The Art of Matt Busch

---

---

	One of Matt's pages from "Battlestar Galactica: Eve of Destruction Prelude", given to Richard Hatch.

Let's start with a two-part question: How did you learn your skill? Secondly, what (and/or who) inspires you?

While I've studied art at several colleges, I feel that my skills are mostly self-taught. I had a lot of artsy-fartsy stuff shoved down my throat at many of these institutions, but my desire to create quality illustration pushed me to find out how to do this on my own. Specifically for comics, I learned a lot from working on movies, which I still do.

In the "Battlestar Galactica: Eve of Destruction Prelude" that I did, there is a cute picture with the interview in the back. It shows me at six or seven, and I had just taken a bar of soap and drawn a huge Battlestar Galactica montage across the entire bathroom mirror! It's interesting to me how things came full-circle.

As far as who and what inspire me -- I get pumped up about great storytelling. Whether in movies, TV, comics, or books. Being an artist, visual storytelling, or sequential art, is what I'm excited about. Most folks see a Drew Struzan influence in my work, which is true, but I draw as much inspiration from artists such as J.C. Leyendecker, Gil Elvgren, Michael Dudash, Adam Hughes, and Cam Kennedy, just to name a few.

Can you give some background on how you got involved in the Battlestar Galactica comic books?

Well, a few years ago, when Rob Liefeld had the license, I sent Maximum Press my portfolio and heard nothing. A few months later, I got them to review it in person at the WonderCon in San Francisco. Despite the fact that I was already working on major Star Wars projects, I was rejected.

Jumping ahead, I was appoached last year by Jim Kuhoric and J.C. Vaughn of JMJ Media / Realm Press. I had been under the impression that Chris Scalf was doing all the Battlestar Galactica stuff. They asked if I was interested in doing some covers. I was blown away and said that I'd even like to do some interiors!

Chris Scalf was already doing such a great job doing photo realistic Battlestar Galactica books that I wanted to try something new. I wondered what it would be like to see a conservative sci-fi book painted in a loose style reminiscent of Bill Sienkeiwicz and David Mack. Clearly, this would be shut down by any other major sci-fi property, but to my amazement, J.C. Vaughn saw the potential. He actually wrote the scripts with those visuals in mind. We work together well, and we've gotten quite a bit of praise for the "Battlestar Galactica: Eve of Destruction Prelude."

The folks at JMJ Media / Realm Press have been such a joy to work with, that I decided to publish my new sci-fi, creator owned property, "Daria Jontak," though them as well. I had several other publishers that made offers, but seeing Realm's devotion to Battlestar Galactica and comics in general made it an easy choice.

Beyond a doubt, your artwork is precise, masterful and colorful. What goes into the artwork creation process?

Well, this is a good time to plug my web site, which is www.MattBusch.com. There's actually an in depth STEP BY STEP section that takes you from my beginning sketches and preliminary roughs to the final stroke of a painting.

The basic run down goes like this: Once I've completed my thumbnails and know exactly what I'm going to do, I pencil everything out. I begin with acrylic washes. I'm looking to mostly separate color here. Then I use a pinch of airbrush. People always assume I'm an "airbrush artist" but the truth is that I spend only a minute or two airbrushing a piece, my work is mostly hand-painted. I feel the airbrush helps soften things and adds special effects like glows and what not. The next step is opaque acrylics, which helps separates the contrast. Finally, I use color pencils to add any details that pull the piece together.

If someone wanted to purchase your artwork, where do they start?

Easy, if there is a piece you're interested in, (like a specific page from the BSG comic book) just drop me an email at MBFVisions@aol.com, asking for the availability and price. There are also a bunch of pieces in the ART 4 SALE section of my web site.

Now, the rumormongers are saying that you're in-line to illustrate the covers on Richard's next three Battlestar Galactica novels. Any truth to that?

Yes. It was announced officially at the ComiCon International: San Diego show that Byron Press is releasing a Battlestar Galactica hardcover novel, which I'm negotiating to illustrate the wrap-around dust jacket for. The book will be written by Richard Hatch (and J.C. Vaughn is currently negotiating to co-author) and is expected to be released this winter. There are plans to follow it with two more books, making it a trilogy.

Many have asked me whether or not this will be the third book of Richard's previous trilogy. I cannot answer that at this point, but know it's being dealt with, contractually.

Have you had a chance to see Richard's Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming trailer?

Yes! I saw it last year when it premiered at the ComiCon International: San Diego show.

How did the trailer move you?

I thought it was great! It was neat seeing new Battlestar Galactica material after all these years. A new movie or series has so much potential now. The show was great back then, and current technology can now give the story infinite possibilities with no restrictions to the visuals.

What do you want to see within a new Battlestar production?

The original series was very rich in character, plot, and stunning visuals. So I guess I'd like to see it maintained, and even taken to the next level.

We're seeing an increase of new Battlestar Galactica fans. Some of them, new and old, want to be a part of this production, and some of those fans want to work on Battlestar Galactica comic books. What would you recommend to someone who wants to break into the field?

Well, if you're trying to get Battlestar comic work, you need to get in touch with JMJ Media / Realm Press. You can check out their web site at www.jmjmedia.com. I believe they have just renewed their license, so with all the exciting BSG stuff on the horizon, now is probably the best time to show off your work.

As far as getting work in the comic industry in general... Each company and potential job has it's own way of happening (or not happening). If you're serious about breaking in, immerse yourself into the industry, and go to as many conventions as you can (show your work, listen to critiques, and attend panels). Look at the artists you admire and see what they are doing to continue their success. Most importantly: Don't give up! Ever!

If anyone is interested at how I broke into Star Wars, movies, or comic books more specifically, you may find the BIOGRAPHY section of my web site, www.MattBusch.com, quite interesting.

Do you wish someone had given you this advice?

Well, it's kind of just common sense, really. But yes, you can never get enough advice, even if it just reinstates what you already know. And jeez, I've made so many mistakes in building my career, and I'm sure I have many mistakes to come. The cool thing is that you learn from your mistakes, and that in itself is success.

Do you have a favorite episode (or episodes) from the original series?

Hmmm... I think my favorite one is called "War of the Gods" or something like that. It's the one where Apollo dies (temporarily) and has the light ships and Count Iblis. I remember seeing that as a kid and thinking the light ships were heaven, and the light people were angels. To this day, whenever I think of what heaven could possible be or look like, I have those episode visuals strongly embedded in my mind.

I also got the chance to see that episode again recently, and the nostalgia value was on 100 plus! I also was really impressed with the acting in it. As a kid, I never really understood what good and bad acting was, so it was neat to revisit that as an adult and appreciate the show on a whole new level. That episode is very emotional.

So many fans are adamant that many of the original elements from the show remain in a new Galactica production. Richard appears to be listening to the fans on this. If you had the chance to provide art direction for the new series, what would you advise?

Hmmm... I wouldn't try to fix anything that wasn't broken. While the new production will obviously need new elements to keep it current, I would be hesitant to change certain things (such as characters and designs) that were already proven to work so well the first time around.

Any last thoughts? Any non-Galactica projects you want to talk about?

Well, firstly, I should make a Battlestar Galactica related announcement that you can purchase the "Battlestar Galactica: Eve of Destruction Prelude" one-shot at the Official STORE at www.MattBusch.com. It is a fully painted book, which features a cool sketchbook section in the back, along with an interview. All of the copies you order there are signed by the writer, J.C. Vaughn, and myself. Also from JMJ Media / Realm Press is the upcoming "Daria Jontak" comic book. Written and fully-painted by myself, Galactica fans may get a kick out of this sci-fi book about a sexy thief who gets thrown into an inter-galactic roller coaster adventure. The solicitations for the book (which comes out in October 2000) are out now, so please call your local comic shop and have them order "Daria Jontak" from Realm Press. You can find out more in the "Daria" section of my web site and at: http://www.jmjmedia.com/dariajontak/

Between all of the properties I'm working on now, like Star Wars, Star Trek, First Wave, The Mummy, Farscape, Witchblade, and, of course Battlestar Galactica, the best way to keep up on the latest is to join my monthly e-mail newsletter. Just send an email to MBFVisions@aol.com with "join Newsletter" in the subject, and you'll receive a free monthly newsletter that gives you updates on my web site, plus all the inside scoops on Star Wars, Battlestar, and everything else. Don't worry -- I won't send you any chain letters, stupid FWDs, or junk mail! I guess I'd just like to thank everyone for their support and look forward to the new future of Battlestar Galactica!
 

---

 

---