Illustrating History: A Journey with Rob Stull
May 25, 2019 | 5 min read
Rob Stull's Perspective on Storytelling
Written by Stephane Manuel | Illustration by Robert Stull
Join us as we delve into visual storytelling with Rob Stull, a seasoned artist with a remarkable journey spanning over two decades. In this blog post, we explore Rob's early aspirations, his pivotal role in the comic book boom of the '90s, and his deep connection with TrueFiktion.
Rob Stull is a comic book artist whose career spans more than 20 years. He has worked with every major publisher in the industry -- including DC Comics, Marvel Entertainment Group, and Warner Brothers. Rob is also the creator and curator of Sequential Art: The Next Step, a traveling exhibit that highlighted the contributions of African Americans to comic book art.
As you reflect on your journey, what pivotal moments or realizations stand out in making it as an artist?
I always had a fascination with the visual medium. All of the walls at my parents’ house were ordained with incredible artwork. I would look on the walls and say to myself, “I want to do that one day.” Drawing always came naturally to me, but it wasn’t until I got older that people started telling me that I was exceptional. I also had really incredible art teachers in high school, and they encouraged me to go into advertising because that’s where the stability and money were. So I started in advertising.
A little while into it, the comic book boom of the early 1990s hit. Since the desire for drawing cartoons and comic books never left me, I started going to conventions to learn the language of the industry. When I thought that I had enough information coupled with what I already do, that's when I started hitting up companies and editors for work. And I’ve loved it ever since.
“I always had a fascination with the visual medium.”
What TrueFiktion memory holds a special place in your heart, and what makes it stand out from the rest?
I really enjoyed creating the Jude’s War cover with Steven [Harris]. The layout is really nice. It illustrates how [African-American World War II veterans] gave their lives and blood for the country and then came home to the same old [mess.]
What drew you to collaborate with TrueFiktion, and how does the experience differ from your work with other publishers or projects?
Tom Feelings, an incredible artist, once told me that when people asked him what he did for a living, he said that he was a storyteller who tries to depict and reflect the lives of the people that gave him life. I carry that with me everywhere I go. Working on [Jude’s War gave me] the same kind of feeling. I thought about whose life [the story] will impact -- whom this will inspire, uplift, and educate.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Rob: Alright, I'm going to take this opportunity to just be real with it and not be all conscious and deep and all of that. If I had a superpower, it would be to fly. I would just want to be able to just take off and experience the world like Iron Man style or something, sprout some wings. I would like to fly.
