Creator of the Month: Frank Cho

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 – September
Frank Cho
Writer & Artist: Fight Girls
Follow Frank Cho
@FrankChoArtist on Instagram
Frank Cho on Facebook

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What is your favorite comic character or fictional character of all time?
Too many to choose from. In comics, I love Spider-Man. He’s my favorite superhero. He’s the “everyman.” He’s not perfect. He’s flawed. He’s decent. He’s funny. He’s us. Life keeps knocking him down, but he always gets up.

Who most influenced you in the world of comics?
Al Williamson. One of the most talented artists I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with. He was funny, smart, talented and all-around great guy.

Who most influenced you outside of the world of comics?
Again, hard to choose. I guess all the great artists who changed and inspired the world, like Anthony Van Dyke who set the standard for all royal paintings. John Singer Sargent who made everyone elegant and beautiful. Thomas Moran who captured the majestic landscapes of the west. And countless other artists who captured my imagination and inspire me to push further.

Tell me about your favorite story/panel/art page from an AWA series you’ve worked on.
I rather enjoyed drawing that big double page spread of the giant rock turtle bursting from the arid ground in Fight Girls.

Tell me about a favorite story/panel/art page from an AWA series you did NOT work on.
I’ve been enjoying Deodato’s panel layouts in his recent book Red Zone. His usage of multiple small panels and negative space are clever and visually pleasing.

If you were a comic book character, would you rather be the hero or the villain? And why?
Misunderstood villain. Way more fun and interesting than heroes.

What’s your favorite comic book or graphic novel?
Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, and Alan Moore’s run on Swamp Thing.

What’s your favorite moment in comics ever?
When Swamp Thing realizes he’s not a human who turned into a plant, but a plant who thinks he’s a human. Completely blew my mind in 6th grade.

What’s your favorite comic book genre?
Horror.

Would you rather be invisible or have the ability to fly?
Flight. I’ll make a killing in Vegas magic shows.

Do you think you could survive in a zombie apocalypse?
God no. I’m an indoor pet. I get filled with anxiety and dread when the power goes out.

Do you listen to music while you’re creating?
Yes. I listen to all kinds of music.

What is your favorite song or band?
I listen to mainly music from the 50s and 60s. I guess The Beatles is pretty high on my list, and Johnny Cash.

What is the best advice you ever got?
Enjoy life and have fun.

Dog person, cat person, or…?
Other: I like aquariums.

Where is your happy place?
Book stores and movie theaters.

Tell us one of your guilty pleasures.
Napping. I’m a boring guy.

If you were stranded on an island with any 3 people — real or fictional, living or dead — who would you pick?
Superman, so he can get us off the island, Lynda Carter and Tesla.

What’s the last movie you watched?
Dune.

What’s the last comic you read?
Shaolin Cowboy by Geof Darrow.

What is your favorite type of pizza/pizza topping?
Meat Lover’s pizza with lot of onions, green peppers and mushrooms.

If you could have anything in the world for a last meal, what would it be?
Seafood.

What do you want fans to know about you?
I’m not a morning person. I never show up at conventions before noon.

Back the Fight Girls — Deluxe Director’s Cut Edition Kickstarter Campaign