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Hello Folks, Antonio speaking here, I'm putting an interview that I made with Felipe when he returned from the Fx Con 09, in Orlando. It's late, but, best than never releasing int!!! I translate it from portuguese, so, if there is something wrong, I'm sorry for it! Here it is:
Felipe Massafera at FX Con 09 – In Orlando, Flórida
Philosophist:It’s your first trip, until your first flight you get. So, what was you thinking when you was there, going to the States?
Felipe:
Man I always had fear of flying, but the trip was too damn calm, the worst part is to get inside the plane, make the check-in and etc. (laughs)
Philosophist:
And what did you thought you would found there when you arrive? The American Conventions are very much massive than the Brazilians. How do you imagine your first visit to the USA to present yourself as an artist and a creator?
- Creators AlleyDude, it was very easy, well, i mean, for me was a gigantic feeling, even IF that was not so big as the San Diego Comic Con for example, but there’s nothing like that here in Brazil… But it was very cool. I received lots of compliments by the fans. AVATAR is selling more and more each year and it’s very nice to see how people love the stuff they publish.
- Doktor Sleepless CoverPhilosophist:
So, you got exhausted giving many autographs?
- The Dark Knight, Miller Style by PastaBeast (MassaFera translated to english lol)
- Pin Up of Anna Mercury made for Christos Gage!Felipe:
Yes, more than signing my material for fans, I also was making some sketches for twenty bucks each, I made lots of it, I also signed many posters of Anna Mercury, that will come in a special edition, and a plate that will be sent to Alan Moore sign for the Leather Cover edition of Light (of thy countenance).
- Light of thy Countenance CoverPhilosophist:
About the edition of Light. It was very well received by the public, not? I think that in March it was the second most sold TPB edition, just losing for the Absolute Watchmen HC. Noticing that was near to the movie being released on the theaters, and that was expected, we can say that Light had a “first moral place”.
- Anna Mercury coverFelipe:
Yes, I talked with some Comic Shop owners in Orlando, and they Said that the AVATAR comics always sells a lot there. The Comic Shop is near a university and the students spend hours buying comics, and Light was very well received. The editions are very well made, with a special paper.
- Posters and covers of Ignition City by Massafera, art by Gianlucca Pagliarani and written by Warren Ellis.Philosophist:
Did you manage to talk with people with your English? (One thing that Massafera feared it was that his knowledge of English language was too bad and he couldn’t talk very well…)
Felipe:
Yes! I got surprised with it! The guys gave an seven or eight for my English, what it’s a very good thing… I don’t practice conversation about seven years and my English survived from watching movies and reading comics etc…
- Felipe relaxing at the Bunny Ranch... Nah, the girls are only posing to the artists during the Con...Philosophist:
There's something anyone said that was marked on your memories?
Felipe:
You mean, at the Con?
Philosophist:
Yep
Felipe:
Well if there was anything like that, it was totally erased by a hug that I receive from Cerina Vincent. Man she’s veeeeeeeeeeeeery beautiful. She’s the foreign student in that movie “Not another teen movie”. I met her at a party, then, other day, she went to my booth to see my work, and love it!
- Oh My HOT! I mean, God!Philosophist:
Ah, she’s that one that walks naked the whole movie!
Felipe:
Yes, it was her. We talked about the possibility of her making something related with comics. Who knows she could pose as Anna Mercury for me someday (laughs)
Philosophist:
It would be very interesting. You know, sincerely I was thinking about this “vein” that the comics are opening into the movies, as a basis for a script…I think that in the future, many actors will be making their names in the production of comics. Then, he already will be linked with a franchise with it be well receive, what is halfway to produce a movie…
Felipe:
Yes, and Anna Mercury is a great example of great appeal. I didn’t imagined that, even with something made by Ellis. The people really like her! I think that is very possible that, principally with not so well know actors. It’s a chance for both, publishers and actors to help each other.
Philosophist:
Milo Ventamiglia (Peter from Heroes) was making some stuff like that, linking himself to a comic book series and lending his face to the main character...
Felipe:Exactly! And others write scripts. Even Hugh Jackman made something like that...
Philosophist:
Yeah, even Stan Lee was making some stuff with Ringo Star, Pamela Anderson and even Paris Hilton (laughs)
Felipe:
I think that Jackman is creating something for Virgin Comics...
Philosophist:
Remembering that Gene Simmons always made his own comic publisher, after many participations of Kiss in the comics…
Felipe:
Oh yeah, i heard about it.
Philosophist:
Let’s continue. And with other comic book creators, you met who?
- Chuck DixonFelipe:
Ben Templesmith was there in his suit. Really, have a movie made from your comic with Josh Hartnett in it must help a lot to attract women. (laughs)
- Fell by Ben Templesmith and Warren EllisPhilosophist:
The “30 days of night” isn’t it? I like his art, but I prefer Fell..
- Stuart ImonnenFelipe:
Man, i had a very few time to talk with them, but all of then was very nice and paid a good attention. Stuart Immonen, Jim Cheung, Arthur Suydam (that said that I have a Canadian accent hahaha), Sergio Cariello, Chuck Dixon etc.
- Felipe and Arthur SuydamStuart said that he sees me in Marvel or in DC very soon (laughs). Oh, and Joseph Michael Lisner saw my stuff at Avatar's booth. I said that I like his covers for Conan, then William (editor of AVATAR), said that I was the Number one fan of Conan, than Michael said “Oh, smart people always are” (laughs).
- Lisner and his cats...
...and one of his covers for Conan!Philosophist:
(laughs) But, Canadian? This is about you being very short and have many Wolverine style photos?
Felipe:
Hahahah He asked if I was from Canada, than I Said “man I’m from Brazil” and He Said “Oh man, you have an accent that looks like from someone of Canada” (laughs)
Philosophist:
Jacen Burrows went there too? (Jacen is another artist of AVATAR)
- Christos Gage!Felipe:
No, jacen did not came. I met Christos Gage and he is a very nice person. I made a sketch in his famous sketch book. Man, when I saw it… I didn’t believe it… Only great names of comics, then he asked for an Anna Mercury then I draw it... He works for Marvel too...
Philosophist:
He is writing for Avengers the Initiative… Or was, I think…
- One cover of Avengers the Initiative, written by Gage and pecilled by Ruimberto Ramos.Philosophist:
How was your participation on the AVATAR Panel?
Felipe:
Well, first William introduced everybody, i talked a little about me, where I come from, how I do the stuff and etc then asked to me a few questions. It was very easy, and then William talked about the present and the future of AVATAR.
- William, Mike Wolfer, the translator of Gianlucca and himself, Christos Gage and Felipe!Philosophist:
He talked (I saw the video on youtube), that AVATAR is turning to the authorial side of comic
books, something more global (I guess, the audio was really bad) hahahaFelipe:
Yeah, about it, and more Ellis coming...
Philosophist:
More of the English Golden Egg Chicken of comics...
Felipe:
Hhahaha Yeah, William himself Said that He publishes anything that Ellis write.
Philosophist:
And how was your first contact with William? He appears to enjoy very much of your work, he said anything coming for you?
Felipe:
Yes, he’s a very happy man, and likes a lot of my work. He reminds me the Dennys Nedry from Jurassic Park (laughs). He said that my next job was some covers for an adaptation of a famous vampire book on the USA, I did not remember the name right now…
Philosophist:
“Twilight in comics”???
Felipe:
No (laughs), other book... For this covers Mike Wolfer (another AVATAR artist), Will make some notes and sketches!
- Crécy cover by Felipe. This cover was chosen by Wizard as the ebst cover of the month it was released.Philosophist:
This will help a lot!!! And what did you do when you’re not at the booth or drawing?
Felipe:
Almost nothing, because I was always making both of them, but when I had some time I went to bought some action figures and see the convention. Man I bought a Big Bard and a mister Miracle with Kirby design that are gorgeous. I wanted Darkseid too, but there wasn’t any.
- Felipe, William and Gianlucca.Philosophist:
What draw most of your attention in the Con?
Felipe:
Well, first the size of the place, then the Cosplay Chicks! Antonio, My friend, if i said that I took a picture with a girl dressed as Silk Spectre… Man I would marry with her and don’t think twice. (Laughs)
Philosophist:
So you went to the Con, draw, eat, sleep there and didn’t have time to GO to Disney World hug Donald Duck or kick the balls of Mickey Mouse?
Felipe:
I didn’t had the time, but it was very fun! I can’t complain!
Philosophist:
Well, to finish, what stayed inside you with this entire trip?
Felipe:
The Will to grow even more in this market, GO to another conventions, in the USA or in other countries. Travel is very exhaustive but worth a lot, worth a lot really!
