November 2006.

I talked to Jason Aaron a little bit about American media's tendency to portray Native Americans with westernized features. What do you think about that kind of ethnocentricity?

Awh…That’s a serious one for me… I think that it’s understandable, but not justifiable. It’s something generations were “talked into”. I miss movies about Native Americans like “Border” or “Lone Star” about Mexicans. Movies that later open the look on them as the people first. Y´know, people that love, hate, laugh etc. Like we all do. It’s this cliché from the past that needs them not to be people, but Indian people instead, whatever this could mean…Resuming, I think that into any type of fiction, even in highest & craziest imagination flights – there must be some kind of  base, author’s personal intent, or better put – point - that matches realism 100% (even if not presented obviously). Because if not, casts are empty aesthetical exercise - which is heavily the case with Native Americans. (I mean, yes, we do have masterpieces like “Ulzana’s raid” or “Hombre” or recent “The Last Of The Mohicans”, but it’s maybe 6 or 7 in 35 years /or more?/, and it’s all western)… So, I think first Jason & half-a-sec-after-him me, are hoping that if someone was “talked into” something, it does not mean he is personally convinced. We’re trying to enter that field, I suppose…

From what I've seen of the first issue of "Scalped," you've taken great pains to draw Natives that actually look like Natives.

Thank you, I sure hope this is a compliment. I'm still not sure of how much I succeeded (you never really are), as my style depends a lot on the line nerve used on the particular panel. So sometimes the nerve IS the look & there you plain hope it’ll be authentic enough. You simply never really know.  But what I do know is that this definitely is kind of serial that counts on time, where characters grow & define themselves with new events of the plot. Without any doubt - each time I make a new drawing of some of them, I’m more & more convinced of who he is & consequently how he really looks. If it works, reader should feel pretty much the same…

Jason told me you are very passionate about the characters and the world of "Scalped." What is it about the project that made you want to be involved?

Jason is a wonderful mate to tell you that. My passion comes from the intent of reaching some kind of visual depth of the character. And here, I like to have it as intense as a warrior is, I suppose. And what attracted me instantly to Scalped was the “feel” of synopsis. It red like the clear path, that’s somehow visible exclusively if realistic art approach is used. Man, I thought “this is 100% for me”…I simply can’t thank enough Will Dennis for offering it to me. Even if not doing it, I’d still would like to meet Jason, y’know… I mean, it’s an actual moment crime plot, clearly written with heart, with western attitude around. What do you want more?  I grew up on westerns & they’re the biggest percentage of liquid inside my drawing vein (ha, ha, ha)… so I felt pure. Identified & attracted instantly…

What kind of research did you do to make sure that the settings, clothing, etc. were accurately depicted?


Anything I could get my eyes on: related movies, National Geographic, Ed Curtis, Dee Brown….But the final aspect is a personal mix of all this. Common sense inside the chosen drawing style plays bigger part than people usually think.  Lets say that the goal could be to make it as accurate as possible – but without sacrificing the script dynamics or art style…In order to achieve exclusively “Scalped” story nerve…We try…;

Do you hope that books like "Scalped" will raise awareness of things like living conditions, crime stats, etc. on Native reservations?

Yes, of course I do hope. As much as this media range lets us. But I must say that if anything, my personal & intimate wish would be to inspire someone how to roll with the punches in life there. I come from a small country that “once was big”, I know the importance of it, believe me…;

Even today, modern day Reservations are such a different world from the rest of the U.S. Do you think in the current landscape of mainstream comics that there are that many opportunities for accurate, non-stereotypical depictions of Native lifestyle and heritage, short of having more comics that take place on Reservations?

I’m a great, great admirer of simplicity mixtures , but if it lacks depth, that’s where stereotype danger lies. Y’know, I really don’t think that tomahawk should be the base to build your story on.
It is character’s depth you need in order to break the stereotypes & move the story wherever you understand it better. Character’s exterior simplicity WITH depth, real believable depth, the one based on life, simply can’t go wrong. Because that’s where all differences really connect & make an interesting mix to work on. Not on the surface, y’know…Deeper you go, easier the stereotype break is, & more possibilities for the plot(s) you find.
And especially with Native Americans, if not character depth - what else they got? (…).  So, mainstream? …Well, why not…

What Native American comics characters that have influenced you,  past and present?

None. Sorry to say, if you know what I mean. Twas movies mostly. USA comic-wise I think I’m influenced by the, lets say,  aspect of western Noel Sickles did: strong, classy drawing attempt, but somehow free… The very second I see Sickles’ western drawings, “bad movie” feel vanishes. I mean, my personal goal could be the drawing that’s  instantly believable. That’s about all one should work on, & more than enough if achieved…

Thanks!

You’re more than welcome. It’s nice to receive the attention when you believe the project you’re in, so thank you. These questions were the right stuff…;