Interview with Jon Marlin
By Adolfo Rodríguez
This interview was published in the weblog Más que cómics.
Q: What are your previous works?
A: I've done various pin ups for Image comics, 5 page short for Digital Webbing Presents #1(First published work), Wrap around cover for Digital Webbing Presents Convention annual #1, short educational comic for a learning center and a YoungBlood Imperial Pin-up.
Q: How did you start working with Arcade?
A: I showed Rob my portfolio at WWLA 2004 at the Arcade booth and he liked it and offered me a pinup slot in Youngblood Imperial which he really dug. He said we'd be working together soon. So, fast forward one year and I found myself at the Arcade booth at WWLA 2005 but this time I was with Rob signing copies of our Nitro Gen Preview book.
Q: How was the process of creation of NitroGen?
A: Rob told me what he wanted to do with this story and he let me knock out the character designs. As far as input I have given very little in terms of direction. Rob has been extremely approachable but to be honest....Rob has a vision here and I want to tell that story because.... well--it's that good. I wish Rob would write more of his stuff. He really is a great story teller. He's plotted his work for years so it shouldn't be a big surprise.
Q: Is it part of the Extreme Universe (Youngblood, Bloodstrike...)?
A: Absolutely, you are going to see familiar faces all over, the book will have MANY appearances that fans of Rob's creations are gonna drool over. What can you tell us about the characters? Superion, the flyer- Game and Gauntlet, the beauty and the brains topped with cataclysmic power-Spice2, a cybernetic arsenal. What do they have in common? They are all bad a$$es. We wanted to tell a pure superhero story that allows for plenty of destruction and drama. They all have secrets and the secrets are half the fun, the other half is the destruction.
Q: Which are your major influences?
A: Todd McFarlane, Rob Liefeld and Jim Lee, no order. They are my 3 biggest influences of all time. Masamune Shirow, Frank Miller and Jack Kirby are right up there.
Q: Are there any future plans with NitroGen after this one shot?
A: First thing is it may no longer be a one shot, Rob is kicking around the idea to expand this to be a 3 issue mini series now, we just have so much we want to tell and show and at this point we think this may be the best way to approach NitroGen. As for future Nitro Gen tales I think there is a high possibility for that. Wizard World LA 2005 reaction to the preview book has been exceptional, if WWLA is a gauge for San Diego and Chicago than we have something here that needs to be told beyond the arc we have planned so far.
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