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Denys Cowan is that dude. You know the one. That guy who's known for all the best stuff to be known for.
Talented. Ambitious. Professional. Charismatic. Well read. Genuine. Friends in all the right places.
And yet with all that on his side, he doesn't come off full of himself...he's a great guy.
Yeah, we hate him, too (kidding—JOKES!).
Actually, about a year ago he left his position at BET as Senior Vice President of Animation and returned full-time to his first calling. Comics. Now that, we can't hate on.
Here's what you need to know about Denys before you listen to the interview:
He started assisting professional comic artists at the age of 14. He interned with Neal Adams and a slew of other well known creators at Continuity Studios at the ages of 15 and 16. Started getting regular assignments from editors at 17. In his early 20's, he worked with renowned writer, Denny O'Neil, on The Question for DC Comics and was nominated for an Eisner award. In 1992, Denys along with Dwayne McDuffie, Derek Dingle and Michael Davis started Milestone Media, an independent imprint of DC. At some point, he began a career in animation that includes the original Static Shock TV show, a character he helped create during his Milestone days. He helped launch the animated version of Aaron McGruder's lampooning comic strip The Boondocks. He worked for years at BET under friend and then President of Entertainment, Reggie Hudlin, heading up their animation department. And now, almost ten years after the series was cancelled, he's back to his comic book roots doing The Question again.
Issue #37 is in stores now and it's a one-shot follow-up that has Denys once more collaborating with Denny O'Neil. Only this time you can add to the mix current Question writer, Greg Rucka, and art legend in his own right, Bill Sienkiewicz, on inks.
See, that's how you do it.
We cover the whole gamut in this mammoth interview with Cowan—and we mean all of it. Denys has done and seen much in his 35 year career, and doesn't mind talking about any of it. So be prepared.
Remember what we said earlier about what he was known for? Well, guess what?
Three decades into this thing, he's still talented. Ambitious. Professional. Charismatic. Well read. Genuine. And has even more friends in all the right places.
Okay, enough with the hate already. Ladies and gents—Denys Cowan.
That was an incredible interview guys! Those stories are crazy! I can't imagine going in to pick up an art book, looking over and seeing the artist, having him do a sketch in the book, and then taking him out to lunch!!! I would have been flabbergasted!
Great job and many thanks to Denys.
(Swain re: Yes, yes, yes, Shawn---what you said!)
Posted by: shawn | March 02, 2010 at 12:03 PM
One of my favorite interviews! That Breccia story is great. I can't imagine..haha
Posted by: Francis Vallejo | March 04, 2010 at 08:42 AM
Ditto.(Don't you hate it when people write that :)
Hey that was so damn interesting once again.
I love the Sidebar podcasts guys and have listened to all the archived ones since hearing my first three months ago.
I think it's so cool to be way over here in South Oz (Australia), walking my dog out bush with a few kangaroos crossing our path and at the same time getting the low down on whats happening in illustration/comic circles via my ipod.
More power to you gentleman.. you have created a monster in Sidebar that just gets better with every new guest!
Ok, gotta go.. my pen is running out.
- Leith in Oz
(Swain re: Hey Leith, two Aussie's in one day---damn! How fortunate are we? Thanks for checking in and offering the kind words.)
Posted by: Leith O'Malley | March 06, 2010 at 05:02 AM
Seriously epic and entertaining talk.
Glad to spend time with you guys and Denys across comics, animation, decades, and continents.
(Swain re: Likewise, Michael!)
Posted by: Michael Lapinski | March 09, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Hey this was a real treat to hear from an artist whose comics I've enjoyed for nearly 20 years! Couple this with the recent Dollar Bin interview with Priest and it's all Milestone baby. Now: where can I find an interview with your man McDuffie. Siuntres...?
(Swain re: Yep. Word Balloon did a good interview with Dwayne a couple years ago. Thanks for listening in, Tom, we appreciate it.)
Posted by: Tom Evans | March 15, 2010 at 01:21 PM
Again, Gentlemen you have captured lightning in a bottle. There are some times when you get a talented illustrator that just clicks as an interview. Mr. Cowan paints as wonderful of a verbal story as he paints a visual story. You fellows flat out are the best.
Posted by: doug bell | March 20, 2010 at 08:23 PM
Very nice listening to this. I especially enjoyed Denys' comments about Jorge Zaffino. Jorge was one of the finest artists I had the pleasure to work with at Marvel - and he was one of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet.
Denys' recollections of the Continuity days were also fun.
(RE: Thanks for listening in---we agree. Zaffino was awesome and it was a real treat to hear about CS and all talent that went through its doors.
On a totally unrelated note---CARL POTTS, how cool! - S)
Posted by: Carl Potts | April 27, 2010 at 07:35 AM