X-Men Monday #264 – Netho Diaz Talks ‘X-Men’

Welcome, X-Fans, to another uncanny edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT!

Throughout the summer, it was hard for me to flip through the pages of X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse and not be reminded of my early X-Fan days in the mid-1990s, reading series like X-Force and Cable. From Cable blasting through mummies with a bug gun to Archangel shattering glass to scream at Apocalypse — it was the best kind of nostalgia. That action-packed art made me want to learn more about the mini-series’ artist, Netho Diaz, so I gave him a follow on X. (And, given all the work-in-progress art he shares, I recommend you do the same, X-Fans!)

As I got to know Netho, via his posts, I picked up on a few themes: Positivity, passion, and strong work ethic. It’s clear the X-Office picked up on these traits as well, as Netho will be sharing art duties on X-Men with superstar artist Ryan Stegman starting with September’s X-Men #4. I wanted to learn more about Netho’s journey to the X-line, his artistic inspirations, and what we can expect from his X-Men work. Fortunately, Netho was happy to chat! Let’s see what he has to say.

AIPT: Welcome to X-Men Monday, Netho! While you’ve been illustrating at Marvel for some time now (including a few issues of Legion of X in the Krakoan era), I feel like your art’s quickly becoming a fixture of the “From the Ashes” era thanks to X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse (which your collaborator Steve Foxe said would be “a big breakout moment” for you in X-Men Monday #254). Next, you join Ryan Stegman on X-Men starting with X-Men #4. So my first question is… how are you feeling about your career as an artist these days? Seems like it’s an amazing time to be Netho Diaz!

Netho Diaz: Hello, Chris! Yes, I’m very excited!

On Legion of X, I had a chance to draw many favorite X-characters. On X-Men: Heir of Apocalypse, I could draw some more, and now I’m drawing different ones. It´s been a blast to work on X-books. I’m very grateful to the Marvel editors who have given me work since I started working with them in early 2022.  

I’ve been working on comics since 2012 and have worked for many publishers. I got some harsh reviews, was rejected many times, got some clients who wanted me to do infinite corrections, got low rates, etc. So when people see where I am now, it’s important to say that it was a long way to get here. I remember when I worked for DC back in 2013, comic reviews were saying they hoped to never see my work again on that book. It was harsh. But it pushed me to get better and try to better understand the comics language. I made some friends and worked harder than ever, and it ended up getting Marvel’s attention.

Hard work does pay off!

AIPT: Clearly! Your ultra-detailed, expressive, and action-packed artwork reminds many readers of ‘90s superhero comics, but how would you describe your art style?

Netho: My style is a mix of everything I like, personally. I feel like what I’m doing is very different from the Predator books I worked on when I did a more realistic, clean approach. It was my choice back then. But I feel like on X-Men, people want the action to stand out, so I have fun with it. I try to do what I’d like to see as a reader. There are many amazing artists that don’t grab my attention because their style isn’t what I like, personally. So, for me, the goal is to keep it looking cool for readers who have the same art taste I do.

AIPT: Who are some of the comic artists who inspired you to become an illustrator? 

Netho: Jim Lee, Adam Kubert, Neal Adams, Joe Quesada, and others. Also, of course, Ryan Stegman. Since I’m working with him on X-Men, I didn’t want readers to feel the difference in our art styles, so I try to keep it close to his, while still giving my footprint on it.

For Storytelling, I love the choices the Kubert brothers make, as well as Marcos Martin and Geraldo Borges. Those guys are storytelling masters. I still learn so much from them.

AIPT: Can you remember the first time you encountered the X-Men as a fan?

Netho: Absolutely! Like most artists nowadays, it was X-Men: The Animated Series. But my uncles had so many X-Men books and I saw some of them and it blew my mind! I didn’t understand the story as you can imagine, but the Joe Madureira art just impressed me deeply. As a kid, I loved Wolverine, Spider-Man, and Silver Surfer and used to draw Wolverine vs Spider-Man all the time!

Me and my cousin used to get our uncles’ comics and be surrounded by them while playing with action figures and drawing superheroes. There were mostly Marvel comics and mostly X-Men books. Fun times.

AIPT: Do you have an all-time favorite X-Men character and X-Men story?

Netho: Cyclops is my favorite! I love his leadership!

My favorite story is from the old Ultimate X-Men. When Wolverine let Cyclops fall from a cliff. Drawn by Adam Kubert and written by Mark Millar. It was just fantastic. 

The first Ultimate X-Men arc also works so well. Finally, “Age of Apocalypse.” What a huge creative exercise they had back then with this storyline.

AIPT: In my opinion, you’ve joined the ranks of artists who can bring a killer Archangel to life. What’s the secret to drawing an awesome Archangel?

Netho: Thank you! Big wings! Always looks cool! I’m very proud of how this book turned out. Wasn’t easy. I remember Steve Foxe wrote that I should do a big page like the way Whilce Portacio used to impress us on his splash pages. So I did some research to refresh my ideas and had fun with it! Big wings and pissed off!!!

AIPT: Let’s talk a bit about your upcoming issues of X-Men. When you land a high-profile gig like that, alternating with a major artist like Ryan Stegman — who has such a distinct style — what’s your approach? Do you try to maintain some continuity with what Ryan’s doing? Do you just bring that same level of energy in your own style? What can you share?

Netho: I worked with Ryan on his creator-owned book a couple of years ago and it gave me the chance to study his style. Now, I’ve had another chance to study his lines and capture the essence of his linework. I try to give the readers the same feeling that Ryan does, but my style is a little bit more realistic. But Tom Brevoort said my work is very similar to Ryan’s but still different.

So I hope it helps fans have the same feeling while reading our books and they’re not distracted by what we do differently. With time, I’ll bring it closer to my own. I don’t have the same experience Ryan does, so I’m learning a lot.

AIPT: Of the new X-Men cast, who has been the most fun to draw?

Netho: Cyclops, of course!

AIPT: Speaking of Scott, you recently shared a page of sample art from 2010 on X featuring Cyclops. You said at the time, a pro told you the art wasn’t good — and all these years later, you’re officially drawing Scott Summers. I feel like this is a very relatable story for any aspiring artist. How did you not let that feedback get you down and do you have any advice for artists who hope to follow in your footsteps?

Netho: I’m very competitive. When someone says I can’t do something, I feel the necessity to prove they are wrong. The artist meant well. He wanted to help me. I don’t think compliments are always welcome. Sometimes we need tough love to improve. People often want compliments instead of work. To get work, we need someone to criticize our work. For instance, I was Geraldo Borges’ student in his comic class back in 2011. He criticized everything I did, but always explained what was wrong. He wasn’t criticizing me, but my work. So I studied to get better. Worked out well, I guess.

Also, back then, my girlfriend was very supportive. She has since become my wife and is coloring comics and following my steps in this comics world. But I couldn’t do it without my mother, who was the first to send my samples to other artists so I could get some feedback. She did what I didn’t have the courage to do. She is still very supportive of my career. I think it all helped me get where I am now.

AIPT: That’s awesome, and it sounds like you have some very supportive folks around you. Finally, you’ve drawn mutants, Spider-Man, Daredevil, and even Predators. Is there a character or team on your wishlist you haven’t been able to draw but hope to in the not-too-distant future? (You know, just in case any comic editors are reading.)

Netho: I still want to have a chance to draw Hulk, Wolverine (Logan), Captain America, and as many Spider-Men as possible.

AIPT: Something tells me it won’t be long before you’re drawing all of them. But on that note, thanks for stopping by X-Men Monday, Netho!

X-Fans, you can pick up Netho’s first issue of X-Men — X-Men #4 — when it goes on sale September 18, 2024. And, as this week’s X-Men Monday eXclusives, we just so happen to have a few preview pages for you from that very issue!

In the next edition of X-Men Monday: Writer Jason Loo returns to discuss his “From the Ashes” Dazzler mini-series.

Until next time, X-Fans, stay exceptional!

 In this edition of X-Men Monday at AIPT, artist Netho Diaz discusses his career and upcoming work on Marvel’s ‘X-Men’ series.  Read More