DF Interview: Emma Kubert talks about female voices in the comics industry, her family’s heritage, The Kubert School, and Inkblot

By Byron Brewer

During March – Women’s History Month – I had an opportunity to talk with an up-and-coming young artist who, despite her years, is the legacy of a big chunk of the comics industry’s history: Emma Kubert.

Emma talked candidly with me about her love of art, her difficulties in deciding where that talent would take her, the changing scene of female voices in the industry, and her creation Inkblot’s coming adventures.

Dynamic Forces: Emma, let’s discuss your industry heritage. Anywhere in comics you are, say “Kubert” and ears will perk up. Like “Kirby” or “Adams”. Talk about your family of comic book royalty and what influence that may – or may NOT – have been on your entering the comic book industry.

Emma Kubert: I think the biggest influence from my family isn’t the fact that they draw or create comics. They could be doing any profession, and I’d be influenced because they love what they do and that’s what makes them successful.

I love drawing for the same reason my grandpa loves it. It’s a wonderful feeling to escape into fantastic worlds on a whim, simply by putting pencil to paper. I didn’t think about entering the comics industry until I was 19 or 20 years old, but I had a love of drawing ever since I could hold a pencil and a love of stories ever since I could read.

DF: While “Kubert” is synonymous with comic book royalty, it also flashes into the minds of the adventurous and daring: those who begin their careers at The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art Inc. aka The Kubert School. Aside from the name association, was this learning facility (almost as famous as Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters) a part of your life?

Emma Kubert: The Kubert School was and still is a big part of my life. I practically grew up there! My mom and aunt ran the Kubert Art Store while my dad and uncle taught upstairs and helped my grandpa and grandma. The school is a place that created families and friendships within the comic community. It was a family-run business that simply shared their love of art and comics with the world and wanted to inspire others to pursue their passions as well. How could one not admire that?

It was probably one of the most wonderful parts of growing up. When I got older and began to grow as an artist, I’d take life drawing and Saturday classes at the school to improve (though at the time, I still didn’t know what kind of art I wanted to pursue). I also enjoyed visiting my grandpa and talking to him about anything and everything, which was always a highlight after I attended class on Saturdays.

It’s a connection that I carry with me to this very day, currently working as a teacher for online classes at the Kubert School.

DF: Tell readers about your interest and start in art – was there ever a time you were NOT holding a drawing tool? – and in comic book art.

Emma Kubert: I was definitely one of those kids that was constantly doodling, creating, and defacing every notebook I had with silly drawings, but I think my biggest weakness was indecisiveness. I loved all things art, not just drawing. Growing up, I loved dancing, music, acting, drawing, writing etc. I loved anything that used even an ounce of creativity, so for me, it was really difficult to narrow down and pinpoint the one thing I wanted to do. I realized later that what I loved most was simply telling stories. And since my biggest strength was always drawing, comics became the thing I wanted to create. I was able to use all of my loves from all of those different arts in one medium.

At first, I became fascinated with animation, and in its own right it’s probably the closest art form to comics. After high school, I went to Savannah College of Art and Design for Animation and Storyboarding, but when I realized I wanted to create the stories, I needed to focus on my drawing skills and I went back home to the Kubert School. There is where I realized that comics were more for me and the kind of stories I wanted to tell.

DF: As close to the industry as you have been all your life, once you had determined it would be a part of your future was there ever any doubt about entering? Many have pointed to a one-time severe lack of female voices in our business. Has that changed? Or at least changing?

Emma Kubert: Once I decided to be in the comic industry, that was it. The doubt came before my decision. I grew up, watching students, teachers, and family friends become comic artists, and it’s a very difficult career path to become successful. It takes a lot of handwork and perseverance for many years just to break into the industry, and I’ve known that ever since I was little. I knew that if I wanted to be a comic artist, there wasn’t any turning back, so that’s probably why it took me a little longer to come to terms with it.

And honestly, part of the reason why the industry didn’t entice me was because of the lack of female voices, not just in the creators, but the characters too. When most people get attached to a certain story, it’s most likely because the characters are relatable in some way, and I just never found a character in comics that I felt like I related to. But the industry progressed and I got to see Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti’s Harley Quinn for the first time, which is actually what started my interest in comics (at like 19 or 20 years old).

The lack of female voices in this industry is definitely changing, but obviously there is still room to grow. I think diversity is important within creators because every individual has a unique perspective and can provide a unique story, and that’s all anyone wants….more stories and more characters! By expanding the creator points of view, we expand our industry and create a place where everyone can enjoy whatever they are into.

DF: Relate to readers the very interesting gestation of Inkblot, one of my favorite creations of yours … which ironically circles back to The Kubert School (kind of).

Emma Kubert: Inkblot derived of many things. I first came up with the idea after drawing a cool witch character with a black cat, similar to Sabrina and Salem. Then we had school assignments where our teachers encouraged us to come up with our own story ideas. I wasn’t too keen on creating my own stories at the time, but it was more lack of confidence than anything else. I thought I was going to go into the comics industry as an artist, not a writer/creator/artist/whatever else I am because I was intimidated. I loved creating stories, but it’s something that makes one feel so vulnerable because you are putting something so personal into the world for everyone to judge.

But since it was a school assignment and I was very adamant about never being late (which I still am), I was forced to create Willowbrook, which was basically the start of Inkblot.

Rusty [Gladd] and I became friends and developed a romantic relationship while we were at school together. We were in the same class, and if it wasn’t for him, we probably wouldn’t have Inkblot today. Having a classroom full of friends and acquaintances who were all eager to share their own stories gave me the confidence to develop Willowbrook, and having Rusty by my side allowed me to open up more about my insecurities and really work to make them my strengths.

It was only natural to professionally pair up with Rusty beyond school and begin our careers together. After we did a successful Willowbrook kickstarter, we were able to reevaluate all of our ideas, utilize each of our strengths, and create/pitch the epic fantasy we all know today as Inkblot to Image Comics, which thankfully liked our idea and wanted to publish it.

DF: Thus far in your young career, what has been your favorite project? In comics and, if applicable, outside comic books? I know you have drawn everyone these days from Batgirl to Dark Phoenix!

Emma Kubert: I definitely can’t say I have a favorite. I love Inkblot, of course. It’s such a special story, and I think it’s incredibly unique in comparison to the process and storytelling in other comics. But I loved the other projects I worked on too, like DC Comics’ layouts for the Raven graphic novel and my work on Teen Titans Go and DC Superhero Girls. I also did promotional posters for 20th Century Fox’s Dark Phoenix movie which was an exciting opportunity.

I think, most of all, I’m simply excited to draw and create every day, no matter what the project is.

DF: Emma, what is the 3-GEN Kubert working on these days? Can you tell fans of some of your projects, current or near-future?

Emma Kubert: I am currently working on the second arc of Inkblot, which will be coming out alongside the FIRST TRADE (woohoo!) in April, starting with Issue #7! I’m really excited for everyone to experience Inkblot further because there are many more cute kitty quests to come!

Dynamic Forces would like to thank Emma Kubert for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer our questions. Inkblot #7 from Image Comics is slated to be released April 7^th!

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