And capturing those moments requires a skilled illustrator.
What it’s like to face the blank page every day?
Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.
I’m Matt Haley.
I’ve been a full-time professional comic book illustrator since 1991.
Right now, I’m illustratingWonder Woman ‘77for DC Comics Digital.
I’m also the director of the viral internet hitBlackstar Warrior.
What drove you to choose your career path?
How did you go about getting your job?
What kind of education and experience did you need?
54 pagesI was thrilled and terrified at the same time.
Did you need any licenses or certifications?
What kinds of things do you do beyond what average people see?
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
I recently disconnected internet access to the computer I generate my art on and my productivity doubled.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
I was the one who saw Office Space and didn’t get the jokes.
That said, I am probably very spoiled and wouldn’t last five minutes in a more traditional profession.
People seem to think comic artists are rich; this could not be further from the truth!
Hand-to-mouth, usually, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
My commute is about fifteen feet, and I can work in my robe.
What are your average work hours?
I work for about twelve hours a day but that’s not all drawing.
Some of it is writing on the various projects I have cooking.
I work six days a week and make a run at take one day off.
Daily yoga really helps to keep me sane and saves the back.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
What’s the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
The lack of regular paychecks.
Additionally, resisting the urge to snack, since one can crave stimulation while working.
I stick to nuts and dried fruits and tea, but there’s the occasional Ritter Sport bar.
Mmmm, Ritter Sport.
What’s the most enjoyable part of the job?
Uninterrupted hours and hours of creation.
Watching any movie I want while working.
Staring at a finished page or piece and knowing you nailed it.
Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?
Yes, they canvisit my siteand send me a message through the contact form!
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
There’s no standard.
These are just general figures.
I have no kids so it’s a little easier for me to keep doing art for a living.
How do you move up in your field?
That’s the big question, isn’t it?
“Moving up” can largely be about luck.
I think it’s more about “not giving up.”
What do your clients under/over value?
Clients tend to overvalue their own artistic and creative knowledge and undervalue the artist’s.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Don’t give up, but realize you may make a lot of life sacrifices to do this.
It’s not for everyone.
I’d tell prospective comic artists to start their own online comic and grow an audience from there.
It’s a ridiculously competitive field, and it’s not always a meritocracy.
Creator-owned comics are big these days and people can make a decent living doing their own.
Something I may finally do in the near future, we’ll see.
But really, don’t give up, no matter how rough it gets.
For the right person being a professional artist can be incredibly rewarding!
This interview has been edited for clarity.
If you’d like to share your career, email us at[email protected].
Title image adapted fromKennyK,2(Shutterstock).
