Update 26:  21/08/2017  Tribute to Moebius new adds:

Moritat (Justin Norman):

A star in DC comics' galaxy


Blueberry and Jimmy Mc Clure by  Moritat


This tribute to Moebius is taking a lot of time and effort, contacting artists and creating web entries for a good reason, and having the oportunity of bringing in a great and talented artist like Justin Norman, a.k.a. MORITAT, is really a dream come true.

Putting the blueberry tribute drawing and the interview together took time, due to his full agenda, but finally this web page is able to present an entry dedicated to him.

Born in 1971 in Redondo Beach, CA, Justin is credited in lots of comic works, as everything one can imagine: writer, inker, penciller, colorist, letterer and cover artist. He's capable of doing everything in the comic industry...and do it very well.  Some kind of superhero...?



 Justin Norman "Moritat"... Superman.

Best known for his work on The Spirit, Elephantmen, and DC's All Star Western, Moritat has worked in these last years in Green Hornet: Reign of the Demon (2016, Pencils, inks), Harley Queen (2016, Pencils, inks), Army of Darkness/Xena: Forever and a Day (2016, Pencils, inks) and Red Sonja: The Long Walk to Oblivion (2017 Pencils, Inks, Colors). Lots of other works are credited to Moritat, as he is a very active artist.

 
All-star western nº1, art by Moritat


Now he is working on a graphic novel with Jimmy Palmiotti, called "Killing time in america", which he is turning into a movie.

This is Moritat answering our quick interview:

- The Blueberry Encyclopaedia (TBE): What was your greatest artistic influence at the beginning of your proffesional life?  And now, which artists do you respect the most? 

Moritat: In American comics it was Steve Ditko. Then, my family moved to Asia so it was manga. But it was finding heavy metal magazine that opened my eyes to wanting to be professional.



Art by Moritat


- TBE: Whith whom would you like to work? 

Moritat: I like to work with new artists. The fresh, exploratory phase is quite wonderful. 

- TBE: What do you think of digital comic books ... is the comic industry in danger / crisis with the menace of pirate downloads? How can this affect the work of artists?

 Moritat: I actually think paper comic industry is not in danger. 




Batman vs Catwoman, Art by Moritat


- TBE: How is the experience of working for a giant like DC comics? 

Moritat: It is a reward and one of my goals. It is very nice to be able to work on characters that helped you evolve. I am very lucky to get to some that have not changed too much. 

 
Harley Queen, cover art by Moritat


- TBE: What are your memories / relationship / influences with Jean Giraud and their artworks?

Moritat:  I made it my mission to attend Angouleme comic festival in France. I could not get anyone to come with me on the adventure. I reached out to Stuart Ng, a famous importer of BD and he helped me get to Angouleme. I have been going now for 13 years. I would seek out moebius and linger by his booth and watch him sketch, we spoke a few times but I never identified myself as an artist.

- TBE: What are you working on and what are your upcoming proyects? 

Moritat: I am having the most fun now working on a graphic novel with my friend Jimmy Palmiotti, called killing time in america. He is turning it into a movie!!

Jimmy Palmiotti

Justin, from the Blueberry Encyclopaedia we thank you very much for this collaboration in our Moebius tribute and wish you the best of luck in those upcoming comics that soon will be released.It has been an honour to have you here.