American Comic Book Master Jim Lee Graces Akihabara with His Presence

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Known for titles such as Batman and Superman, American comic book master Jim Lee held a talk and live drawing demonstration event entitled “AmeComi Night at Kotobukiya Akihabara” on the 22nd.

Seeing the crowd of fans gathered at the venue, he started the event by sharing that when he came to Japan once long ago for a signing, only two or three people showed up. Born in South Korea, Jim immigrated to the U.S. at the age of five. He would read comics as he struggled to learn how to read and write English, which led him to start drawing. “I think the first was Fleischer’s Superman. There weren’t any major films like Star Wars, so I was heavily influenced by American comics.”

In response to the question asking where he gets his inspiration, Jim responded with the writing team he works with. “Since beginning work in 1987, there have been many times when I get inspiration from the writers I work with. How they came up with stories and the development of the characters were extremely helpful.”

Jim during the talk. He gave a thoughtful response to each question.

During the live drawing. Everyone watched breathlessly as Jim drew.

Asked when it was that he realized he had super powers, he quipped, “The night before my wedding,” before responding that it really began as a young child. “In terms of drawing, it was as a kid daydreaming every day. When I got bored in class, I would draw and one hour would feel like five minutes. Then I began to get better at drawing than the other kids in the class.” He added, “[To cultivate your talent,] it’s important to always work hard and be driven. You can’t see the artist’s pain and hard work on the page of a comic book. But we work hard. Both athletes and artists work hard in the shadows, and it’s important to continue doing that.” He also revealed his own process: “Of course there are my favorite artists, but I also looked at the artists I didn’t like and why that was, and I made sure not to emulate them.”

Jim says that by drawing a face, he can take control of a comic’s atmosphere. Because of that, it’s “hard to adjust” to someone like Spider-Man who has a mask. Keeping in mind things like the direction of the web, he says he’s working at it.

He finds the jaw lines a well done aspect of the Kotobukiya figures. According to him, without the jaw, the “form would be dead.” He commented, “It was no surprise that they understood that and produced it that way.” Good job, Kotobukiya!

A serious Jim sits with pen in hand even while answering fan questions. The Joker looks over him from behind.

It’s finished!

In less than 30 minutes, he offers an illustration of the upcoming ARTFX Flash. The figure is also produced and sold by Kotobukiya. The head of planned figure prototypes also joined the event, saying, “With someone like him watching, there was a lot of pressure, like, ‘We have to do this right!’” and then added to the audience, “Once it’s finished, be sure to buy two.”

In the second half of the first part, the live drawing of the upcoming ARTFX Flash began. Answering questions from the fans as he worked, he finished the drawing in no time and was showered with applause. After the end of the talk and live drawing in part 1, a signing begins in part 2.

This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.

Before the event.
Before the event.
Jim Lee’s favorite characters are Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman and Batgirl.
Jim Lee’s favorite characters are Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman and Batgirl.
Jim Lee’s work was put on display in the event venue.
Jim Lee’s work was put on display in the event venue.
　　
　　
　　
　　
　
　
He says that he often draws rough drafts without thinking about it. He commented, “For action scenes, I imagine the movement and sound effects in my head and put that to the page directly.”
He says that he often draws rough drafts without thinking about it. He commented, “For action scenes, I imagine the movement and sound effects in my head and put that to the page directly.”
He had nothing but praise for Kotobukiya’s figures, saying, “It’s like they’ve leaped out from the pages of the comics.”
He had nothing but praise for Kotobukiya’s figures, saying, “It’s like they’ve leaped out from the pages of the comics.”
He does not usually practice before a doing a serialized comic. Jim commented, “I prepared for half a year before doing things like Batman, but with drawing, I actually adjust how it looks as the series progresses.”
He does not usually practice before a doing a serialized comic. Jim commented, “I prepared for half a year before doing things like *Batman*, but with drawing, I actually adjust how it looks as the series progresses.”
　
　
American Comic Book Master Jim Lee Graces Akihabara with His Presence 11
American Comic Book Master Jim Lee Graces Akihabara with His Presence 12
American Comic Book Master Jim Lee Graces Akihabara with His Presence 13
American Comic Book Master Jim Lee Graces Akihabara with His Presence 14
American Comic Book Master Jim Lee Graces Akihabara with His Presence 15

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