Enter the Batcave The comic artist assures us there’s a good reason he owns so much Batman paraphernalia
I’ve been working in the comic book industry for 16 years now, and much of that time has been spent in my Somerville apartment where I’ve had an ever-rotating and rearranging studio. The space is always evolving to suit my needs and improve upon my artistic workflows.
Since I work from home, I try to maintain a studio that is as utilitarian as it is inviting, adorned in objects that will inspire and fuel me creatively. My shelves are packed with comics, graphic novels and manga, as well as several books that serve more directly as reference tools, such as highlighting my favourite artists, anatomy, drawing, painting and colour theory.
Also prominent are my collectibles: figurines, LEGO sets, sculptures and artwork. Being a life-long fan of the medium, I’m an unabashed nerd, so to a degree this is simply my hobbies colliding with my professional life.
However, these items truly do bring me joy, and help to inspire and inform my work. I’m lucky to count many artists as friends and we’ll often trade or gift our artworks to each other. This accounts for much of my original art collection. I just love looking at these, getting up real close and poring over their every detail.
Okay, yes, I do own an inordinate amount of Batman paraphernalia, but hear me out. I love him! As a kid I’d already begun to discover a love for comics, but when Tim Burton’s 1989 film Batman came out I was hooked. I was entranced by his otherworldly vision of the character and that love was reflected back to my interest in comic books. I dove deeper into the hobby afterwards and have never left since.
In 2020 things came around full circle when Sam Hamm, who was the screenwriter for Burton’s two Batman f
