Josh Howard is a comic book writer & author, so his story is slightly different than some of our musical dads….

Name: Josh Howard
Comic: Dead @ 17
Website: http://joshhoward.typepad.com

QRD – How old were you when you first realized you wanted to be a professional comic artist?

Josh – Even though I had been making my own comics since I was 5 or 6, it wasn’t until I was 12 & saw Batman that I knew this is what I wanted to do for a living.

QRD – What are a few highlights of your career?

Josh – The success of Dead @ 17, from the critical recognition to the loyal fan base, has definitely been the biggest highlight so far.

QRD – At what age did you decide you wanted to become a father?

Josh – I didn’t.  It just sort of happened.

QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your family has had on your career?

Josh – It just makes it harder to manage my work time, since I do work at home.  But they’re all very supportive.

QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your career has had on your family?

Josh – They don’t get as much quality time with me as they’d like, but I am able to set my own hours & make myself available as much as possible.

QRD – Have your children effected the comics you make &/or read?

Josh – Not really, not at this point anyway.  I just do what I normally do.

QRD – Have you had problems with the lack of steady money from an artistic career providing the financial security you feel necessary in your household?

Josh – It’s different than a normal 9 to 5 job, but both have their advantages & disadvantages. Everyone has different challenges in providing & making ends meet, no matter their station in life. So yeah, sometimes it’s hard, but sometimes it’s really good.

QRD – Do you think being a father or an artist has a greater impact on your community?

Josh – Being a father, for sure. What I do as an artist will probably be ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of things. It’s my kids & what I (hopefully) have instilled in them that will live on.

QRD – Would you rather see your children eventually become an artist or parent?

Josh – I want them to pursue their passions, but I would hate to see them miss out on the joys of being a parent. It enriches life in so many ways.

QRD – Both family & art seem like things that will take up as much of your time as you’re willing to put in.  How do you end up dividing your time?

Josh – It’s a daily struggle & probably the biggest one. If there is a magic solution, I haven't discovered it yet.

QRD – Do you have a split/secret life between being a parent & being an artist?

Josh – Somewhat. It’s definitely “that thing that dad does.” Of the three kids, there’s only one that really expresses an interest in what I do.

QRD – What do your children think of your work?

Josh – One doesn’t care. One wants to follow in my footsteps. & the other is probably too young to know the difference.

QRD – Do you think you could ever do a comic collaboration with your children?

Josh – I’ve said no before, but I don’t think my daughter is going to give me a choice.

QRD – Any words of advice to young people?

Josh – There is no one path to success, even in a relatively small industry like comics. Everyone has a different story & not everyone is cut out for it. But the one common denominator, if there is one, is hard work & perseverance.

Another QRD interview with Josh:
Josh Howard (Dead@17) interview (May 2006)