Creator of the Month: Sal Cipriano

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 – April
Sal Cipriano
Letterer
American Ronin, Archangel 8, Fight Girls, Telepaths, Byte-Sized, Sacrament, Trojan, Out, Hotell Vol. 1, Hotell Vol. 2, E-Ratic: Recharged, Devil’s Highway Vol. 1, Devil’s Highway Vol. 2, Year Zero Vol. 1, The Resistance, Moths, Red Border, and the upcoming series from J. Michael Straczynski, The Madness.

Follow Sal on Social:
Instagram: @salcipriano_art
Twitter: @salcipriano

What is your favorite comic character or fictional character of all time? Why?
No fictional character has meant more to me than Godzilla — haha, I see you Cullen! From an early age I was just hooked with everything about the giant lizard, and the genre and fandom have stuck with me my whole life to the point where I have a toy review channel with a big focus on, you guessed it — Godzilla toys!

Who most influenced you in the world of comics?
I’ve done a little of everything in comics, so I’ve had a few influences from being hooked on Claremont comics early and wanting to write, to being blown away by Art Adams and wanting to draw. As far as lettering, I honestly did not notice lettering as an artform until I started reading Sandman as a teen. Todd Klein’s work made it something more to me, and I got into it from there.

Who most influenced you outside of the world of comics?
I’m constantly influenced by movies, photography, and good storytelling in general. Whether I’m lettering or filming a review, my experiences and loves influence all I do.

Do you have a favorite panel/art from an AWA series you’ve worked on?
I’ve proudly worked on so many great books since AWA’s inception, and there’s been a ton of great moments in books like Hotell and Old Haunts, but I have to say the most recent Sacrament book had me gripped tight from beginning to end. I feel like the style I created for the book helped the overall atmosphere there, so I’m happy to have contributed.

Tell me about a favorite story/panel/art page from an AWA series you did NOT work on.
The Crimson Cage was an awesome package overall. Love when you can feel that the team totally clicks.

What do you want fans to know about you?
I don’t like staying idle. I try to letter as much as possible, but when there’s down time, I like to keep busy growing my channel. It’s good having multiple things to juggle and build. I’m also looking to get back into writing as I feel I have unfinished business there, and stories I’d love to tell.

If you were a comic book character, would you rather be the hero or the villain?
Everyone always loves the villain, but the hero’s journey has always fascinated me.

What’s your favorite comic book or graphic novel?
The original Longshot series by Ann Nocenti and Arthur Adams always brings me back. One of the first comics that made me say I want to make comics when I grow up!

What’s your favorite moment in comics ever?
I’ll always have Frank Castle punching a polar bear in the face ingrained in my head.

What’s your favorite comic book genre?
I can pretty much read or work in any genre, but I do love a good sci-fi actioner.

Would you rather be invisible or have the ability to fly?
I’d want to fly to try get over my real fear of it.

Do you think you could survive in a zombie apocalypse?
We’ve got enough to worry about, let’s leave the zombies alone, k?

Do you listen to music while you’re creating?
I used to, but nowadays I like a good podcast mostly about toys, fantasy, sports, or wrestling (wait isn’t that the same thing?!).

What is your favorite song?
“Eye of the Tiger” because I’m cheesy like that, but it sorta sums me up.

What is the best advice you ever got?
Never give up on something you love. Work at it constantly, through success and failures. I think someone told me that, but it may just be my own advice.

Dog person, cat person, or…?
Meow!

Where is your happy place?
Sitting on my stoop and just chilling out with a cup of coffee.

Tell us one of your guilty pleasures.
Wrestling, 100%, and I don’t even find myself feeling guilty over it. Give it all to me!

What’s the last movie you watched?
Tron Legacy. My son hadn’t seen it yet, and he was blown away. Totally holds up for me, and that Daft Punk score is exhilarating!

What’s the last comic you read?
Kaiju No. 8 Vol. 1. Fun manga, kaiju, and an anime coming. Let’s go!

What is your favorite type of pizza/pizza topping?
I make a ton of pizza, and one of my favorites has speck, honey, pepper jack, and probably other stuff. I’m always experimenting so I’m never bored with it.

If you could have anything in the world for a last meal, what would it be?
Never ending pasta bowl seems like a good way to go!