Pop artist

Thai illustrator makes marvels

By Tatat Bunnag
Photos are courtesy of BEC-Tero

For many generations, cartoons and comic books have inspired kids throughout the world. Today, comic book characters command a bigger place in pop culture than ever before, ruling both the box office and television screens.

Pop Mhan is a Thai comic book artist who is currently making waves in the international comic world. Known for his pencil and ink work for top companies like DC Comics, Marvel, Dark Horse, Wildstorm and Tokyopop, Pop’s work has appeared in such titles as Batgirl, Ghost Rider, The Flash and He-Man.

The 40-year-old artist is scheduled to meet comic book fans at the upcoming Bangkok Comic Con 2015 x Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2015 at BITEC Bangna from April 30 to May 4.

Student Weekly recently caught up with Pop to chat with about his experience working as comic artist and about how he got his start in the business.

Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your background and about how you got to work with Marvel and DC Comic?

Pop: I moved to the US when I was little. After finishing high school, I put together a portfolio of my work and started attending comic cons to meet editors and ask about work. At the 1994 Chicago Comic Con, I showed my work to my idol Jim Lee and was then hired by his company, Wildstorm Productions. After a year there, I went to work at Marvel, drawing Ghost Rider, and then to DC Comics to draw The Flash. I’ve been with DC for most of my career so far.

Student Weekly: When did you first realise that you wanted to become a comic book artist, and what steps did you take to make it happen?

Pop: I’ve always liked to draw, although I didn’t do much of it until high school. I’m mostly self-taught. I took an art class at university but I didn’t like the structure of the course. I didn’t feel that it helped me to develop what I wanted to do. In fact, the teacher tried to discourage me from entering the comic industry, so I didn’t sign up for any more art classes. I study art from books and real life. There’s no better teacher than life experience.

Student Weekly: What were some of your favourite comic books or cartoons when you were a kid?

Pop: I think my favourite cartoons as a kid were Transformers and Macross. I liked watching cartoons, but I don’t think I watched more than any other kids. I was always pretty active.

Student Weekly: Which superhero characters have you enjoyed working on most?

Pop: I love to draw Spider-Man because he was always one of my favourites as a kid. He’s also really fun to draw. The costume design is very iconic and he always looks fun. You can draw Spider-Man in any pose that you can imagine.

Student Weekly: What do you think is the main difference between Japanese manga and Western-style comic books?

Pop: I love manga. It’s big influence on my own work. The mangas I love are Tenjou Tenge, BECK, Death Note, Gantz and too many more to name!

Each Japanese manga is usually made with a unique creation and a personal story. In the American market, a company usually owns the rights to a character, so you write or draw based on somebody else’s creation. It’s a very different way to work.

Student Weekly: Do you have any advice for Thai teens who dream of becoming successful comic book artists?

Pop: Believe in yourself. Some of the best artists in the world are Thai, so you’re in good company. Never stop learning and practising as much as you can. Being talented doesn’t mean much — it’s what you do with your talent that makes you succeed and makes your work special. Everybody I’ve seen who works hard gets good enough to compete with the best.

Student Weekly: Do you have any special plans for the upcoming Comic Con in Bangkok?

Pop: I don’t know how special this is, but if any artist shows me their work or portfolio there, I’ll make sure they get all the help that I can give them. I’ll help them to overcome weak points and show them what they need to improve to work with Marvel or DC Comics. Come see me at Bangkok Comic Con!

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