Interview: Dean Rankine

 

One of the friendliest cartoonists I've met in Melbourne scene, I've been pleased to see Dean Rankine prosper in recent years. Five years ago we both tabled at a sparsely attended comics fair in Melbourne with more tumbleweeds than public in attendance. The last year has seen Dean a regular guest at Australian conventions where he keeps his head down and his pen constantly moving to keep up with commission requests. Dean's profile has expanded substantially with regular gigs on the Bongo Comics' Simpson's titles and prolific contributions for various local and international publishers. Next week Dean attends his first of two conventions outside Australia with appearances at Armageddon in Hamilton and Auckland, I asked him a few questions via email late April.

Read Dean's Armageddon profile here.

When did you start creating comics?

I've basically drawn my whole life. I remember making my own comics as a kid. I don't recall actually finishing many of the stories. But I started a lot!

In recent years you've worked for various international publishers, at what phase of your career did you commence professional work? Do you still hold a day job outside of comics?

After high school I did an Art and Design course at TAFE in 1989/90. And I've basically freelanced since then. I've done okay but never made enough that I'd feel comfortable about quitting my 'day job'. So, for a number of years to support my comic creating addiction I've been a Community Development Worker. I've worked with homeless people, been a Drug and Alcohol counselor and for the past 12 years I've worked on a Needle/Syringe Outreach Program. Which basically means I drive around at night and hand out clean injecting equipment to injecting drug users. It's a job I really enjoy and can imagine continuing doing for sometime to come.

 

What has been a favorite piece of work from recent years?

That's a hard question. I really love doing work for Simpsons comics. And the more pages I do I feel I'm getting a better handle on the characters. Also earlier in the year I completed issue #1 of 'Itty Bitty Bunnies in Rainbow Pixie Candy'. Which was an absolute blast to do. And BTW appears to now have a publisher. So I'll keep you posted about how that pans out. 

Are you involved in any forms of cartooning communities? is this important to you?

It's rare that I get to any of the local comic meet-ups. But I enjoy it when I do. So my main interaction with comic peeps is over the interweb. And I cannot begin to tell you how important that is to me. The friendships I've made and the support I've received online over the years has been amazing. And to be honest I don't know how I'd cope without it.

 

Do you have any highlights from recent conventions you'd like to share?

Going out for tea together at the last Melbourne con was pretty good! 

But the last couple of cons have been fantastic! Being a guest has been cool. Because you score a free lunch and get to go to the 'green room' and having awkward conversations with famous people.

But my absolute favourite part is sketching for the punters who come up to my table and getting to see other comic creators in the flesh.

Have you been to New Zealand before?

No. I haven't. And I am super-stoked that Armageddon is giving me the chance to come over. I think the shows are going to be an absolute hoot! And I'm looking forward to just having some time to check the place out.

Dean Rankine online.