Interviews.08.Denton J. Tipton

by ~hombreimaginario

TRANSFORMERS HISPANOS
Synapse interviews Denton J. Tipton

1. First of all, please tell us a little about you: birth date/ place, where you live now, what other comics you like… and also how you got into the comic industry.

I was born on George Washington’s birthday in the year of the United States’ bicentennial, so I knew from the start that I was destined for great things. Now I know what that one of those great things is: being the editor of the Transformers comics.

I live in San Diego, also known as American's Finest City, home to IDW Publishing and Comic-Con International.

As for other comics, I tend to follow creators. Writers such as Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and Garth Ennis. And artists such as John Cassaday, Berni Wrightson, and Mike Mignola.

2. What did you do before joining IDW? How were you approached for the editor job?

Previous to my hire at IDW, I worked in the journalism field for seven years in many capacities, including copy editor, designer, sportswriter, and national and international news editor. I had become dissatisfied with what my job had turned into and had an eye out for an opportunity, and I found it when I saw a job posting for an editor at IDW. I hand-delivered my resume, interviewed, and eventually was brought onboard. Pretty straightforward, but like most things it came down to being at the right place at the right time.

3. Which do you consider is the toughest part of your job (and yes the answer can be “dealing with opinionated fans”)?

The toughest job has to be keeping track of all the moving parts that go into making a comic book. That and washing Chris Ryall’s car. He’s quite particular about the detailing.

4. What has brought you the most satisfaction since taking over as Editor?

Seeing the first book that I edited in print. It’s really satisfying to hold in your hand the product of your labor. It was like holding your newborn child. Then tossing it aside to get on with making the next one.

5. If I asked you what your typical working day is like, you’d probably answer there’s no such thing as a typical day ;) so would you just tell us about your work during this past week instead?

Very perceptive, Carlos.

Since this is the second day of the workweek, there not been much time, but plenty to do. I started the morning checking the ftp server and inbox for new comic pages from our talented artists. The number of great artists that I get to work with really blows me away. Then after a not-so-quick iChat with Shane “Future Boy” McCarthy about an as yet unannounced project, I proofread a lettered printout of the Mummy #4, one of the two non-TF books I edit, Tank Girl being the other. Then on to drawing balloon guides for Reign of Starscream #3. I took a breath and started answering some emails. Only 40 were waiting for me in the inbox, not too bad. Then I took a call from Reign of Starscream artist supreme Alex Milne. More emails and then I called up Hasbro to discuss the weekly game plan. After that, my stomach was rumbling and some leftover baked ziti was calling. I’d tell you what I did in the last five hours of work, but I’d be up all night typing.  

6. How long does it usually take for a series to go from conception/pitch to the final product that we see on the shelves?

It varies from project to project. It could be a matter of several months or even years.

For example, we get a proposal from Simon Furman and send it along to Hasbro. In the meantime, we lock down an artist if we don’t already have one lined up. Within a couple weeks, we get the green light from Hasbro, and Simon gets cracking on the script, which can take just a week or up to a month or so depending on what’s already on his plate. Then the artists take the script and bring it to life, taking four to six weeks. Then it goes to the production department, where the book is put together and lettered. Every step of the way, we get Hasbro’s input. And once approved, the book is sent to the printer in Korea. A month or so later, the print run lands on American shores and begins going through the distribution chain.

So you can see that there are many, many steps to complete, each with its own variables, so it’s incredibly difficult to gauge exactly how long the process takes.

7. You came on board just in time to correct all the errors in the Beast Wars Sourcebook. What can we expect from the TPB edition?

I can’t take much of the credit for that. Numerous fans, all-around nice guy Ben Yee, IDW editor Justin Eisinger, and the entire production team put in a ton of work on that project. I helped collect and funnel the input and commission some art, but the rest of the gang did the heavy lifting. Expect expanded profiles, a new cover, new art, and the “lost” Glossary, caringly crafted by Simon Furman and Ben, who also wrote the foreward.

8. What’s your favourite TF character and why? If you had an opportunity to introduce a fan character, what would they be like?

I would have to say my first: Brawn. He was small and tough, like I was as a nine-year-old kid.

If it were a fan character, I’d have to say I’d base them on a fan. Maybe one of friendly fembots I met at BotCon.

9. Also what kind of story would you like to get published if you had total freedom (unused character one-shot, Japanese stuff...)?

Probably Simon Furman doing a Dinobots miniseries with Nick Roche. Oh, wait. I already get to do that! Did I mention that I have a great job?

10. How do you guys decide whether a miniseries or Spotlight issue should be given to this or that artist? Same question goes for colourists... also why are there two or even more colourists in the same issue sometimes?

We just try to find the best artist for a particular project. Each has their strengths, and we try to play to them. More than one colorist on a single book 99 percent of the time means the book is running way behind. It’s absolutely best to be avoided, but no one likes late books.

11. If you could go back and change one thing about the current transformers storylines would you? And what would it be?

Second-guessing isn’t something I like to do. It is ultimately pointless. Learn and move on. I prefer to look forward.

12. This was your first Botcon, wasn’t it? Please tell us about your experience there and why we should go net year! ;)

Meeting the fans was great (see question 8). Getting to hang out with Simon, Chris Mowry, Alex Milne, Marcelo Matere, Dan Khanna, and Aaron Archer was an irreplaceable experience. If you love Transformers and want to meet people that share that love, BotCon is the place to be!

Thanks so much for your time!!