The inker of the Flying Blind arc talks about working with Cully Hamner and his artistic influences.

Kuljit Mithra: Can you briefly describe what first got you interested in comics and how it eventually became a career?

Jason Martin: G.I.Joe #11! I will never forget...I was sick in the hospital and my Mom brought some comics for me to read. Classic story eh? Before that I remember briefly having some Shogun Warrior comics.

Mithra: Is it safe to say mange/anime influenced you?

Martin: Without a doubt, as I was growing up reading comics, I found out that my favorite artists were influenced by various manga artists. It was just a natural progression to start getting the source material.

Mithra: What are some of your other comics work besides Daredevil?

Mithra: Currently I am inking 'Battle Chasers' and picking-up in-between work on various projects. As for my past work.....rather than try to go into detail here (because I don't know how long it would take to get through it all) I'll just refer you to my 'work history':

http://www.artplayboy.com/workhistory.com

The list is still incomplete, but that should hit most of the highlights..

Mithra: Your work on Daredevil was on the Flying Blind arc with Cully Hamner. Having interviewed him late last year, he said he felt it was very important that you were inking him. What do you think your inking brings to his art that other inkers don't necessarily do?

Martin: Cully is one of the few pencillers that almost doesn't need inking. He is a TIGHT artist! Anyway, he knew I could follow the line, give him shoulder rubs, get him food, put gas in his car and make sure his copy of USA-Today was taped to his art board every morning!! Sheesh!

Mithra: When did you first start working with Hamner?

Martin: Very early in my career, around '94. We did a Stormwatch Special together. Cully put a lot of faith into me early on, which I appreciated greatly.

Mithra: Do you work together in a studio?

Martin: I am not there currently, but we did work together for several years at Gaijin Studios.

Mithra: Initially the Flying Blind arc was going to be four issues, then three, then back to four. Eventually you only did the first and fourth issues. Was it disappointing not to get to do all four?

Martin: Yes, it was disappointing not to ink all four. I usually like to ink all of an issue if I can, or the full story-arc.

Mithra: Were you able to fit in other work in between?

Martin: I always am, that's just part of the job.

Mithra: Was the project already running late when you came aboard?

Martin: I can't remember if this one was or not... it was awhile ago.

Mithra: What did you think of the storyline, considering it wasn't 'Daredevil' in his original form?

Martin: Both Cully and I were disappointed, finally you get to work on a character you like and it's not him! The colors... grr!

Mithra: Were you a big DD fan?

Martin: DD is the man! I like Daredevil a lot. The concept is simple and awesome.

Mithra: Did you help out with costume designs or the four interlocking cover design for the arc?

Martin: Cully is the man! All him!

Mithra: How challenging were those covers to produce?

Martin: Not too hard, I just had to make sure everything lined-up properly.

Mithra: Looking over your DD inking, you used many solid lines. Any particular influences with your style?

Martin: Cross-hatching and feathering are typically not used by Cully, and his pencils are very final. The main influences on my inking style are animation and manga.

Mithra: How do you think your inking work has evolved from when you first started learning?

Martin: Technically I have learned to handle my inking tools with more proficiency, and there have been several artistic influences (too many to list here) that have helped me develop my style. Of course I am continuously learning more.

Mithra: Are you experimenting with different inking tools?

Martin: I experiment with anything that I think will work! The brush is the tool I use the most though.

Mithra: Have you ever worked with Rob Haynes?

Martin: Offically, no. Unofficially, we did several pieces together......I inked some of his drawings and Rob inked some of mine back when he, David Self and I used to be roomates! We have been friends since our late teens when we were all honing our skills.

Mithra: Having seen his work on his DD animation and comics, I think your styles could mesh.

Martin: Since we have similar schools of thought and a heavy animation influence, it could work. When I do talk to him, we usually bring up doing some work together.

Mithra: And finally, what's next for you in comics work or otherwise?

Martin: More Battle Chasers and I'll also be doing more of my own art. Check out my web site at Artplayboy.com for updates!