Richard Elson Interviewed

By John Freeman on July 31, 2007

Fansite and webcomic Sonic the Comic Online has published an in-depth interview with artist 2000AD artist Richard Elson, covering the seven years he spent wowing a generation on the 1990s Sega tie-in title Sonic the Comic.

The interview includes some of his concept sketches, delves into his working habits, and the creative process behind Sonic the Comic‘s stories, and who he prefers out of Sonic and Mario.

Asked for advice for would be artists, Elson comments: “It’s boring, but it’s true. The very best advice that I can give you is practice, practice, practice. I’ve said it so many times, but it is true: drawing is not a spectator sport.

“The only way that you can get better is by doing it. Assimilate as many positive influences as you can, but, most of all, keep your eyes and ears open. Life is the best lesson and the more you can absorb from the reality around you, the richer your work will be.”

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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as 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.