How did you get the job of working on
2099: World of Tomorrow? What do you recall about working on the
series?
Jason:
I would like to think I got the assignment to work on 2099:
WOT because of my work on the single Spiderman fill in I did
during Mike Weiringo's run, and all the "teen" comics at DC.
I dug working on the varied locations and characters. One
page would be an underground sorcerer's lair, an adventure
on the moon, or buddies lost at sea. Variety is the spice of
life!
Each issue had multiple pencilers and
multiple inkers, why was this? Was it because each issue was
over-sized?
Jason:
As you have stated, there were multiple artists on the 48
page monthly comics. Editorial knew they were picking up the
pieces from the entire line of 2099 comics. The most
challenging part was the incredible cast of characters -- I
admit I was only familiar with Spiderman 2099 - didn't read
the others -- so there was a steep learning curve! Ditto for
my time on Legion of Superheroes!
What recollections do you have about
working with the inkers?
Jason:
I didn't have any contact with the inker, I'm not even sure
he was in North America. Editorial was very helpful, but you
must keep in mind this was still very much the time I would
Fedex my art boards to Marvel, and they would redirect the
pages to the inker -- I believe all the lettering was glued?
I'd have to check my remaining stash of art pages... I liked
what the inker was doing -- not quite what I drew, but a lot
of interesting textures. I understood there was an attempt
to marry the multiple penciling looks into a unified look. I
feel the inker "plussed" my pencils. I can't say that about
all my gigs.
What do you recall about cancellation
of the series?
Jason:
I was blindsided by the cancellation of the series. I assume
Editorial knew pretty early on, but chose not to inform me
because they wanted me to stay focused on the job, and not
spend my time being concerned about the next gig. I knew
that 2099 had been resurrected specifically because there
was a video game in the works, but I had just been in
contact with the writer about a 2099 Black Panther storyline
when word came down that we were done, the video game option
was no longer on the table. I had planned on using/revamping
a discarded Kirby version of the Coal Tiger.
Of the many characters in the series,
did you have a favorite, or a favorite issue that stands out in
your memory?
Jason: My favorite issue was
the one with that cool lady Dr Strange, and I always enjoy
drawing Spiderman.