We wanted our attendees to get to know the incredible talent in the Artist Alley a little better, so we asked each of our artists to answer a couple questions about themselves and their art.
Jeff Langcaon is a Hawaii-based graphic artist, writer and cartoonist. He is the author and illustrator of the comic Henchmen for Hire, which follows the adventures of three normal guys who hire themselves out as “evil” henchmen in a world of superheroes and supervillains.
What was the first thing you made/wrote/drew?
When I first started reading comics, I was a big fan of John Buscema and his work on Silver Surfer. Consequently, my first homemade comic from when I was eight years old was the adventures of a bald-headed blank-eyed alien who was just called “The Alien.”
Tell us about your creative process, from the beginning of a typical piece to its completion?
I plot out a full Henchmen for Hire story arc from beginning to end, but because I am the writer, artist and everything else on the comic, I have the latitude to change direction and take the story in unexpected places, or to explore characters who take on a life of their own as the tale develops. I sort of use a modified “Marvel Way” to create my pages, and the art comes before the dialog.
Who or what are your influences?
I grew up in the Stan Lee era, so I’m a big fan of his, and of all the great artists from the formative Marvel years. Some of my heroes from later are Sergio Aragones, Stan Sakai and George Perez. People tell me that Henchmen for Hire has a distinctly 70’s and 80’s comic vibe, and I take that as a complement.
What plans do you have for the future of your art?
I do weekly updates to Henchmen for Hire on the website at www.henchmenonline.com. I’m hoping to also work on some shorter stories and try exploring different genres and different styles of art as well. There’s always room to grow.
Do you have any good advice for emerging artists?
Draw, draw and draw some more. And don’t be afraid to let people see your work. If you hide your art until its “perfect” you’ll miss out on some great feedback and opportunities to learn.
What do you hope people get out of you artwork/writing/etc?
I hope they have fun reading it. One of the best things about going to conventions is when somebody who bought the first Henchmen for Hire graphic novel comes up to my table and tells me that they enjoyed it and they eagerly buy the second one.
To date, what works of yours are most satisfied with?
I’m pleased with both of the Henchmen for Hire graphic novels: The VIXX Saga and Rocked by Roid Rage. I think they are fun to read and each tells a complete story arc.
Will you have any convention exclusives or deals available at CCH?
I am planning on having a convention-special price for the first Henchmen for Hire graphic novel “The VIXX Saga” so that new readers can get to meet the henchmen.
Make sure to stop by Jeff Langcaon / Dancing Pencil Graphics in the Comic Con Honolulu Artist Alley July 29-31, 2016!
