I've don't even know what that picture is from. Idrew the layouts of the cover image you are using and my editor asked me to put in pinchers - he sent me sources of ants and that's about all the inspiration that was involved. i didn't even know that previous aliens had had tusks prior to me drawing this. I was just doing what i was told to do by my editor. That's my job.
Why people seem to think there is always some conspiracy behind a drawing or concept is beyond me. So far my covers have been compared to a Venom cover and this shitty little image. All i can say is that i have a blank sheet of paper and a pencils when i go to work. There have been thousands of alien drawings - it's hard not to be compared to something.
If you think i cheat or copy things, go look at my 7 year history of work and try and find anything suggesting this. I pride myself in what i do and I've never copied a single line in my entire career. I'm not saying I'm not influenced by any other artists (far from it), but I've never copied a damn thing outside of my own sourcework.
I appreciate the people that have been supportive during this series, but I'm through trying to be available to Aliens fans. I've never worked on a property where the fan base was this crappy. I tried to make myself available for contact and interaction because I remember being a fan at one point, and I always enjoyed being able to talk to the creators. However, this is why most comic creators become reclusive - it's not worth it. There are always herds of dickheads that just want to stir shit because they have nothing positive in their lives. I guess that those that can't do, complain. Don't think that all I need is adulation or praise - it's not that at all. I don't mind criticism; hell I would have never been able to become a pro if i didn't listen to it. What I can't stand is thoughtless shit stirring. It gets old. I work 60 to 70 hours a week to publish comics and I can only stand so much obtuse sniping. It's the same reason I stopped going to comic book shops. Just a bunch of fat f**ks talking about shit they have no clue about.
I'm sorry for those of you fans that are good people, but I'm absolutely finished with interacting on the internet. You are always welcome to come talk to me at a convention and get a sketch or something.
take care,
z
