This weekend I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with FLASH penciller Howard Porter and he graciously took the time to answer some questions for Paperback Reader.

Paperback Reader: Hi Howard, thanks for doing this. For my first question I would like to ask about your training as an artist.

Howard Porter: I went to Paier College in Connecticut, which is a four year art school, and majored in illustration.

PBR: And did you go there with the intention of becoming a comic book artist?

HP: No, actually, I thought that I would be illustrating fantasy books and things like that. There was an artist, NCYM, who did a lot of old Robin Hood illustrations, and he was a great painter that really inspired me. Also, comic books were kind of looked down on by many of my teachers. People with dreams of drawing comics were often discouraged.

PBR: So how did you make the transition?

HP: A guy named Frank McLaughlin was teaching one of my classes and he saw this goofy, comic style drawing I had hung up for class. He was working as an inker on a comic book at the time and gave me some work helping him ink backgrounds. Based on that, this was in 1988, I started assisting other inkers and slowly made my way into the business.

PBR: Let's talk about FLASH. What initially attracted you to the title?

HP: Originally? You'd have to go back many years. When I was a young kid I had an issue of the FLASH with one of those "How to Draw the Flash" pages by Carmine Infantino. That sparked my interest in drawing and inspired me to become a professional artist. Recently, it was Geoff Johns, who is a writer that I really like. That was the big reason I wanted to work on FLASH.

PBR: Your predecessor, Alberto Dose, had a radically different style from yours and when you took over the storyline also changed significantly, was this intentional?

HP: Well, yeah. Alberto's work is much darker and grittier than mine and at that point Wally didn't know that he was the Flash and there were super-villains running around unchecked. When I came on he became the Flash again. My style is very much traditional superhero art. Really bright and flashy, pun intended.

PBR: One of the hallmarks of Johns' run on the title has been the "Rogue Profile" issues. Now you haven't done one of these yet. If you could choose a Rogue to showcase, which would it be?

HP: If I could choose any Rogue it would be Heat Wave. He's my favorite; I wish I could've done his. But one that hasn't been done? Who's left? I'll say Tarpit. He's not one of the originals but I like him, he's fun.

PBR: Some the Rogues' looks haven't changed since the 60's and they're kind of tired. Any one you'd like to update?

HP: I'm not too crazy about the original Trickster's costume. I mean, there's the new Trickster but I didn't create him. I actually did a redesign in UNDERWORLD UNLEASHED but I wasn't too happy with that, either.

PBR: What are the challenges of working on FLASH?

HP: Besides making Trickster look cool? Nothing really. I mean, I challenge myself to do better work and be more creative. But other than that, I'm having a ball working on these scripts with these characters.

PBR: Any dream projects that you'd like to work on?

HP: I've done JLA and FANTASTIC FOUR, which are my two favorite titles, and now I'm on FLASH, so I've really gotten a chance to work on all my favorites. If anything, I'd like to get another crack at JLA or FF and do a better job. *laughs* I wouldn't mind doing a SUPERMAN project with Geoff, or BATMAN.

PBR: I notice you seem to get out to a lot of conventions. Anything you like about them in particular?

HP: Getting interviewed. *laughs* I like meeting the fans and hanging out with other professionals that I don't get to see very often. And, of course, buying comics that I need. I don't like the traveling part, though. Once they start building teleporters I'll be a lot happier.

PBR: All right, my last question is about "Rogue War." Is anything EVER going to happen??

HP: Well, there's only been one issue...

PBR: I know, I know but this storyline has been building for the last three years! Does the fighting finally start NEXT issue??

HP: There's a little one. Each issue gets more and more intense. Man, I really want to give it away because it's awesome! What can I tell you? Well, I just finished the first five pages of #223. It's still Rogues fighting Rogues and Wally's getting overwhelmed. He's going to need a little help...

PBR: Well, with that cryptic note, I'll let you go. Thanks again, Howard!

HP: My pleasure.