Q&A with Zak Smith discussion

What to you think Bendis' story/art on the Avengers Secret Invasion/Dark Reign series?

I liked Leinil Francis Yu's art, especially the early New Avengers stuff--really gorgeously dynamic and not really like anybody else. He was either inking it himself or it was computer inked or something. Lately they've got other artists or they've got other people inking Yu and it looks a little stiff so I haven't paid much attention to the story since then.

As for the writing: I like Bendis when he gives the artists something to draw-like giant aliens or ninjas or whatever, and his dialogue is very good, but I really don't like the issues which are just endless talking heads. If I want to look at talking heads I'll watch "Law and Order". And I don't.

Incidentally, I feel like that's part of my problem with what I did on Gravity's Rainbow--too many talking heads.

Are there any comic book writers/illustrators who you talk with? Do you make drawings of what your reading as you read a book, or do you wait until after finishing the book? Do you have drawings for In Viriconium? Is there an artist who you admired for their illustrations of literature (for example Delacroix's illustrations of Faust)?

I know a few of those guys, but most of the people I know well are indie comics people--like Jeff Lewis and the guys in Partyka. ( www.partykausa.com )

With GR and Blood Meridian, I read first and drew after.

I never drew "In Viriconium"--Ian Miler adapted some of Harrison's stuff and he is pretty tough to compete with.

Harry Clarke is probably the best classic literary illustrator for my money--he needs to be way more well known than he is. Runners up: Ralph Steadman, John Tenniel and Aubrey Beardsley.

Thanks for answering these questions. Do you ever make sculptures of the women you've drawn? Some of the scketches on your website are people having sex. Are those ideas for future paintings?

Sculptures of women? No, never did.

I recently got some sculpey and experimented with making tiny tiny heads--heads sculpted with sewing needles. So far, nothing, but maybe when I'm done with the painting I'm working on I'll have time to stretch out with it.

Are the people having sex ideas for future paintings? No. At least they weren't intended that way--they're just what happened to be happening at the time.

I feel like painting action in my ornate style creates a complicated set of problems. I've made a few steps in that direction though--like the triptych in my last show--two girls getting ready to shoot a movie.

Oh, also, for clarity's sake--since none of this is about the avengers, I re-posted this stuff in new threads.