Q&A with Georges Jeanty session 8
Hey all!
New issue, new Q&A with Georges Jeanty.
1. Hellbound Hyperion: I've heard tell that adding the snowstorm into the end of #30 was done after the Hughes cover was delivered. Was it stressful to have to do that or did you have a good time with it? Also, just how much giddy joy did you have when drawing the final panel of #30? Excruciating details, if at all possible.
Georges: Yeah, that was strange. I didn't now about the Adam Hughes cover until I saw it and I wondered why there was snow! I would argue that Buffy and Co. are in the Tibetan mountains where it does snow the farther you go, so he wasn't totally wrong, and I think it gave a nice juxtaposition to Buffy flying at the end. I had no idea what Buffy was going to be doing until I read that script and I didn't catch on that she was going to be able to fly for a while. The way the script was written it seemed like Buffy opened her eyes and she was looking down, but that's all. I hadn't caught on to it, and it wasn't until I was drawing that scene that I thought, wait a minute, she's flying. There is a pay off to all this, believe me, so if you're thinking that Joss is just losing his mind because Buffy is in comic form and doing just any old thing he wants, he isn't. There is a point to all this. All will be revealed in time young Padawan!
2. bamph: I'm assuming Buffy is flying at the end of the issue. What was your reaction to learning about it and having to draw it?
Georges: Shock! Surprise! Oh god, we're all about to die?! No really, I think I answered that in question one. I'm having a lot more fun drawing her flying in future issues....
3. bamph: Now that the issue is out, can you tell us what you were going to say at the Baltimore Comic Con in regards to issue 30?
Georges: That was it. That she's flying at the end of that issue. Surprise! Did we hit ya with a bonafide WTF?
4. bamph: Why did you guys think this issue would piss people off and have the pitchforks out?
Georges: I'm still waiting on the backlash of naysayers saying that all Joss is doing is throwing every odd thing in there because he now has an unlimited budget. If I didn't know how all this turned out, I'd certainly entertain the idea! But remember who we're talking about here. The man has a plan just like he did in Seasons 1 through 7!
5. AndrewCrossett: When Buffy is lying in the snow, there's a kind of weird effect where there are circles of snow over her eyes, but nowhere else on her. Is there anything meaningful about that?
Georges: I was just trying to get across that she was probably laying there for hours. Most of her body is covered, but since she's at an angle on the hill, her top half would be the last to be covered. Also, I think the fact that she's covered in snow and not at all cold says a little mor about Miss Summers state. The power of flight isn't the only thing she's gained...
6. stormwreath: Is that Kennedy who's driving the jeep with Buffy and Willow in this issue? And is it Satsu who's briefly the Scythe, and then pushes Buffy out of the way of the soldier taking a shot at her? Or are they just random Slayers?
Georges: I guess I need to go back to the drawing board if you can't tell the players (Slayers?) That is Satsu driving the jeep and also Satsu pushing Buffy out of the way of a bullet. I think that after their relationship, Satsu has become somewhat possessive about Buffy in that she doesn't want to see her come to any harm and if she can protect her when she needs it she will. You ever have someone break up with you but was real nice about it and while you were hurt you don't feel like you want any harm to come to that person? I think that's how Satsu feels. That's just me talking here but I think Satsu will always hold a candle for Buffy regardless of their relationship.
7. girlinquestion: Thanks for my sketchbook! I loves it! Anyway, on with the question asking. I know with animating listening to music while you work is a big no-no (even though many of us do it anywway). Does that apply to you when you do your pencil work or do you find that music helps you focus?
If so, what music do you find most appropriate to listen to while you work?
Georges: No, with me, listening to music is a must! It's the only way I know of getting through sitting there for hours! That and Audiobooks, I'm a fiend for them! Most any music works, like Showtunes, Once more with feeling, anyone? Or whatever. I try to listen to a least one book an issue sometimes I cans stick in 2. I'm currently listening to Stephen King's Under the Dome. It's a long one too, something like 32 hours! The longer the better, there is a lot of time spent drawing! And always unabridged if I can help it.
Music wise, I listen to a lot of the new stuff and a lot of the old. I'm a soul man at heart and I love dance music. Disco, good disco, when it's at it's best, is incredible! We can argue what's good disco. Maybe as a side bar, you all can submit 5 of your favourite disco songs and we'll see if we all have similiar tastes. Oh, that sounds like fun!
8. collex: Hi Georges
I wanted to know, do you get to decide what each character is wearing in a specific panel (for example, in Living Doll, Buffy has her typical patrol hairstyle, Willow wear different dresses depending on where she is, etc.) or is it all in the script?
Georges: Most of the time, yes. I spend hours looking through fashion catalogs. Anthropologie is a big one. I think at this point, most of the writers know what they're getting into when they script an issue or an arc of Buffy. At least I hope they do. No one has said yet, 'Buffy would never wear that, you loser!'
9. wenxina: In the tradition of these Q&As, I'll be askign the housekeeping questions. Firstyly, how far ahead have you read the scripts? I guess this is my coy way of asjing which finalized scripts have come in?
Georges: The scripts are all done when I get it. I usually get a 2nd or 3rd draft. I'm sure there is some rewriting before it see print as well, and I am in the middle of issue 34 at the moment.
10. Wenxina: Housekeeping question part deux: Last we heard, you were done with #32, and had gone back to do #31. Where are you now in terms of pencilling? Btw, I will add that your pace is pretty admirable... a monthly comic is no small feat as a whole, and your job while rather cool, sounds punishing.
Georges: It is!! I don't know that I could keep up this pace if the book wasn't ending soon. It really is hard. I love what I do but there are times when I don't even know what I'm drawing because I've been doing it all day. And some days you get more work done than others. It's just the nature of the beast. And heaven help me if I get sick. The issue still has to come out. So please, pray for good health for the next 8 months!
11. So... issue #33 just came out. How about that Twilight revelation? I kid... but if you're feeling particularly charitable, there are plenty of people who would love an answer. An earnest one even.
Anyway... just heard from Scott Allie that #31 will be titled "Turbulance", and that the title for #32 is "Buffy has f&*#ing Super Powers" (in jext, I hope... dear god, I hope). Any comments, spoilers, etc that you are at liberty to divulge?
Georges: You're so close to finding out! Do you really want to know who Twilight is after all this time spent in speculation? It is so worth the wait! I can say that I did hear that something was leaked. I don't know if that's true or not.
And don't rry and come by the studio to see if there are tell tale images lying about. I can not be bribed! Well, maybe I can... no, wait. I can't. Please don't ask. It's been hard enough to keep quiet this long....
12. hitandrun017: The page between Buffy and Riley, and the one where Buffy gives her speech, are pretty powerful and beautifully drawn. When such an important character moment comes up, do you find yourself paying more attention to likenesses and detail?
Georges: Thanks for the compliment. It depends on the scene really, and a little bit of just wanting to show Buffy in all her glory. When there is a lot of dialog on a age you don't want to cloud it with a lot of detail because it's only going to get lost behind the word balloon, so close ups are an easy fix. And when something is more dramatic you usually pull in tight to show that you mean business. It's a story telling device but it can be handled a few different ways.
13. claytonm: With the show the big bads like get badder and more stronger as seasons go on if you know what I mean. For instance The First was the baddest. Would you say Twilight is badder and more powerful than all the big bads in the show?
Georges: I wouldn't say that Twilight is as 'big bad' as say Glory was, but Twilight probably has a more personal relationship with Buffy since it's been revealed that Season 8's antagonist is someone Buffy knows. And the ramification of Twilight's big reveal are going to be very interesting for her.
14. slayerette: In your last Q&A you said that there was a particular scene between Buffy and Xander that was giving you trouble. If it's any consolation, in #30, the scene where Buffy realizes Xander is okay and loses herself in the moment (with Dawn interrupting the reunion), was amazing. Her need to stay in some kind of physical contact with him was pretty powerful.
But, for this new scene you were/are drawing, was it the emotional significance that made you want to get it right?
Georges: It's always the emotional significance that I want to get right! I mean that's really what Buffy the Vampire Slayer is all about; emotion. I'm sure as nice as the comic might look or as cool as the settings might be, no one would enjoy reading or watching Buffy if it didn't have an emotional impact. That is always paramount in my mind when I'm laying out a scene, what's the emotional impact here? I thought I was going a little too far with Buffy still touching Xander when Dawn calls her, but I wanted it to feel a little weird that Buffy was so touchy feely with Xadner just then.
The other scene I was doing with Xander and Buffy was from a Joss script so I was mentally pulling double duty trying to get that right. I'm always trying to get the 'feel' of the show and these scripts are written in such a way that they could very easily be filmed as drawn, so I want that emotion to be there regardless of the medium. Not an easy thing let me tell you!
15. slayerette: At the end of #30, we see Dawn, Willow and Giles pretty clearly in the group of slayers that is being taken by Twilight and his minions. Was it a conscious decision either by you or Jane to have those 3 visible in the mass?
Georges: No, I don't think it was conscious, but we did want to get across that our heroes were being taken away, so in a case like that you put in the most indetifiable characters to get the point across quickly. That, and I can draw Giles really easy at this point.
16. AndrewCroseett: Is that you, Jo Chen, and Joss on the cover of #32?
Georges: I figured people would get the Joss cameo but I thought the other 2 would be a little harder. You're half right. That's me on the right, something which I never do because I always thought what an ego an artist must have to put himself (albeit an idealised version of himself!) in a comic, then I thought, it's been like 34 issues, if I were to put me in there now it wouldn't come across as egotistical along with a bunch of other cameos, and the other guy running away is actually the Buffy Editor, Scott Allie. I thought it would add to her 'girl power' if Buffy was terrorizing a bunch of men who produce the book!
17. stormwreath: The soldiers Buffy & Co. are fighting in 'Retreat' - are they specifically meant to be American soldiers in US Army uniforms using US Army equipment - or are they just generic 'soldiers' (maybe mercenaries) and you used reference images of the American military becasue it would be the most familiar to the readers?
(I did notice in issue 8.30 some of them are carrying AK-47s instead of M-16s..)
Georges: Y'know I think they are supposed to be military since it's been established that the Slayers considered terrorists and thieves and have been outlawed. They are just GI guys doing their job, but it was kind of disconcerting to think that these military dudes with guns are basically hunting down a lot of defenseless girls. Back in the first arc, remember, it's the General who was trying to capture Buffy and even took a shot at her.
18. bamph: I love your homage covers with the recently revealed Action Comics #1 cover for Buffy #32 being my favorite yet. Which one has been your favorite and can we expect more before season 8 is over? Personally, for the issue where Twilight's identity is revealed, I would love to see you do a homage cover to Amazing Spider-Man #289. The issue where the Hobgoblin's identity was originally revealed.
Georges: Is this a joke? Are you saying that because you've already seen the cover? That's what we did! And we revealed that Twilight is Flash Thompson!
That cover if not out already should be premiering on the Dark Horse site soon. Out of all the homage covers I've done I tend to like them all. I'm a huge comic fan so when I can mesh the two worlds together with a cover or something, that's a happy day for me. When I submit cover ideas for an issue I will usually have a comic related cover thrown in. It's a lot of fun! If I had to pick one, I really like the Xander Nick Fury and the Howling Commandos one, and yes, there will be more.
19. AndrewCrossett: Looks like there's going to be a "motion comic" adaptation of Buffy season 8. Since I assume they#ll be using your art, do you have any involvement in that?
Georges: I had no idea. This is the first I'm hearing of this. A motion comic kind of like the way they did with Watchmen? Will they have actors reading the dialog too? I think it's cool, but as of yet I'm not involved.
. Hellbound Hyperion: Without being too spoilery, what's your favorite thing that you've drawn so far in Meltzer's arc/favorite issue of Meltzer's arc so far?
Georges: Brad seems like a huge comic fan. I'm still getting to know him. His scripts are fun to read because he's so over the top with his descriptions. Not over the top with his story, but when he writes he puts in little notes or rants just to give me a better idea of what he wants and it's those little things that have been really funny to read. I'm only on Brad's 2nd script so I don't think it's fair to say what I like most just yet. Ask me again in a few months and I should have more of an idea.
*Thanks for the questions. Some nifty tidbits in here. Look out for a new session in January 2010, at the release of issue #31!
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