Super Inker: An Interview With Doug Hazlewood

Doug Hazlewood has been working in the comics industry since the 70’s and worked as an inker during The Death Of Superman  storyline for DC Comics, and worked with Grant Morrison during his run on Animal Man. Mr. Hazlewood does convention appearances and will be a guest at the Traders Village con in the Houston Texas area on April 28th & 29th, 2018. I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Hazlewood via email and get his perspective   on the comic book industry and conventions.

1) With the technology available to artist nowadays, do you think digital inking and coloring will ever fully supplant traditional artists work in those areas?

“It’s possible and certainly as far as digital coloring goes. One of the reasons it is harder to find work in the business nowadays is that it is cheaper (in theory) to pay someone who can do the finished art all by themselves. For a while when I was still working Marvel printed some stories from the pencils (un-inked). It didn’t look the same, but some pencillers pencil very tightly. They previously had only done that if a deadline was not going to be made.”

2) You have worked on some of the big events during Superman’s history, does it surprise you that this character has lasted for so long or has been so celebrated?

“No, he’s the most iconic super-hero and who wouldn’t want to be Superman? There have been periods where he has been seen as too boring or too powerful, but someone always comes along and shakes things up a little to make him more relevant again.”

3) With all of the superhero-based media on tv and in the movies do you think that has driven some of the comic book industries to push for reboots and revisions of publishing lines?

“Comic books just don’t sell as much these days and a lot of things are probably driven by how the properties can now be used more effectively on television and in the movies and merchandising. I don’t keep up much with current comic books and mainly read about what is going on in the industry online. Even when I was still in the business I would often wonder how long actual comic books could hang in there when prices would go up. It’s the same thing that has hurt magazines and newspapers. Reboots and ‘events’ they always hope will spark interest.”

4) As an artist what have been some of your favorite collaborations, you have worked on?

“As far as the stories combined with the characters, ANIMAL MAN and THE FLASH. The Flash is absolutely the super-hero character that hooked me into comic books as a child. And to get to work on a well-received run of the character was awesome. ANIMAL MAN was my first series for DC and it was so unique and I was trying hard to get better with each issue. It holds a special place in my heart.

Being on a Superman title for a historical event was amazing. I consider myself VERY fortunate in that respect.  I enjoyed inking several titles with Nicola Scott. She just kept getting better and did very tight pencils.”

5) Whose artwork influenced you from start in the 70’s?

“Well, I was already buying comic books in the 60’s. Loved Jack Kirby and especially when he was inked by Chic Stone (and to a lesser degree Dick Ayers). Later on his pairing with Joe Sinnott was awesome. I liked Wally Wood, Steve Ditko, Gene Colan, Gil Kane, Steranko and others. I could see how the inkers could make some pencillers look better or worse.

Neal Adams came on the scene and everything changed. I loved his work. So many people became influenced by his style. I wish I HAD an inherent/recognizable style. I think it would have made me a faster inker.”

6) Having lived in Victoria for a while does it surprise you that there are now so many cons just in Texas?

“When I was younger I’d have to wait for Southwesterncon to come to Houston every three years. Eventually there would be at least ONE show every year in Houston and Dallas, but Dallas is a long drive. Considering how shows have evolved to being more celebrity and cosplay driven it doesn’t surprise me that much. If they were just more comic book based, then it wouldn’t have flourished as much. Some of the changes can get frustrating at times to comic book people when some ‘comic cons’ don’t seem to have much to do with comic books.”

7) Do you have a favorite con experience you can share?

“The La Mole convention in Mexico City last November was rather unreal. USPS lost my expedited passport application and we had to jump through hoops to get mine in time. It worked out, but cost me time and money to get it. The show was awesome and we were treated so well. The State Representative’s office just called yesterday to see if all of that has been resolved. I doubt I’ll ever get any more of my extra expenses back making up for them losing it. It put us in a corner.”

“I love talking to people and I know I ramble on too much. Have met some really nice (and patient) folks. Will always remember my first San Diego Con when I was trying to break into comics. Mark Evanier was so nice in trying to help me. I got to meet some people and friends I had only known through letters and fanzines. I will never forget a Houston show I did during the Death of Superman hoopla where the line was around the building. That was the HEIGHT of the hoopla! It was crazy and unreal! The late Larry Taylor had me as a guest at a lot of his Houston shows and my family and I will never forget Larry.”