WebFind: Artist in the Spotlight – Mike Mahle

By John Freeman on March 23, 2021

Mike Mahle is a designer and illustrator based in Central Illinois, who delights in creating new takes on superheroes, classic movies, and his own thought-provoking creations. Known for his bright colour palettes, vector illustration, and creative layouts, his clients include Disney, Sci-Fi Now Magazine, Sony Pictures, and many more.

His work has been recognised by ImagineFX, Pulp and Cult, Printed in Blood, and UCDA.

*Marvel Studios’ The Falcon and The Winter Soldier*

*“Batman ’66” for Galerie F and The Logan Theater*

*Wonder Woman, created for Poster Posse*

When he’s not working for clients, you’ll find him creating for himself, either putting together his next art book, or working on something that he has a burning desire produce.

Mike has self published two books featuring his art and design, Prime and Empire City, both available from his web shop.

Empire City is a fictional setting of Mike’s own creation, a 112-page hardcover collection of illustration, graphic design, and typography all centered about a fictional noir city.

“Similar in most respects to a classic film noir city setting, this one also has a little more up it’s sleeve,” the artist explains of the project, brought to life through crowdfunding. “A heaping helping of classic art deco and streamline moderne, a dash of 1950s sci-fi, a hint of classic monsters and the occult, a smattering of classic pin-up girls, all coated in a thick retro futurism sauce. Bake it at 425 degrees for two hours and you’ve got yourself something close to the collection offered here.”

“This is not a narrative book,” he points out. “I always like to tell a story with my art and almost every piece in here tells a unique story. I’ve always felt that its the artist’s job to provide the information, to tell the story, but it’s always up to the viewer to decode it for themselves.”

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.