The Tim Ferriss Show #831: Frank Miller, Comic Book Legend — Creative Process, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, 300, and Much More
Frank Miller, a pioneering comic-book writer and artist known for iconic works like The Dark Knight Returns and Sin City, shares his creative journey and insights. He discusses the importance of anger and conflict in storytelling, the innovative tools he uses, and the influence of European and Japanese comics on his work. Miller also reflects on his mentorship experiences, the duality of being a writer and artist, and how sobriety has sharpened his creative focus. His new memoir, Push the Wall, delves deeper into his life and artistry.
01:32:12
00:00 / 00:00
Devotion To Excellence
- Frank Miller views happiness as devoting all energies toward excellence.
- He treats that devotion as a guiding principle for a creative life.
Use Physical Tools To Create Controlled Chaos
- Use tactile, traditional tools to introduce unpredictability and texture into art.
- Miller uses Indian ink, liquid frisket, Blackwing pencils, sable brushes, and toothbrush spatter for organic effects.
00:00 / 00:00
Draw Bigger To Regain Visual Power
- Miller deliberately drew Sin City at 'twice up' size to regain lost visual fidelity.
- He believed larger originals restored the quality of 1940s comics and corrected modern shrinking.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Aristotle and Devotion to Excellence
02:40 • 53sec
Tools, Materials, and Liquid Frisket
03:33 • 3min
Working Large: Sin City at Twice-Up Size
07:00 • 1min
Toothbrush Spatter Technique and Organic Effects
08:07 • 1min
Channeling Anger into Drama
09:26 • 3min
Writer-Artist Duality and Will Eisner
12:19 • 2min
Jack Kirby’s Revolutionary Page Design
14:48 • 1min
Push the Wall and Defy the Code
16:11 • 2min
Ad break
18:03 • 2min
Neil Adams: Brutal Mentorship and Opportunity
20:04 • 5min
Elektra and Plotting Daredevil
25:01 • 3min
Story Spine and Starting Late into Action
28:22 • 4min
Discovering European and Japanese Influences
32:00 • 5min
Ronin: Risk, Rejection, and Lessons
36:53 • 3min
Structuring The Dark Knight Returns
39:30 • 4min
Creative Rivalry with Alan Moore
43:49 • 5min
Working with Robert Rodriguez on Sin City
48:26 • 7min
Favorite Films and Noir Influences
55:37 • 3min
Other Art Forms and Ancient History Inspiration
58:27 • 45sec
Lessons from Hollywood: The Importance of the Right People
59:12 • 3min
Alcohol, Sobriety, and Creative Clarity
01:01:50 • 3min
Advice for Aspiring Comic Creators
01:04:51 • 2min
Learning to Draw: Bridgman and Loomis
01:06:54 • 5min
Economy of Line, Negative Space, and Erased Construction
01:11:43 • 2min
Batch Workflow: Tissue Layouts and Flat Blacks
01:13:53 • 2min
Why Sin City Sparked Many Innovations
01:15:58 • 5min
Collaborating with Bill Sienkiewicz on Elektra
01:21:24 • 5min
Billboard Message: Ask Every Question
01:26:04 • 2min
Closing Recommendations and Book Plug
01:28:25 • 1min
Outro
01:29:41 • 2min
#57927
300
Frank Miller
Lynn Varley
Frank Miller's *300* is a fictionalized account of the Battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas leads a small force of 300 Spartans against the vast Persian army.
The graphic novel explores themes of honor, duty, and sacrifice in the face of overwhelming odds.
It was adapted into a successful film in 2006 and has become a classic in the comic book genre.
#55957
Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling
None
Frank Miller
#65423
Ronin
Jan Domagala
#2315
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
Understanding Comics
The Invisible Art
Scott McCloud
In 'Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art', Scott McCloud delves into the history and mechanics of graphic storytelling.
The book defines comics as 'sequential art' and examines various aspects such as visual iconography, closure, reader participation, word-picture dynamics, and the psychology of line styles and color.
McCloud traces the origins of comics back to ancient forms of visual storytelling and discusses how comics work on the human brain, emphasizing the role of the reader in filling in the gaps between panels.
The book is praised for its lucid and accessible analysis, making it a landmark work in the field of comic studies.
#456
• Mentioned in 47 episodes
The grapes of wrath
John Steinbeck
Published in 1939, 'The Grapes of Wrath' is a powerful and poignant novel by John Steinbeck.
It tells the story of the Joad family, Oklahoma tenant farmers who are forced to leave their home after the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression.
The novel follows their arduous journey along Route 66 to California, where they face numerous hardships, including poverty, exploitation, and the loss of family members.
The book explores themes of family, survival, and the struggle for human dignity in the face of overwhelming adversity.
It also delves into the broader social and economic issues of the time, highlighting the conflict between the powerful and the powerless.
Steinbeck's work is known for its vivid portrayal of the human condition and its impact on American literature and society.
#13440
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Electra
Sophocles
Written towards the end of Sophocles' career, 'Electra' dramatizes the story of Orestes' revenge for the murder of his father, King Agamemnon, by his mother Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus.
The play explores Electra's intense grief and desire for vengeance, her psychological turmoil, and the moral complexities of her actions.
The story unfolds with Orestes' return, his secret identity, and the eventual revelation and execution of the revenge plot.
The play is notable for its examination of character, particularly Electra's unwavering dedication to her father and her conflict with her moral duty towards her mother.
The tragic ending highlights the cyclical nature of violence and the consequences of revenge.
#17993
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Screenplay
Syd Field
Syd Field's 'Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting' is a seminal work that outlines the three-act structure, emphasizing setup, confrontation, and resolution.
It provides insights into crafting memorable characters, writing authentic dialogue, and overcoming writer's block.
The book has been a cornerstone for aspiring and professional screenwriters alike since its publication in 1979.
#1582
• Mentioned in 19 episodes
Watchmen
John Higgins
Alan Moore
Dave Gibbons
Watchmen is a groundbreaking graphic novel that deconstructs the superhero genre.
Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, with colours by John Higgins, it explores the human failings of superheroes in an alternate timeline where historical events have unfolded differently.
The story delves into themes of power, morality, and the complexities of human nature, set against the backdrop of the Cold War era.
It is known for its layered storytelling, nuanced dialogue, and its impact on the comic book industry by addressing taboo themes such as abuse of power, conspiracy, and social decay.
#2744
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
Rebecca
Daphne du Maurier
Published in 1938, 'Rebecca' is a classic Gothic suspense novel by Daphne du Maurier.
The story follows a young, unnamed narrator who meets and marries Maxim de Winter, a wealthy widower, in Monte Carlo.
Upon returning to his ancestral estate, Manderley, she finds herself haunted by the memory of his first wife, Rebecca.
The novel explores themes of jealousy, psychological realism, and the struggle between the living and the dead.
As the narrator navigates her new life, she uncovers dark secrets about Rebecca's past and the true nature of her death, leading to a dramatic and suspenseful climax.
#29250
Daredevil
The Man Without Fear! - Book 1
Brian Michael Bendis
Alex Maleev
This ultimate collection features one of the most celebrated runs in 'Daredevil' history, written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Alex Maleev.
The series is renowned for its gritty storytelling, complex characters, and innovative artwork, which redefined the character of Daredevil and set a new standard for comic book storytelling.
#2443
• Mentioned in 13 episodes
If
Rudyard Kipling
Written in 1896 and first published in 1910, 'If—' is a poem that advises on how to rise above adversity and live a life of integrity.
The speaker, addressing his son, outlines various scenarios and virtues necessary to 'be a Man,' including the ability to keep one's head in chaos, trust oneself despite doubt, and treat triumph and disaster equally.
The poem is structured as a series of conditional 'if' clauses leading to a final 'then' clause, emphasizing a quintessentially British brand of stoicism and the importance of maintaining a strong will and moral character.
#24374
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Lone Wolf and Cub
Goseki Kojima
Kazuo Koike
The series follows Ogami Ittō, a former Shogun's executioner, who is disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyū clan.
Along with his son Daigorō, they wander feudal Japan as 'Lone Wolf and Cub,' taking on various assassination jobs while seeking revenge against the Yagyū clan.
The series is renowned for its epic scope, historical accuracy, and masterful artwork, reflecting the bushido ethos of the samurai era.
#3217
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
The Dark Knight returns
David Mazzucchelli
Frank Miller
Lynn Varley
Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" is a seminal graphic novel that reimagines Batman as an older, more brutal vigilante.
The story explores themes of aging, violence, and the nature of heroism in a decaying urban landscape.
Miller's gritty style and mature themes challenged the conventions of superhero comics, influencing subsequent interpretations of the character.
The novel's impact on the superhero genre is undeniable, shaping how Batman and other characters are portrayed in subsequent works.
Its exploration of violence and the moral ambiguities of heroism continues to resonate with readers.
Frank Miller is regarded as one of the most influential and awarded creators. He began his career in comics in the late 1970s, first gaining notoriety as the artist, and later writer, of Daredevil for Marvel Comics. Next, came the science-fiction samurai drama Ronin, followed by the groundbreaking Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One with artist David Mazzuchelli. Following these seminal works, Miller fulfilled a lifelong dream by doing an all-out crime series, Sin City, which spawned two blockbuster films that he co-directed with Robert Rodriguez. Miller’s multi-award-winning graphic novel 300 was also adapted into a highly successful film by Zack Snyder. His upcoming memoir, Push the Wall: My Life, Writing, Drawing, and the Art of Storytelling, is now available for pre-order.
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Timestamps:
- [00:00:00] Start.
- [00:02:14] Aristotle’s definition of happiness: Devotion to excellence.
- [00:03:02] Tools of the trade: Blackwing pencils, India ink, liquid frisket.
- [00:04:45] Sin City‘s physical creation at “twice up” size.
- [00:08:06] The toothbrush spatter technique.
- [00:09:24] Channeling impatience, anger, and violence into dramatic creative work.
- [00:10:33] What Jack Kirby knew about making comics competitive with cinema’s spectacle.
- [00:11:56] Will Eisner and The Spirit‘s influence on the US market where writer-artist duality is rare.
- [00:13:33] How Jack Kirby blasted apart the panel grid (and a young Frank’s mind).
- [00:15:49] Push the wall and defy the code.
- [00:19:54] The ruthless mentorship of Neal Adams.
- [00:24:57] The genesis of the Elektra amd Daredevil “soap opera.”
- [00:27:56] Story structure: Start late, end early.
- [00:29:10] Trusting the muse over rigid methodology.
- [00:31:15] European invasion: Moebius and Forbidden Planet.
- [00:32:52] Japanese influence: Lone Wolf and Cub‘s impact.
- [00:34:30] Cultural differences in depicting violence and motion.
- [00:36:38] Ronin: Shameless imitation and rebirth.
- [00:37:28] How does Frank know if something is working (or not working)?
- [00:39:27] The critical reception of Ronin as a “broken nose.”
- [00:42:37] The ruthless structure of The Dark Knight Returns.
- [00:43:40] Mutual elevation with “smartest fan” Alan Moore.
- [00:48:26] Robert Rodriguez: Angel of goodwill and generosity.
- [00:49:28] Sin City film: Co-directing and the Director’s Guild sacrifice.
- [00:50:31] Working as a “two-headed beast” with Rodriguez.
- [00:55:27] Favorite films.
- [00:58:19] Books and ancient history inspiring 300.
- [00:59:00] Hollywood lessons: The importance of working with the right people.
- [01:01:13] The partnership and guidance of Silenn Thomas.
- [01:02:01] The clarity and creative rejuvenation of getting sober from alcohol.
- [01:04:48] Advice for aspiring comic artists: Story, story, story.
- [01:06:20] Learning to draw: Bridgman and Loomis books.
- [01:08:07] Perspective as a mathematical trick and lie.
- [01:11:00] Dick Giordano’s advice: Lay in blacks first.
- [01:13:52] Sin City workflow innovation: Batch processing stages.
- [01:15:48] Dark Horse Comics and creative freedom.
- [01:17:29] Economy of line work and elegant minimalism.
- [01:20:46] On collaborating with Bill Sienkiewicz on Elektra.
- [01:25:20] Billboard wisdom: “Ask every question,” and “Why?”
- [01:27:08] Challenging pathological conformity.
- [01:27:39] Parting thoughts and where to find Frank’s work.
*
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