Freddie Williams II
Encyclopedia
Freddie E. Williams II is an American
comic book writer and artist. Best known for his work on DC Comics'
Robin
, and for working almost entirely in Digital
format.
and now lives in Lees Summit, Missouri. As a child, he resided in an economically challenged single parent home and often dreamed of flying away like Superman. His sister supported his love of comics and his dream of becoming a comic book artist. Williams has said that he was inspired to become a comic book artist at the age of 15 after seeing Jim Lee
's artwork in Uncanny X-Men
#272.
talent search. As a result he was hired to do an issue of Seven Soldiers
featuring Mister Miracle
, and some fill in issues for Aquaman
.
In 2006 Williams signed an exclusive contract with DC comics. He became the regular artist on Robin
from issue 149 in 2006. In early 2008 he started illustrating the Flash
comic.
Williams appears frequently on comic book-related podcasts including Comic Geek Speak
, Half Hour Wasted, Raging Bullets and Fanboy Radio
. He has also posted online tutorials about using digital artwork in comics. The tutorials are also available on his YouTube
page.
Williams is the author of a book about digital artwork, The DC Comics Guide to Digitally Drawing Comics.
format with only special commissions and a few pages being done with pen and ink.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comic book writer and artist. Best known for his work on DC Comics'
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
, and for working almost entirely in Digital
Digital art
Digital art is a general term for a range of artistic works and practices that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process...
format.
Early life
Williams was born in Kansas City, KansasKansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The city is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified...
and now lives in Lees Summit, Missouri. As a child, he resided in an economically challenged single parent home and often dreamed of flying away like Superman. His sister supported his love of comics and his dream of becoming a comic book artist. Williams has said that he was inspired to become a comic book artist at the age of 15 after seeing Jim Lee
Jim Lee
Jim Lee is a Korean-American comic book artist, writer, editor and publisher. He first broke into the industry in 1987 as an artist for Marvel Comics, illustrating titles such as Alpha Flight and Punisher War Journal, before gaining a great deal of popularity on The Uncanny X-Men...
's artwork in Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men
Uncanny X-Men, first published as The X-Men, is the flagship Marvel Comics comic book series for the X-Men franchise. It is the mainstream continuity featuring the adventures of the eponymous group of mutant superheroes...
#272.
Career
While attending the 2005 San Diego Comic-Con, Williams submitted a portfolio to the DCDC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
talent search. As a result he was hired to do an issue of Seven Soldiers
Seven Soldiers
Seven Soldiers is a comic book metaseries written by Grant Morrison and published by DC Comics. It was published as seven interrelated mini-series and two bookend issues. The series features a new version of the Seven Soldiers of Victory fighting to save Earth from the Sheeda.-Publication...
featuring Mister Miracle
Mister Miracle
Mister Miracle is a fictional superhero published by DC Comics. He first appeared in Mister Miracle #1 and was created by Jack Kirby.-Publication history:...
, and some fill in issues for Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
.
In 2006 Williams signed an exclusive contract with DC comics. He became the regular artist on Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
from issue 149 in 2006. In early 2008 he started illustrating the Flash
Flash (comics)
The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....
comic.
Williams appears frequently on comic book-related podcasts including Comic Geek Speak
Comic Geek Speak
Comic Geek Speak is a comics audio podcast that focuses on current mainstream and small-press comic books, featuring creator interviews, reviews, commentary on the comic book craft and industry, comic-related movie discussions and more...
, Half Hour Wasted, Raging Bullets and Fanboy Radio
Fanboy Radio
Fanboy Radio is a comic book related radio show and podcast. Hosted by Scott Hinze and Oliver Tull, Fanboy Radio has been broadcasting live comic book creator interviews, commentary with an attempt at humor and live listener callers....
. He has also posted online tutorials about using digital artwork in comics. The tutorials are also available on his YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
page.
Williams is the author of a book about digital artwork, The DC Comics Guide to Digitally Drawing Comics.
Technique and materials
Williams trained in traditional art methods but now works almost exclusively in DigitalDigital art
Digital art is a general term for a range of artistic works and practices that use digital technology as an essential part of the creative and/or presentation process...
format with only special commissions and a few pages being done with pen and ink.
Interviews
- Short video of Williams using digital art on a Robin page
- Interview with Williams on the Comic Geek Speak podcast
- Earlier interview with Williams on the Comic Geek Speak podcast
- Interview with Williams on the Comic Geek Speak podcast
- Interview with Williams on the Comic Geek Speak podcast
- Interview with Williams on the Comic Geek Speak podcast
- Interview with Williams on the Half Hour Wasted podcast
- Interview with Williams on the Raging Bullets podcast
- Williams on Fanboy radio
- Interview with Williams on the Comic Geek Speak podcast July 2008
- Interview with Williams on the Raging Bullets podcast all about his book The DC guide to Digitally Drawing Comics August 2009