Sonny Liew Interview … The Doctor “FATE” is in!
Welcome back to Impulse Gamer Sonny! So how many issues of Dr Fate have you done so far now?
I’m running behind schedule, mostly because the previous project, The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye which ended up taking longer than expected.
So about 3 issues in at the moment.
What’s been your favourite aspect about this new version of Dr Fate?
The covers are a lot of fun to do… I’ve been a little surprised by the choices the art department made in terms of the thumbnails approved but in a very pleasant way.
Can you tell us a little about who Khalid “Kent” Nassor is?
Heh that’s really more Paul’s department. I guess he’s a little younger than the previous Dr. Fates who is at a different stage in his life. He’s someone caught up with everyday worries but also having to take on this new responsibility of, y’know, saving the world. One of the things that attracted me to the project was his Egyptian-American lineage, which will hopefully connect the story to some of the contemporary issues in the Middle East.
It looks like “Kent’s” supporting cast play an important part of Dr Fate, besides Khalid, who else do you like to draw?
His dad and mom are a lot of fun as is the canine manifestation of Anubis. The transformation/mystical scenes also allow more leeway in terms of visual distortions. I think that world of magic is in some ways a character in itself too and also trying to push the visuals so it’s distinct from the everyday world has been challenging but fun.
What about Dr Fate, what is Dr Fate to you and how would you sum him up?
To be honest I didn’t really know much about the history of the character until I started this project. But he’s been around for a while and I suppose there’s that weight attached to the idea of Dr. Fate which maybe parallels the weight of ancient Egyptian mythology that’s placed on Khalid’s shoulders. A background grandiosity, you might call it, that contrasts with Khalid’s previously quotidian world.
Your eight-page preview for the new Dr Fate has received a considerable amount of praise from around the globe, where you expecting this from a character that’s not Superman or Batman?
Heh… well I don’t think its quite gotten the same attention and coverage as either of those two would have… but it feels like maybe par for the course, given that it is a mainstream DC title.
How long does it take to draw an issue of Dr Fate?
From thumbnails to final art I would hazard to say about 3 weeks.
As an artist, do you have anything that you find a challenge to draw?
Just about everything is a challenge! Anatomy, expressions, action scenes, conversations… though organic material like large bodies of water are a particular challenge. And of course the story had to feature Anubis bringing down rains and floods on Brooklyn!
Given your work with Paul Levitz, the author of Dr Fate, has this inspired you to check out the other version of Dr Fate or his link to the Justice Society of America?
I’ve only looked at visuals online, though hoping to catch up on his stories when I get the chance.
Once you were given the role of Dr Fate, what kind of your research did you do?
Well, a lot of googling :) Fate aside, there was also Khalid and his parents. I wanted to make sure they had the right look and feel, that their facial features, hairstyles and skin tones reflected their history and backgrounds.
Working with DC Comics this year, what are you most looking forward to?
Fame and Fortune of course! Failing that, maybe an exclusive Batman coffee mug. But it’s really about the chance to work with a writer like Paul and learn to cope with the demands of a monthly comic. You learn from every project and hopefully that makes you better as a storyteller at the end of the day.
Thanks again Sonny and it’s not long now before the first issue of Dr Fate is released so good luck!
Thank you!
Dr. Fate is available as a monthly title from DC Comics and the first issue is now available in all good comic shops and check out the sneak peak at http://www.dccomics.com/comics/dr-fate-2015/dc-sneak-peek-doctor-fate-2015
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