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Today, we’re thrilled to have a special guest, a creator who brings an eclectic mix of storytelling and visual artistry to life. Zak Elliot creator of JETX! Let’s dive into the creative mind, the struggles, the inspiration, and the vision that fuel the fire of this passionate artist. Join us as we explore their world, from merging iconic influences like Castlevania and the Witcher and turning life’s limitations into a canvas for creative expression.
Well, it’s certainly easier than animation. That’s for sure. But I suppose I draw it this way because I think it’s pretty cool.
Depending on the project. I just think about things I personally want to see exist and then start it that way. Like, for instance; What if Castlevania met the Witcher?
How would that play out? What time period would it be set in, if so; Which Belmont is it? Trevor? Ritcher? Julius? And how well would Geralt go about fighting American pop fiction monsters compared to what he would usually do as its more Christian focused real world as opposed to something Celtic? How would the Belmonts handle Celtic monsters? It’s very grey and it sounds interesting so I would make a story based on that very idea. It’s very bare bones but it’s enough to get started.
Drawing characters would be next, looks etc. WAY before even giving them names. So, I can get a feel for the art I want to convey etc. This can also apply to things like games, animation or even comics. Then after I’m satisfied, write about it and make a few drafts of the story just by my satisfaction of the picture of the character drawn. Thats generally how it goes. And I’ve applied the same premise to my webcomic.
Not to get too into it, but I have a mental disability, learning disability. As I recall my mother told me that I didn’t start talking until I was at least Ten (10) or Eleven (11) years old.
I guess I didn’t have anything interesting to say, so as a part of language therapy for young infants and toddlers they would get you to use pencil and paper to try and communicate and try to open up more.
Drawing just stuck and I’ve enjoyed it since. As for a career, a bit of a stretch but I wouldn’t be against the idea of getting some money for my troubles!
Although I suppose unemployment does make it look like it’s a career!
Technological incompatibilities being solved by money, Covid government handouts helped with that. Promotional stuff and a learning curve to networking. This one I still have trouble with but that’s mostly due to unprecedented times for the creative types out there!
I never understand why people like the story I do, again as I said. I do what I like and people seem to like it. So, it resonating with people if you’d like to give it that kind of label I feel is by complete accident.
And as Bob Ross says, when it comes to art; “There’s only happy little accidents”. But if I had to be real though, I would say it might be again. I draw what I like to see. What’s something cool I can do, something I can challenge myself with drawing and try to push it as much as I can all the while still trying to make it readable to the audience that I have gained.
As for resonating itself with people, well I guess my most valuable tool when it comes to my projects is that I would “weaponize” nostalgia as I’ve been told as that is the most said thing people say to me when commenting about it. So, I just roll with it, it’s such a copout but if you believe it, it must be true then!
Time. I used to draw with like, a lot of layers, lights, highlights, shadows, deeper shadows. Needing to do weekly uploads and make sure I have a buffer I learnt quickly I had to adapt. So, I dumbed it down and people seem to dig it.
So, it just works. So, I now draw quick and I upload a buffer quick too.
I guess mines fast. People are constantly moving, so people say it reminds them of something being on Netflix, or being Animated in terms of how one scene flows into another. It’s important to me to feel like these characters are alive.
The world is alive. Things have cause and effect. I just draw what I like and if it makes sense to me, then it’ll work out. I believe that’s important that you can find something to hook people in, keep them wanting more and make sure not to let go, especially with a generation of webcomic readers, or young people in general who binge media in one sitting no matter what it may be!
Collaboration? I wish. I just get a friend sometimes to help me with writing, grammar, spell checking that sort of thing. I do entirely everything myself. I wish I had someone to collaborate with, that’d certainly take a load off my shoulders! Haha.
Message or themes? Uhhhh… I never thought about those kinds of things before. Uh, I guess if I had to say one… It’s probably that no one is perfect. People who do extraordinary things can mess up every now and then. So, it’s okay to have fun and do whatcha want to do! ^^;
Depends on how you look at it to be honest. Art as a whole should be treated with more respect. A lot of people take peoples hard work for granted and not enough time is being respectful towards such time, sweat and tears.
Especially with the whole fiasco with AI going around and how Social Media as a whole is.
And for those like myself who cannot get long term or part time employment due to circumstance, where they live and do not have many if not any opportunities. This should have a chance to become as a profession, in a dream world of course. Mostly because there is a demand for such stories, it’s just not everywhere can be like Japan where Manga is so popular and influential to the point where any joe blow can make one and see where they stand, get better and improve. Not saying it’s easy, it’s still hard.
As for reaching wider audiences. Wish I knew, again it depends how you look at it, webcomics as a whole? Make stories that are popular if you’re not doing well, there is reason manga mags have rankings and they get authors to drop their stories. You want to make money? Make something people will like if you care about, that’s the reality. Comics and webcomics as both, in my opinion just needs to meet demand and change. But it still leads to the issue of needing to compete with others who are doing the exact same. So, it’s a vicious cycle at that point.
But my final thoughts of it for reaching out is that, Webcomic creators NEED to become readers again if people want to help each other out. Webcomic readers EVENTUALLY become creators themselves, then they start focusing on their own stuff. While we are on our breaks, we will need to consume more of this and just, help each other out. That’s what I think is the main issue with “reaching wider audiences”.
I use pencil and paper, Then a scanner, a graphics tablet XP Pen brand one anyways, and then use Clip Studio Paint. I started with just pencil and ink many years ago but I just made the switch, used Photoshop to begin with and then moved to CSP. It’s just way better to use.
I personally am not sure how; I use tags that my story matches up to on Twitter. I show it off everywhere, and then some nice people only recently started sharing it around most times. Gaining a wider audience didn’t happen until later when I had enough of a substantial stack of pages uploaded that people started reading it.
Growing up, I was a big fan of Tracy Yardley’s art style. Since then, I have sort of branched out into more different works such as like Osamu Tezuka, early works of Akira Toriyama and Rumiko Takahashi. There soft art style and linework I find very appealing and try to have a bit of that in my own works when it comes to line art style.
I also do a bit of ink shading/hatching with styles of Kazuki Takahashi and Kentaro Miura. So, it just spans around a lot with whatever I find cool at the time to be fair. Depends on my mood, Haha.
I don’t get many reviews or feedback in terms of my own personal works besides “Great Art!” But when I do, and the person is actually helpful and reads the story to give some real criticism like story things and such. I get a pen and paper and write down the list of things they say in dot points so I can remember and keep it on my pin board or near my drawing desk.
“Stick with it!” and “Good luck!” because you will need it in this modern age! As for making a career out of it, it’s like any creative arts profession, whether you’re making a sticker shop, making T-Shirts or anything else. Make product, make connections, make friends and do all sorts of things. Get yourself out there, the more people who know about you and what you do. The more that people can be aware of you and the more that you can find people with like-minded interests.
In terms of webcomics, again. Before you do ANYTHING remotely popular my genius bit of advice is DO. WHAT. YOU. WANT. People LOVE seeing others happy and have fun. (Surprisingly). And I chalk my meagre success to that. People tell me I’m having fun with drawing my webcomic, if you do what you want, eventually people will flock to you to see what the heck you’re doing and then see if it’s for them or not.
A lot of people worry about numbers, followers and all that nonsense when it’s just going to go to hell anyways. Do what the hell you want, at least you’ll be happy with what you’re doing while the world is literally burning around you!
… Oh, and financially, don’t be like me and have no job. Have a main gig first to support yourself before you can start making money. I’m forced to try this given my circumstances. Haha!
Well, Since I do not have race or sexuality in my story at the time of this interview, I would perhaps assume you would mean in terms of mental illness or gender representation; Given that, I guess I just treat them as people. Because that’s who they are. People, no different anyone else in my eyes to be fair and I think its important people remember that. As for approaching diverse themes and such, if there is anything that I do not know or am not well-versed in. I get feedback from friends and people that I acquaint myself with for such feedback and change it around accordingly. As well as being open to the idea of including more in my future stories.
I typically don’t most times, but I draw this webcomic to help keep my mental health in check. But to keep on with the long-term stuff, I just do other things. I dabble in game programming, and I do other drawings and I just sort of refresh my palette if that makes sense? Makes it easier to come back to the first one with fresh eyes!
To be honest, since I started drawing comics when I was a kid, graphics tablets were out back then too. So not much has really changed. Just the fancier ones are more expensive because they come with unneeded ports like phone chargers and stuff. So not really much has changed on my end!
Well, I see digital being a full thing and print being obsolete. The only reason it’s probably stuck around is because all the old codgers who can’t work tablets and stuff. But I hope it gets better and makes it easier to creators like myself to earn some money from their hard work. Again, artists need more respect and considering the timeline we’re in. We need the change to be a positive one!
Well, as someone has tried looking for work for over 7 to 10 years, and haven’t gotten employment and can’t leave the house most days. I make do. It keeps me happy and if I can make other people happy with it and they let me know how much it does. It lets me keep on living!
Creativity doesn’t come without its own set of challenges, but with resilience, passion, and an innate desire to express one’s self, it’s indeed possible to triumph over adversity. From the raw honesty about their struggles to the innovative approach to creating memorable narratives, Zak Elliot has certainly made an impression. We hope their journey inspires others to continue to explore, create, and tell their own unique stories. And remember, as Zak said, when pursuing your artistic passions, “Stick with it” and “Do what you want.” Because ultimately, what matters most is that you love what you do, and you do it with joy. Until next time, keep creating, and keep inspiring!
