Broken Frontier

He may not be as well know as his brother, but Rick Basaldua is definitely on a different runway than any other. He’s not like the rest of his peers, Rick’s career choices make him the first model turned inker in this industry.
Rick’s more than just a pretty face. He has acquired credits inking on books such as Magdalena, The Darkness and Tomb Raider Journeys. Rick’s certainly come into the comics industry differently than most. He may have lucked out with his connections, something he’s not shy to admit, but he also knows it takes more than just knowing someone to get the job done. He has always had the heart to devote his talents to work on becoming an inker and the drive to continue to push himself forward and become one of the best in the industry.

Read the interview Rick was gracious enough to give us. Find out what comic book interns really do, what it’s like for Rick to work so closely with his brother, and who kicks the most ass at Top Cow playing Halo.

BROKEN FRONTIER: Tell us a bit more about yourself.
RICK BASALDUA: I’m from East LA but grew up in San Gabriel. I’m 22 years old, easy going, I like being with my friends, and just like to enjoy life to the fullest.

BF: I know you were a model before becoming an inker, what can you tell us about your experience modeling?
RB: I loved the experience! It was fun to do because I got the chance to meet a lot of nice people and the girls were hot! It also helped a lot with my self esteem. I could say it helped my get over my shyness.

BF: Do you still want to model?
RB: Yeah, later on I still want to model. Right now I would like to concentrate and focus more on my inking.

BF: Have you always been into comics?
RB: Yes since I was 6.

BF: Did you always want to do comics or is this something you fell into? Was becoming an inker your first choice?
RB: I have always wanted to do comics. My first choice was to become a penciler. My brother progressed a lot faster than I did. I looked at him and thought I would never become a penciler. Instead I picked up a nib and started inking. Now I have to say that my calling was to be an inker not a penciler. 

BF: How did you get your start at Top Cow?
RB: My brother. It’s always good to know someone on the inside.

BF: You interned under Jason Gorder, what tricks of the trade did you learn from him?
RB: Yes I interned under him, and no he didn’t teach me that much. He taught me how to do straight lines and fill in blacks. The majority of what I learned I learned from my brother, Marc, and Batt.

BF: Can you explain to us what exactly it means to be an intern in this industry? Do you get paid?
RB: Basically an intern works under one of the professionals for 3 months as their lap dog. It’s worth it for the knowledge you learn and the people you meet.

BF: What process does an inking intern go through before working on actual pages?
RB: An intern starts on little things just so the professional can get a feel of where the inker stands on talent and how much more they need to learn. An intern can start by spotting blacks and gradually moves on to backgrounds then eventually full pages. But it’s up to the professional to let editorial know if the intern is ready or not to work on actual pages.

BF: In your opinion what is the most difficult thing about being an inker?
RB: Trying to keep the lines straight. Just joking. I would have to say backgrounds. No wait, having to adapt to multiple pencilers. Also staying on a consistent and quick pace.

BF: What’s the starting pay for an inker?
RB: Depends on how good an inker is. Rates vary by company also.

BF: Describe for us what working on your first actual pages was like? How stressful was it?
RB: It was a good and bad experience. Let’s put this way, I was in the middle of something when I got the call … wink, wink. Overall it was overwhelming.

BF: What is it like working so closely with your brother?
RB: It’s great working with him! I enjoy the fact that we can do something together  in an industry that we love so much.

BF: The majority of the artists at the studio work at night way into the morning, do you also follow the same schedule?
RB: I like to work from mid day to the next day for 2 reasons.  1 - I can still go to the bank on pay day. And 2 - I can still have some what of a life. The bright side of working at night is there’s no traffic.

BF: If you were given the opportunity to work with anyone in the industry, who would you chose to work with and why?
RB: Marc Silvestri because he is the greatest artist alive today.

BF: Can you imagine yourself working for any other company besides Top Cow?
RB: I like LA and the people that I work with are the best! The answer’s no. Top Cow Rules!

BF: Having been a model, do you think artists draw characters in fashion that is trendy?
RB: Yes I do. Just look at comics today and comics from the past.

BF: You’ve done modeling and work in comics, do you have any other career goals you want to accomplish?
RB: I still want to pursue acting. I’ve even taken a few classes.

BF: What music are you listening to now?
RB: I’m listening to everything. From classical to hip hop. I do mean all. I just recently got into rock and punk.

BF: What do you do on your weekends?
RB: I spend it with my family. If not with them then my girlfriend Maria. You can also find me at the mall with my friends or the gym.

BF: I know you love DBZ and your favorite character is Vegta, when did you first get into the series?
RB: 10 Years ago before it was hot in the US I saw an episode. I didn’t know the name of the show and was searching everywhere for it. It wasn’t until I saw it on TV that I finally found out it was DBZ. Now I get all the DVDs.

BF: What other anime do you like?
RB: Hamtaro, Zoids, and a few others.

BF: You guys have an X-Box set up at the studio. Who kicks the most ass in Halo?
RB: The most butt kicking would be done by my brother, then me.

BF: What advice would you have for anyone trying to break into comics?
RB: Never give up! If you want it bad enough you will get there.

BF: What are you 5 Dos and Don’ts in life?
RB: Don’t do drugs!
Don’t believe in rumors.
Don’t waste your life by sitting on your but.
Don’t worry!
Don’t care what other people think about you or your body because your body is the greatest instrument you will ever own. I can’t stress enough about this one.

Do always brush your teeth.
Do try to do one thing a day that you would usually be scared to do.
Do make a friend with any chance you get.
Do live fearless but smart at the same time.
Do always remember to do good, do right, and be great!

Also thank the Lord everyday for what you’ve got and for where you are because without him you would not be here. 

Rick may just very well be the prettiest creator in this industry, he has the work experience on his resume to prove it. Rick has shaped up to be one of the most hardworking and promising young talents. Not only can he ink a page beautiful, he can also fix a car.

It’s safe to say that Rick has earned notice for his work as Top Cow’s model inker.   

- Eli Flores