Previously at Clover Press
A couple weeks ago I caught up with Clover Press Publisher Hank Kanalz about The DC Art of Michael Turner Kickstarter campaign. The third volume in Clover Press’ The DC Art Of… line of books. A high-end coffee table book celebrating Michael Turner’s acclaimed work for DC Comics. Sadly, I was in hospital this past week and wasn’t able to get this Interview up until now – but you can still pledge for available left-over rewards.
In our interview we discussed the legacy of Michael Turner, his unique workhorse-style approach, drawing beautiful women and Aspen’s protection of Turner’s legacy.
An Interview with Hank Kanalz
This is the third volume in The DC Art Of… series, following Jorge Jimenez and Bruno Redondo. What made Michael Turner the right choice to continue the line, and how did the idea for this book come together?
Hank Kanalz: We started planning this book when we worked with Aspen on The Marvel Art of Michael Turner. We knew we’d want to create the companion book to that, but with all DC art.
You mentioned Turner’s work “really energized the DCU” during his time there. Can you elaborate on what made his artistic approach so distinct from his peers at the time?
Hank Kanalz: His work brought a lot of energy to the line. He’s super stylized – you can spot a Turner cover from across the room. And artists are a competitive lot, so when he kept raising the bar, everyone else followed. His work was the kind that when it hit the offices, copies were passed around the same day – “Did you see what Turner sent in today?”
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Walk me through the process of curating 200+ pages of Turner’s DC work. How did you and the Aspen team decide what to include, especially the rarely-seen pieces?
Hank Kanalz: Credit falls on Aspen’s shoulders. They know where all the bodies are buried art files are. They are the curators of Turner’s legacy, and they do an amazing job at it. But of course, we have our favorite pieces, and our requests were accommodated.
What was it like collaborating with Aspen Comics again after previous projects together? How did that existing relationship shape this book’s development?
Hank Kanalz: It’s great. We had a smooth first experience when we pulled together The Marvel Art of Michael Turner and really synced. It made this follow-up campaign a breeze, as far a collaborations go.
Geoff Johns wrote the introduction, with additional contributions from Jeph Loeb, Brad Meltzer, and Dan DiDio. How were these particular collaborators chosen, and what do their perspectives add to the book?
Hank Kanalz: Those fellas spent a lot of time creating some of DC’s evergreen titles with Turner, with each having a deep connection to him both personally and professionally. I think each of the pieces adds that perspective and gives context to the work that Turner cannot provide.
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Turner’s Superman/Batman work helped introduce a new generation of fans to Supergirl. How significant was that run in shaping his legacy at DC, in your view?
Hank Kanalz: No doubt. Turner is known for drawing beautiful women, but I think his and Jeph’s approach focused on really providing a different and modern take on Supergirl, instead of being just a female version of Superman. Much like each generation having “their” version of Robin or Batgirl, there is a generation of fans who count this version as theirs.
Kickstarter exclusives like the slipcase, dust jacket, and DC Portfolio sets are a big part of this campaign. How do you approach designing these bonus items to feel essential rather than just add-ons?
Hank Kanalz: It’s all about options. What’s an add-on for one is essential for another. Part of the decision making process is to give everyone a complete experience if they buy just the book. But Turner’s art is just so darn beautiful – don’t you want to frame some pieces and hang them up? Of course you do. Don’t you want to put this book out on your coffee table for your friends to flip through when they come over? And you have to protect your book, right? We got you covered. But if that’s not your vibe, the base book is a very complete experience.
Turner passed away in 2008 after his battle with bone cancer. How does this release balance celebrating his artistic achievements with honoring his personal story and legacy?
Hank Kanalz: The fine folks at Aspen are the guardians of Turner’s legacy. Frank Mastromauro was one of Turner’s best friends and takes that role seriously on behalf of Turner’s estate. I think we honor his legacy by introducing new people to his art, and in a quality format befitting his art.
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What has fan response been like so far for The DC Art Of… series, and has that feedback influenced how this volume was approached?
Hank Kanalz: We are expecting our first book, The DC Art of Jorge Jimenez, to arrive from the printer any day now. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, but we can’t wait to see what folks think of the actual book once it’s released. It’s a stunning book and I couldn’t ask for a better way to launch the line.
For readers who may be discovering Michael Turner’s work for the first time through this book, what would you want them to understand about his impact on the industry?
Hank Kanalz: He raised the bar. Amazing line work, composition, detail in all the right places.
Clover Press has said more artists will be announced for this series. Without giving anything away, what kind of artists or eras of DC history are you hoping to explore next?
Hank Kanalz: Three hints at what’s coming up – Someone relatively new to the scene but who’s outstanding nonetheless. Someone who spans multiple generations and may well need to be collected in two volumes. And someone who falls right in between but is undoubtedly a fan favorite. Oh, and a fourth hint – someone else we’ve already published a Marvel Art Of… book gets a companion DC Art Of… book.
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