This week’s Questionable Comics spotlights two of comics’ best letterers, Nic J. Shaw and Taylor Esposito. Nic is up first, and has lettered projects for publishers as diverse as Image, IDW and more.
What current projects are you working on?
The Fix with Nick Spencer, Steve Lieber, and Joseph Ryan Hill at Image; Karma Police with Chris Lewis, Tony Gregori, Jasen Smith, and Nicole Boose at Comics Experience Digital; Chum with Ryan Lindsay, Sami Kivela, and Mark Dale at ComixTribe; Gutter Magic with Rich Douek, Brett Barkley, Jules Rivera at IDW/CE and several unannounced projects.
Use one word to describe how you work.
Agile.
What’s your workspace like?
My partner, Hayley, and I live in a small place. My “studio” is a large desk in our bedroom. My comics are to the left of me; a large screen, laptop, and Wacom make up my work units. I like to keep the desk clean, cluttered desk is a cluttered mind and all that… I’ve got a Daredevil #1 framed next to me as well as a few oxygen generating plants.
What do you listen to when you work?
Spotify Radio, podcasts, or audio books, currently The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
You’re never going to be the best, so never stop learning.
How do you get into lettering mode?
Deadlines.
Hand lettering or digital?
Digital.
Some of Nic J Shaw’s lettering in the new surf noir series Chum
What’s the one thing you wish you could improve about your work?
I tend to butt and mask balloons quite often, and I occasionally miss that I broke the 3D plane when I edit. Nothing a reader would notice, but I know my peers would, and that always bums me out.
When’s the best time to work?
5am – 9am and then 8pm – 2am.
Who do you consider to be inspirational creators in your field (classic and modern)?
John Workman, Artie Simek, Gaspar Saladino, Todd Klein, Clem Robbins, Tom Orzechowski, Richard Starkings, John Roshell, Nate Piekos, Rus Wooton, Jim Campbell, Ed Dukeshire, Dave Lanphear, Deron Bennett, Clayton Cowles… is that too many? I could add more. There aren’t too many letterers working who don’t inspire me in some way. Whether through their work ethic, creativity, body of work, or how they handle a certain page.
Taylor Esposito has an enviable CV and has worked for companies ranging from Marvel and DC to Random House.
What current projects are you working on?
Grimm Fairy Tales, Jade Street Protection Services, Six Million Dollar Man, Red Hood and the Outlaws, Robyn Hood I Love, NY, The Twilight Zone: The Shadow, Interceptor, The Paybacks, Beyond Belief.
Use one word to describe how you work.
Marathon.
What’s your workspace like?
Studio in the basement, desk with a Mac and Cintiq.
What do you listen to when you work?
I binge shows in the background, like Parks and Rec, YJ, or Simpsons.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Shut up and work. Only way to get better. Besides, you’re only as good as your last job.
How do you get into lettering mode?
I just get to my desk, make sure there is nothing that can interrupt, and burn through. I make it a point to get through at least a book a day (20-22 pages).
Hand lettering or digital?
Only digital, I’d learn hand, but it’s not viable in this day and age.
Taylor is currently lettering the new series Jade Street Protection Services
What’s the one thing you wish you could improve about your work?
Color choices in SFX.
When’s the best time to work?
Anytime, though I try to limit all nighters, as they make me ineffective the following day.
Who do you consider to be inspirational creators in your field (classic and modern)?
Gaspar, Todd Klein, Danny Crespi, Ben Oda, Rob Leigh, Joe Caramanga, Sal Cipriano, Steve Wands, Tom Orzechowski, Nick Napolitano.
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