Post by /\/\att on May 11, 2004 0:01:06 GMT -5
Thread started on: Nov 27th, 2003
Terry Beatty has been the inker of the various animated Batman comics for the past 7 years!
Terry is most recently working on Batman Adventures and The Batman Strikes!
He was kind enough to take the time to sit down with the LoG for a few questions!
LoG: Do you have an issue of any animated Batman comic you've worked on that stands out to you? Any favorites?
Terry Beatty: Well, my first issue (Batman and Robin Adventures #18 -- if my memory serves) was a thrill -- not only was I working on a Batman book for the first time, but the villains were Joker and Harley -- so it was a great way to start my run.
There have been many highlights over the years -- the movie adaptations, first issues of new series, the Joker "blackout" story (written by Ty) that I pencilled and inked -- and every new penciller I've worked with has been a treat.
I was originally hired just to fill in for Rick Burchett (then the inker on the series) for six months while he helped launch Superman Adventures -- but when he came back, it was as penciller, so I got to stick around. But even at seven years (plus!), I still have a ways to go to beat my own personal record of twelve years on a series (Ms. Tree).
What's odd is that I wasn't even looking for work on the comic book, thinking Rick Burchett had a lock on that job. I'd sent animated-style Bat-samples to the merchandising department, looking for work drawing t-shirt and lunchbox art (etc.), but shipped another set of samples to the editor of the comic book as well, almost as a lark. When I actually got the call asking if I wanted to fill in for Rick, it was quite a (welcome) surprise!
LoG: Do you have a favorite bat-villain?
Terry Beatty:It's tough to choose between Joker and Harley -- so I'll choose 'em both.
LoG: Do you collect any Batman toys? If so, which ones?
Terry Beatty:I've picked up most of the animated series action figures. I had them on display on a long shelf at the top of the stairs as you entered my studio -- but they're currently boxed up awaiting a move. I've not decided if they'll be displayed in my new studio, or end up on eBay! And, no, I didn't keep them on the cards -- they're loose. But I'm also a Batman fan from way back -- I was part of the generation that watched the Adam West TV show first run, so I also have some vintage Bat-items -- my favorites being the Aurora model kits. A few years ago I lucked into finding the Penguin kit, which is the toughest of the bunch to turn up -- and yes, I opened it and built it! I collect all sorts of toys and pop culture memorabilia -- from model kits to 3-D (Viewmaster and True-View) to vintage pin-up items and character toys. I've even sculpted and produced a few resin figure kits for the "garage kit" hobby.
LoG: You've worked on the various animated style Batman comics for onwards of seven years now. What was the reaction by the creative team when you all won the Will Eisner awards?
Terry Beatty:I think we were all surprised, thrilled and gratified. I wasn't ever at the ceremonies, so for me the cool moment was when the plaques came in the mail. They're nifty-lookin' things with a big ol' Will Eisner signature etched on 'em. They look great on my studio wall.
LoG: Do you prefer the original animated style, or the newer 'Gotham Adventures' style character designs?
Terry Beatty:The new designs are far more sophisticated. While I like the earlier designs just fine -- Bruce Timm clearly applied what he had learned in the ensuing years to the new designs. They win hands down.
LoG: For those aspiring inkers out there....can you give any tips on how to break into the industry? What stepping stones were on the path to your success?
Terry Beatty:Number one is: don't aspire to be only an inker. Learn to be a cartoonist -- the kind that does the WHOLE job. Then if you end up inking others, that's fine -- but with the trend toward printing from pencils (ugh!) or digital inks, there may not be as much (or any) demand for traditional inkers in the future as there has been.
As for having success in the comics biz -- it's a matter of hard work and perseverance -- constantly studying, improving and evolving, being professional (that means making deadlines!) -- and a little luck helps too. But if you can make your own luck, that's all the better.
Terry Beatty has been the inker of the various animated Batman comics for the past 7 years!
Terry is most recently working on Batman Adventures and The Batman Strikes!
He was kind enough to take the time to sit down with the LoG for a few questions!
LoG: Do you have an issue of any animated Batman comic you've worked on that stands out to you? Any favorites?
Terry Beatty: Well, my first issue (Batman and Robin Adventures #18 -- if my memory serves) was a thrill -- not only was I working on a Batman book for the first time, but the villains were Joker and Harley -- so it was a great way to start my run.
There have been many highlights over the years -- the movie adaptations, first issues of new series, the Joker "blackout" story (written by Ty) that I pencilled and inked -- and every new penciller I've worked with has been a treat.
I was originally hired just to fill in for Rick Burchett (then the inker on the series) for six months while he helped launch Superman Adventures -- but when he came back, it was as penciller, so I got to stick around. But even at seven years (plus!), I still have a ways to go to beat my own personal record of twelve years on a series (Ms. Tree).
What's odd is that I wasn't even looking for work on the comic book, thinking Rick Burchett had a lock on that job. I'd sent animated-style Bat-samples to the merchandising department, looking for work drawing t-shirt and lunchbox art (etc.), but shipped another set of samples to the editor of the comic book as well, almost as a lark. When I actually got the call asking if I wanted to fill in for Rick, it was quite a (welcome) surprise!
LoG: Do you have a favorite bat-villain?
Terry Beatty:It's tough to choose between Joker and Harley -- so I'll choose 'em both.
LoG: Do you collect any Batman toys? If so, which ones?
Terry Beatty:I've picked up most of the animated series action figures. I had them on display on a long shelf at the top of the stairs as you entered my studio -- but they're currently boxed up awaiting a move. I've not decided if they'll be displayed in my new studio, or end up on eBay! And, no, I didn't keep them on the cards -- they're loose. But I'm also a Batman fan from way back -- I was part of the generation that watched the Adam West TV show first run, so I also have some vintage Bat-items -- my favorites being the Aurora model kits. A few years ago I lucked into finding the Penguin kit, which is the toughest of the bunch to turn up -- and yes, I opened it and built it! I collect all sorts of toys and pop culture memorabilia -- from model kits to 3-D (Viewmaster and True-View) to vintage pin-up items and character toys. I've even sculpted and produced a few resin figure kits for the "garage kit" hobby.
LoG: You've worked on the various animated style Batman comics for onwards of seven years now. What was the reaction by the creative team when you all won the Will Eisner awards?
Terry Beatty:I think we were all surprised, thrilled and gratified. I wasn't ever at the ceremonies, so for me the cool moment was when the plaques came in the mail. They're nifty-lookin' things with a big ol' Will Eisner signature etched on 'em. They look great on my studio wall.
LoG: Do you prefer the original animated style, or the newer 'Gotham Adventures' style character designs?
Terry Beatty:The new designs are far more sophisticated. While I like the earlier designs just fine -- Bruce Timm clearly applied what he had learned in the ensuing years to the new designs. They win hands down.
LoG: For those aspiring inkers out there....can you give any tips on how to break into the industry? What stepping stones were on the path to your success?
Terry Beatty:Number one is: don't aspire to be only an inker. Learn to be a cartoonist -- the kind that does the WHOLE job. Then if you end up inking others, that's fine -- but with the trend toward printing from pencils (ugh!) or digital inks, there may not be as much (or any) demand for traditional inkers in the future as there has been.
As for having success in the comics biz -- it's a matter of hard work and perseverance -- constantly studying, improving and evolving, being professional (that means making deadlines!) -- and a little luck helps too. But if you can make your own luck, that's all the better.