With the release of B.P.R.D.: The Ghost Ships of Labrador #1 today from Mike Mignola, Rob Williams, Lee Loughridge, Laurence Campbell and published by Dark Horse Comics. We are delighted to be joined by artist Laurence Campbell. Laurence has worked for 2000 AD. His art can be seen in the pages of Punisher Max, Deadpool Pulp, Moon Knight, B.P.R.D. and Old Haunts.
Hi Laurence, it’s so lovely to have you here with us.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Laurence Campbell the artist on BPRD- The Ghost of Labrador. I’ve worked in the Hellboy universe for over 10 years now. Working mainly on BRPD during that time. I’ve also worked on Hellboy and the BPRD and Sword of Hyperborea.
Can you tell us about the origins of B.P.R.D.: The Ghost Ships of Labrador?
Hellboy and the BPRD- The Ghost of Labrador is the most current story I’ve worked on. Rob Williams is the writer, I’ve worked with Rob in the past on a number of comics including Sword of Hyperborea. I know Rob well and really enjoy working with him. I find he’s really great at writing characters, their personalities really come across. He also has a good visual sense when writing scenes.
The script for Ghost Ships of Labrador came to me fully formed and ready to draw. After reading the script through, I start taking notes and drawing thumbnails which is probably the most important and fun stage for me. There, all the storytelling points are resolved. After which its pencils and then inks. I mostly work the traditional way with pen on paper with a little bit of photoshop.
What is it like returning to the world of Hellboy?
Coming back to draw in the Hellboy universe is always a pleasure, in a way it feels like family. I love how everyone who works in the Hellboy universe really cares about it. There’s a thoughtfulness everyone brings to it. There’s also a real history of talent in creators who have worked in the Hellboy universe so everyone brings their A game.
What has it been like working with Mike Mignola and Rob Williams again?
Working with Mike Mignola is always a pleasure, so coming back to working on Hellboy was a real joy.
The whole Hellboy universe is so well respected and considered.
I sent all inked pages to Mike Mignola to look over, this was daunting when I first started as I’m a huge fan of his art. I get the occasional note which I enjoy (almost all of these were sketches of monsters) but most of the time the artwork is good to go. Mike has been very good to me over the years.
I’ve known Rob Williams for years, we’ve worked on comics together for Marvel and 2000ad as well as Dark Horse. This is the second time we’ve worked together on a Hellboy universe book and the first time Rob has written Hellboy. I know before Rob started working the Hellboy universe he was a huge BPRD fan.
Do you have a favourite B.P.R.D. agent that you enjoy illustrating?
I always enjoy drawing Hellboy, he can be tricky to get right but I do enjoy it. With Ghost of Labrador I got the opportunity to draw old school Abe Sapien which was really fun. Drawing them both together was a real highlight. We also introduce a new BPRD agent in the story and that was enjoyable creating her look.
What can you tell us about B.P.R.D.: The Ghost Ships of Labrador?
Hellboy and The BPRD Ghost Ships of Labrador is a great stand alone two part comic which like a lot of Hellboy books fits really well into the Halloween season.
It’s a creepy, yet funny like a lot of good horror. There’s some great characters in there and some twists and turns.
As an artist I got to draw mist for this story which was fun to experiment with. I really focused on making the creepy part of the story come across.
Any message for the ComicBuzz readers?
Lee Loughridge is on colours, I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with Lee on a number of books now and he really brings the tone of the book here. Clem Robin is on letters, Clem’s the best and has lettered all the Hellboy Universe comics I’ve drawn.
We would like to say a big thank you to Laurence for chatting with us, and we wish him the best of luck for the release of B.P.R.D.: The Ghost Ships of Labrador.
