John Byrne's art and stories have been a major influence on the comic book industry for a long time. He has worked on titles from Marvel and DC comics. Written and drawn for Spider-Man and X-men to name just two. Google his name and you will end up with pages of fan sites. As his Strata Cafe profile says he is truly a "god among men".

On top of his outstanding 2d art ability he has a fantastic grasp of 3d. His app of choice is Strata Pro and has some very impressive stuff to show. I thought it would be inspirational to talk to a real pro who uses Strata and see if there is anything we can glean from his success.

SS. How has your experience at DC Comics been and what is your role there?

JB. I always have fun playing with the DC characters I grew up with -- which, in simplest terms, would be my role.

SS. What got you interested in art, comics, and 3D?

JB. Art I was born with -- Comics I discovered via the 1950s "Adventures of Superman" TV series starring Georges Reeves -- 3D I came to originally thru a progam called ModelShop, which is what was recommended to me when I got it into my head that I might be able to use models to solve certain problems in the 2D work.

SS. What is your professional background?

JB. Pretty much all comics.  I started out as a designer for an outdoor advertising company, Hook Signs in my old home town of Calgary, in Canada, but that lasted less than a year before the comicbook work became steady enough to support me.

SS. We have seen your work with DC Comics. How has 3D impacted the comic industry?

JB. Not much, yet.  It seems to be a bright idea artists get independently, without realizing, apparently, that others are already doing it.  As far as I know there had been no concerted effort to make use of the process in the way computers have been brought in for coloring and lettering chores.

SS. With all the other 3D apps out there why do you like to use Strata Pro?

JB. It's the one that does best what I want to do.  I have played a little bit with some of the others, but I always come back to Strata.

SS. What inspires your character and background designs?

JB. I am something of a visual sponge.  I suck in everything I see and shake it around in my head, constantly.  Eventually, things start to assemble.  This is true of both the 2D and 3d work.  Most of the process takes place in my head.

SS. What sort of creative process do you have?

JB. I may have just answered that one!

SS. Mac or Windows?

JB. Mac, of course!

SS. Does the work you do at DC Comics influence your personal projects?

JB. Yes -- and vice versa.

SS. What is/was your favorite project?

JB. A father cannot choose amongst his children!

SS. Why did you make the leap to digital art and 3d instead of sticking with pencil and paper? Did you see it as a challenge or just a natural progression in your art?

JB. I just like playing on the computer! I also like the images I get with the 3D renderer, since color and light are not my strongest suits, 2 dimensionally. Of course, I have not give up paper, and never will!

SS. You have some great examples of 3d characters and environments in your strata cafe profile. Are you finding digital artwork is a new avenue in your career or are these exercises in personal exploration?

JB. Mostly personal exploration. I have contemplated doing a cover with 3D figures (possibly for a trade paperback collection, which would be more "permanent" than a transient monthly comic), but the opportunity has not yet presented itself.

SS. Do you have any advice for others who would like to break into the comic scene using 3d skills?

JB. Find a way to do something no one else had done.  When I started doing the 3D work I have used in comics, I was the only one applying it in just that way.  Editors see hundreds of submissions a year.  The key is to be noticed -- in a good way!

To see more of John Byrne's work go his profile on the strata cafe Click Here...

Inverview by: Derek Lofgreen

All images are the property of John Byrne. Use of these images must have the permission of John Byrne.