Tripwire Talks To Veteran Inker Wade von Grawbadger

Adding A Level Of Detail

For many years Wade Von Grawbadger has been a superstar inker. His skills have been seen over the pencil work of Stuart Immonen and Tony Harris most significantly. The gentleman has won numerous awards. He can  lay claim to a handful of Inkwell Awards, a Harvey Award and has been nominated so many times for other awards that we have lost count. Recently, Tripwire’s contributing writer Paul N Neal asked this artist about a newbook due to be published very soon, called Superstar…

Tripwire: There is a book coming out that is close to your heart. Could you describe the origins of Superstar?

Wade:  Superstar: As Seen on TV was a concept created by Kurt Busiek in the late 90s. Various legendary creators were involved at different points in its evolution including George Perez, Ron Frenz, Alan Davis and Paul Ryan. Each adding something along the way but for different reasons, the project never quite took off. Eventually, Stuart and I were brought on board and Stuart continued with a ton of design work. Eventually, he hit upon the design we can see in the book today and it just worked beautifully! Superstar originally appeared in the one-shot published by Image under the Gorilla Comics imprint in 2001.

TW: Without spoilers, what was the synopsis of the project?

WVG:  In a prediction of sorts of the social media influencers that we have currently, Superstar is incredibly powerful, but he gains his abilities through the donation of ‘energy’ from other, normal humans. Thus, in order to maintain the levels needed to perform his super-duties, he has to maintain his popularity so as to keep people motivated enough to support him. Back then it was ratings, today it would be likes, followers and subscribers.

TW: I believe this book shows some early examples of your inking over Stuart Immonen’s pencils. It is a partnership that has stood the test of time. Artistically, did you click together immediately?

WVG: Working with Stuart was/is always a dream. Early on, we clicked as much as two people who haven’t quite figured out “who they are” artistically are able to. There was always chemistry there and we (mostly me!) were very fortunate in that as our abilities evolved, they did so in a compatible fashion. But even in the early days, you can clearly see Stuart’s eye for design and storytelling. He’s a master!

TW: Has the new book has been funded via Kickstarter at all?

WVG: I don’t believe this edition was funded through Kickstarter. I could be wrong in that I’m not involved in the publishing aspect of it, but I’ve not heard anything about it being crowdfunded.

Is there a chance of any new Superstar material?

WVG: Never say never! New Superstar material is always a possibility, but nothing is in the works at the moment that I’m aware of. Until then, this collection will be available in the US at local comic shops on 11 Sept 2024. (I don’t know if it’s the same in the UK).

TW:  Is there anything you are currently working upon you would like to promote?

WVG: I am currently working on a couple of things, but I can only talk about one of them. I’m inking Joe Quesada on the flagship book of his new publishing venture, Amazing Comics! The book is called Disciple and the Ashcan, including the first 13 pages of issue 1 was unveiled at San Diego Comic Con this summer. You can see the cover on most of my social media pages. Other than that, there’s not a lot I’m allowed to talk about regarding those books…..yet!