Todd Nauck Interview
January 2007

Todd Nauck is the penciller for Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Teen Titans Go!, and he draws, as well as writes his creator owned series, Wildguard.  Todd Also contributed to the 52 series, drawing parts of issue 11, and all of issue 13. 

Interview conducted by Christopher Hoerdemann

How did you get involved with 52?
The original editor, Steve Wacker called me up asking if I was available to draw some 52. I knew what 52 was basically about and knew I would want to be a part of that to any degree possible.

You worked on issue 11, and drew all of issue 13. Now, issue 13 was a memorable one to say the least. Was it a fun issue to draw? Did you realize that you were going to be creeping out comic book readers everywhere with the "Wicker Sue Dibny?"
Issue #13 was great! I loved that I got to draw characters I really liked: Hal Jordan, Green Arrow, Metamorpho and especially Ralph Dibny. It was also great to draw one of my favoriteYoung Justice characters, Wonder Girl. But I had no idea my renditions of Wicker Sue Dibny would rank amongst Wizard's Top 25 Creepiest Comic Book Moments. I was honored!

Are you scheduled to draw any more issues of 52? Any backup stories? 
Not at this time. Marvel is keeping me very busy on Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man as we do the “Back in Black” arc. Now I'm helping out with the Wonder Man mini-series drawing issue #4. But if DC needs me on an issue of 52, I'd be happy to help out again if possible! 

   

You drew the Infinite Crisis Tie-in issues of Teen Titans, and now you've done some work on 52. Do you enjoy being a part of these big "event" books?
I sure do! The Teen Titans issues were a lot of fun becuase they featured lots of DC characters: Teen Titans, JSA, Doom Patrol... I love drawing lots of heroes!

Early in your career you worked for Rob Liefeld. He has a bit of a "reputation". How was the whole experience? Enjoyable, dreadful?
I had a good experience. I'm thankful for the break into the business. I got to draw lots of fun comics and make some really good money. Most of us bullpen guys didn't really interact with Rob all that much. But he treated me very well.

You are most famous for your long run on Young Justice. You drew 53 out of the 55 issues in the series. How does that feel to have basically visually defined that series, and that team? Are you proud of your work on Young Justice?
YJ is one of my favorite projects from my 12+years as a comic artist. The book was so much fun. I was already a fan of the characters before DC put them on a team together. I really loved my time on that series. Though I've gotten to move on to draw other incredible projects (like Teen Titans, 52, Spider-Man and my creator-owned book, WildGuard) I still kind of miss YJ. And YJ fans are the best! I still get emails from fans who miss the book as well. It means a lot that people still remember it. I am proud to be known for my work on YJ. 

   

How was it working with Peter David?
Working with Peter was (and continues to be) great! I really have fun interpreting his plots. His stories are fun and I love the characterization. I'm glad to be working with him again on Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and Wonder Man.

How much input did you have when it came to the stories?
I was free to offer up any ideas I had to Peter and the editor, Eddie Berganza. It was my idea to add the Ray to the team. I got to put together the cast of guest stars for YJ#50-51 (the Young Justice League). And I would offer up a story suggestion here and there that tied into YJ continuity. But mostly, I would sit back and marvel at what Peter came up with.

You also recently teamed with David on Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man for issues 11-13. Was that a geek out moment for you, working on Spider-man and all?
Of course! I've been a fan of Spidey since I was 3 years old. The Return of Mysterio storyline was fun because I also got to design 2 new Mysterio costumes. I am very happy Marvel asked me back for the Back in Black storyline. That starts with Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #17 out this Feb 7th. 

   

You also are doing a creator owned project called Wildguard, which you both write and draw. The premise seems to poke fun at the juggernaut that is American Idol. Was this your intention? Do you watch the show?
WildGuard is a “made-for-TV” superteam I patterned after COPS and MTV's the Real World. But as I was preparing for the first mini-series, WildGuard: Casting Call, I decided to do that story as the team's origin with lots of heroes auditioning for the team. So, naturally, American Idol was the template for that. Subsequent WildGuard stories, follow more along the characters that were chosen for the team and their adventures in a COPS/Real World type format. And I do watch American Idol.

Would you want to do some writing on some mainstream characters? If you had your choice, which ones?
I wouldn't mind working on some X-Men, Fantastic Four, or more Teen Titans. I'd like to bring back Young Justice and do things we didn't get a chance to do before it ended!

Do you have any teasers about some upcoming work?
This year is starting off pretty busy for me. My big project at the moment is Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man “Back in Black” (#17-21). My Wonder Man #4 is coming out in April. I also contributed a couple of pages to the Civil War Spider-Ham Crisis. I'm still working on Teen Titans Go for DC and I hope to get a WildGuard double-sized one-shot out this year. And I'm really excited about WildGuard action figures coming soon from Shocker Toys' Indie line! Look for Reed Rover, Freezerburn, Ignacia and Four in Shocker Toy's first wave of Indie characters. I think I need a nap.