In a world where pandas can fly, Quicksilver is made, and people can sell their soul, Pac23 consumes the power to harness this ability. With styles that derived from influences of comic books meets video games, Florida based artist Pac23 is no stranger to. With his vivid illustration skills, he’s capable of capturing the imagination from thought to solid refinement in a clean, flawless, executable measure; It says orgasmic all over it.
I got the chance to speak with Pac23 over the phone the other day, and it went down like so…..
Who are you and where are you from?
My name’s Francisco Perez aka Pacman, or Pac23. I’m a freelance illustrator and comic book colorist based off Miami, Florida.
How was it like growing up there, and what about it influenced or inspired you?
I actually grew up in Colombia, South America but would spend every summer in New York with my grandparents. I moved to the states in my early teens. I loved cartoon art and comic books since I was a little kid so all that stuff was embedded into my brain at a very young age. The graffiti art scene inspired me greatly. I didn’t do graff myself but I was more into the character aspect of it. Video games, comic books and music have been my main source of inspiration for years now.
Comic books? What’s was your favorite comic growing up? Is it still your favorite comic?
My favorite comic growing up was Astonishing X-Men. I really got into it when the whole Marvel universe became the Age of Apocalypse. Not only was it penciled by my favorite artist growing up but it was an awesome story. I still go back and read it every few years.
Who is your favorite character?
Gambit has been my favorite character for a while, but when I was a little kid I loved the Flash.
Alright, no lies, did you have any comic crushes?
Red Monika from Battle Chasers haha, but who didn’t?
If by chance some mystical being gave you the option to choose a superpower, what would it be?
Being able to fly.
Why? What would you do with your powers?
I wouldn’t waste any more money on gas haha. I don’t know, the feeling of flying and the freedom of being in the air has to be an incredible feeling.
Is that why you made a flying panda in your wind jazz series? Is that supposed to be your inner conscience?
Yeah in a way, but it’s also a homage to Super Mario Bros. 3 with the Raccoon tail as your flight tool. I was a hardcore gamer growing up.
Well, tell us more about wind jazz, what’s it all about?
It’s a very ambitious project that I started working on with a friend some years ago and hope to have the time to draw and put out some time in the near future. It’s still in a concept stage, but the story is getting fleshed out little by little. It’s about a little kid with a magical saxophone with special powers, talking llamas and elemental bears who protect the saxophone pieces that the kid is looking for. Once we have more of a solid story to tell and art to match it you will see a lot more of Wind Jazz.
What else can we expect from you in future projects?
I might start doing some more coloring work on comics along with a new campaign for Quicksilver.
Are there any artist out there you would give up your soul just to be able to do a collaboration with him/her?
For sure yeah, James Jean and Thomer Hanuka. Those guys are incredible.
No really, you’d give up your soul? we might be able to help you out with that.
Haha, run that shit!
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