So this piece is a BIG exception to my normal rule. (RULES: 1. Someone that has worked with DC and 2. A published inker that I admire.) RULE #1 is broken with JK because I don't believe he ever has been published with work for DC. But RULE #2 is SO huge, I was willing to let it slide this one time. I went crazy about JK's work on various IDW Star Trek books. Then one day I stumbled onto his site and it looked like I could purchase some of that art. I reached out to him and asked but sadly the site was old and most of the art was gone. Fortunately, he did have a couple pieces he was willing to sell. So we explored that while I also asked whether he ALSO be interested in doing this commission. I struck GOLD because I got both; a Star Trek piece AND he did this commission. And as you can see...WOW! What a magnificent job he did.
(ME) I would love to know how you feel like it came out? Was there anything you particularly liked or disliked? And was there any component to it that was challenging or difficult? I've had some inkers say that Bernie's pencils needed a lot of work to fix.
(JK) It is true that his pencils are rough. I think he would have to either ink this himself, in which case only he would know exactly what the intent is, or he was planning on doing another pass with pencils. That being said, I tried to stay as true to what I thought was his intent. I made some minor adjustments in lighting to keep it consistent, but not much else, with the exception of Wonder woman's face. I had to thin and soften the jawline a bit. If I had done inkwask shading on jaw that square, she would've looked masculine. But mostly, I stayed true to his intent. I don't like it when inkers assert too much of themselves into someone else's pencils, so I try not to do that.
All in all, I had a great time doing it. I rarely get to work with other pencils, but when I do, It's thrilling. Especially, when its some one like Wrightson or Trimpe (Dinosaurs attack back in the day).
