Steve McNiven: New Horizons

By Ken Dreger

Today in SBC's Feature Interview Ken Dreger talks to Steve McNiven, the penciler of CrossGen's Meridian. What makes Steve McNiven particularly interesting is that CrossGen readers watched his progression from being CrossGen's first associate penciler to being a professional comic artist.

Ken Dreger: It’s interesting to study the journey of the artist. You answered a CrossGen ad right? How did it all come to happen?

Steve McNiven: Well, being a teacher allowed me the summertime to practice my drawing. Then one day my wife surprised me with a ticket to San Diego Con. She said I was ready and I guess she was right. I put together a small sample package, which I showed to CrossGen, among other companies, and Mark Alessi called me back and offered me a chance to join the CrossGen team. I was astounded. It was my lucky break.

KD: Was CrossGen your first professional work? Was it a complete surprise to you to get contacted by CrossGen? Or did you feel you had the potential only need a chance?

SM: Yes, CrossGen was my first pro-work. I had hung out with other aspiring comic artists in Toronto, but it wasn’t until I joined CrossGen that I was given the opportunity to hone my skills and eventually get my work published. I was quite surprised to be offered the CrossGen job. Mark Alessi could see my potential and knew that his associate program would help me achieve my ambition to become a professional comic book artist.

KD: Now if I remember correctly you were an A/V teacher before going to work with CrossGen. After working towards a teaching career was it hard to give it up to go draw comics? Has drawing comics been a dream, something you never thought you’d be doing professionally?

SM: I taught Visual Arts at North Toronto Collegiate Institute for four years prior to coming to CrossGen. Teaching was something I didn’t take lightly. Even though it took me six years and two degrees to get that position and when I was offered the CrossGen job, my wife was one month away from delivering our first child. It was a tough decision but after a few meetings with Mark Alessi and touring the studio, my wife and I knew it was the right move. I had always dreamed about working in comics ever since my dad brought me How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way, back when I was in fifth grade.

KD:It’s interesting as a comic reader to follow your progression from that first single page you drew in CrossGen comics to your first issue that you did all by yourself. Did you see a progression in your style or is it merely my impression that there was growth in your style in that period?

SM: It is much easier for me to see improvements in my friends or other’s artwork then in my own. But I do know that I am learning more every day, building my skills and my own confidence. One of the best things about CrossGen and the associate program is your ability to grow and learn in a positive environment.

KD: Do you feel that working at CrossGen advanced you a lot artistically? Is it the whole working environment or is it having the ear of long-term pencilers like Brandon Peterson and Bart Sears around?

SM: I can honestly say that I would not be at the level I am artistically if I was working on my own. Although I spend most of my time working with the pencil, I try to learn from everyone around me, not only from the amazing penciling talent that you mentioned but also from the inkers, the colorists, the writers, the letterers, the publicists, the production managers, and even Gina and Mark. All facets of the industry are here at CrossGen to study!

KD: I have to say that you’ve accomplished something I thought would be very difficult: for me, your style has replaced Josh Middleton’s style in encompassing Sephie. Ironically, it couldn’t have been planned better cause your style seems to show a more mature Sephie coinciding with her growth as a character. How was it actually decided that you would take over Meridian as a full time artist?

SM: It was difficult to follow in Josh Middleton’s footsteps, but thanks for the recognition. I think that it was a similar recognition of my determination and hard work from the folks at CrossGen that allowed me to become the regular Meridian penciler. I also want to thank the fans out there for all their support.

KD: So what are your plans now?

SM: A lot of drawing and fine-tuning a plan that John Dell and I have concocted which involves a clown suit, a blowgun, a can of Budweiser, a one-way ticket to Guam, and an unsuspecting colorist we will call “Morry.”

KD: What do you think of that Ian Feller guy?

SM: Personally, I like the guy a lot, but the voices in my head, well they aren’t all that sure that he won’t have to have an “accident.”

KD: A big thanks to Steve McNiven for taking some time out to chat.  If you want to ask Steve any questions you can probably  catch him online at the CrossGen Message Forums at http://www.crossgen.com. While there you can chat with other CrossGen fans, check out Meridian preview art, screensavers, wallpaper, buy original art by Steve and learn a lot about Meridian as well as the numerous other CrossGen titles.