Superhero Comic Artist: Behind the Scenes

Professional comic artist Sean Chen, a comic creator for 20 years, shares his secrets for drawing stand-out superhero covers from Spider-Man and Iron Man to Wolverine. Watch as he creates a superhero cover of "Off Duty" host, Wendy Bounds.
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[@bestbry1]

Super hero comics is such an under appreciated art form... I’m glad to see those talented artists face

[@williamgman12]

At 00:27 he looks up at the camera like Yeah bitches i made this. So wut. Lol

[@elrojo321]

hahaha. This comment did my day.

[@ace9846]

I looked straight down at the comments after that look haha

[@vforfun7772]

Hahaha true af.

[@sapphic.flower]

I don't really read super hero comics but I so appreciate the comic book artists. Comic book art if so complex with all the darks and anatomy and having to draw pages and panels of that must be excruciating. I bow my head to these talented people who take the time to do this.

[@xandredarium4209]

+Shy Girl Yeah, mainstream superhero comics have a lot of detail and polish in their artwork, but that's why the production is split in to different phases handled by different people (1 person for pencils other for inks, somebody for collors, someone for text, etc). 1 artist cannot make 30-40 of these per month by himself, and that's what most indie comics or manga artist do by theselves (or if you're a big shot, you probably have some assistants for the backgrounds or special effects/textures), which is why their art is nowhere near as detailed.

[@snake6732]

Poor guy, that lady made him feel so uncomfortable

[@jakeystarsuper]

I'm sure the lady didn't mean to

[@Moodboard39]

No, he's introverted u idiottt

[@brandonc.9244]

Drawing superheroes in my underwear = life goal

[@magikmike4647]

+The Toast hey man check out this awesome superhero contest: www.fundraise.com/the-g-ai-a-effect/becoming-super

[@thathandleistakentrythisone]

Cant believe she ignored that slick move

[@MachineFuckingHate]

Sean Chen has to be one of the most under-appreciated Marvel artists. His artwork is very tight and clean. I love what he's done with the Iron Man series.

[@RobertMarzullo]

Great artwork Sean. I am working on getting my artwork good enough to one day work for Marvel. I still have a long way to go if I have to be as good as this guy!

[@Kquiicks]

love your work Robert im your number 1 fan

[@RobertMarzullo]

Thank you. Very kind of you to say! :)

[@jogurtburek979]

scam

[@josegarcia303]

I could easily become a great artist in any genre do to my talents but im too lazy. Lol yup skill beats talent.

[@Los-kq1ik]

Why work for Marvel?! Do your own comics.

[@TheSteelRecordz]

He acted as if none of this was planned out already. "Why are you in my house".." "And why am I not wearing my favorite spiderman underwear?" Oh the confusion.

[@SarahGraveschannel]

He looks like he REALLY doesn't want to be there and he is kind shy :( feel sorry for the dude

[@elgriego331]

Drawing comics all day deteriorates your social skills!

[@y_0886]

elgriego331 hahahah! Maybe! But some people are shy no matter what work they do!

[@sachinrane4716]

Its because he's so proffessional that he considers others as disturbing. Hence the room far away from bedroom and Just look at his serious face while drawing.

[@mason3872]

elgriego331 not really, it really depends on the kind of person you are. I’d say I’m shy but I’m 100% an extrovert even though I draw everyday and make videogames.

[@dharammittal8269]

@@y_0886 you are correct

[@AvikBara]

The guy was not awkward at all.

[@raiyaniqbal1994]

I really appreciate the amount of effort comic artists do and Sean is no exception.

[@juanmena3648]

0:25 _that look on his eyes_

[@chief2665]

😂😂😂

[@phant0m0th_]

"NO CAPES!" - Edna Mode

[@evgeniiaalatyreva8337]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mr.provision]

Loophole: longcoats are better

[@ancientpho]

3:39 “Walt Dinsey” at the top right. Lol dude had one job.

[@TheRowlandstone73]

"It was my pleasure", roughly translated means, "Now please go away.. Don't you realise how much work I've got to do without having to create a whole other cover for you? I'm already under huge pressure to hit my strict deadline."

[@jangzterrizer9405]

Can you draw me my family portrait? -- absolutely...Not! haha

[@mr.zooomy]

HAHAAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAAH

[@rickdeckard9810]

Sean is an amazing talent.

[@pramodgeorgehq]

Everyone who meets an artist... "Hey can you draw me?" 🙄

[@luketube7207]

I love drawing comics

[@riverfoux]

Me too

[@duedecimal6622]

if someone holding my art like she did 0:22 and ruined the paper, i'll be furious

[@ihategoogle6066]

@LEGO MANIAK lol right, he wouldn't in his wildest dreams give her the finished pencils to hold

[@petrucci15]

i want his job.....

[@Mgm1976-j9w]

This is my poison. I mean the movies are great & all but this is where all that stuff comes from. The films don't scratch that itch for me. Love Sean chen's work.

[@ParaTruther]

Lol, literally zero reaction to the pencil sketch like it was some thing he pulled from the ether. Some people have no appreciation for art.

[@muserussell2377]

ParaTruther yeah that's ridiculous. This guy is great

[@dwaynemoreland668]

However, she did appreciate the his artwork overall, complimenting the character design etc.

[@OxyAgi]

but she sure had the guts to ask for a family portrait ! Upsetting !

[@ericknopf2109]

I have 3 pieces by Mr. Chen. 1 of his page from Avengers Infinity and 2 custom drawings he did for me. One is a double pinup of Iron Man and Wolverine, and the other is Wolverine’s head. He is incredibly nice and humble.

[@mechanicalpants]

Hey, that is so cool! Can I ask how you got them and what sort of money did you pay?

[@rezadroidjr]

oh my goood he is so awesome maaan!! wish i was like him :(

[@ihategoogle6066]

and then practice some more

[@PeterPalmiotti]

Sean's an amazing artist.. he did a great job!

[@Comakino]

I love me some comic artist pro secrets! ;)

[@WFaceoficial]

I know how awesome it is only he who draws knows the pleasure of seeind art ready............

[@Fungi48691]

Should have named the video "How to get bitches 101"

[@lastname354]

short and sweet video!

[@DariusVincentHughes]

A variety of materials can be used. I'll list some: Micron pens India ink and a quill A Wacom tablet w/ Photoshop Copic multiliners and lots of other things. Hope this helps!

[@Prod._By_Kyoto_Beatz]

Ok, the fact that he uses the same microns and the same mechanical bic pencil that i use makes me feel comfortable.

[@broodingsoap9469]

Do you draw?

[@kaleighb.6751]

Great! Now give me a video that shows how to draw freaking fingers!

[@pinpon163]

Winters Children LMFAO, I feel you. Go to mikeymegaga s channel, he had a tutorial on fingers that helped me alot.

[@DrWho146]

His rough layout is better than my finished work. HAHA. Ooh man...huh....

[@human144]

God Bless the 9th art. Specially the old school artists. .❤

[@edwardgaines6561]

God I wish I could draw like the thumbnail. 😖

[@Ostnizdasht206]

I want his career!

[@SheldonMap]

+Tired Asian Gamer your profile picture matches your comment

[@downeybill]

i hope they paid this guy for his time! probably not.

[@ihategoogle6066]

they most definitely paid him for that Off Duty cover art, which was obviously already done before the video

[@jerrycargill5062]

We artists are paid for in Exposure, a special currency that is accepted nowhere.

[@MrSGames1]

Thanks man! I try my best!!... lol.

[@JimTopdog]

This would be my back up job if animation doesn't work out

[@bunnygalxoxo]

+James Cummings same here!

[@rezcole]

I c u everywhere

[@mrpumperknuckles1631]

im goal is to surpass my suppressers and the ones who taught me that includes every person i look up to for advice as an artist as well as a comic artist

[@brucewayne2184]

Ok Mr pumperknuckles

[@JohnLumapaskeith]

Please make this in to an actual comic book series

[@Britton_Thompson]

He's right. It's very common indeed for a real life city like NYC to get destroyed in a Marvel movie. Furthermore, no one even thinks twice about it. But when General Zod & his Kryptonian soldiers wage war on Earth by attacking the make-believe city of Metropolis? Shiiiiit son- Critics & haters light their hair on fire & run around in hysteria over it!

[@savvas_tsigou]

But...you know, Marvel movies are good.

[@artkomiks9157]

Very nice!

[@freaklp146]

the amazing video

[@scoobityboop1731]

Dear god I want to do this for a living.

[@ashleejade7072]

Scoobity Boop me too

[@riverfoux]

Dew it

[@channarynguyen5263]

Wow I like it

[@losnuadaforever]

what kind of pencil he used it ??

[@ABlackGuy10]

2h

[@patricklisko6063]

Does anyone know what kind of utensil / tool is used for the inking phase? Would help a lot, thanks!

[@Rockysbeats]

count me in

[@FBMACP]

i got a feeling the lady flirting

[@andrewt6338]

He seems nice.

[@luigicapola9373]

hi sean what is the common size of the board y the size of a single panel ? hope you will answer tku so much

[@fayeadrienedeleon1705]

I kinda want this to be my job now

[@riverfoux]

Dew it

[@user-ss6hn5hu3o]

I wonder, do people still make comics that way? I mean, I'm confused a bit: I want to make my comic book, but I'm not sure how to make it - whether I should make sketches and inks traditionally, then scan and then colour it and compose digitally, or draw it completely digitally? I would prefer the first way, cause I struggle with CG, and it's easier for me to draw digitally over scanned sketch, but from the other hand I don't want my comics to look "amateur" and just bad. Please, give me some thoughts, if you may)

[@riverfoux]

That’s completely up to you, whatever you prefer to make it is up to you

[@Moodboard39]

Draw cartoon, lol

[@vapsman88]

Walt Dinsey?

[@stefkomilosevic]

the amount of fucks this guy doesnt give is enormous

[@Nostradamus21b]

I would like to know what's the resolution he scans the artwork after inking.

[@lawriearm]

No less than 300 dpi otherwise the linework begins to get pixilated

[@octoberhelton3305]

y'all are just mad because you can't

[@gh0sty._t0ast42]

I wish I could be drawn as a superhero

[@josephgonzalez9441]

Ohhh snap

[@HfilmReviews]

So... what about, 4 covers? And he has his rent and food for the month paid for... that’s not bad!

[@elvisprice3204]

I would love to have his job, or be a inker.

[@anthonybrandon7648]

me being a artist.. i know that face he not drawing her family portrait lol

[@Los-kq1ik]

What kind of paper stock is Sean Chen using???

[@riverfoux]

I think it’s comic art board

[@EssBee318]

Hey guys, its a long shot, but i have a script for a comic, nothing pro, im just a comic fan and ive always wanted to write and draw a comic....only i cant draw that well, if anyone fancy's a colab' and have some fun along the way? as i said its nothing pro, its just for fun, theres no deadlines or pressure, i dont have cash i can throw away so im sure i can arrange something with you if wanted, but if anyone wants to help out for the fun of it then please let me know by sending me a private mail

[@broodingsoap9469]

Too bad nobody replied :(

[@robinkoljak]

No, mostly brush, quill in second (my way)

[@SarahGraveschannel]

Anyone notice how he keeps looking down througho

[@SarahGraveschannel]

throughout the entire video?? lol whats he looking at

[@bennys2950]

Sarah Graves Nothing, just nervous

[@MarcoRepiso]

brutal

[@raissasantana5276]

braaaaasiiiiiiiilllllllll

[@jmac2050]

comment section sucks below, nice work Sean Chen

[@biker944]

A behind the scene process of creating a comic book...

[@walkingcorpse1224]

My question is where can I find a custom cover artist that would do a custom job for a paying customer? I created my own comic book character and I would love to have him proffessionally artworked and made into a cover and I'd evenetually make him into a poster.

[@thegeneral5037]

Hello. I am a comic book artist that has yet to be published, but perhaps I could be of assistance?

[@walkingcorpse1224]

Yes please! Just give me ur contact info, like an email, facebook page or phone number whatever u like.

[@thegeneral5037]

[e-mail] please bear in mind that I am not yet a professional, merely on the road to becoming one.

[@walkingcorpse1224]

+The General I'm not a professional either, however I do like writing and I just started this haha. I'll email u and spare u the details XD haha

[@walkingcorpse1224]

+The General O.K. I just emailed u. Check when u can.

[@eliasgv134]

Joder como agarra la hoja de los bocetos sin delicadeza se ve que no aprecia el trabajo del hombre , cuando es así es mejor poner a alguien que enverdad sepa del tema , le guste y le apasione

[@AntoniaLuziaBarbozaetero]

JBC

[@Tomatofury]

$500 a cover? Is that a page or an issue?

[@house6052]

+Unpolarize I might be wrong but I think comic book artist usually have a set amount of money they get for each page they do. In high tier comic companies like Marvel and DC artists van get from around 200-700 dollars per page depending on how if their comics make good sales. Although I don't know if that fluctuates depending on how well the company itself is doing.

[@ScepticPwnageGaming]

It depends the big artists that work for Marvel and DC, are the ones that get the comics sold, so they could be earning up to $1000 but if you're working for smaller companies that people wont recongniza the name of, you will only be getting about 100-$200

[@Samrob09]

a paint brush, pencil and pen.

[@stanlibuda5786]

8 years later and we got some so-called artists who could not hold a pencil correctly. Marvel and DC are done.

[@riverfoux]

What?

[@broodingsoap9469]

Wdym?

[@rocketmonkeyintelugu1167]

when i will grown i will make an comic name shitjar

[@comicocalypse5620]

Did she just reward $2,000.00 worth of work with a crisp high five?

[@emilyyukki6528]

is comic art is easy or hard to do ?

[@chalino19]

easy if you have practiced for 10,000 hours

[@emilyyukki6528]

really

[@aleksandartopic3711]

+Emily Yukki first of all, you need to be lets say - the best in your class or enviroment in drawing. You need to have a talent. You can't start drawing with 18 and expect to get a job with 25. Then, what that guy said to you, it takes a lot of hours. Like literally 2,3,4 hours every day. And you can't just draw when you're like: "Oh I want to draw now, ok I'm gonna start". Even when you don't have the inspiration, you need to sit down and just draw - draw objects, draw characters, draw anything - that's gonna help you make progress. When other ones are watching movies or playing video games, you're drawing. Then if you want a big deal job, like to draw comics for Marvel or DC you're also going to need to know a lot about proportions and perspectives. You're not going to draw a characters all day, but also buildings, cars etc. Then you need inspiration. You can't just watch 2 Marvel Movies, read 5 DC Comics and say: "Ok, I think I got it". You need to watch every single superhero movie and to read every single comic out there. And last, but not least you need to be patient and love that what you're doing.

[@Brian_Boru]

Watching "every single superhero movie" and reading "every single comic out there" is not a requirement for becoming a professional comics artist. In fact, it's impossible.

[@ihategoogle6066]

its bloody hard. I thought there was nothing to it but having the ability to draw inside panels. Wrong! You have to understand sequential story telling which is key, composition, ;layout, perspective, juxtaposition, how to keep the reader engrossed etc, I learned alot through The DC guide to Creating Comics, that book is a must have for any one looking to do comics

[@fray7915]

disliked it because it is WSJ (lol)

[@Salty-chip]

Dear comic artist if you ever have a free time in the comics drawing are you able to draw me in your free time and I would love to see how it turns out.

[@kiwi110]

Cursed Werewolf Do you really think that he would just draw you? He said that it takes many hours for a sketch and that it's really time and energy consuming. If you pay him alot and I mean ALOT of money than he could do it. Art is not something for free. It takes time and effort to look good and if an artist doesn't get paid, he can't survive. Understood?

[@MukeshPanicker]

500 dollars for a cover ??

[@8bittimetraveler834]

WHAT?? ONLY $500 A COVER THAT TAKES FOREVER TO MAKE????? Are you kidding? That's 5 times nothing!

[@riverfoux]

That seems like a lot per covers

[@nigelsookram882]

Scene is slowly dying

[@ShadowManV3]

so funny how awkward he is . I guess what he lacks in social skills he makes up in being an awesome artist.

[@samfullofsin]

This is sooooooo awkward

[@ashleejade7072]

AlternatedArts why

[@robinkoljak]

No, mostly brush, quill in second (my way)