6 Questions for Roman Morales III

SIlverwolf & Greater Mercury Add comments

Dec 152013

A while back I had a commission piece done by Roman (which was posted here on Moby’s) and I have been meaning to interview him about his time working for Greater Mercury Comics, but never got around to it until recently.

Roman Morales III was published in Assassin Force #2 and in the Grips Special #1 by GMC, as well as the portfolio artwork for the for the character Edge. He has also worked on several other titles over the years for various publishers, including titles like The Lynch Mob, The 10th Muse, and even an issue of the X-men.

He was a police officer for about a decade and a half, and is currently a starring member on Mun2′s spanish-language bounty hunter reality show Fugitivos De La Ley Los Angeles (Fugitives Of the Law).

Moby’s – How did you come to work for Silverwolf/Greater Mercury?

Roman – I met Chris Silver at my first comic con in I believe 1989-90, I showed my portfolio to over 30 companies and got shot down big time, Chris took a look at my work and said he had some work I could do for him if interested, I jumped at it.

What did you think of the characters, and the company?

I liked Assassin Force, Grips and that Fat Ninja, didn’t think I’d be doing anything with them at first, had my feet wet with I Come in Peace. Boy, that seems like forever.

Any thoughts on the black and white boom and bust of the late ’80s/early 90s and how Silverwolf/GMC fit into it?

Well, my thoughts would be I liked it due to that is where I started. Ashcan’s here and there, everywhere an ashcan. I hoped to do color work soon, but was happy just being in the industry, even with at the time a small independent.

From your perspective, how did it all end?

Well, Hmm (taking a deep breath) I didn’t’ get paid for any work I was told I’d get paid for, I didn’t have any of my artwork returned, but honestly it was a foot in the door. Good and not to bad I guess, I have no ill towards anyone I was duped over by, I just am a blessed man in and where I am today.

Any good tales, tidbits, or trivia you can add about your time working for GMC?

Well, I did meet a funny but cool little man named Pete Ayala (he was doing Grips for Greater Mercury at the time I started). He went on to something else where I don’t know. Rob Leifield had left before I got there and so did Ron Lim. Tim Vigil was I believe still doing work for Him (Chris) but I didn’t meet him until later on when I started working with Chaos Comics.

Roman Morales, middle, with the cast of Fugitivos De La Ley Los Angeles

You’ve been in the Corps, a policeman, a published comic book artist, and now star in a TV show, Fugitivos De La Ley Los Angeles. That sounds like a great life. What is your secret?

That’s easy, undeserved Mercy and lots of Grace from God. I don’t have regrets. Have been lots of places in a short period of time, lots of responsibilities and learned a lot about myself. I like where I’m at and where I’m going, Forward! Oh and I have a cool wife who has been there for me throughout it all, way cool.

And the future?

Well to continue with Greg Harms and Keith Braun on projects for Third Empire Studios, continuing on The Lynch Mob, getting books out like the MidKnights, Control Syndicate, Modus Operandi and even some children’s books. I’ve done some work for Blue Water Productions, 4 issues of The 10th Muse (didn’t get paid), 4 issues of DeadZone for Keith Braun under Plan B Comics, cover work for CCP Comics and finishing up some books for EGA Comics (producer Lou Pizarro of Fugitivos De La Ley), to be announced.

I want to draw, tattoo, live life and enjoy my family, share my work with people and do what Honors God, other than that the rest will be icing on the cake.

I strongly recommend a trip over to Third Empire Studios and checking out the preview pages posted for the projects mentioned above, particularly MidKnights (links HERE and HERE).