Chuck Dixon & Robert Atkins Talk G.I.Joe Part 2

G.I.Joe returns to comic book shelves later this month with G.I.Joe #0, which previews the upcoming titles IDW will be launching in 2009. We had a chance to talk with writer Chuck Dixon and artist Robert Atkins about their upcoming singularly titled G.I.JOE book, scheduled for release in January.

Part two of this interview features our conversation with Robert Atkins. Click here to see Part 1 with Chuck Dixon.

CNI: How have enjoyed working on this title?

Robert: G.I. JOE has been a complete blast! It has really given me the opportunity to stretch myself artistically and to be able to do that on a property I enjoy has been a great experience so far.


CNI: How much input have you had in creating the characters’ looks for this series?

Robert: I was given a lot of freedom. I worked closely with the editors at IDW to come up with a look that we think really pays homage to the classic look of the characters, but brings a more contemporary feel to them as well. With a cast so large, I only have so much time to put into the designing stage of each character. But luckily many of the characters have timeless elements to their uniforms and overall design. I never felt I should change something for the sake of change. Basically if it worked, we kept it, if it felt dated or unpractical we went a more modern direction.


CNI: Who is your favorite G.I. JOE character to draw and why?

Robert: I like that the question isn’t just who is my favorite character, but it throws in that twist of which is my favorite to draw. I quickly found that those are two completely different things. Visually, I’ve always loved the look of Snake Eyes, but he is a very time-consuming character to draw. Sometimes characters can surprise you--how easily they come alive on the page. For me it was Heavy Duty. He has so much passion and character, and I get to try and convey that visually through this huge guy and his enormous machine gun!


CNI: Who is your favorite COBRA character to draw and why?

Robert: I found my favorite COBRA character to draw is Cobra Commander himself! I think it has a lot to do with not being able to see his face. It forces me to use his body language and choosing various angles to draw him in to convey his character. I’ve been doing a lot of sketching of him and was pleasantly surprised with how fun it was.


CNI: Has working on this title differed much from when you worked on G.I. JOE titles for DDP?

Robert: My experience with DDP was mostly last minute fill-in work. I didn’t get the chance for much design, or have the luxury of any lead-time to spend really crafting a page. The one similarity was getting to work with outstanding editors at both companies. They have all really pushed me to become a better artist and storyteller. It also helped that with both companies the people I’ve been able to work with share a passion for the property as well.


CNI: Who is the most challenging character for you to draw?

Robert: Snake Eyes, hands down. Again, with out any facial expressions it takes a lot of care to convey his meaning with his body language. Unlike Cobra Commander though, he doesn’t even speak. So it falls on the artist even more to help the reader understand that there is a person under that mask. Also, I see him as a soldier that can fall in with the ranks and be a team player when needed, but just as easily go on his own and become a one-man squad. That being the case, I designed him with a lot of gear, thinking that practically he would need a lot of tools and weapons on hand to accomplish that type of mission. More gear quickly equals more time. In the nature of a deadline-oriented job that becomes your worst enemy.


CNI: How much input does Hasbro give you when creating character and vehicle designs for this series?

Robert: I haven’t received any revisions so far from Hasbro. Initially, they said to us, “go crazy, and let us reign you in if we think it needs it.” I never forget that these are their characters first, and if I’m going to be radically changing anything, I better come prepared with a good reason. However, this early into the series, it hasn’t been an issue.

CNI: Were you a G.I. JOE fan before you started drawing the comics?

Robert: I collected the toys and watched the cartoon as a kid. I’m turning 30 this year, so G.I. JOE was a big part of my early childhood. I found out about the comics much later and have since gone back and collected as much as I could, gaining a greater appreciation of Larry Hama’s contributions to the property. Getting to meet him in San Diego and be on a panel with Larry was one of those great life experiences that I’m sure I’ll always remember. When I heard IDW had the license for G.I. JOE, I didn’t think I would have a chance to get to do it. But I was hoping that whomever they got to draw it had better do a good job and appreciate it. I try to keep that same objective point of view now that I was given the chance.


CNI: Do you collect any of the G.I. JOE toys?

Robert: I had G.I. JOE figures growing up, but I didn’t appreciate them. I think I was too young at the time. As I’ve gotten older, my studio is actually cluttered with G.I. JOE statues, figures and especially vehicles. I think my prize toy is the SkyStriker I’ve got that still has Ace’s parachute!


CNI: What’s been your favorite issue to work on so far?

Robert: I would have to say Issue 1, simply because we aren’t really far into the series yet. However, there are going to be some amazing scenes coming up that will be what every G.I. JOE fan has been waiting for!

Thanks again to Mr. Atkins for taking the time to talk with us.

Look for G.I. JOE #0, a $1.00, 24-page comic being released later this month. The issue will debut three new series launching in early ’09 and contains three stand-alone five-page stories unique to the #0 issue, as well as character sketches and commentary from artist Robert Atkins, previews of upcoming covers, and interviews with the new G.I. JOE creators. The issue features two regular covers, one from Dave Dorman and one from JonBoy Meyers, in addition to two special incentive covers from Atkins and a wraparound image by Ben Templesmith.

G.I.Joe #1 written by Chuck Dixon and featuring art by Robert Atkins kicks off in January 2009 and will include a special wraparound variant cover by superstar artist Gabriele Dell’Otto (Secret War).

Shown below are some early sketches Robert did and some of the character may appear differently in the actual comic than what is shown here.