I am Marvel exclussive...

OK, but have you worked in DC? I work in Washington DC and it's a drag much of the time. Sure it's a pretty city, with lots of pretty buildings and such, but the traffic is as bad if not worse than NYC and you cant get a decent slice of pizza anywhere.

Plus they call Delis: "Delly". What's up with that?

[paintstain]

Hmm, not really sure. I get asked to draw a drunk Tony Stark a lot which seemed odd at first but has now become a staple. I got asked to draw a monkey in the Iron Man suit... But it's usually pretty standard, either Iron Man some other hero. She-Hulk is very popular because I did those covers...

I still haven't seen my Tony the Tiger sketch.



You never take me seriously...

[Hot Pink]

if you have any of your sketches or anything, id love to see some of the ones you do at cons and stuff!

[Crimson Dynamo]

Hey Adi,

I'm a Brit working in the US. I've been here for a year now and have found that the climate change has really affected my work pattern. When I lived in the UK, I found that the cold weather and constant rain created the perfect working environment for me. I enjoyed nothing more than huddling down during those long, dark winter nights and working 'til the early hours in the warmth of my little studio. Now that I live in California, I get a lot less work done due to the nicer weather distracting me all the time.
I read in an interview that you're also a bit of a night-owl, so I was wondering - do you have a prefered environment/climate in which to work, and also, how does working in the UK compare to working in the US. Did it take you long to adjust after you moved to England?

[Adi Granov]

Boy the time flies by. It seems like I just answered the last batch of questions, but it's been almost a week. Got busy.

Dimeshop, I have a few. But I wouldn't write it myself.

Gelf13, I have never been to DC. Kinda curious to visit but haven't had the chance to yet.

Brett, next time I see you I will draw the Tony the Tiger sketch, dammit! ;P

Smashtor, I don't have any of the sketches I do at cons. People I've done them for post them from time to time but I don't have any myself.

Crimson Dynamo, I lived in Seattle for about 5 years or so, and it rains all the time there and the weather is very much like in England. I did live in LA for a short while and you're absolutely right, it was hard to focus on work while it was so sunny outside. I had a convertible back than so I'd just go for long drives all over from Hollywood Hills to Venice with the roof down. It was great but it really put a dent in my work.

But then I spent a few years in chicago, and there the winters are too damn cold and summer freakin hot and humid so it was nice to sit inside with airconditioning and work the days away. So, it's kinda the same durring this time of year in England, but in the summer it's a bigger issue because it gets so pretty and green. I love driving so going for roadtrips across the moors is too tempting.

Didn't take me any time to adjust because I've spent so much time here over the last few years that it felt pretty natural after the full time move.

[soup]

Why don't you ever call a brotha back Adi?

This is Cris... :)

[Adi Granov]

Hey Cris, I emailed you.

[Mack72]

Hey Adi,

Just a quick question, where, in the UK are you living at the moment? It's good to hear that you've graced these ahores! It should make it much easier for me to absorb some of your art skills now!!

(I live in the North East, Newcastle, to be exact!)

Hurry up with the re-vamp of your website!!

[Adi Granov]

I am in Leeds. I did a signing in Newcastle a few months ago.

The site is on the way.

[thedarkness]

Hey Adi,

My first post, so I thought I'd drop a line to say hi. Might not remember me...I was one of the volunteers for the Paradise Toronto Comicon you did last year. And I saw you again in Chicago.

Was reading through all the questions and came upon the post regarding Metropolis. I watched that in a science-fiction class in first year...and I have to say, the only thing I remember from that is the player piano music looped over & over! I do see how that is considered one of the starting points of science-fiction, but has it had an effect on your career? Is there a specific point that you can recall where the light went off, like you knew exactly what you were doing and where you wanted to go with your career?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Adi Granov]

Hey Ryan,

I do remember you, ofcourse.

Metropolis didn't have an effect on me because I didn't get it as a kid, and I haven't seriously watched it until much later.

There wasn't a definite point where the light went off and I knew what to do with myself. It was more of a growing realization over a few years. I knew I wanted to do art and did it all the time but without much direction. But after I realized that I could get paid to do it I became more aware of the commercial aspects of illustration. That's when I conciously directed all my art efforts towards illustration, and specifically Sci-fi stuff, because that's what I was most passionate about.

[SAVETHEB]

hey adi, just stopping in to say youre doing some great work on iron man and youre the reason i picked up the book in the first place. you shall be missed!

[chuck gibson]

Hey Adi,

I read your old tutorial on your working process and you'd commented that your process had changed. I know you may not have time to go into a full blown tutorial or anything, but can you describe a bit about what's different in your process now? I mean if it's dramatically different from the previous tutorial and too much to get into, I understand, but I was hoping that the newer method might be a variation on the old that you could describe in an understandable way without a full tutorial.

Love your stuff
chuck gibson

[Adi Granov]

SAVETHEB, thank you very much!

Chuck, Yeah, that tutorial is about 5 years old. I actually got contracted to do an illustration and a supporting step by step tutorial for a digital arts magazine which I'll be working on next week. It's not dramatically different, but it's significant enough where it would require quite a bit of explaining. Plus if I did it here noone would want to buy the magazine ;)

[David Haynes]

I did a lot of work for Wizards of the Coast on their Star Wars stuff as well as Wheel of Time.

I found two good listings for your earlier works on the web.

Was the Nintendo artwork for game covers, additional supporting advertising art, storyboards, or game graphics?

Any of the pics I listed below yours? If not where can I find examples of your very early work?

www.pen-paper.net/rpgdb.php?op=showcreator&creatorid=431
Ultimate Adversaries (Star Wars) (2004) Interior Artist
Mr. Johnson’s Little Black Book (Shadowrun) (2003) Cover Artist
http://pen-paper.net/images/rpgdb/fpr10672.jpg

Shadowrun Character Dossier, The (2003) Back Cover Artist
Prophecies of the Dragon (Wheel of Time) (2002) Interior Artist
Tempest Feud (Star Wars) (2002) Interior Artist
"Campaign Guide to the Centrality" in Star Wars Gamer #5 (Aug/Sep 2001) Interior Artist
Alien Anthology (Star Wars) (2001) Interior Artist
Living Force Campaign Guide (Star Wars) (2001) Interior Artist
Living Force Campaign Guide (Star Wars) (2001) Cover Artist
http://www.pen-paper.net/images/rpgdb/wtc11963.jpg
Rebellion Era Sourcebook (Star Wars) (2001) Interior Artist
Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game (2001) Interior Artist
Star Compendium: Systems of the Verge (Star*Drive) (1999) Interior Artist
"Living Force Character Creation Rules" in Polyhedron #145 (Dec 2000/Jan 2001) Interior Artist

www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,77307/
Wave Race: Blue Storm (2001), Nintendo Co., Ltd. Additional Work
http://gamecube.game-special.com/cover/blue-storm.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/lordwilliam_03/waverace_screen002.jpg

Bionic Commando: Elite Forces (2000), Nintendo Co., Ltd. Artwork
http://www.1stvideo.com/GBColor/BionicCommandoEliteForces.jpg

Crystalis (2000), Nintendo of America Inc. Concept Art
http://www.nintendoland.com/graphics/screens/crystalis_1.jpg

Pokémon Puzzle League (2000), Nintendo of America Inc. Graphic Design
http://art.half.ebay.com/prod130/1190255.jpeg

Racer 64 (2000), Nintendo of America Inc. Artwork
http://i.boomtown.net/pics/7/4/1/78147/220x165.jpghttp://www.maxoe64.com/jeux/reviews/ridgeracer/ridgeracerbox.jpg

[Adi Granov]

Heh, blast from the past. The book images are mine and the Bionic Commando cover is mine (although I wish it wasn't, it's the worst piece of art I've ever created even by those old standards)

I worked as a concept artist at Nintendo so all of the art is considered concept design, I don't know why they credit me differently. On the Wave Race they credited me with "aditional work" because I've quit by the time the game came out, but I did in fact do concept art for it. Actually, while at Nintendo, I worked on 5 games that came out, and about 10 that never did.

I think that Star Compendium: Systems of the Verge is the oldest published work in the US I've done. My oldest though is a series of illustrations I did for OK magazine in Croatia in 1995 (where I lived at that time).

Hmm, there are a few things missing in that list. The work I did for Humanoids Publishing, some of it never published because it was work for some movie properties of theirs, but also the Metal hurlant story.

I did two covers for Shadowrun, the one shown is my second. The back cover they list is actually just a crop of the first cover that they reused on a different book.

The last work I did for Wizards of the Coast was in 2001, it's interesting to see they were still publishing it in '04.

[Patrick King]

Adi-
I'm an aspiring comic artist, and was wondering what sort of advice you could offer in terms of improving my skills, as well as breaking into the comic industry. Also, are there any tutorials or references you can recommend for both pencil drawing and Photoshop?

[Adi Granov]

To improve your skills drawing constantly is the best way. Draw from life, draw from photos, draw from looking at your favorite art... A lot of people always say that you shouldn't copy photos or other art, but without learning from others we'd still be drawing on cave walls. So looking at reality, photos and good art and trying to understand why something looks the way it does and then giving it your own spin is the best way to learn.

However, it's a big mistake to try to copy someone's style without understanding why and how they developed the style. As a simple example, copying a line weight without understanding why the lines are thicker in some places and thinner in others, will result in very poor quality art. Same goes with photos, blindly copying photos without understanding how light and foreshortening work will only result in poor copies of the reference. That is why some, very referenced art, looks disjointed, because the artist has used multiple photos to compose a drawing without compensating for the diference in lighting and foreshortening.

That is probably the best advice I can give you.

I don't know of any drawing tutorials on line. With pencil just go from light to dark (i.e. sketch lightly and as you refine the shapes and add more detail bring it out darker).

Depending on what it is that you aim to achieve there are as many different techniques for painting or coloring in photoshop as there are with real materials. So there are appropriate tutorials all over the net and magazines. I have a tutorial on my website which could get you started coloring your pencil work.

But, depending on your level of skill, I would highly suggest practicing your drawing first before you learn the more specialized techniques.

[Adi Granov]

Oh, as far as getting into the comic book industry, I am not really the best person to ask. I just stumbled into it. But as with any creative industry, having a good portfolio (both a printed one and a website) is more important than anything else. For cover work you should have 8-12 cover quality pieces, and for sequentials a couple of examples of 4-5 page long stories showing everything you can do, from talking heads to full blown background scenery.

Once you have the portfolio just show it to whoever will look at it. Send it to editors, show it at cons, show your art on art message boards, etc.

[Patrick King]

Awesome, thanks!

[Juggernaut]

Adi I read from interviews on you that you practiced in Martial Arts. I also train...what styles have you trained in and if your training now what style is it and are their any styles out there that you are eager to learn eventually?

[Adi Granov]

No, I haven't done it in a long time. I trained at competition level in Shotokan Karate for about 6 years I think. That's the only style I've done. If I had the time I'd probably like to try Kendo at some point because the combination of tactics and reflexes really appeals to me.

[Juggernaut]

Iron Man question here....I know you probably can't get too deep into what is going on with tony stark and the extremis formula but I am confused about a couple of things.

He felt that he needed the armor to be faster in response time in order to deal with mallen and that super powers were not needed. But,in the earlier issue mallen crushed the armor with his bare hands and took most of tony's best shots that barely phased him.

So even if Tony is more in sync with his armor how would that help him deal with someone who can bust his armor up?

2nd part of the question is. Does he have some kind of telepathy with machines and computers since he said he can see through satellites or even talk telepathetically through a cell phone?

[Adi Granov]

I am not the best person to answer, Warren probably is, but I'll give it a shot. I think the problem Iron Man had in dealing with Mallen wasn't the strenght, but speed, or his lack of it. He was just unable to keep up with Mallen. Plus, I imagine, the new armor is an advancement over the older one so hence probably more powerful, and since Tony can now be one with it instead of just wearing it, they create a more efficient weapon.

I imagine there are a lot of villians who could bust Iron Man's armor, so it's about his skill and weaponry as much as anything else if he's to defeat them.

He doesn't have telepathy as such, but he is now wired directly to the armor and via the armor's electronics he can receive and control information from satelites etc. He could do the same before but he'd have to physically (as if using a computer) send and receive info through the helmet. Now he can mentaly do it because his brain is wired into the armor through the "gold" layer that covers his body. So he himself doesn't have the ability to talk to computers, but his armor does and he controls the armor. I hope that makes sense.

[Juggernaut]

Hey adi when do you feel you will have a preview sketch of the sentry available to show here. Not one for the comic,I mean like say a rough drawing out of the blue type of thing.

[jsorrell]

I apologize in advance if this has already been asked, but when will the Hardcover/TPB of your recent Iron Man work come out?

Oh...and by the way, your stuff rocks! I'm sure you've heard that before :)

God Bless,
Jeremy

[Adi Granov]

It seems that the HC is scheduled for July. I don't know the exact date though.

[diq]

Adi,

I just picked up a copy of Iron Man 7 today, and seeing your cover got me so excited I didn't notice your name was missing from the credits at the top. I sat down at home and flipped the sucker open, only to realize that I'd been the sucker all along. This is not to say I didn't like Zircher's art, that's not it at all, but after getting enjoying your work over the previous issues, I'm really itching for more. Now I've read what I could about your upcoming projects, and this post sums up what I've been able to find:

Yes and no, there are a few projects I am doing but some of them are not defined yet.



Is this still the case? Is there nothing you can tell us about where we can find your work in the future? If it's a secret, I promise not to tell anyone ;)


Thanks in advance.



edit: oh, and I may be behind the curve on this one, by why the staff change for Iron Man number 5?

[Adi Granov]

My next project has been announced a while ago. I am doing one of the special New Avengers issues with Bendis. Other than that I am mostly doing covers right now, Iron Man and Fantastic Four at the moment. I have been offered a lenghty project but I declined as it wasn't exactly my cup of tea.

As far as comics are concearned I am also doing a poster or two that will probably be of interest to people who like my Marvel work.

And outside of that I've been doing non comics work that I am not at liberty to talk about.

And I don't know what you mean by staff change for IM#5.

[jsorrell]

It seems that the HC is scheduled for July. I don't know the exact date though.

Thanks for the reply Adi...I'm definitely looking forward to getting a copy of Iron Man and also for any of your upcoming work.

God Bless,
Jeremy

[Snake Eyes]

Adi, greetings from Novi Sad. I can't wait to get hold of the HC edition of your Iron Man. Could you tel me when & where you were born, since the profile on your site is nearly empty (except for the interesting and somewhat inspiring picture).
p.s. Hope you go back to doing comics ASAP!

[Adi Granov]

I was born in Sarajevo.

I am back to doing comics albeit a one-shot. The damand for my design and illustration work has been incredible since Extremis that I've been forced to turn down a lot of work I would've loved doing otherwise.

[ds9]

You draw great superheroes and I wish it was a way for you to do more work a year.

[John Drake]

I was born in Sarajevo.

I am back to doing comics albeit a one-shot. The damand for my design and illustration work has been incredible since Extremis that I've been forced to turn down a lot of work I would've loved doing otherwise.

Be sure to tell us when we can see some of your non comics work too!

[Boss Hogg]

I hope you keep us posted on your upcoming pieces comic related and non.

[marvelboi77]

Hey Adi are you drawing anything Spider-Woman in upcoming New Avengers or Ironman. If so can I but the art. Thanks Michael.

[Allen Y]

Thoughts on an oversized (Marvel) Art of Adi Granov hardcover, collecting Iron Man: Extremis and all of the great covers (Inhumans, Iron Man, FF, etcetera)? Maybe throw in the New Avengers Disassembled Sentry issue in as well, and a few commentaries/extras.

I'd buy that. Anyone else?

We should give the suggestion to Marvel, if people are interested.

[Adi Granov]

Hey Adi are you drawing anything Spider-Woman in upcoming New Avengers or Ironman. If so can I but the art. Thanks Michael.

Sorry Michael, no Spider-Woman at all.

[Adi Granov]

Thoughts on an oversized (Marvel) Art of Adi Granov hardcover, collecting Iron Man: Extremis and all of the great covers (Inhumans, Iron Man, FF, etcetera)? Maybe throw in the New Avengers Disassembled Sentry issue in as well, and a few commentaries/extras.

I'd buy that. Anyone else?

We should give the suggestion to Marvel, if people are interested.

Some day maybe. There are big things going on at the moment that will probably make a lot of stuff possible in the future.

[Allen Y]

Some day maybe. There are big things going on at the moment that will probably make a lot of stuff possible in the future.
Goodies.

[Patrick King]

Adi-
What programs do you use to illustrate? Anything you can recommend? Also, how exactly is your name pronounced?

[Adi Granov]

I draw and paint on paper, and color in Photoshop CS.

Adi is pronounced as ah-dee but faster, like in Adidas

Granov... hmm, I guess as grah-nov, pretty straight forward.

[milan]

Since we lived in the same country, what's your favourite Yugoslav film?

[Adi Granov]

Hmm, I haven't seen any in a very long time. When I was a kid I loved all the partizan stuff, fighting the nazis etc. But later on I remember enjoying a couple of the Emir Kusturica films. The only more recent one's I've seen has been No Man's Land which I liked. It's not that easy to find those films here because only a few get international distribution.

[milan]

What's your favourite Enki Bilal's graphic novel?

[Adi Granov]

Well, since i see all three as one then it's The Nikopol Trilogy. Probably because it blew me away when I first saw it and they are the first thing I think of when Bilal is mentioned.

[milan]

You saw Immortal, Bilal's movie based on his Nikopol Trilogy?

[Juggernaut]

Adi, I know alot of artists don't really have alot of time to read comics or live a life for that matter. But if you are reading comics currently...which ones have you really interested to see what happens next?

[Adi Granov]

milan, no, I haven't.

Juggernaut, I read a lot of comics actually. To be honest I don't really understand how anyone working in comics wouldn't read them... Regardless, the one I am most looking forward to at the moment is Daredevil.

[Bearpod91]

Adi, do you have any tips or tutorials to using Photoshop CS? I have CS2 but can't find any good coloring tutorials.

[Adi Granov]

I don't do anything different in CS than I did in photoshop 5 or 6. It really depends on what you want to color, lineart or shaded stuff. My technique is very different to what most people do because I shade everything on paper so I have to first do that in a way that will not ruin the coloring and then color digitaly in a way that will not clash with my shading. It's a give and take kinda thing that I've learned over about 8 years of working with photoshop.

My old tutorial on my website is probably a decent place to start with my technique.

[paintstain]

Would you like some barbecue?

[Dennis K]

Hi-Cut bikini or thong?

[Professor Oreo]

Adi, at what resolution in photoshop do you ususally paint your work? 250 or maybe 300 ppi? Also is that the same resolution at which you submit your cover work or do you scale it down maybe? Thanks Adi!

[Adi Granov]

Bret, yes.

Dennis, neither...

Prof Oreo, I do everything at print size at 400dpi. That's the required size by Marvel so I just work with it as it's more than big enough. But for most other work I do 300dpi at whatever size feels appropriate for the amount of detail.

[Dennis K]

Yellow or brown mustard?

[Adi Granov]

Depends on what it's with. I like the hot english mustard the most, but brown goes better with some things.

[paintstain]

Bret, yes.

I knew it.

[Dennis K]

Have you read any of Donald Westlake's work?

[Juggernaut]

What kind of music do you listen too,also who are your favorite musicians/bands etc.

[Adi Granov]

Dennis, no. Good?

Juggernaut, it really depends. Throughout my teens the band I swore by was Faith no More and their experimentations and general lack of defined genre really opened my mind (up until that point I was pretty much only into thrash and speed metal)

I listen to a lot of electronic and industrial stuff like Front 242, Amon Tobin, Haujobb and Front Line Assembly, and I listen to a few heavy, usually concept/prog bands like Isis, Melvins, Godflesh, Tool, Meshuggah and Opeth. But I also really like a lot of the quieter, moodier stuff like Bonobo or The Knife. It all depends really, I appreciate well done and unique music where I can tell that some effort went into it and it doesn't sound like every other band of the month. Plus I stick with bands I like for decades.

[Dennis K]

No, not good, brilliant, whether he's writing under his own name or that of Richard Stark. The Ax in particular is so good it's a wonder that nobody has tried it in real life.

http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~folbre/downsize/images/Westlak3.jpg

[Juggernaut]

Dennis, no. Good?

Juggernaut, it really depends. Throughout my teens the band I swore by was Faith no More and their experimentations and general lack of defined genre really opened my mind (up until that point I was pretty much only into thrash and speed metal)

I listen to a lot of electronic and industrial stuff like Front 242, Amon Tobin, Haujobb and Front Line Assembly, and I listen to a few heavy, usually concept/prog bands like Isis, Melvins, Godflesh, Tool, Meshuggah and Opeth. But I also really like a lot of the quieter, moodier stuff like Bonobo or The Knife. It all depends really, I appreciate well done and unique music where I can tell that some effort went into it and it doesn't sound like every other band of the month. Plus I stick with bands I like for decades.



speed metal? anything like "stratovarius" or metallica back in the hayday of the 80's? Or something else entirely?

[Adi Granov]

Yeah, the whole 80's speed/thrash scene, from Megadeth to Annihilator. I was, and am a huge fan of the first 4 Metallica albums, and I am still a fan of Slayer.

[nino]

I never got into Iron Man too much but when they rebooted with you and Warren Ellis I had to buy. Art was immaculate, story was great! I'm sorry to say that I don't know enough to know if you are on a monthly currently or if you are planning on getting another book soon?

[paintstain]

Any updates on your web site coming? (Not like you don't have anything else to do.)

[Dennis K]

Yeah, the whole 80's speed/thrash scene, from Megadeth to Annihilator. I was, and am a huge fan of the first 4 Metallica albums, and I am still a fan of Slayer.



Ride The Lightning or Master Of Puppets?

[Adi Granov]

I never got into Iron Man too much but when they rebooted with you and Warren Ellis I had to buy. Art was immaculate, story was great! I'm sorry to say that I don't know enough to know if you are on a monthly currently or if you are planning on getting another book soon?

Thanks! I am doing the New Avengers 24 out in september. But other than that I am mostly doing covers and design work outside of comics.

[Adi Granov]

Any updates on your web site coming? (Not like you don't have anything else to do.)

Well, the site is done design wise, I just haven't had any time to coordinate with the designer doing it to get the art uploaded etc.


Dennis, hmm, both really, I think Ride the Lighting really blew all other metal bands at the time away. For Whom the Bell Tolls, Fade to Black and The Call of Ktulu was just mindblowing to me at the time. We've gotten used to it so much by now but I remember first hearing that album and it was magical. Metallica became a religion for my friends and I with that album.

But Master of Puppets solidified it. It is almost like they didn't think Lighning was heavy or fast enough so they set out to destroy all other music. I seriously didn't think metal could get any better, ever... and in all honesty it probably never has. That was the prime.

[Hot Pink]

have you seen meshuggah live?
opeth?

so fucking wonderful.

[sabretoothwyldchyld]

Adi, What was your first pro work? Necrowar? Thanks...

[Adi Granov]

Hot Pink, no. I haven't seem many bands live in the recent years, something always seems to get in the way.

[Adi Granov]

Adi, What was your first pro work? Necrowar? Thanks...

If you mean comics then yes, Necrowar. But as far as art jobs go I was a concept designer for videogames and film for about 4 years before Necrowar came along. And my very first art job was editorial illustration for a weekly magazine in Croatia about 12 years ago where I lived at the time. Comics have been just a more recent venture.

[John Drake]

Adi, this is a sort of weird question but, when you as an artist make changes in your style, is it usually a conscious decision, or just an organic part of your progress as an artist?

[Adi Granov]

Hmm, both I think, depending on the situation. There is always the natural progress as the skills and the tastes develop, but also there are times when I feel like I either want to push my work in a certain direction or that a project needs a specific look. But in all honesty, I've been developing the same style for the last 14 years. When i think about it I was doing the same exact thing back in art school, I just didn't have the skill to pull it off as well.

[John Drake]

Hmm, both I think, depending on the situation. There is always the natural progress as the skills and the tastes develop, but also there are times when I feel like I either want to push my work in a certain direction or that a project needs a specific look. But in all honesty, I've been developing the same style for the last 14 years. When i think about it I was doing the same exact thing back in art school, I just didn't have the skill to pull it off as well.

That's cool to know, thanks man.

[Juggernaut]

Hey Adi check out this band....very mixed group of all styles of metal

http://www.dragonforce.com/main.html

[Preacher 59]

So Adi,here's my question.
Will you be interested by being our guest for a french Comics Festival in Lille (near Belgium : the homeland F242,i love them too!!) in early december 2006 the 8th and 9 th to be precise.
So far the confirmed guests are Mike Carey,Liam Sharp (and MAM TOR),Bryan Talbot,John McCrea,Roger Langridge and Chris Weston.
Please let me know !!!
Thanks.

[Adi Granov]

So Adi,here's my question.
Will you be interested by being our guest for a french Comics Festival in Lille (near Belgium : the homeland F242,i love them too!!) in early december 2006 the 8th and 9 th to be precise.
So far the confirmed guests are Mike Carey,Liam Sharp (and MAM TOR),Bryan Talbot,John McCrea,Roger Langridge and Chris Weston.
Please let me know !!!
Thanks.


That sound like a lot of fun. I love seeing new places and I've only been to Paris so seeing a different part of France would be great. Could you send me some details about the con and what you have in mind to my email? adigra at hotmail... (obviously with the @ and .com but I don't want spam bots to find me).

[Preacher 59]

That sound like a lot of fun. I love seeing new places and I've only been to Paris so seeing a different part of France would be great. Could you send me some details about the con and what you have in mind to my email? adigra at hotmail... (obviously with the @ and .com but I don't want spam bots to find me).

Did you received my e-mail,Adi ?:scared:

[Preacher 59]

It's ok i get it,thanks!!!

[Dennis K]

Just because you've nice enough to answer everybody's questions I changed my avatar in your honor. Do you appreciate it? ;-)

[Professor Oreo]

Adi, how involved are you (if at all) in the preliminary stages of the new Iron Man movie? Has anyone asked you to do any concept art or possibly design a new suit of armor for the flick? You've really put your stamp on the character, and they'd be silly not to at least ask you to throw your 2 cents into some of the pre-production work. I know if you are involved you may not be at liberty to spill the beans, so I'm absolutely ready for a big "no comment" response. ;)

[Adi Granov]

Dennis, you've changed it again...

Prof Oreo, no comment.

[Professor Oreo]

Prof Oreo, no comment.

Awesome. ;-)

[Dennis K]

When was the last time a scene in a movie had you saying "holy sh*t, I didn't expect that!"

[Adi Granov]

The car crash scene in Forgotten.

[Dennis K]

You say you really like heavy metal. What CD then, would people be most suprised to find in your collection?

[Adi Granov]

I really wouldn't know. I listen to some metal, but I am by no means restricted to it. Some people seem surprised that I really like Stereolab, but others are freaked out by my collection of the entire Slayer catalogue.

[Preacher 59]

WWhhoouuaa ! I just seen the cover of The FF for the october 2006 release.
The human Torch is great Adi i love the textures you use for his skin.
Ross go home... :grope: and don't be affraid Adi is here !!!!!!:scared:
The Iron Man cover is good too !! I like the posture very...Silver Surfer.
Tony Stark always the beach playboy.

[jmk]

Hey, Adi. Was introduced to your work thanks to Iron Man: Extremis. Awesome stuff.

A while back you said you used to listen to a lot of Faith No More. Are you into any other Mike Patton stuff? Mr. Bungle, namely?

- Jeremy

[GelfXIII]

Hey Adi. That Civil War Human Torch cover is amazing! Seriously, that rocks my socks. How do you make fire look that good?

[Gavin]

Is Extremis a good jumping off point for someone who has never read an Iron Man comic before?

[Adi Granov]

Back from California, back to the questions.

Preacher, thanks! I've been waiting to do a Human Torch painting for a long time so I planned how to do the texture and the lighting way in advance. It was a lot of fun.

jmk, yes, I like a lot of what Patton does. Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Lovage, and Tomahawk are all really good. I like this recent project, Peeping Tom, as well, but it's a bit of hit or miss.

gelf, thank you. Fire is kinda tricky but I've done it before so it came together fairly easy. There is a technique to it but most important was to study photos of fire and figure out what it is that makes it look the way it does.

Gavin, yes. That's why it was an all new #1. It kinda forgets some of the convoluted stories that came before and streamlines the backstory in order to get back to what made Iron Man good to start with. So even if you don't know much about IM at all I think the story stands on its own.

[Preacher 59]

Hello Adi,welcome back …to us.
By the way if you have some time to spare, just as Chris Cross you can register to our French Comics Forum, I’m quite sure they’ll be very pleased to welcome you.
Once registred you can post on “Forumer” to present yourself, and show your next works here.
You can post in English and they’ll respond in same way.
So you could be the second professional to register here.
Please do if you have time.
Thanks…
Here’s the link http://buzzcomics.net/?langid=1

[cvinicius01]

Adi, I'm Vinicius Andrade, comics colorist from Brazil.

Tell us how goes in SDCC and what's news about concept art and design to IM movie (If you can, of course). Thanks.

[Adi Granov]

Hi Vinicius.

SDCC was really really hectic. It was so busy for my wife and I that being back home now feels like a vacation. From that Thursday up until a few hours before our flight back on this Wed. it was non stop.

It was great to see the guys at Marvel Studios in person and have a look at all the work they've been doing. We had lots of meetings and I got to meet everyone from Jon Favreau to Avi Arad. I've spoken to them on the phone (a whole lot to Jon especially) but meeting them in person was great.

We had a great dinner in San Diego with a lot of people I am a huge fan of like Paul Jenkins and Joss Whedon (who says he loved Extremis!) Joe Q, Ed Brubaker, Billy Tan (who is a super nice guy) etc. It was great fun and the steak was amazing.

The Marvel Studios panel was just nuts. I spoke in front of a full 2000 seat room and it went pretty good, I am quite proud of the fact that I didn't let the nerves get to me. After that Jon and I signed about 500 posters at the Marvel booth. The line of people spiraled around the booth like a coil, it was amazing.

The stuff I saw at the Studios makes me believe that we'll have a really good movie. Jon seems to really understand Iron Man and the team of people assembled is fantastic. Obviously we're only at the very beggining of the process but so far it's all more than promissing.

[cvinicius01]

Your enthusiastic words make just one conclusion: you are loving all this stuff of comics! Am I right? How diferent is read books as teenager, improve your skills in some direction, in some point of your life make some sort of contact with comics professionals and >boom!< To be a loved artist with fans, regconised work by respected profs, interviews, Times Magazine, etc?

I wan to know, how do you see all these things happening with you? How do you feel in the other side of a mirror teenage comics reader/first class comics professional?

[Eeriest_Elk]

In the current arc, the Being Controlled aspect is something that happened before with the armor, I think bob layton drew IM blowing out the chest of an official.

I was very happy to see The Sentry being used in the proper context, Dramatic entrance, then one punch and IM is down. Exactly what I would expect from him.

It seems as though alot of people at marvel are unsure what to do now that he is in the picture.

I agree with you that getting back to the essence is a good thing, I havent picked up an IM book in forever now I am waiting for the next installment!

[Adi Granov]

Vinicius, hmm, that's a difficult question. You are right though, I really love being a part of this comic world. Growing up I didn't read much american comics, my biggest hero was/is Moebius and I pretty much wanted to model my career after his. Do comics, illustrations, posters, games, movies... and so far I think it's been a great model to follow as it's led me on a fantastic journey and a fun life.

But it hasn't been a fast road. I've been doing illustration and design professionally for about 13-14 years. My first paid job was when I was 16. So it has been a slow progress with ups and downs and only in the last 3-4 years it's gotten on a steady route up.

But yes, I am still very much very excited by it all and I am still a huge fan of a lot of artist and I get just as excited to meet them as I would've when I was younger. I just had the privilege to meet Moebius last week in San Diego and was abolutely extatic about it.

[cvinicius01]

... I just had the privilege to meet Moebius last week in San Diego and was abolutely extatic about it.

And how was the meeting? How he looks like? Does he have some maneirism, strange nervous "tics" or some funny behavior? Did he say some kind of special advice or technical opinions or just said "hei, Adi, enjoy it and live every second of life!"
How was this encounter? (and others that you would like to say in few words, of couse. I don't want to borrow you... ;-) )

Vinicius

[bennymatthewtaylor]

Adi, I'm just wondering if the Iron Man faceplate you use is supposed to look a little like Ultron for a plot driven reason down the line?

Eeriest Elk, I think that was from a What If comic called "What if Iron Man Lost the Armor Wars" however the Marr's twins (penciled by John Romita Jr, written by John Byrne.) totally took over Tony Starks body in the early ninties circa 258-266 in the second Armor Wars.

[Gavin]

Not so much a question as a follow-up. Just bought the Iron Man: Extremis HC based on your recommendation that it would be a good jumping on point for someone with little to no Iron Man background. Still working on it, but so far so good. Fantastic art.

[Patrick King]

Adi-
Is there any chance of you coming to Wizard World Texas this fall? That's the only major con within driving distance of where I live, and it'd be cool to get my Iron Man #1 signed :D.

[jovan]

Hey Adi,
Your artwork is fantastic. Another Balkan's gem at the USA market. Your Iron-man's outfit design is outstanding. Just keep up with the good work and please don't give up the comics because of the Hollywood's dazzlement.

You can see my and my brother's work at
http://geocities.com/remayo_art/

Best
Jovan, Ohrid, Makedonija

[John Drake]

Adi, what happened with New Avengers #24? :(

[Bearpod91]

Adi, what happened with New Avengers #24? :(
yeah, I'm wondering about that as well.

[Adi Granov]

Well, this happened weeks ago but I guess it took a while for it to make it through the pipeline. My commitments on the Iron Man movie clashed with the book, and the movie is in a crucial stage at the moment where my work is highly needed, so in the end something had to give. We agreed that this would happen only if suitable replacement was found and luckily Pasqual was available. I have personally been a big fan of his since Adam Strange. Without going into too much detail, my movie work is a large beast now extending into the licencing and merchandising, so taking weeks off in order to do the NA issue would've caused much more damage than not doing the issue will.

[John Drake]

Thanks for the straightforward answer, Adi. I hope your Iron Man stuff is a huge success. And I agree about Pasqual; since Adam Strange his art has really evolved.

[Professor Oreo]

Well, this happened weeks ago but I guess it took a while for it to make it through the pipeline. My commitments on the Iron Man movie clashed with the book, and the movie is in a crucial stage at the moment where my work is highly needed, so in the end something had to give. We agreed that this would happen only if suitable replacement was found and luckily Pasqual was available. I have personally been a big fan of his since Adam Strange. Without going into too much detail, my movie work is a large beast now extending into the licencing and merchandising, so taking weeks off in order to do the NA issue would've caused much more damage than not doing the issue will.

Merchandising too? Wow! does that mean that we'll be able to see some Adi-designed Iron Man toys and statues? If so, that is way cool!

Congrats on all of the success Adi!

[SaintDom]

Adi, what influences/references did you use to design and eventually put down Iron Man on paper (or computer)? Your Iron Man was different from any other I've seen- it was very realistic without being ridiculous with compartments and buttons. =)

[jovan]

I've spent some time downloading your covers from official Marvel site and was captivated with the quality of the newest illustrations for Iron Man and Civil War. Excellent work! I'm very impressed with more artistic and organic look of the characters and background. You are improving all the time, young man. Keep up the good work.

You can see my work at
http://geocities.com/remayo_art/