Creator of the Month: Dan Panosian

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!)

Creator of the Month – February
Dan Panosian
Writer & Cover Artist
Black Tape

Follow Dan on Social:
Instagram: @urbanbarbarian
Twitter: @urbanbarbarian
Facebook: @danpanosian

What is your favorite comic character or fictional character of all time? Why?
Conan the Barbarian. He’s an unusual character because what you see is not necessarily what you get. On the outside, he looks like a hulking brute. But in reality, he’s a very cunning and calculating man with an ultimate goal in mind. He wishes to be a king, not just a barbarian.

Who most influenced you in the world of comics?
I was very influenced by the works of Roy Thomas, Frank Miller, Walter Simonson, Joe Kubert, Neal Adams, Frank Frazetta, John Byrne and John Buscema. There are many more. I could list at least 50 names. I love the world of comics!

Who most influenced you outside of the world of comics?
My father most likely. He grew up in the Depression and he was “A Man’s Man” in every sense of the word. We didn’t always get along but he meant a great deal to me [ whether he liked it or not…! ].

Do you have a favorite panel/ art from an AWA series you’ve worked on?
Dalibor is doing incredible work on Black Tape and it’s hard to pick a specific panel. But I will say I love the Pin-Up he did that was printed in the first issue! It’s incredible! I wish it was one of the covers!

What do you want fans to know about you?
Probably that I love comic book stories as much as they do and that I feel it’s an honor to be working in this field.

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?
100 Bullets. Hard to beat that entire creative team. And hard to beat that many exceptional, well told and captivating issues. Incredible.

What’s your favorite comic book genre?
Noir of any kind.

Would you rather be invisible or have the ability to fly?
Invisibility. I think one could use that power for a variety of different purposes. Flying to me seems more recreational.

Do you think you could survive in a zombie apocalypse?
Everyone survives in a zombie apocalypse [ eventually… ]

Do you listen to music while you’re creating?
I do. I tailor the music to fit the genre and that task at hand. It really helps with flow and often, inspiration.

What is your favorite song?
Today? The Funeral by Band of Horses. Tomorrow? Who knows. I’m fickle that way.

What is the best advice you ever got?
Always compare your work to the very best. Ask yourself what they have done differently and why.

Dog person, cat person, or…?
Wolf.

Where is your happy place?
With my son.

Tell us one of your guilty pleasures.
Mezcal.

If you were stranded in an elevator with any 3 people, real or fictional, living or dead, who would you pick?
Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson and Oscar Wilde.

What is your favorite burger?
Bacon and Jalapeños.

What is your favorite type of pizza/pizza topping?
Jalapeños.