Talking With Jorge Jiménez About Clover Press/DC Comics’ ‘The DC Art Of Jorge Jiménez’

Clover Press and DC Comics are crowdfunding a new hardback art book, The DC Art of Jorge Jiménez. I’ve always been a fan of Jiménez, so I was bowled over top get the chance to talk with this young but already iconic artist about this book, his art, and more! An artist who has achieved so much in such a relatively short space of time. Who won’t want to know more?

Olly MacNamee: Hiya, Jorge. How does it feel, at such a relatively young age, to be honoured in a deluxe art book from DC and Clover Press?

Jorge Jiménez: Well, it’s truly an honor for me and it makes me very happy. It has also helped me become aware of the path I’ve taken — I often say that comic artists are sometimes so focused on the day-to-day work, barely lifting our heads from the page, that we don’t get to fully appreciate the small achievements. This project has allowed me to do just that — to smile when looking back. And I’m very grateful to the team at Clover, and especially to DC, for helping me fulfill this dream.

MacNamee: And with over a decade working for DC, what have been some of the many, many highlights?

Jiménez: Oof … I wouldn’t know where to start! All these years working at DC have given me so many truly special experiences, both professionally and personally. For example, I remember how meaningful it was for me when I worked on the digital series Smallville Season 11 — it allowed me to draw Superman for the first time. Seeing reviews of my comics on different websites, realizing that my work was reaching so many people… it was overwhelming in the best way.

Then there were stages where I enjoyed myself so much creatively — like when I got to design all the DC characters from an alternate universe in Earth 2. I remember how happy I was back then — it was incredible!

One of the most important moments in my career was the launch of Super Sons. I felt like everything changed for me after that. I could feel the fans’ love in such a powerful and special way.

After that came Justice League with Scott Snyder, and it felt like my career was taking off like a rocket. I even got to co-write a Superman scene in that series, one that fans really liked — the moment when Superman comes flying in from the moon in the Sixth Dimension’s infinity to save the day with a single punch.

And well… when Ben Abernathy called me to draw Batman — wow. Honestly, I could spend all afternoon sharing professional moments I’ve lived at DC that I’ll never forget … but I don’t want to go on too long, lol.

MacNamee: You have worked digitally for as long as I can remember. What made you adopt this as your favoured way of creating your artwork?

Jiménez:  Without a doubt, speed. Even though I’m not that old, I decided to pursue a career as a comic book professional quite late compared to some of my peers. In fact, I studied something completely different, and I was already in my twenties when I made the decision to dedicate myself to this.

I have to admit that I absolutely loved using digital tools like tablets and software capable of reproducing such organic styles, so close to traditional linework. I found them really fun, and they helped me learn and improve my skills very quickly.

That workflow allows me to produce more pages in less time — and in a profession like this one, that can really make a difference.

MacNamee: I imagine having so much art digitally stored, it’s easier when it comes to putting your hands on specific pieces for The DC Art of Jorge Jiménez?

Jiménez: Yes, although in some cases it was quite an ordeal, since I lost a lot of digital files years ago and had to reach out to DC and the colorist to ask for some of the files, hehe.

MacNamee: And how would you say your art has evolved? I certainly saw a distinct difference between your work on Justice League and then Batman.

Jiménez: My style is constantly evolving. I always try to explore new things and not get too comfortable sticking with the same approach for too long. Also, the type of coloring my collaborators use really affects the final look of my work, so I always try to adapt everything I do to best serve the story I’m working on.

I also have a direct dialogue with the colorist. Lately, I’ve been focusing a lot on visual storytelling — really thinking about how I tell the story through images, instead of just trying to make the coolest-looking drawings possible, which I’ll admit I probably used to do more a few years ago.

I still try to make them look cool, of course, but now I’m putting extra energy into making sure they support the reading experience as much as possible.

MacNamee: This book is being crowdfunded on Kickstarter. And that means lots of extra goodies on offer. What kind of pledges will there be available for fans as part of this campaign?

Jiménez: I swear I’d love to talk about this, but the folks at Clover want everything to be a surprise, so I’ll be a good kid and keep my mouth shut! I’ll just say they’re doing an amazing job and have some brilliant ideas!

MacNamee: One last one … you’re back on Batman with a new writer, Matt Fraction, and a new number one. What is it about Batman that keeps you coming back for more? And, what can we expect from this new series?

Jiménez: Batman feels like a dream I never want to end. Waking up every morning knowing that my job is to draw Tim jumping across rooftops, Harley Quinn clashing with Punchline, or checking in on whatever crazy thing the Joker is up to (nothing good, I’m sure!) — and above all, drawing Bruce himself, drawing Batman taking down the bad guys … that’s just unbeatable.

Matt is incredible — super sharp, and he has a deep love for Batman.  What I can say is that we’re working on something really exciting. Matt has a strong vision for the story, and he’s meticulous with every detail, making sure everything fits seamlessly. His ambition for this project is contagious.

I’m also developing a lot of visual elements to give the series a unique aesthetic — something that feels fresh and distinct from previous runs, while staying true to the heart of the character.

We’re both giving it everything we’ve got, and Tomeu’s coloring is absolutely stunning.

I wish I could share a sneak peek already … but yeah, as you can probably tell, I’m beyond excited for what’s coming. I really hope you enjoy it!

MacNamee: Thanks for your time, and all the best for The DC Art of Jorge Jiménez.

Jiménez: Thank you, and I hope you like it!

You can check out the Kickstarter campaign for The DC Art of Jorge Jiménez here.