Judging by the way you write, you seem like youd be an asshole in person. Is that true?
I get this one the most, so just let me say thispassion, intensity, idealism and volume are often misunderstood for being asshole traits. I dont think of myself as an asshole, but Im sure there are a few people out there who disagree. And Im not saying that Im awesome/hardcore for being passionate and intensethese are things people have told me.
Will do take commissions?
Only at shows every now and then. And theyre going to be quick. I havent taken a commission from home for a few years now.
Why dont you do them?
Life is short and I have a few of my own stories and OGNs that I want to get done. Each day Im delayed doing a commission is a day I could be working on an OGN.
Are you available to work on my book for free?
Will you lick my balls for free?
Will you give me a critique?
Id rather not.
Do I call you Sean Murphy or should there be a Gordon in there?
I dont care. I only use my middle name because seanmurphy.com was taken. And when I signed onto DA I wanted my screen name to match my website.
What comics do you read?
Hardly any. The last thing I really enjoyed was Ennis and Parlovs Punisher runand that was a few years ago now. I used to read a lot of Drawn and Quarterly stuff, but these days friends have to force me to read stuff. And usually I cant get into it.
You dont seem to like comics all that much. How come?
I love the medium, I love drawing, and I love storytelling. And I love that it only takes one guy (who knows what hes doing) to make a really great comic for relatively little money. The fact that weve had the Golden Age, the Silver Age, the Death of whoever, the Return of whoever, JLA, JSA, X-everything, and Crisis after Crisis after Crisisthis does nothing for me. I havent been working my ass off all these years to draw guys in tights with their underwear showing while they attempt to have hard hitting dramas while overlooking the Earth on a giant green space station. And Im not bitter and Im not saying superheroes are sillyits just not for me. And most of the industry in the US is superhero related. Dont get me wrongI LOVE COMICS. I love them so much that Im working hard to expand them (in my own way).
Why arent you on Twitter?
I Tweeted once and I said something like I wish the Mythbusters were my friends. Then I couldnt think of anything else worth saying. I much prefer having these journals where I can expand a bit.
Are you on Facebook/Myspace?
No.
Why dont you have more comic book friends?
I have a hard time talking to any person about comics because I dont know a lot about them. The few friends I have are the ones Ive found who take their art really seriously and can talk about a variety of other topicsusually these guys dont look like comic artists. But I admit that I can be an asshole when I sense someone being ingenious.
Why dont you go to more shows?
Im not good at polite chitchat and hobnobbing makes me uncomfortable. And I suck at taking compliments from the kind people who show up at my table. I appreciate them so much that I dont always know what to say.
Why dont you do more Podcasts?
First off, I dont get a lot of offers. Secondly, Im known to turn down a Podcast or an interview if the questions are thoughtless or brief. Its one thing to do a long form interview and really break it down and talk shop about art and comics. But most interviews just need fillerwhich is disrespectful to the artist. Ive only done one podcast I really dug and that was with Nearmint because I could tell the guy had done his research.
If you dont like podcasts, cons, or interviews then why write a journal?
I dont know. Sometime I debate whether or not I should bother with these as well. I think that with journals Im writing about stuff that Im working out in my head. Typing helps me isolate how Im feeling and why. And once in a while something Ill say will really resonate with a readerwhich I love to hear. But I fear these things usually turn people off.
Were you really blacklisted?
Ill be vague but honestyears ago I finished a DC book that I busted my ass on. The art was just okay back then, but I was easy to work with and on deadline. My editor went to the bosses and tried to get me more work. They said no. Basically they didnt think my art was appropriate for DC characters. From what I hear, the editor fought hard but they wouldnt budge. They didnt want me drawing DC characters ever. Theres no official blacklist that I know of. But in my opinion, what I just illustrated is a form of blacklisting. Ive finished books and was even paid for my work, but the bosses stopped them from coming out. But Im not bitter because Im DC exclusive now so hopefully its in the past.
Thats all I can think of now. If theres anything else youd like to know then let me know. And if you dont like asking in public then shoot me a note. Itll be confidential. And thanks for reading.