Supreme

Justice inked: The world of graphic artist David Lloyd

May 21, 2011 | 12:00am

The world of David Lloyd’s sequential art straddles the fine line between fiction and fact. His most popular work V for Vendetta, with renowned writer Alan Moore, is presented in a dreamlike backdrop but edged out with all too real and detailed facial expressions, events, and themes such as the ills of dictatorship. His illustrations are, as he says, aimed to be timeless. Although they inhabit worlds with secret agents and involve occult detectives like John Constantine, readers can still feel that these stories can happen in their own time and place. Lloyd doesn’t keep his environment locked to specific locales but works on capturing emotion to jolt and haunt his readers.

This British artist’s talent for grim reality has been paired with the insane mastermind writers of Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis, and Warren Ellis. Without these collaborations, we would not have known the unique perspective of David Lloyd’s world. As an artist not interested in capes or overtly powered supermen, Lloyd says that working with such writers was natural because they spoke the same language in storytelling, as they enjoyed watching the same shows growing up like gritty cop shows. As such, Lloyd has been fortunate to play with stories that suit his style and interest.

And lucky for us, these collaborations, specifically V for Vendetta, have brought David Lloyd to our side of the world to talk about getting his work redone for the silver screen, the magic of European writers, and the liberating power of being the writer and illustrator of his own graphic novel Kickback. Below are excerpts from the exclusive interview with the artist.

SUPREME: What do you think about having V for Vendetta turned into a film and Alan Moore’s negative reactions?

David Lloyd with his iconic character.

DAVID LLOYD: Alan is entitled to his own opinion. I love it because I would not have been able to travel and promote my other work without V. I understand Hollywood can alter your work and make it different. It is part of the game when you give it to them. It sometimes can be better, like Road to Perdition starring Tom Hanks.

Why do you think European writers have been more successful than Americans in comic books?

Our tradition has been to follow Shakespeare and other greats. We are raised on the rich history of great stories, myths, and legends. The background of Americans is to follow comic books that they have read before. So, when we came to the comic scene, we were able to turn the stories on their head since we were able to draw a lot from our background.

Neil Gaiman is a fine example as he can really pitch a story, especially about myths. I think this is where I can improve on.

What is it like working with these great writers?

It is really easy as I worked with them during their early years because we had the same interest in shows, books, and music.

What’s your latest graphic novel Kickback about?

Kickback is on a cop trying his best to get out of a corrupt system. I’m fascinated with the theme of corruption, what drives a man to do it. I think people commit crimes because of lack of self-esteem.

It is funny that Kickback came out when [the] V for Vendetta film was released. Dark Horse, the publisher, put it out without hype from the film. It makes me wonder why they didn’t.

How difficult is it to do your own graphic novel?

It is difficult because you have to say no to projects from publishers. You have to focus on your own project first.