Dan Mora’s pencils on Boom! Studios’ Klaus has been turning head for months, and his hard work was rewarded with a Russ Manning Award nomination. The award, given out annually during the Eisner Awards ceremony at Comic-Con in San Diego, is presented to an artist whose debut work appeared in the previous two years.
We chatted with Mora about the award, working with Grant Morrison and more.
Nerdspan: How did you react when you heard you were up for the Russ Manning Award?
Mora: At first, I didn’t know what it was. When I started looking into it I realized what an honor it was to be nominated, as it values the hard work one has carried out during their first few years of their career. Naturally, I felt very grateful and proud of the nomination.
Nerdspan: Winning the Award would put you in some good company: Dave Stevens, Jan Duursema, Steve Rude, Scott McCloud, Kevin McGuire, Jeff Smith and Gene Ha to name a few. What would winning this award mean to you personally and professionally?
Mora: It would mean much more than I can put into words. I would be an incredible honor to belong to such a group.
Nerdspan: What has it been like collaborating with Grant Morrison?
Mora: When we started working together, it was intimidating to work alongside such a great comic book legend. Throughout the process I realized Grant is a great guy, exceedingly talented, and who valued my contribution to the story. This made me work more at ease, and also made me respect him more.
Nerdspan: How did you end up working on Klaus?
Mora: My editor at BOOM! pitched me the project after discussing it with Grant, as I understand it. They both agreed I was good for the project and I received the great news.
Nerdspan: Did you feel any pressure working both with such an iconic writer and drawing such an iconic character?
Mora: It’s one of my goals that came about much earlier than I had envisioned—I thought I would have to work for several years to achieve it. I was more than thrilled to work with Grant and to draw such an iconic character!
Nerdspan: Who were your artistic influences growing up and why were they so important to you?
Mora: I have had tons of influences throughout the years. However, my greatest influence, since childhood, is someone whose work I still find fascinating and who I’d like to meet some day. I’m talking about the master, Bruce Timm.
