J. Augusto Cano (Wasteland Illustrator/Letterer)

I recently got a chance to look at "Wasteland" from writer Kieran Murphy and was impressed with the story but taken back by the art. Cano not only illustrated the book but colored and lettered it while doing the ads inside himself also! You can check out a preview of "Wasteland" in Independent Installation here on the site.

 

Mr. A: First off I want to thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for us all here at The Comic Avalanche. I really enjoyed the art in "Wasteland" and jumped at the chance to interview you about your process in making it and your collaboration with Kieran on the one-shot.

1. Wasteland comes out at Comixpress! on January 17th after a long time coming for both you and Kieran. What's it like to see your labors come out in the end?

JAC: It has not taken me much time, three months more or less. It has gone very fast for me, but perhaps it has been longer to Kieran Murphy waiting for the pages. I'm very impatient to see the final result on paper because when you have finished the last page, you feel a great satisfaction.

2. How did you first meet up with Keiran and how was the experience for you?
 

JAC: Noble Larimer Editor in chief of Ronin Studios contacted me after seeing some of my illustrations at Deviantart and later put me in contact with Kieran who sent me the script of Wasteland. I liked it a lot and the following day began sketches of the characters. I sent them to him and he liked them so I began to work on the comic. It's been a good experience for me, the only problem has been the language, my English is not very good. I hope Kieran and I work together beyond this.

3. You handled all the art chores for this book down to the lettering and ads. What was it like and what's your normal favorite field (pencils/inks/coloring/lettering)?

JAC: My favorite is to draw with pencil, perhaps because it is a more creative process. It is like the skeleton of the comic. My least favorite is to color using the computer. I have spent a long time looking at the screen but if you use good colors , results can be wonderful.
                                                              
4. Who/what would you contribute your love for illustration to?

JAC: Well, my father often paints pictures and I have drawn since I was a child. Moreover I have read hundreds of comics during my life. To tell you the truth I had never thought on this professionally, because I have studied Technical Architecture but I have always liked drawing and, little by little, if all goes well, I think it will be pay off.

5. What first lead you into the comics and will this be your first published work?

JAC: This is my first comic and I expect to do many more. Here  at home I have had published illustrations and I have collaborated in some fanzines but I haven't been published in comic  form because it is not a good market for the comic book in Spain.


6. Are/were you a comic collector or did you just get into the medium as an artist only?

JAC: I like collecting comics of any kind although I prefer graphic novels.

7. Do you have a favorite comic book and comic character?

JAC: Can I say Wasteland? . Anything Hellboy. I love Mike Mignola's style, his study of shadows together with the simplicity of his designs. Spawn, Batman, Akira de Katsuhiro Otomo are my favorites, but really any kind of comic, although I prefer those of fantasy, science-fiction or terror.

8. What character/characters would you most/least like to draw from any comic character out there?

JAC: Evidently I would like to draw one of my favorite characters, Hellboy, although it is impossible. Spawn is also one of my favorites to draw. I like the idea of the fight between Hell and Heaven. Oh, and of course Batman's darkness stage.

9. Who is your favorite writer and artist ever?

JAC: My favorite writer is above all, Alan Moore. As for artists I prefer Mike Mignola, Michel Turner, Greg Capillo and Luis Rollo.


10. What's next for you and are there any other projects on the horizon?

JAC:  By now I will have illustrated a fantasy book outside of Wasteland. I also hope
to draw the sequel to Wasteland , time will say though. I would like to thank Noble Larimer, Kieran Murphy and of course all members of Ronin Studios for this opportunity.

                                                             

 

Thanks, Mr. Avalanche