Wolverhampton-born illustrator celebrates his latest comic releases having worked with Oscar-winning writer
From the moment Mike Perkins began reading comic books at an early age, he knew he wanted to go on and tell the stories himself.
The Shrewsbury-based illustrator, who was born in Wolverhampton, has captivated readers worldwide with his stunning artwork and imaginative storytelling, and recently released a number of comic books.
The Batman: First Knight came out in November last year and is available in hardback, in book shops including Waterstones and others including HMV.
Mike also worked with well-known writer Garth Ennis to create 'Freddie The Fix' which was released in December and is already highly-rated, and has worked with Oscar-winning writer John Ridley to release Justice League: The Atom Project, with the second issue set to come out next week after the first released last month.
Mike will be jetting off to Belfast soon for a book signing with fans. His rise to fame has earned him followers from around the world and seen him work with some of the best writers and biggest companies.
"I always love it when there is a new comic out, especially when they are in a beautiful hardback collection," said Mike. "That’s wonderful.
"Most of comics now get collected into more substantive version at some point, but they originally come out as single issues, so it is always nice when a collection comes out."
His desire to become a comic illustrator began at an early age - he was reading comic books at just two years old.
He said: "I was always reading comics, from a very early age I was always picking up comics. It just stemmed from that and I always wanted to do it from when I started reading.
"I think that is where the love of it comes from. A lot of stuff at that time was the Marvel reprint but then 2000 AD came out in 1977 and that was amazing, it blew my brain, especially because it was all done by an English publisher and it emphasised the possibilities.
"Even though I was only seven years old it emphasised in my brain that this is something I could do.
"I am not saying you have to pinch yourself every day, but it is kind of like that.
"It is one of those things that you appreciate doing, you love what you are doing. It always pushes you onwards."
Although he receives a script from the writer, it's then down to Mike to tell the story and give it visual form.
"You are sent a script and you kind of know the story but then it is down to the artist to be the storyteller if you like," he added. "I will have the story in my head of how it should be."
The illustrator said he typically spends a day on each page and completes a comic in each working month.
His attention to detail and skill is to be admired, and even in this modern age, Mike is still a traditionalist and opts to create his comics with ink and a brush by hand.
"I still prefer to work by brush and with ink. I think it is better for me, I tried to do it digitally and it didn’t work. There is something tactile with it.
"Once you get to the end of an issue it’s like ‘okay, now onto the next one’. It is quite relentless in a way."
Mike is continuing his work with the Justice League series and said he has three comics to complete.
Mike also revealed that there is talk about a sequel to The Batman: First Knight comic which may lead to another exciting project.
Local fans may also get a chance to meet Mike in the flesh this summer, as he is set to make an appearance at an event in Shrewsbury.
Learn more about his work at https://www.mikeperkinsart.com.
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