LAST MAN STANDING | Interviews

Nic Klein

Nic, it's bio time. Give us some Klein background info, how you started off, and what you're up to now.

I was born in Germany., moved to Canada when 12, back to Germany at 20. Sucked in High school, went to art school sucked there too. Now I suck professionaly. Did a little bit of video game work, some RPG stuff, and am open for all kinds of adventures in illustration! Presto.

Seems like you're doing quite a bit of comic work these days. How important were comics in your development as an artist?

I started drawing because of comics, so it's a bit of a childhood dream come true to get paid to work on them. I used to be the pimple faced 15-year-old copying McFarlane's Spawn & Sam Kieth's Maxx covers with markers, and now I'm the pimple faced 29-year-old doing covers myself. Awesome!

Do you consider graphic design and illustration separate entities, or is it all just one big playground to you?

It's a big playground for me. I don't even think that I'm any good at graphic design... I just like tinkering with designy stuff and fonts. But its all visual, so if it pleases the eye it's good for me. Obviously graphic design also serves a purpose, so it can't be just "neat lookin".

You do quite a bit of fantastic sketchbook work. Have any tips for the rest of us on how to get the sketch ideas flowing?

No, sorry. Everyone has different things that tickles them... I like music. If in doubt put on some music, listen to some lyrics, soak up all the stuff around you... and go.

What's your dream project to work on?

Thats a toughy... I honestly don't know. Right now I would love to do Thor covers, he's my favorite marvel character and that would be sweet. Either that, or the obvious thing for anyone who likes comics, a Batman graphic novel... hehe. I don't know, I don't really think about stuff like that. I just want to make a living producing (hopefully) cool work... simple.

Whose work are you following in the art world today? Who are your influences?

I'm not really following anyones work, but if I see something cool (book or whatever) I pick it up. There's no one I'm crazy over... sure I have people whose work I admire more then others, though. If you look at my work you might see them in there somewhere.

What are some of your hobbies outside of art?

You mean theres an outside?! OMG... no, riding my bike, going to the pool in the summer... the occasional getting back on my deck (skateboard) until I hurt myself again bit. You know, normal stuff. Oh, and I like hunting down old Masters of the Universe figures at the flea market, only got about 10 so far though. :(

What are you watching, listening to, reading...

Reading: Fables. Anything by Richard Morgan.
Listening: Right now at this very moment? Buzzcocks.... but I dont really have any favs at the moment, it all depends on mood for me.
Watching: Whichever movies are new in the video store. "Alias" on DVD. "The Prisoner" Box.

What was your shittiest job?

I assume you mean as an Illustrator... I did court rooms drawings once, years ago. I suck ass at quick portraiture and I had to do quick ones for use in the TV coverage. Man, it was hot, the case creeped me out (that German cannibalism case from a few years ago, where the guy ate the penis of another guy) and the drawings sucked. Fun times..... but the pay was ok. ^^

Would you like to use this opportunity to direct your favorite German insult at me?

Du abgefickte krebshure, Ich hoffe dein Schwanz kriegt eitrige Pickel und fällt ab. I made that one up just for you.

Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? In Last Man Standing 2, you took second place out of a playing field of 271 contenders. Got any words for the chumps who'll have to go head to head against you in Last Man 3?

I'm coming for your ass Shelly Wan! Everyone else... just have fun. It's like the special olympics, participation is everything.

Thanks Nic!

No problem Cody, anything for a friend. See you in the sauna.

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