This writer and artist constantly produces excellent work. (And now, your moment of archive.)

12/22/07

356. Andi Watson



Andi Watson is a British comics creator, but not in the head-trippy "British Invasion"-y way that somehow became a label for our overseas friends. Rather, he's just a fine, fine cartoonist who tells great stories.

He broke into the industry doing mini-comics and small press stuff like Samurai Jam, before launching the ongoing series Skeleton Key that lasted a good 30 issues. After that, he produced work like Geisha, Breakfast After Noon, Dumped, Slow News Day, Little Star, and more, constantly evolving his artistic style. He's also written such things as Clubbing for Minx, a run on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and, um, a Namor series co-written with Bill Jemas (let's sweep that one under the carpet).









What makes Andi Watson great is that he's a master of portraying the human condition-- all the drama, comedy, heartbreak, and various other feelings and emotions that go into being a person. I also really dig his airy, open art style that manages to express more than most art with less lines. It's perfect for a wide variety of tones and genres, from his kids' stuff to his more mature, dramatic work.

My favorite Andi Watson project is probably Love Fights, a romance set in a world of superheroes and mixed-up continuity. It told a great tale of regular people while also commenting on the nature of superhero comics as well as how the capes-and-tights crowd would function in a more realistic (by that I mean "well thought out") setting. Have a sample:







The covers for that series were extraordinary.

Andi's currently working on a marvelous series called Glister. You can read Cronin's review of the latest issue here.



Much more on Andi Watson can be found at his website. Be sure to Google him, too; it'll open up a treasure trove of interviews and spotlights on the man and his work that one could lose themselves in for a couple hours.