Artfully Rendered -- Mike Henderson

Tell us a bit about your latest work.

My most recent work was a series of covers for this summers 4-part Ghostbusters event from IDW. My freelance schedule is always in flux like everyone else's, but there is some creator owned work on the horizon for me. Not much to tell about it yet, I'm afraid, it's still in its infancy.

What are the themes and subjects you tend to revisit in your work?

I did a lot of horror and crime related stuff early on but since I've done a sprinkling of super hero work. Its a delicate balance between never being pigeonholed and always wanting to come back to the things you enjoy drawing most.

What would be your dream project?

The two properties I'd give my right leg for a crack at are Marvel's Adam Warlock and the Masters of the Universe. I've no idea who has the comic rights to the latter, but that would make me one happy guy. Obviously, I have designs on my own creator owned work for the future, but those are the two "dream" projects.

If you have any former project to do over to make it better, which one would it be, and what would you do?

Yikes. This is like choosing which one of your kids has more flaws. I suppose if I had to choose one it would be my second OGN, Hexen Hammers. Not through a sense of dissatisfaction, really, but because there were some things that I tried with that book that paid off and a few that didn't. Its not really a question of effort or idea, but I'd love to have a do-over in the execution of them.

What inspires you to create?

The desire to tell great stories with art is the engine that drives most creators, but seeing what your fellow artists are creating is the fuel that keeps the whole engine going. You're not so much competing with your peers, but competing with yourself to elevate your game to the level of the artists around you, and that's very exciting.

Where would you rank writing on the "Is it an art or it is a science continuum?" Why?

I certainly have a by-the-numbers system and a routine that puts me in a comfort zone, but I'm also not afraid to abandon a technique or process that has stopped working for me. Also, I never seem to approach two projects the same. All my work certainly looks like my work, but no two works should FEEL the same. I like to think of it as a scientific approach that's executed artistically.

Any other upcoming projects you would like to plug?

I'm very excited for everyone to see my upcoming Ghostbusters covers, beginning in May. Covers are great fun for me, a really great change from the panel to panel grind that occasionally sets in. I'll be keeping folks up to date with some sneak peaks over at my blog: http://mikeshenderson.blogspot.com/