Creator of the Month: Mike Deodato

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The idea behind AWA is that by putting creators first, we all benefit. Our tagline says it all: “Where the best creators do their best work, for you.” We think the quality of our original stories backs that up, and our fans, critics, and the industry seem to agree with us.

Our “Creator of the Month” program lets us spotlight a different writer, artist, colorist, letterer or more each month, allowing you to get a glimpse into what makes them tick. (What’s more, you may ask? As you may know, AWA is venturing into film and TV, so you may just see a director or other movie auteur show up on these pages over time, too!)

Follow Mike on Socials:
Twitter: @mikedeodato
Instagram: @mikedeodato

What is your favorite comic character or fictional character of all time? Why?
Will Eisner’s The Spirit. Because it revolutionized the comic book medium, with new methods of storytelling and depths of characterization, showing the world that comics was truly an art form.

Who most influenced you in the world of comics?
Neal Adams

Who most influenced you outside of the world of comics?
My father

Do you have a favorite panel / art from an AWA series you’ve worked on?
I’ve always had a deep appreciation for establishing shots. They have a unique power to immerse the reader into the world we’re building, setting the stage for the action that’s about to unfold. For me, as an artist, these moments are crucial—they allow me to create the environment and, in doing so, reveal new possibilities for the entire sequence that even I might not have anticipated.

One of my favorite panels is from EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED, on page 49. The first panel in particular stands out to me. It perfectly captures the mood of the character Mom, conveying the toll that being pregnant and hiding from assassins has taken on her both mentally and physically. The details, the body language — they tell a story without needing a single word.

What do you want fans to know about you?
Not many people know that I am a journalist by formation and also a second degree karate black belt.

If you were a comic book character, would you rather be the hero or the villain?
Hero

What’s your favorite comic book or graphic novel?
Miracleman by Alan Moore

What’s your favorite comic book genre?
Crime

Would you rather be invisible or have the ability to fly?
Invisible

Do you think you could survive in a zombie apocalypse?
Of course!

Do you listen to music while you’re creating?
All the time, Beatles, ELO, Monkees, Supertramp, mostly rock.

What is your favorite song?
“More Than a Feeling” by Boston

What is the best advice you ever got?
Never retreat. (from my karate master)

Dog person, cat person, or …?
People person

Where is your happy place?
My drawing table

Tell us one of your guilty pleasures.
Watching funny videos with people falling.

If you were stranded in an elevator with any 3 people, real or fictional, living or dead, who would you pick?
Joe Kubert, Will Eisner, and Frazetta