5 for 5, in 5, with Mike Rooth. (Part Deux)

Here we have it, YSC crew! The long awaited second installment of our chat with the remarkable Mike Rooth! *Standing ovation*

Mike was incredibly generous with his time, and it was a blast shooting the shit with him. So, without further ado let us dive deep into Mike Rooth’s 555 Part Deux!

1.     Do you yourself collect comics? If so, what titles are on your reading pile? 

I only collect a few books here and there these days. I haven’t bought any Marvel or DC stuff for a long time, other than the odd Ben Grimm appearance or something a friend has created. That, or blank covers to draw on. I’ve felt very disconnected to those companies and their properties for a long time now. Probably over a decade? A stranger in a strange land that used to be so familiar. I read HEADLOPPER by Andrew MacLean, a quarterly book from Image, and I’ve gotten into a few of the series that I have done covers for at Aftershock and Image, but usually short run stories.

2.     What other interests outside of comics/art do you have?

I love pro wrestling, and vintage wrestling video games, especially the killer Japanese stuff from the 90’s.

3.     You have several music/band styles of merch. What music gets your motor running and how big a part does music play in your life?

Motörhead. For Life. Actually, I like all kinds of music, like oldies and classical and post punk era stuff. But in general, heavy, and loud, rock n’ roll is at the core of it all.

4.  What is your opinion on pumpkin spice lattes, and those that drink it?

You know, it’s funny - I weirdly CRAVE them sometimes, but I only allow myself to have one every two years or so, just to remind myself that they are a LIE and how truly awful they really are.

5.  Favourite book/cover/artwork you have done that didn’t sell?

Probably my MFKZ cover for Yellow Snow. That one will hurt forever, because it’s got all kinds of stuff that I love to draw in it. I thought the connecting cover concept and built-in remark sketch area in the layout (a genius idea by the ingenious Tommy Law) was genius.  A real tragedy, that one. Such an excellent comic book too. Publishers need to help promote retailer exclusives more. We all win when they do.

Bonus Question 2:   Any crazy convention stories? (Anything super crazy, names can be changed to protect the guilty)

Hahahaha. Hahahahaha. Ahem.  Hmm. Too many stories. I could not possibly pick one. But without naming names, I can say in full honesty, that one night my wife and I were guests at a convention, and we had drinks and dined with a legendary android from a major 80’s horror movie franchise, an actual Hobbit, and together we all tore apart a hotel room in Ottawa in a frantic search for another celebrity’s (and now infamous sex cult leader’s) passport. 

Any parting words? People you’d like to thank, tell them what you really think of them, or just any sage advice

I have had an enviable career and it’s never lost on me how incredibly lucky and privileged I am to play a very small part in this whole wacky business of comics. I spent years, many of them prior to the internet’s existence, sending mailers and post card samples, cold calling, hammering on doors and windows and inboxes and pounding the streets, climbing the ladders seeking opportunities to do good illustration work and prove myself in this industry. I’m so grateful to everyone who has helped me on that journey. From the other artists and creators, I have met and befriended, and learned from over the years, to the show runners and publishers and retailers who took a chance on me. All the amazing friends and fans and supporters of my work who’ve made me want to work harder and keep resetting the bar higher. I didn’t get here all on my own

There you have it folks, our chat with Mike in all its glory. We cannot thank him enough for his time, and for the incredible covers he has blessed us with here at YSC. It is a privilege to work with him and we cannot wait to do it all over again! 

We have an incredible homage cover for Last Ronin #4 from Mike dropping this week! Although it is sold out, anyone who missed the drop can check out Mike’s social media and pick up some of his incredible artwork.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/uncouthrooth

IG: https://www.instagram.com/uncouthrooth/ 

TW: https://twitter.com/uncouthrooth 

BC: www.mikerooth.bigcartel.com (please copy and poaste, link not working)

Web: www.mikerooth.com

Thanks again, Mike, and to all of you, the YSC crew!!

Micheal.