Dean Motter is the legendary designer, illustrator, and writer most known for his masterpiece ‘Mister X Archives’ that launched the careers of other famous creators like Jaime Hernandez and Dave McKean.  The collection, a fusion of Art Deco, German Expressionism and Film Noir, recently won Print magazine’s Regional Design Award and the PubWest Award. Motter has since released ‘Mister X: Condemned’ which continues to explore the philosophy of psychetecture – the idea that a city’s layout can influence its citizen’s emotional state – through antique futurism. His work is currently on exhibit at The Cité in Paris along side original art from Windsor McCay’s ‘Little Nemo’.

How did you get started working in the industry?

I was designing LP covers in Toronto in the 70′s when I was approached by The Silver Snail comic book shop to design, art direct and edit Andromeda – an alternative comics magazine, similar to Star Reach, that featured adaptations of stories by Arthur C Clarke, Harlan Ellison, A.E. Van Vogt, James Tiptree, and others. That led to work for Star Reach and eventually for Marvel at Epic Illustrated.

What are you doing instead of going to Comic-Con this year?

Dean Motter: Working on the next Mister X mini-series, Evictions, and spending time in Atlanta.

What’s the most important aspect of the industry that you feel goes unnoticed in the mainstream coverage of comics?

Dean Motter: The solitary nature and many man-hours required to create these books.

What is your favorite Dark Horse comic?

Dean Motter: Toss-up between Hellboy and The Goon.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Dean Motter: Foretelling the future. Not as fun as flying, but more useful, I should think.

Interview by Aaron Colter