Each month we’ll be shining the spotlight on a Silverline creator and sharing their secret origin story, learning what makes them tick, and giving you the scoop on how they came up in the comics world.
Up this time is Luis Czerniawski, a comic book artist who has worked for such companies as IDW, Image, and Amigo Comics…as well as Silverline Comics, of course.
Now, without further ado, we present to you…
12 Questions with … Luis Czerniawski
SILVERLINE: So, who are you and where do you hail from?
I’m a simple man (like the song) with a lot of dreams. I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina, but still trying to find my ship to return to my planet.
SILVERLINE: What would you say it is you do here at Silverline?
Here I am, working with good people and doing interesting and fun things for readers, those people like us who wait there trying to read something new every day… oh, and trying to dominate the world.
SILVERLINE: Where might Silverline readers have seen your work previously?
I’ve done a lot of things, IDW publishing, Zenescope entertainment, Mohak media, Avatar press, Amigo Comics, SQP, and hundreds of pages and covers with James Heffron and many many independent jobs.
SILVERLINE: When you’re not making great Silverline comics, what do you do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?
Draw and draw things for me. I also take care of my plants. I like to be surrounded by green and cats. I also watch TV series, etc. … simple things can also be great.
SILVERLINE: Many creators at Silverline have been in the comics industry for years — what’s kept YOU plugging away at comics?
It’s a beautiful road but sometimes difficult. Most of the cases work like in soccer leagues, big and small: some arrive, others don’t … but there they are. In my case, I never stopped being. It’s one way and I’ll never lower my arms.
SILVERLINE: What was the first comic you remember reading that made you think, “Hey, I could do this!”
I was very young. I don’t remember exactly which one was the first, but I remember the drawings were from Kirby and other title of Batman with Deadman maybe from the ’70 by Neal Adams. My mother still keeps my version of that inked cover imitating Neal.
SILVERLINE: What’s on your playlist? Who/what music do you listen to, and do you listen to it while you work?
Love music and I can’t be without it. In fact, I sang in heavy metal bands. Yes, please don’t laugh. And I still listen to some classic bands like Queensryche. I listen to a lot of progressive rock, old and new, from unknown bands or underrated ones, like Road, that maybe they have only one disc but they are great, to Opeth. I also listen to Neil Young, Patrick Watson (Love song for robots),White Buffalo, etc ,uffff a lot !!!
SILVERLINE: Who were some of your earliest influences on your art ?
As I said before, it was definitely Kirby. I read too many horror magazines with lot of great artists from the 70s that I don’t remember the names of … and then Moebius.
SILVERLINE: What was the first comic you ever worked on professionally?
My first professional comic was for IDW, a long time ago; a miniseries called CVO, African Blood.
SILVERLINE: Can you still read that comic today without wincing?
Oh, yes I can read it but not look at it, hahahaha. It’s a good story, like the one El Torres writes.
SILVERLINE: What are some non-Silverline independent comics you would recommend to readers? (no Marvel or DC, please)
I wouldn’t know which ones exactly, there are many new and interesting things to read. Amigo Comics has many interesting things, or look for something old.
SILVERLINE: If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice that would help them better navigate the comics industry, what would it be?
Ohhh, it’s a good question. I would say come out, not to stay behind the hidden curtains, that nothing matters to you, show what you do!!!
Luis is penciling and inking Silverline’s Kayless!