When people flip through the pages of a comic book, they often take for granted the artists who draw the issue and pick the colors. One such artist behind those vibrant comic pages is Taylor Wells, a University studio art senior and color assistant on the Image Comics series “CHEW.”
Wells started by reading manga — Japanese comics — and moved into American comics with Jhonen Vasquez’s “Johnny the Homicidal Maniac.” After sending a fan email to “CHEW” artist Rob Guillory, she later met him at a comic convention in New Orleans.
“About a month after the convention, I got an email out of the blue from him saying that he needed a new assistant. He remembered me; he still had my email, and did I want the job,” Wells said. “I did a test page and sent it back to him. I got an email saying ‘You’re hired’ and I’ve been doing it ever sense.”
Wells started work on the series with “CHEW” #27, which intentionally was released in the space of “CHEW” #19. Since then, she’s been Guillory’s color assistant.
“Taylor has been an invaluable part of the production of ‘CHEW,’” Guillory said in an email. “She’s a pleasure to work with.”
Wells’ job involves helping Guillory determine color choices used in panels that decorate the pages of each issue.
Colorists take the black and white pages of the comic book and add color to each page. Color has a big impact on each issue, graphic novel or Sunday comic strip. It can bring forth the greatness of the art and set the tone of the work.
“Colors can make or break a comic,” Wells said. “You can have the most beautiful line art, the most gorgeous story, but if the colors are highly saturated and don’t work well together, then it’s going to be an eyesore.”
Ever since she started working on “CHEW,” Wells’ friends have encouraged her.
“I think Taylor working on “CHEW” is probably the coolest thing ever,” said Doris Belleau, one of Wells’ friends. “It’s refreshing to see a comic without the same, tired superhero and the same, tired plot.”
As for her future, Wells isn’t sure what it may hold, but things look promising.
“Right now, my future’s completely open. I hope to do pencils and inks eventually, but there are some people interested in my colors,” Wells said. “So I could start out doing colors after graduation, and I want to stick with ‘CHEW’ until the end.”
Guillory also has hopes for Wells’ future.
“Taylor’s one of a rising number of talented young Louisiana-born artists that are breaking into the comics industry,” Guillory said. “I’m glad I’ve been able to help her start her career.”
“Taylor is one of a rising number of talented young Louisiana-born artists that are breaking into the comics industry.”
