Creator of the Month: Mike Choi

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 – January
Michael Hyun Min Choi
Artist: U & I, Moths, NewThink
Follow Mike on Instagram @mikechoiart
Meet Mike Choi at FAN EXPO Vancouver

What is your favorite comic character or fictional character of all time? Why?
Of all time? That’s such a hard question, because in a medium like comics, it really depends on how they’re written, and by who. Favorite character in comics might be Death from The Sandman. Fictional character period, right now I’m doing a soft rewatch of Game of Thrones and I can’t get over how awesome Oberyn Martell is.

Who most influenced you in the world of comics?
Marc Silvestri. I shared a studio with him at Top Cow for the first three years of my comics career and legit every year I have a growing appreciation for how lucky I was to have such a valuable education that didn’t cost me a penny.

Who most influenced you outside of the world of comics?
My kids. Sounds weird but fatherhood has absolutely changed my life.

Tell me about your favorite story/panel/art page from an AWA series you’ve worked on.
All of U & I. I’m having so much fun working in a completely new style from Moths, which was in turn different from anything I’d done previously.

Tell me about a favorite story/panel/art page from an AWA series you did NOT work on.
All of Fight Girls. Frank Cho being Frank Cho.

If you were a comic book character, would you rather be the hero or the villain? And why?
Heroism and villainy is in the eye of the observer. So I don’t know. Honestly, I think any real hero would have some people thinking you were a villain. That’s me trying to be thoughtful.

What’s your favorite comic book or graphic novel?
Probably All-Star Superman, maybe 100 Bullets but I have to see if it holds up.

What’s your favorite moment in comics ever?
So many, but all my favorite moments have been sad, for some reason comics are so good at telling sad moments.

What’s your favorite comic book genre?
All of them as long as it’s well written and drawn.

Would you rather be invisible or have the ability to fly?
Invisible. Kind of like my Instagram account.

Do you think you could survive in a zombie apocalypse?
Hell no. I couldn’t even survive a baby apocalypse.

Do you listen to music while you’re creating?
No, lots of audiobooks and podcasts though.

What is your favorite song or band?
Cherub Rock by Smashing Pumpkins

What is the best advice you ever got?
No one thinks about you as much as you do.

Dog person, cat person, or…?
Other: Just like with people, I like whoever likes me first.

Where is your happy place?
Being with my kids.

Tell us one of your guilty pleasures.
Being away from my kids.

If you were stranded on an island with any 3 people — real or fictional, living or dead — who would you pick?
My two kids, and a babysitter so I can look for another island where I can just swim to and chill.

What’s the last movie you watched?
Barbie. I really wanted to like it, but I didn’t. But that Billie Eilish song always makes me cry when I hear it.

What’s the last comic you read?
Ice Cream Man. My favorite book out today.

What is your favorite type of pizza/pizza topping?
Tomato sauce and cheese. Even bad pizza is good, but without either of those two ingredients, it’s not pizza.

If you could have anything in the world for a last meal, what would it be?
Well now pizza probably.