In the First of Our 2005 interviews, Wonder Woman chated with Rob Granito and talked about his work with Warner Brothers.

BYTB: How long have you been working on comics?

R.G.: I started in 1997 with Warner Brothers. I started to get so many requests that I opened the Painted Jester Art Studio in 1998 to give my self some space to work.

BYTB: What advise do you have for someone who is interested in pursing a career in comics?

R.G.: Be persistent and patient! Most of us are a dime a dozen. you have to be different and able to take criticism, especially BAD!

BYTB: Can you tell us about any of your current/upcoming projects?

R.G.: Absolutely, currently I am working on the cover of a magazine "Werewolf International" I just finished doing a project for VH1 for promotional work and my next projects are a cover for the SCI Fantasy Novel From the Murphy's Lore stories which I must say are great, and can be seen at www.murphys-lore.com or in your local book store. Then I have 2 comics I am working on but because of contract I cant disclose much but I can say 1 is regarding a day walking vampire.

BYTB: Who is your favorite character to draw?

R.G.: Comic wise I love Batman! It's amazing how many different ways you can draw the guy and how many different looks he can have, Sometimes I just start sketching and out he comes.

BYTB: Does any other artist influence your artwork (such as a childhood favorite or peer)?

R.G.: ABSOLUTELY! There are SOOOO many. Adams, Miller, Tim, McFarlin, Bolin, Greg and Tim Hildabrant as well as Ross. There are just not enough words to explain. I have meet with and worked with many amazingly gifted people and always try to take some knowledge and skill with me when ever they are willing to lend a hand. Its funny how one person's view can make you look at things totally different. Its one of the things I contribute to my very diverse art styles.

BYTB: Who is the one person you'd love to work with on a comic and which comic would it be?

R.G.: Oh, tough one! I think though I would have to say Smith and Quasida on Green Lantern. That dynamic duo just well up emotion and you know when you have a team that works well you feel it in the air. They are above and beyond when working together. As far as GL ... well he is a child hood favorite not to mention an artist from NY.

BYTB: What schooling have you received to prepare yourself for your work?

R.G.: I have a long answer for you on this one. Actually I only went to college for about a year and I would really recommend for aspiring artists to stay MUCH LONGER! I personally wasn't ready for it. I had some amazing, and I do mean amazing, professors in high school and in college and it was not a normal student professor type of atmosphere. I was given more than the normal teaching lessons but actually was able to bask in their artistic auras (going back to that creative team thing again). They really did make a WORLD of difference, so once I was in the paperwork and beaurocracy of a college student the over all feeling changed when I wasn't in that atmosphere and I didn't like it. I just did what I did and grew as an artist at the school of NYHK (New York School of Hard Knocks).

BYTB: What is the biggest misconception about the comic industry?

R.G.: HMMMMMM I guess that would have to be that there is 1 writer, 1 artist and that's how a book is done. Fact is that there are manny, manny people, sorry GOOD people, who make a book what it is. You see the names of the big guns in the credits but there are other inkers and colorists, letters and lay out people who really bring it home.

BYTB: Which project has been the most difficult for you to work on?

R.G.: There was a book cover I had to do which was very difficult, The problem came with too many people giving ideas and a lack of story to base the cover on! It was kind of like those old westerns when a gun slinger fired 37 bullets out of a six shooter without reloading. To put it bluntly (IMPOSIBLE) but it got done.

BYTB: Any plans for appearances soon? Any appearances at comic conventions?

R.G.: Actually for some reason I have been a little too booked but yes. I am appearing at Chiller Theater in NJ on Halloween weekend then at Wizard World Texas, Tampa Comic and Toy Show on Nov. 14th with Mart Nodell, Shawn Nagle and Ethan Van Sciver, back to NY for a Black Friday Big Apple Comic Convention then to Pittsburgh on Dec 4th and 5th for the Toy and Comic Con. So I have some running ahead of me.

BYTB: Do you have a web site our viewers can access to find more about you and/or your work?

R.G.: Sure do Painted Jester

BYTB: Thank you so much for taking your time to answer these questions, anything else you'd like to say?

R.G.: Not really its always hard to end these interviews with a witty anecdote or the likes. I was just glad to help out. Thanks again to Mr. Rob Granito! ***Make sure to check out his artwork on his web site. His work is outstanding! There are a bunch of pictures related to Batman and Co. there!*** Painted Jester