Creator Spotlight – Joe Currie Robinson, Publisher of Strictly Underground Comics Recently updated !
Peace to everyone! Here is another great spotlight on an Indie Creator that has and continues to make his mark. Strictly Underground Comics comes straight out of Chicago and its the brainchild of Joe Robinson. >>>>>>>>..>
ARTISTIC/DEVELOPMENT
As it relates to your earliest memory as an artist, did Art choose you or did you choose Art? The Art of writing that is… As far as writing, it was both. I’ve always enjoyed stories, when I was a kid. When I grew older, I started getting ideas of my own and began writing them down. So, it was just that natural progression to go from loving the art form and developing a passion to create own worlds, characters and stories.
Who or What were your earliest inspirations and present influences that that inspire your art/comics/writing? I read everything comic related! Hell, even it was a popular comic strip or cartoon. I read Archie, Garfield and Heathcliff collected books. But, I would jump from stuff like that to Captain America, Fantastic Four and Batman. Of course, there was the creative wave in the early 90’s with the birth of Image Comics and Milestone Comics. I even had a high school friend, who created and published his own comic book. All of those things inspired me. The stuff I read, opened me up to the world but that early 90’s Indie wave, had a huge impact on me. It was nonstop inspiration. Presently, I really dig stuff by Alan Moore, Dwayne McDuffie and Warren Ellis.
How important is it to study your art and how do you approach keeping your skills sharp? It’s very important. I study and absorb stuff from all mediums. I try to apply it to the craft of creating comics. I think as a creator, you should always strive to get better. To make the next creative exploit better than the one before. With that said, you have to always study. Read everything.
What are some books that are on your personal shelf? I have all of the Dresden Files. I’m a huge fan of that book series. When it comes to Graphic novels and trades; I have Monsters 101, Walking Dead, Watchmen, Global Frequency, We3. Preacher, Transmetropolitan, lol just to name a few.
Are there any titles that you are currently reading? I’m reading a few independent joints that are out. I’m really digging One Nation. I’m a huge fan of the Marvel cosmic universe, so I’m digging Original Sin. I was always a sucker for those big epic tales and those insanely crazy cosmic beings of the Marvel U.
WORK/STYLE
Give us a description of your Creative Lab. Oh, that’s the living room. I think most creators have their creative works in some way or form in their workspace. I’m no different. I have all types of stuff everywhere. I don’t think any studio is complete without action figures. I think it sort of serves as a reminder, of what you are.
If Art can save the world, then that makes the Artist a Superhero; and every Hero needs theme music. Name the song or songs that you listen to for inspiration as you create? Hmmmmmm!!! Triumph by Wu-Tang Clan/ Believe by Lenny Kravitz/ Everyday by NIN/ Bring the Pain by Method Man/ Any Song By Stevie Wonder. I can go on and on lol!
What techniques & tools do you employ to bring ideas to life? My brain and a laptop!!! Every once in a while, I use a note pad.
How would you describe your writing style or artistic technique? The idea is the initial spark. I’ll work the idea around in my head for a little bit. Once I really start to feel it, I will type it out. Usually, it takes about two or three revisions before I really have it.
SOUL/ART
In terms of personal projects, what is the Flagship creative project for your company and how did you come up with the idea for the concept? There are two companies that I am a part of. The 1st is Strictly Underground. There were four of us, when we started. The goal was for each creator to take a turn with his creation and the rest of us would help bring that idea to life. So there was never really an official flagship title. The first miniseries out of the gate was “The Huntsmen” The 2nd was “The Something” The 3rd was “Prodigy” and the 4th and current one is “PUNXof RAGE”.
The 2nd Company, I am a partner of is called StreetTeam Studios. There is a flagship title called the “Almighty StreetTeam”. The concept is about a team of vigilantes and urban warriors who come together to face an adversary(ies) that are much too powerful to be taken on alone. This concept was created collectively by all of us. Stanley Weaver, James Mason, Shawn Alleyne and myself.
What are some of the most immediate/follow-up projects? The initial book, StreetTeam 0 was followed up with the Videogame. We’ve just published our Universe guide. The next step is the live action movie; helmed by Director R.L. Scott.
Talk about the difficulties of being an independent artist and the hurdles you’ve overcome to produce and publish your own works. It’s certainly not an easy path. One of the biggest hurdles, I believe is getting the work seen. After you have gotten the work seen and you develop an audience, you must be able to keep them. That means, meeting the demand or you may lose them.
What is your preferred medium for your stories; comic book, graphic novel, animation or movie? Hell, I’ll take all of them. For me, it’s comics. I love having a visual medium. With a comic, you can create a visual story with out a lot of red tape or crazy expenses. Plus, you can do almost anything. It’s words and pictures!
Here’s a fun question. Name a mainstream project/character or an independent project and/or character that you’d love to work on or revamp and what would you do to put your twist on it? I won’t say the twist but if any marvel editor ever read this. Just give me one shot on Cloak & Dagger and I’d rock it! I would love to create a comic for the Wu. We would smash that joint.
For the independent artist, how has technology affected the way you are able to do business or make progress on your art? For example, but not limited to: Finding Clients? Artistic Collaboration? Getting work done? It’s huge. I mean even back in the 90’s, you could find talent on sites like pencil jack and digital webbing. The internet itself just made the idea of creating your book seem like more of a possibility, when you could absorb the knowledge that the net readily had available. You can work across great distances with ease. I’m part of StreetTeam Studios and we are in 4 different cities.
What are the conferences that are on your yearly schedule to attend? I tend to do no more than 6 a year. Two of those are in Chicago those being Wizard World Chicago the other C2E2. After that, I have to pick and choose and see what I can or cannot do.
What advice do you give to aspiring artists of all mediums about the importance of events and how do you prepare to maximize your potential at these fairs? Go in there prepared; have your business cards and your flyers. Everything. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to people as they pass by. Lastly, if things are not working out. Don’t feel defeated or look defeated at a show. If you do that it’s over. My thought is that you’ve spent money to be there. Keep trying until they turn off the lights.
LIFE/EXPRESSION
On the idea of Art Imitates Life or Life Imitates Art, is the role of Art in human existence a catalyst for behavior and community building or is Art a mirror to reflect the world of what was and what is? It would seem of late, Life is imitating art. When it comes to music. I’m a huge Hip Hop fan. Of course, this conversation is nearly constant but I definitely believe that the way that the culture is being pushed through the mainstream outlets is having an effect on the culture at large and the kids of this generation and it’s not good. I always question, what I put out there. When I was younger ,I was not conscious of what I was creating. Now I try to be careful. I don’t want to put the wrong message out there.
Due to budget cuts for schools, classes and after-school programs, primarily in black and Latino communities, the youth are not getting exposed or are exposed to very little physical education and the arts. How important do you feel the arts are to the lives of the youth? It’s extremely important. I mean kids need an outlet. It’s funny though, if there is not a formal outlet; you will most likely see street artists. It would be better if the schools treated the arts like any other subject. It truly gives kids an expressive outlet and a way for them to hone their craft.
Whether it’s the concept of Six Degrees of Separation or Its A Small World, the culture to are smaller than outsiders know. To bridge the gap between yourself and your peers, do you belong to any artist groups or forums, if so which ones? I’m pretty much just Facebook and Twitter now. The forums don’t get as much traffic as they used to, so I keep it simple with those.
Now to bridge the gap between your art and the public at large, give the name and address of your sites and forums where people can see your creativity and how people can get in contact with you for commissions and/or to follow your work?
www.facebook.com/thealmightystreetteam
www.facebook.com/StrictlyUndergroundComics
What impact would you like your art to make on the world? I would hope to have made a good impression. The world will be the judge I suppose lol.
What are your favorite quotes or philosophies of life that help you improve as a person or artist?
“Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.” –Bruce Lee
Is there anything else that you want the readers to know, feel free to elaborate?
Thank You, Ced for taking the time to do this.
To everyone who has been there for me I say Thank You!!! It’s almost 20 years I’ve got in this business and that would not have come with out your support . I’m truly grateful!
-Joe
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There it is! Thank you Joe! I appreciate your time!
Everyone! Remember Support INDIE Artists and their projects! If you’re an artist or creator, contact me so I can feature you and your work!
Until next time!
Stay Healthy,
Stay Positive,
Stay Creative!
- Ced Pharaoh
