The Year of Firsts
Nick Robles
Clockwork Angels comic artist
I have no idea how to even start talking about the ride this year has been. I’ve decided I’ve got to call it the “Year of Firsts” for all that’s happened. In truth it began in late 2013, but the majority of the Clockwork Angels project took place this year.
It began with a simple email and a heavy amount of disbelief from me when Jasmine Amiri, an editor from BOOM! Studios, contacted me with a job offer—or an audition I should say. They were interested in having me illustrate a comic for them. Me? Comics? I never thought I’d be auditioning for that kind of gig, but here I was with an opportunity that I wasn’t going to let go by. The setup was too good and the timing was perfect! I felt pretty apprehensive about the whole thing, but if I’m being honest, I tend to feel that way about most things. Call me a pessimist. I just couldn’t believe what was going on. Surely they had to have seen that I’d never really done sequential work? Yet here came the first of many firsts knocking on my door.
So—I auditioned, and I got the job. I had drawn maybe eight comics pages before in my life, ten counting the audition pages!
My heart was already pounding with excitement and trepidation as I dove in, somewhat blind, to the world of comics and the business that came with it. Lucky enough for me, a small town nobody, everyone on the team of Clockwork Angels made me feel right at home. They held my hand through many initial days of fear when I thought I was doing something wrong or had made a royal mess of things. One time I even thought I might not have the right tools to do the job!
It was a nerve-wracking first experience, and once I got through that first issue and everything had become much more familiar, I thought, “Hey, this was kind of fun. Maybe comics is that place I’ve been looking for with my art.”
I really enjoyed the experience of telling a story with more than one picture, as you must with an illustration, which is where I thought I’d always end up with my art—painting single-image illustrations for books, cards, and private commissions. I still do that, but with comics I found that it was easier to use all the space I needed to tell the story.
I had never done much with comics before, and the sheer amount of work that goes into them is mind-boggling. Especially if you’re doing it alone. (I admire those of you who do this!) It’s a lot to handle and keep up with, and I would like to end up there one day so I can tell my own stories. I still have a lot to learn until then, I think.
Clockwork Angels was great in that respect. It allowed me to work and know that I could do the job, albeit a little slower than most artists. The opportunity lent me two great writers, wonderful and helpful editors, and hands behind the curtain that I didn’t even see to make this miniseries complete. It built confidence in me and really honed my skills in artistry and storytelling. I gained so much from the experience that I really wanted to take a moment and let you all know that I appreciate everyone and everything involved. I have nothing but gratitude and respect for BOOM! Studios, Jasmine Amiri, Ian Brill, Kevin J. Anderson, and Neil Peart for letting me be a gear in the machine that created the Clockwork Angels comic.
Thank you all for taking a chance with me and making it a wonderful experience. You guys got me thinking big!
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