Standish913.com has been blessed to do an interview with...
"Jeff Brennan"!
Jeff Brennan is the creator of the independent comic book character "Cyber girl L.E.E.T.A." She has appeared in the pages of Heavy Metal Magazine, on the hit show "Big Bang Theory", and her own best selling comic book. He began his career as a background inker on Superman and Deathstroke for DC comics. he then moved into the animation field with such shows as "Courage the Cowardly Dog", "Jumanji", "Extreme Ghostbusters", and "Dragon Tales".
Let's get into some exclusive questions...
STANDISH: You were the designer for "Courage The Cowardly Dog", tell us how you landed that & what was your favorite character?
JEFF: I was hired to work on "The Chicken From Outer Space" because my roommates girlfriend was working on the project, and she knew I was looking for work at the time. 3 years later when it was picked up by cartoon network as a series, I was called back to work on it.
STANDISH: What's it feel like to be a part of "The Simpsons" legacy?
JEFF: Well, I'm honored. I've always been a big Simpsons fan. I used to draw Simpsons versions of my co-workers at some of the various animation studios where I worked. I got some samples together and showed them to Matt Groening at the San Diego comic con. It led to a brief pencilling assignment for Bart Simpson comics.
STANDISH: You did storyboard work for "Dragon Tales", how'd you land that and what was that opportunity like?
JEFF: That was the last show I did before moving back to NY. I was working with a friend of mine that had been promoted to director. He was a great guy and easy to work with.
STANDISH: You worked with "Extreme Ghostbusters" TV series in 1997, can you tell us more please?
JEFF: Extreme Ghostbusters was done while we had down time between season 1 and 2 of Jumanji. We were given the option of developing the new series or taking time off. I chose to work on the series since I was a big fan of the movie. I ended up only doing a lot of character design and storyboards for one episode and then they brought me back to Jumanji.
STANDISH: How does it feel to be such an inspiration in the cartoon community?
JEFF: I am really surprised when people say that to me at shows. It isn't always easy to keep working in the entertainment industry. But, I always tell people if you are willing to put in the hard work, it can pay off.
STANDISH: Tell us a little about your overall mission, Jeff -
JEFF: I've always wanted to work in the creative field. I was actually hoping to have a bigger comic book career than I did, but luckily I've been able to work on a few beloved shows that people remember.
STANDISH: You helped with the legendary "Jumanji" TV series, can you tell us more please?
JEFF: That was probably my favorite project to work on. I had just moved to California with a bunch of friends. It was really a family-like atmosphere. The way I was hired was a pretty funny story too. I got my friend his first animation job. Years later, he ended up becoming a director on Jumanji. I asked if they had any jobs, he said they were not hiring but he really wanted to help. So he brought me into the office and told me to sit at a desk and just practice drawing from the model sheets and that eventually someone from HR would have me fill out my employment paperwork. And that's exactly what happened! I ended up working at that studio for 3 years.
STANDISH: You did background art for "The Big Bang Theory" TV series, what was that like & how did you land that?
JEFF: That's another funny story. My mom was a big fan of the show. She had sent samples of my art to the set designer and suggested that they hire me to do posters for the comic book store set. They called her up and got my information, and drew up a contract. I ended up doing it from season 8-12. The great thing about that was many of the posters featured my character from my comic book "Cyber Girl L.E.E.T.A." Which helped sales quite a bit. The trade paperback with the first 6 issues is now available on amazon. I also ended up getting work on the show "Mom" on cbs because it was the same set designer.
STANDISH: Out of all the work you've done, which one was the hardest to work & why? Your favorite work & why?
JEFF: The simpsons comic book I did was pretty tough, because they are very well known characters that have to look exactly right. There is very little margin for error. My favorite work would probably be my comic "Cyber Girl L.E.E.T.A." Because I am the writer, artist and publisher so I don't really have anyone looking over my shoulder. I get to write what I want, and when I want. The only downside to that is I don't get issues out as regularly as I'd like.
STANDISH: How old were you when you first realized you wanted to do what you do today?
JEFF: I was probably around 8 years old when my mom bought me a treasury edition comic featuring Spider-man. I was hooked from that moment. I later realized that they paid people to do the art for these comics. I then knew what I was going to do with my life
STANDISH: Where do you find your motivation to be great?
JEFF: My family is a big motivation. My wife Lily, my daughter Keira and my Mom have always been there for me. I do my best not to let them down.
STANDISH: What can we look forward to in the future from you?
JEFF: I'm about 3 issues away from putting out a second trade paperback of Cyber Girl L.E.E.T.A. Plus I am enjoying meeting fans at the conventions. I recently had a chance to connect with a few of the cast members of Beverly Hills 90210. I was actually on an episode in season 8 (pretty much an extra), but they have been so nice to me even though I was only on the set for about a week.
STANDISH: Anything you'd like to include?
JEFF: I would like to thank a few awesome people that I have had the honor of interacting with Betty White, Mark Hamill, Ian Zeiring, Tori Spelling, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Illan Mitchell Smith, and Scotty Young. Thanks for taking the time to hang out with me, and in some cases have lunch with me. I am really blessed to have met you all!
STANDISH: What are your social links?
https://www.instagram.com/jeffwildstar/
https://www.facebook.com/jeffwildstar
twitter: @cybergirleeta
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Thanks so much for your time!
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