Through his artwork, illustrator Nick Edwards explores more universes than most people can imagine. From the more reality-based world of live action role-playing (LARP) to microcosms of otherworldly creatures who exist in a seemingly self-sustaining environment, there is no frontier beyond Edward’s reach.
Luckily, we were able to pull him away from his world-hopping escapades to join us here at the clubhouse for a few words on some of his latest projects as well as taking part in some serious debates such as what’s the ideal snack to have during a zombie apocalypse.
So, Nick, is it true that you are the illegitimate son on Sasquatch?
Yes, yes it is true.
You’re also a cartoonist, comic artist, puzzle enthusiast… is there anything you can’t do?
There are lots of things I can’t do, namely sports.
What else can you tell us about yourself?
I’m from London, England and currently in my first year studying Illustration at Brighton. I never really “got into illustration” as in, I never really changed what I was doing or what I wanted to do. I’ve just been drawing cartoons and comics for most of my teens and found that Illustration was the course that had no problem with me drawing cartoons and comics.
About a year ago you competed in DC’s (now defunct) ZUDA comic experiment. What was the outcome of that and what did you take away from the experience?
ZUDA was fun. I think I came either third or fourth. I can, however, only really remember one part of the process clearly and that was being “reviewed” by one of the community. He really hated my comic and it was the first time I’d had to deal with such a negative response. I think I handled it well, I avoided posting any sort of reply to the chap and just quietly rocked back and forth in the corner of my room.
A few months later you kicked off your final project in college involving a sub-culture of geekery known as LARP? Can you explain what is LARP and how it influenced your work?
LARP stands for Live Action Role-Play and, in a nutshell, its pretend fantasy fighting in the woods with plastic/foam swords. I’m not sure if it influenced my work as I was doing it, I’ve always liked drawing orcs, skulls and swords. Again, I really learned the most when I saw people’s response to it. Unlike ZUDA there were no true haters. Most people dug it and it was re-blogged all over the place. I mainly remember learning about my fellow nerds and how accuracy is paramount. The fact that I’d said “no flammable materials should be used in LARP” and then went on to promote the use of papermache was an unholy crime and totally inaccurate.
More recently, there seems to be a consistent theme of reproduction in your work. Is there a larger message being employed or am I just a perve?
The tiny universes I’ve been drawing recently are in some ways an “exploration of creation”, but I’d never thought of that without your assistance. I think its best to be as unpretentious as possible and just leave room for people to interpret whatever they might find. One reason I like doing wordless comics is that people often then read things very differently and find hidden meanings that may or may not be total bullshit.
Most of your comics to date have been short, do you have any plans for an ongoing series or a graphic novel?
I really do intend to do something longer at some point. It is just a question of when. I think my next aim is to put out some floppies (regular sized single issue comics) AND THEN have longer ongoing stories within those comics.
I hear that you’re in talks with Blank Slate Books to publish some of your work, is this a one shot comic or a collection of works?
At the moment it is a one shot thing, but if it goes well there could be more in the works. I’m very excited about it and have almost too many ideas backed up in my sketchbooks. So if they’d let me I’d love to do more.
Is there a target release date set?
I think they said March or April, but I wouldn’t take my word for it. You should check out the stuff they put out though, it is very impressive.
Who are a few of the artists whose work you currently admire the most?
Steve Wolfhard is a true genius of the highest order. Coleman Engle is someone you should find and watch because he’s ridiculously talented and going places. Jesse Moynihan’s Forming is a glory to behold and Anthony “NEDROID” Clark is a comics beat master from another galaxy. Also Kate Beaton and Ryan Pequin are brilliantly funny and two of my favourite artists are from here in the UK: Jack Teagle and Luke Pearson. They are beyond talented and must be checked out immediately.
Time to get serious, Nick. If you could have any kind of snack food before being devoured by a horde of zombies, what would it be and why?
Does a grenade count as a snack? If not then probably oreos because I like Oreos.
Bonus Round (+10 Points): What’s the strangest thing you can remember doing as a kid?
My grandpa bought me a fairly pricey sketchbook when I was about 4 or 5 and I filled the entire thing with huge drawings of crabs. Every page was one big crab and I finished the sketchbook in about an hour.
