EXCLUSIVE! Jeremy Haun talks BATWOMAN, VILLAINS and THE DARKNESS

While attending this year’s Emerald City Comicon I was able to sit down with illustrator extraordinaire Jeremy Haun.

UTF: First I want to ask about your style inspirations, what were they?

Jeremy Haun: Like every kid, I was a big fan of the Image era back in the 90s. I think those were the things that really got me into comics and wanting to draw. I tried emulating every single style that was out there. I ended up going to college and doing a lot of life drawing, watched movies and then really tried to figure out exactly what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it.

In the late 90s early 2000s, I started drawing in the style I do now.

UTF: After you first came on board at Top Cow and did Artifacts (#9 to 12) you then got handed the keys to The Darkness. How did it feel going from doing a crossover to one of their main books?

Jeremy Haun: It’s interesting because the plan was always that I was going to come on and do The Darkness. Then the way that my schedule opened up, I had a little bit of time in there that I could actually do something else.

I’m good friends with Filip Sablik, the main editor there. We were talking one day, and he said “Hey, we’re trying to figure stuff out.” I said “How about I draw the last arc of The Darkness?” He’s like: “That’s not a terrible idea.” Interestingly enough, that led to Artifacts, which in turn led back to The Darkness.

UTF: Now let’s talk DC. You did one of their Villains one-shots, The Riddler. How’d that go?

Jeremy Haun: It was fantastic. You had Artifacts, which led into 16 issues on The Darkness, and that’s nearly 2 years of my life. It was a wonderful time. Top Cow really feels like a family. You’re close with editorial. You’re close with Marc Silvestri and Matt Hawkins. It’s a nice tight-knit group.

Leaving there, I had no idea what I was going to do. My exclusive was up. I had a good relationship with the guys in the Bat office. Mike Marts, he was until recently the group editor for The Bat Group. I talked to him and he’s like “Hey, we would like to have you back.”

I came did two of the DC Villains stories. I did the Ra’s al Ghul. Then he said “Hey, we’ve also got this other one, The Riddler.” I was like “Absolutely, I’ll do that.” It was tough because I was really under the gun. I was busy with a lot of stuff I was doing, but I couldn’t say no to working with Scott Snyder and Ray Fawkes on The Riddler, so I did that.

UTF: Very nice. I have to ask. Now that you’re over at one of the big two, drawing classic villains and heroes, how does it feel to play with characters like that?

Jeremy Haun: Interestingly enough, I was at Marvel and DC before I went to Top Cow, so it was almost like going back home. I knew the editorial group. I know the characters.

The Bat characters are some of my favorite in comics, and if you ask me they’re what I wanted to draw since I was a kid. So getting to draw classic villains, Ra’s al Ghul and The Riddler, and then moving onto Batwoman, it’s just been bliss for me.

UTF: To wrap up the interview I was wondering: do you have any messages for the fanboys and fangirls that might be illustrators looking to get into the industry?

Jeremy Haun: Yeah. First off, just thanks to everybody that’s supported me. This is an industry where the fans really make a difference and I think anybody just trying to get into this, it’s a redundant thing, but just keep at it.

Right now, more than ever, it’s about creativity. It’s about the things that you bring. People are doing wonderful works with everything from Kickstarter to web comics, and you can do it your way. It’s all good.

I want to take the time to thank Mr. Jeremy Haun for chatting with me. It was a pleasure, and I hope everyone picks up the most recent volume of The Darkness and by all means, if you’re not already, get caught up on Batwoman because his work there is stellar.

So what did you think of the interview my fellow fanboys and fangirls?

Sound off with your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below!