Battlemouth

Here we have the next of our 3 part Robot Martini interview series, have a go at it.

David Lovejoy, 24, is the creator of Astrobrot, Robot Martini’s Tuesday comic. (astrobrot.robotmartini.com) He is a Baltimore born cheshire cat, prone to mischief, sculpture, and faux product placement.

J.David Lovejoy

Male | 24 years old

Hometown: Baltimore, MD

Lives/Works in: Philadelphia, PA

Profession: web/graphic designer, Apple Vacations; Freelance web/graphic/multimedia artist

What are some web comics/comic books that you read?

I’m not a big webcomic guy, besides Garfield minus Garfield and RMG comics.  I enjoyed From Hell well enough, and my favorite conventional strips were Calvin & Hobbes, The various iterations of Bloom County, The Far Side, and all the Tintin books. 

What art and pop culture influences your work (comic)?

I’m generally influenced by scifi. The energy and production values of current shows like Battle Star Galactica gave new life to the Astrobrot books (originally “bread saga”), which were originally just clip art comics of fists and bread. 

The idea of bread in space started around the time DS9 was still running and TNG reruns were still on network syndication. The absurdism of farscape and smartassery of Firefly/Serenity also creeps in from time.  

Basically, the vast wealth of all those sci-fi/fantasy references – good and bad – are the building blocks for my comic. In general, I really draw a lot of inspiration from surrealist and abstract expressionist painters.

Did you do comics before this?

“bread saga,” see above;  

When do you draw your comics?

whenever I happen to have free time, which isn’t often. Usually during the weekends. I try to stay at least a week ahead.

What’s your process?

I use Adobe Illustrator to build the characters and certian props. Environments are usually photographs, while the ship and certain ship locales are rendered with lightwave (the same program zoic used for Firefly/Battlestar CGI). I feel the cgi adds to the absurdity of flat bread loaves in space while adding visual drama.

Why do you make comics?

With all my work at Apple (Vacations, not Computer) and freelance side-projects – I have precious little time for a more personal creative outlet.  Astrobrot is that outlet. I’ve recently been doing a continuous storyline, and figuring out what happens from week to week (and how to visually present it) is a welcome challenge seperate from my professional responsibilities.

When/How did you join Robot Martini?

I’ve known Gavin for decades, and we grew up on opposite sides of North Ave in Baltimore. We’re both artists, and we both get ideas sometimes. When Gavin had the idea to start up a game company, I was more than happy to contribute in any way I could, artistically. 

When you have the time which games do you play?

Power Grid, San Juan, Guillotine, Wits & Wagers, Lunch Money, Werewolf, various RMG card games, poker, and chess (not very good at either.)

How do you make a robot martini?

I don’t. The robot makes it. He insists that a gin martini is NEVER shaken, only stirred. Bond was wrong (the secret agent; not the ornithologist.)

Do you drink martinis?

Not often. I prefer beers of every description, wine with a good dinner, and jack and coke…or jamison.

Worst/best internet meme ever?

YTMND. Specifically, Robert Byrd’s “barbaric” rant (during the MIchael Vick pit bull thingy), being twisted into the 300 thing.  Honorable mention: Riker and a young Picard in the turbolift with urinals for some reason, and Riker takes a look. HEY!

How much paper craft is on your desk?

If by “craft”, you mean towers of random papers, lots.

Do you have a favorite strip you’ve written?

I really like Astrobrot 29. It takes a break from the story and give a glimpse into the thoughts of the reincarnated greenhorn while he’s alone on the bridge during night watch, writing haikus.