The final panel of the pre-Comic-Con installment of Image Comics' twice-yearly Image Expo starred the "We Stand on Guard" creative team of Brian K. Vaughan and Steve Skroce, "Heartless" artist Tula Lotay, "Throwaways" writer Caitlin Kittredge, "Huck" artist Rafael Albuquerque and "The One%" writer/penciler/inker/colorist Kaare Kyle Andrews.
Image Comics Brand Manager and panel moderator David Brothers addressed Skroce first, noting his time in Hollywood working on films like "The Matrix" and "V for Vendetta." Skroce said he always remained a comics fan, and was hoping for a return to the medium -- and was lured back by the prospect of working with Brian K. Vaughan. Andrews has also worked in film, and said that even though they use "some of the same muscles," they're ultimately very different endeavors.
As a novelist, Kittredge also has a background outside of comics. "I really find the collaborative aspect of comics to be wonderfully amazing," Kittredge said, adding that there was a "big learning curve" moving into comics. "I'm still learning tons with every projects. I think the collaboration can't be beat, as far as creative writing processes go."
Brothers asked Lotay about her work as the founder of the Thought Bubble festival in Leeds. "The response was so incredible, it just snowballed, it got bigger and bigger and bigger," Lotay said, though she's intent for it not to stray from its original ideals. "It's about education; getting the newest generation to enjoy comics."
Albuquerque talked the freshly announced "Huck," a collaboration with Mark Millar. "I'm very proud of the book," he said. "I think 'Huck's' my best work to date."
Vaughn acknowledged that he's been blessed with talented artistic collaboration, including Skroce. "I love working with artists," Vaughan said, admitting that he doesn't think he can write picture-less books.
Lotay on working with "Heartless" writer Warren Ellis: "I think he trusts me," she said, telling the crowd that Ellis is usually amenable to her changing things around a bit from the script. "It's nice to have that creative freedom."
Andrews talked moving to creator-owned after years of work-for-hire projects at Marvel, saying that it's comforting to know that "The One%" will never break his heart -- unless it's due to something that he did.
Kittredge on what inspired "Throwaways": "One of my favorite war movies is 'The Hurt Locker,' because it's so immediate and real," Kittredge said. "I wanted to marry that sensibility with really awesome, fantastical stuff."
A fan asked the panel about overcoming creative roadblocks. "I always just say 'writers' block' is code for 'video games,'" Vaughan answered. "Writing is hard. You just have to force yourself. This is your job." Andrews said that the healthiest way to move forward as a creative person is to "succeed by failing." "Art is hard," he added. "Fear is part of it, and should be part of it. If you're not scared of what you're doing, maybe you're not pushing yourself hard enough." Kittredge said to take blocks as a learning experience: "Maybe the time is not right for you to do this story."
The next (and final) question from the audience: What inspires the panelists? "Everything inspires me," Albuquerque answered. "Being here will inspire me. I allow myself to get inspired by everything." "I read a lot, I have my favorite artists and I'm up on current things," Skroce said, adding that "nostalgia recharges his batteries" quite a bit -- citing movies like "Dune," "Aliens" and "RoboCop."
"As an artist, part of your daily task is to find inspiration," Andrews added. "Creativity is not an island. Art is a living organism. When you create something that has enough power, it affects anyone who sees it. It moves through us like a virus." Lotay said she's greatly inspired by film.