He’s the man who's brought to life Spider Jerusalem, Conan the Barbarian and the X-Men. His ability to co-operate with writers and allow their vision to inspire his artwork, is second to none. His portfolio has entertained and inspired millions. It’s fan boy time, lets talk about Darick Robertson.
The son of a mechanic, Robertson grew up in San Mateo, California and did not attend a single college art class. He was, however, driven by a creative passion that exists in many but is pursued by few. He taught himself how to draw with the child like hope that one day he might be good enough to create comics, not for fame or fortune but just so he could have what all of us want to have, really – a job that he loved.
The son of a mechanic, Robertson grew up in San Mateo, California and did not attend a single college art class. He was, however, driven by a creative passion that exists in many but is pursued by few. He taught himself how to draw with the child like hope that one day he might be good enough to create comics, not for fame or fortune but just so he could have what all of us want to have, really – a job that he loved.
The Boys
The man himself
He is now in his 50’s and has been bouncing off the walls about one of his proudest co-creations being bought to life on the small screen.
After the success of Preacher, writer Garth Ennis wanted to embark on a new project – an alternate reality where superheroes are commonplace, but our expectations of this world are very much subverted. There was only really one artist up to the task, so in 2006, Robertson teamed up with Garth Ennis to answer the question, ‘Who watches the Watchmen’: The Boys
The Boys
The world of The Boys is populated by superheroes who, instead of protecting the innocent, become total egomaniacal and sociopathic gods. A group of CIA operatives known as The Boys (even though one of them is a woman) are tasked to keep them in check — often in the most brutal and savage ways possible.
Robertson’s visuals in this series can not be under stated. His line art is perfect, and all his characters have those iconic chins and cheekbones that only the hand of Robertson can create. But the real pleasure of the art of The Boys is details in both action and aesthetic; everything from the gory precision to which the team kick to death a Nazi leader to the incredibly unsubtle detail on Vas’ (aka. Love Sausage’s) package in his skin-tight suit. Robertson really bought his A-game to this project and maintained it till completion.
It was certainly this in no small part that lead Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg to bring the show to life. Director Dan Trachtenberg has spoken in interviews of the inspiration his cinematography has taken from Robertson’s shot composition in the graphic novel. From huge establishing shot’s, to large scale action set pieces to shot-reverse shot dialogue sequences – Robertson always finds a way to give every panel the feel of a photograph taken of a twisted alternate reality.
Robertson’s visuals in this series can not be under stated. His line art is perfect, and all his characters have those iconic chins and cheekbones that only the hand of Robertson can create. But the real pleasure of the art of The Boys is details in both action and aesthetic; everything from the gory precision to which the team kick to death a Nazi leader to the incredibly unsubtle detail on Vas’ (aka. Love Sausage’s) package in his skin-tight suit. Robertson really bought his A-game to this project and maintained it till completion.
It was certainly this in no small part that lead Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg to bring the show to life. Director Dan Trachtenberg has spoken in interviews of the inspiration his cinematography has taken from Robertson’s shot composition in the graphic novel. From huge establishing shot’s, to large scale action set pieces to shot-reverse shot dialogue sequences – Robertson always finds a way to give every panel the feel of a photograph taken of a twisted alternate reality.
Its come to TV
Amazon Primes The Boys airs on July 26th this year, and no one wishes the show more success than Mr Robertson. According to an interview with collider.com, he is said to be, ‘in Seventh heaven’ and is beaming with a proud kind of energy. Understandable.
But, a question fans of the comic may have: Given how Hughie Campbell – the character who exposes us to the world of superheroes villainy in comics – was based on the likeness of British comedy actor Simon Pegg, the question surely is: Will Simon Pegg be in the series? The answer is no, sadly, that honour will go to star of the Hunger Games series; Jack Quaid.
Cross medium accuracies aside, we all hope The Boys has a good run and enjoys as much praise (if not more) than its comic show predecessor, Preacher. But regardless of the show’s success, the books will always be available, and the vivid images of the world created by Robertson and Ennis to enthral and revolt us in equal measure.
For the artwork, the projects, the dedication and the talent, we at Mythopoeia say: 'Thanks, Darick. Keep up the good work.'
But, a question fans of the comic may have: Given how Hughie Campbell – the character who exposes us to the world of superheroes villainy in comics – was based on the likeness of British comedy actor Simon Pegg, the question surely is: Will Simon Pegg be in the series? The answer is no, sadly, that honour will go to star of the Hunger Games series; Jack Quaid.
Cross medium accuracies aside, we all hope The Boys has a good run and enjoys as much praise (if not more) than its comic show predecessor, Preacher. But regardless of the show’s success, the books will always be available, and the vivid images of the world created by Robertson and Ennis to enthral and revolt us in equal measure.
For the artwork, the projects, the dedication and the talent, we at Mythopoeia say: 'Thanks, Darick. Keep up the good work.'
Cheers, Darick