Rok Comics Creators: Josh Alves

Josh Alves is a Graphic Designer/Cartoonist/Stand-up Comedian residing in the very green and mostly cold state of Maine, who's been adapting his one frame Tastes Like Chicken cartoons into three frame ROK Comics for mobile. His work has appeared on DC Comics Zuda service and in many other places, with plenty more projects in the way...

Questions compiled by David Hailwood

How did you discover Rok Comics?

Toshiro de Smeyter [creator of Scoff, also on ROK Comics] found me on Comicspace, I checked his profile that led me to Scoff and Drink Like A Fish. The latter pointed me to ROK where I thought "My toons available for cell phones? Sweet!" and I registered.

How do you feel about Digital comics over Print based comics?

Each have their pros and cons. As much as I love them both, there's something about holding a collected printed edition in your hands.

What's your greatest achievement in the comics field?

Acceptance into DC's webcomic imprint, Zuda.

What projects (both Rok Comics and non Rok Comics related) are you working on at the moment?

Along with Tastes Like Chicken, I'm currently working on a full-length adventure for my character "Araknid Kid" that will be seen on SugarySerials.com later this summer [Sugary Serials is a comics anthology of all ages, full-color comics created with the sensibilities of the Saturday Morning Cartoon in mind. The anthology updates daily on the web, and each issue’s content is collected in print at month’s end - Ed]. I'm having a BLAST with this story. Also preparing for a submission for an anthology from Viper Comics, Parable 2. There are other collaborations in the works as well.

What advice would you offer to new cartoonists?

Doodle Daily. Experiment with various media. My work is traditionally founded (I love ballpoint pens) but digitally finished (inking/coloring/lettering)

What's your favourite comics related website?

My favorite are art forums where you can see other people's work and get critiques by the users (beneficial for both the artist and those looking at the art). These include Drawingboard.org (which is huge!) and Outcaststudios.com.

Where else has your work appeared?

My first daily comic strip Zeek And Dent appeared in the Bangor Daily News and also showed up in a kid's magazine, Kool Zone, in Malaysia.

Tastes Like Chicken appears on the web on ROK and is published in a local weekly paper.
Thistles is an 18-page story that will be appearing in the first "Parable" anthology that will be published through Viper Comics (the publishers of books such as Kazu Kibuishi's Daisy Kutter:

The Last Train and Josh Howard's Dead @ 17) later this year. [Parable is the brainchild of Mike Cowshell, more information on www.parablecomic.com - Ed]

"Araknid Kid", again, appeared on Zuda and will be appearing as part of Sugary Serials. Once that is "aired" I'm hoping to self-publish the actual comic (maybe there'll be an interested publishers...)

Where/when did you get your first comics break?

The Bangor Daily News.

What comics are you reading at the moment (both web and print based)?

High Moon (Zuda.com), Chris Sanders' Kiskaloo, Cow & Buffalo, Mal & Chad, Nobody Likes Tony Pony.... Spider-Man.....

Whose work do you most admire in the comics field and why?

Hands down, Dan Schoening (check out traditionaldanimatio.deviantart.com and you'll see what I mean), He's been doing work for DC and their online animations. His work has tons of character and a super sleek, unique animated look.