Live Chat Here Monday, June 20th With JayJay

[jmatt]

First one, serious design

[vikingspawn]

What was it like to work with Kevin Smith in Chasing Amy?

[JayJayJackson]

Speaking of working in the same room, Jim said that the Marvel 'Bullpen' was largely a myth, but that the real thing went on at Valiant (Knob Row). Were you considered a part of that group, or was it just the more junior creators?

I want to link to some photos but they are on Facebook. I'm not sure how. At the first VALIANT office we worked in a large room, a huge full-floor loft. A bit over half the room was art and coloring. Jim and Don (or Art) was at one end and we were all in the middle. The atmosphere was very casual and I don't think people were afraid to make suggestions. They all chimed in on most subjects if they had something to offer. I worked at a desk next to the colorists but I was all over doing all sorts of things. I guess i had a title like art director, but the job I did was very general. I did everything I was able to. We had people doing specific jobs like inking or coloring, Jim and I and Bob supervised and trained people as best we could. But it was a pretty loose atmosphere.

[JayJayJackson]

Did Plasm goo ever exist as a prototype from the toy manufacturer (Mattel?) or any action figures proposed? Cartoon series planned?

Was "Splatterbattle" an idea for a potential crossover or a planned video game?

There was a very rough prototype if I remember correctly. Nothing much, but the beginning of an idea.

[JayJayJackson]

I am looking at your website now. Did you design the Defiant logo? I've always loved it!

Jim did a sketch for it after many days of trying to come up with something. I took it and refined it. I love it, too!

[Watchtower]

Speaking of, I just found your DeviantArt, Jay Jay:

http://jayjayjackson.deviantart.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The variety on here is truly astounding!

[JayJayJackson]

What was it like to work with Kevin Smith in Chasing Amy?

Dude! Kevin Smith is as awesome as you might imagine. I wish I could have spent more time talking to him, but making a film is no joke. That guy was BUSY. I loved working as an extra on that film. I was with some good friends, I met some folks that are good friends to this day. What a wonderful experience that was. I feel very lucky to have gotten to do that. PS. I got to be an extra on that film because I was dating a guy they wanted to do sound for the movie. He had a better offer to do a doc but I convinced him to do Chasing Amy. To this day it turned out to be his biggest credit. So I did get special treatment and hung out with the crew on set.

[iggy101us]

Hi JJ. Thanks for stopping by. Do you have a personal favorite Valiant issue?

[JayJayJackson]

Did Plasm goo ever exist as a prototype from the toy manufacturer (Mattel?) or any action figures proposed? Cartoon series planned?

Was "Splatterbattle" an idea for a potential crossover or a planned video game?

I am sure I got lots of Defiant/Broadway signed stuff from Jim and JJ... all you need to do is ask...

I'd love to get a Defiant baseball cap....always wanted one of those...

Another question for JayJay, did you ever take part in the Home Shopping Network TV Segments in the 90s promoting the Defiant line? One of the Defiant Genesis (WarDancer/Org) posters look like they were sold through there....

I can remember Jim doing a Home Shopping Network segment, but I think it was for Mario Bros comics. I could be wrong. My memory isn't perfect.

[iggy101us]

JayJay - Do you still have the OA of the art? You should make prints of this. Seriously.

Inside cover of Elfquest Hidden Years #1. Note 2nd to last paragraph mentioning Valiant.



Inside cover of Elfquest Hidden Years #2. Promo art by JayJay Jackson.

[JayJayJackson]

Which website??

http://seriousdesign.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.jayjayjackson.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://jayjayjacksonsblog.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.facebook.com/jayjay.jackson" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://twitter.com/JayJayJacksonDH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://diysilkscreenprinting.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A new website for my books I’m working on (unfinished):
http://seriouspublications.seriousdesign.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I do have a lot of websites. lol. I'm working on all sorts of things these days. I design websites and help people with all sorts of web-based projects. I have a history of working with startups and I'm working on 2 tech startups right now. This one: http://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/17/upstarts ... -fans.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and I'm designing an interface for an app as well. I'm also working on a new product launch. A type of picture hook. This is my web design for them (not launched yet): http://theperfect.server268.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I'm also writing. I self published a couple of things on Amazon, a novella and a horror short but I'm also working on a full length horror novel and some shorter erotica. I really enjoy writing and I've meant to work as a writer since I was 12 years old, but I was better at making money in art.

[JayJayJackson]

Speaking of, I just found your DeviantArt, Jay Jay:

http://jayjayjackson.deviantart.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The variety on here is truly astounding!

I do like to try different styles and techniques. I have a kind of art ADD.

[jmatt]

Look at Iggy! Pulling out the rarities! Never saw those before.

[Ladakh]

Last 20 minutes guys... get those questions in!

[JayJayJackson]

JayJay - Do you still have the OA of the art? You should make prints of this. Seriously.

Inside cover of Elfquest Hidden Years #1. Note 2nd to last paragraph mentioning Valiant.



Inside cover of Elfquest Hidden Years #2. Promo art by JayJay Jackson.

Wow. I don't even know. I don't throw things away but that doesn't mean I can find anything. And now that I've moved several times in the past 10 years everything I have is in severe disarray.

I had been friends with Wendy and Richard since around 1980 when I met them at a con and drove them around for the weekend. Wendy had complimented my art and commented that I had a style she felt would go well with hers. We spoke about me doing some work with her on Elfquest but I had such financial pressure I could never take any breaks from making a living. I've missed so many artistic opportunities that way. That's why I'm trying so hard to work on my writing now. I don't want that to be another thing I missed out of accomplishing.

[Chiclo]

JayJay - are you your own porn?

[vikingspawn]

Did Lorne Michaels ever visit the Broadway offices or develope/request any comic ideas there? Was he a big comic fan?

I remember one of the Marvel Team-Up (#74?) issues spotlighted the whole SNL cast from the JohnBelushi/GildaRadner era years. Lorne sounds like he might have been comic book fan. Wondering how deep of a comic fan.

Were he and Jim friends because of that old Marvel Team up comic?

[iggy101us]

JayJay - are you your own porn?

What?!?!

[Watchtower]

You obviously have a strong relationship with the original Valiant (especially with Jim Shooter), but have you connected at all the with new guys running the boat?

[Ladakh]

Everyone who contributed to tonight's chat with Jay Jay will get a limited edition bookmark signed by Jim and Jay Jay. If you already kicked into the Shooter Project, you're already in for one or more. This is a special bonus for you guys.

[jmatt]

So, you do animation? What kind, if so?

[JayJayJackson]

JayJay - are you your own porn?

Oh yeah! My life is way better than any porn I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot. lol.

[Chiclo]

JayJay - are you your own porn?

What?!?!

It is a reference to a shirt she did.

[JayJayJackson]

JayJay - are you your own porn?

What?!?!

he's referring to a comment I made one time that got turned into a t-shirt design. lol!

[Ladakh]

Erotica is not porn. It's adult reading and she has written some and it's on Amazon.

Or...is it an inside joke?