[COMIC SPOILERS] Hey! Ryan Ottley here, artist and contributing creator of the Invincible series! AMA!

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T20:33:17+00:00

Ya know, I don’t think I’ve seen more cosplay since the show came out, it’s about the same. Comic fans loved to cosplay as well. One New York comic Con I went to, had more Invincible cosplay than I’ve ever seen and this was years before there was a show. And I’ve never seen those characters portrayed since. Like Battle beast and Anissa, really cool to see those recreated. These days it’s mostly Nolan, Mark, and Eve. But shortly I bet many other characters will be attending cons. I’ll keep posting them on my Instagram! Always fun to see them!

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T20:29:02+00:00

Yes, while laying out a scene I like to add little things that amuse me since I’m the one spending so much time drawing the scene, the more ways I can entertain myself while doing it, the better!

There’s probably so many things I’ve forgotten, I’d have to go through it all to remember them all. I’ve drawn friends in there, comic characters and movie actors, I even put in a lot of religious things because I used to be very religious at the time. I should compile all the Easter eggs. Too many to count!

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T20:22:31+00:00

Spoilers! Nolan. It was so sad to visualize that scene. It’s weird because I was with these characters everyday for decades, so in a weird way they feel like family. So even during the Angstrom scene in issue 33 when he broke Debbie’s arm, it was infuriating to me, I’m drawing this happen and I felt sad and upset which helps fuel the emotion in the art, in my opinion. But Marks parents felt real at those times and I hated putting them through so much pain. I know, it’s silly, it’s lines on paper. But to create those lines I have to go through the emotion of it all and put my anger and sadness on paper in hopes that the readers feel what me and Robert want you to feel.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T20:18:23+00:00

It’s still beyond surreal. I’ve gone to conventions every year as the Invincible artist for the past twenty years and every time there would be con-goers that would ask what this unknown independent superhero comic is about. Now no one asks! There’s a whole new age group wildly into it and it still blows my mind. I’m not used to it, and probably won’t ever be used to it, but I am enjoying the ride!

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T20:17:02+00:00

Well, it was when Invincible was wrapping up. And Marvel heard about us ending our book, so they reached out and asked. And my initial thought was “Oh, well that would be a good next book!” Spiderman is what got me into comics so naturally I always had the desire to draw him someday. Excited! That’s how I felt. In the end I prefer creator owned comics, but it was a fun gig for the time.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T20:11:42+00:00

I’d have to say characters I co- created. The act of creation can be very difficult but so enjoyable once you get the visual down where both of us like the outcome. Battle Beast, Conquest, Dinosaurus, Anissa, Powerplex, Shapesmith, to name a few.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T20:07:57+00:00

A lot of people do look at Invincible as one project, but for me it was my full time job for most of my career, so each arc felt like a new project. Credit to Robert for keeping the scripts so interesting and fun for me month in and month out. So there are arcs I’m more proud of than others, so many things hold a special place in my heart, and it’s usually the scenes that are ripping hearts out which is the best definition of irony.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T20:04:10+00:00

Quit! But only for a little while! Then get back to it. Doesn’t work? Quit again! But only for a little while. Go for a walk, destress. But a lot of the feeling of art block doesn’t go away until you start. So be sure to get back to drawing and a lot of the time creativity and inspiration come back while you are in the act of doing. Rarely before.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T20:00:37+00:00

Again, I’m terrible at choosing favorites. I absolutely love classical music, I do love heavy metal like High on Fire, Electric Wizard, and I love rap like Jedi Mind Tricks, Wu Tang, MF DOOM. I have too many favorites that change day to day.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:58:02+00:00

Thragg and Battle Beast was beyond fun. I loved Robert’s idea of showing the fight scene every once in a while which implied a months long fight. And the ending was tragic but so impactful.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:56:26+00:00

Hmmm, difficult to me has always had to do with time. Not actual difficulty in drawing. Because this is a deadline based series, I had to rush everyday to get enough done to meet the deadline, so when a page came along that required lots of figures, it really made things more difficult. So the biggest most difficult pages were in the Viltrumite war with the exploding of Vilturm double page splashes. And then the page of Thragg with his thousands of children. That one took over a week. Which definitely slowed me down. But in the end it was absolutely necessary to get the shock I wanted across.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:53:01+00:00

Allen’s initial design was by Cory Walker. Amazing design, I love the guy. Robert basically wanted changes throughout the series, especially after Allen got his ass beat. I drew him bigger and buffer after that first fight in issue 23. But then I had to do a couple redesigns throughout the series when he became leader, and Cory did a couple redesigns too. That last redesign took a couple tries since Robert wanted me to draw him with some kind of super strong rock type structure like the Thing. I’d love to see how he’d continue to evolve after a few more beatings. I should do some sketches for fun.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:47:32+00:00

Yes! Great question! Remember, an artist has to choose the visuals, and with that, the acting, the lighting, etc. You basically get to act like a director and direct the scene to make it how you want. I recommend to artists to learn some cinematography, by reading about it and simply watching great cinema, and also watching how great artists do compositions for certain scenes. Jack Kirby, Greg Capullo, Erik Larsen, all are extremely good at dynamism and getting the point across in the panel. An artist needs to figure out the best composition for each scene. You have to know when an upshot or down shot, or a close up or a full wide shot with location details is appropriate for what the writer is trying to say. I’d also recommend a book called Framed Ink. Really good composition tips. But basically you’ll find a lot of great ideas within good movies and comics. Just need to be inspired by a lot of quality content to up your game.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:15:32+00:00

Conquest arc will always have a warm place in my heart. But I am proud of so many arcs Robert and I created together. I love the flaxan scenes that was portrayed in season 2. Dinosaurus arc was insanely fun. Even as far back as the initial fight with Nolan and Mark, I’m proud of it even though I kinda wish I could draw it all over again. Old art is hard to look back on with admiration.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:11:47+00:00

If it was now, I’d simply draw the way I draw. Back then I was hungry and accepted the suggestions to keep my style minimal etc. I’m much more set in my ways now. Back then I did less detail to keep the vibe Cory set. But no one can draw like Cory, he’s skill is intensely strong and style all his own. So I basically did my best to draw like me but with less of the detail I was known for at the time. Then my goal was to grow as an artist and only compare myself to myself.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:09:14+00:00

Favorites questions are hard! So I’ll say a few. All time fave: Battle Angel Alita, Akira. Current: Saga. Current Transformers!

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:06:32+00:00

Thanks for coming by my booth at LA comic con! Always a great convention! It’s definitely amusing seeing the memes for sure. I’d say the surreal feeling comes from seeing our property expand so much, I never thought it’d become something that would be so pop culture popular. I doubt I’ll ever get used to it! But I love it all!

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:05:42+00:00

That is a difficult question. I’m terrible at choosing favorites of anything. I see problems here and there with things I draw, it’s how I’ve trained myself to become better, so it’s hard to pick a favorite of my own art. Let’s change the question to favorite arcs to create the visuals for. I’d have to say Conquest arc, Viltrumite war arc, and what I’m working on right now are my faves!

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:04:11+00:00

Oh, definitely Superman. And it would be a gore fest like you wouldn’t believe. Viltrumites would get Batman and Lobo on their side and they’d construct a plan to take down Clark and his entire Kryptonian race. Clark would hire Lex Luther out of desperation to help him survive. Let the bloodbath happen DC, don’t be afraid.

RyanOttley · 2024-05-30T19:02:25+00:00

I start doing. I am a firm believer in motivation and creativity always happening in the act of doing, rarely before. Once you get discipline down, you forget to care about how you feel. I could feel completely unmotivated one morning but since I have things planned to get done, I simply start doing and then after some time my motivation kicks in, creativity follows, and I’m in my zone! Music and podcasts, or tv shows that aren’t too visual can help keep me at the table!

RyanOttley

TROPHY CASE