Australian comic book illustrator Will Conrad on sketching for DC and Marvel

When you're a comic book artist, you dream of sketching or inking the big boys – Batman, Superman, Spiderman... Will Conrad can proudly lay claim to having done the first two, if not all three. While a less popular name than some of DC and Marvel's mavericks, Conrad has done a number of covers and inside art for these publications along with Dark Horse Comics.

A well-balanced artist, Conrad has done both cover art, interior panels, and both inking and penciling. He's also put his own spin on popular series such as Batman Beyond, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and X-Men. The artist, who was present at Mumbai Comic Con 2018, said that he has enjoyed all the different phases and publications that he has illustrated for, though each house has its own unique essence. "In my opinion, the biggest difference between DC and Marvel comic universes is the way they see and treat their characters," he explains. "DC believes that its characters are going to bring about a radical change in the world. Whereas Marvel treats its characters more like real-life people struggling with real-world problems and emotions. While both the perceptions are pretty different in nature, I feel that this helps them bring about amazing results in their own unique ways."

Hailing from Brazil, the illustrator started sketching pieces for local publications but received his first break with the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, when Dark Horse Comics came up with a comic book adaptation for the late '90s TV show. The guidelines for sketching Buffy were quite specific and Conrad was asked to emulate the real-life characters of the show "from facial body expressions to the most minor details." It was a direct adaptation from screen to print with little room to maneuver. "This was because everything had to appear life-like as the characters were based on real people and all of this had to be approved by the directors and the core team behind the TV series," he adds.

After Dark Horse, the illustrator went on to spend six years with Marvel and is currently working on the Superman series with DC. As it's always difficult for the creator to objectively pick a favourite, he says, "Every piece that I have worked on has been a thoroughly joyful experience in itself."

Still, the thrill of some comics have stood out among others and the artist is quick to add, "If I were to pick a few out of those, I would say I loved working with X-Men, Batman and Superman. The reason probably is the fact that I have always admired these superheroes since before I even began."

But who does a superhero artist look up to as his own heroes? Quite a few it would seem as he lists, "Conan, Batman, Superman, Spiderman and Wolverine."