I think it’s safe to say that time sure flies you by fast when you’re having fun, because it’s pretty insane that it’s been over one year since our last entry in our art and comics interview series. As a matter of fact, the last one that we did was with KILLBIRO back in January of 2020.

Anyways, I think you get the idea. On a positive note though, we’re breaking our cold streak on the “lack of new entries in our art and comics interview series” as of right here, and right now.

You see, we got a chance to sit down and do an interview with the artist and comic book veteran Clint Hilinski (Clint has worked on comic book projects such as: “SeaDog and Codename: Killswitch“, “Pirate Queen“, “HELLINA vs PANDORA“, “Sword Maidens“, “Belladonna: Origins“, and “Blue Bombshell“).

Well, we ended up talking about everything from his “SeaDog and Codename: Killswitch” and “Pirate Queen” comics to Clint’s plans for the future and his thoughts on comicsgate, censorship and cancel culture in general.

So, with that said, please enjoy our interview with Clint =)

Robin TGG
Thanks a ton for taking your time doing this interview with us =) And we’re going to start off this interview by letting you introduce yourself to our readers. So please, go right ahead and do so =)

Clint
Hey Everybody, I’m Clint Hilinski. I’ve worked as a professional comic book artist for the last 24 years. I’ve gotten to work for DC Comics, Dark Horse, Image, Avatar, Devil’s Due, IDW, Boom, and others. I’ve drawn books like Justice League, Voltron, Lady Death, GI Joe, Xena, Stargate, and many others.

Robin TGG
You don’t happen to remember how everything started for you in terms of getting into reading, creating, and drawing comics and pictures?

Clint
I got into comics at an early age, probably 7 or 8. I was reading a bunch of comics. And I started drawing at an early age also, and the two just lead into each other. Most of my early drawings were of Superman, Spider-Man, the comics that I was reading.

Robin TGG
Are there any artists and comics that you really like, respect, and look up to? If so, which artists and comics would that be? And why?

Clint
I’m a big fan of Jim Lee, the head of DC Comics.  He has been a huge influence on my art.  I’m also a big fan of artists, like Adam Hughes, Alan Davis, J Scott Campbell.

I have a lot of different influences reflected in what I draw. I think X-Men #275 was a pinnacle for me comic-wise. I think Jim Lee was doing during that X-Men run still influences a lot of artists.

Robin TGG
I’m pretty darn curious to know for how long you’ve been creating and drawing pictures/comics? And what has the response and feedback been since you started to draw pictures? And especially those pictures that consist of sexy and thick babes?

Clint
I think one of my first comic jobs was in 1997, so I’ve been working in comics for about 24 or 25 years now. As for the thick babes, I’ve always been a fan of Adam Hughes’ work, also Terry Dodson and Frank Cho.

Those guys are kind of masters of the ‘good girl’ art style.  When it comes to drawing some of the hot girl characters in the books they’ve been a big influence.

Robin TGG
You know, now that I think about it, have you always been into drawing sexy and thick ladies? And do you remember how it all started for you?

Clint
One of my jobs was working for Avatar Comics.  Brian Pulido (Lady Death creator) was launching a new line of comics and I was the artist on the Belladonna character, she was a kind of hot barbarian chick.

I also did some work on Lady Death at that time. So drawing the sexy ladies was a priority with these types of characters.

Robin TGG
I actually got a follow-up question on the same topic. Why do you think that so many people and big-name companies in the comic, movie, and video games industry are so afraid of the female form nowadays? Because I for one sure don’t recall that it was anything like this in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s…

Clint
I think most of it came from social media. A small group of people who hated these types of comics protested loudly online, they weren’t the people actually buying the comics. I think companies saw this protest online and over-calculated how many people were actually complaining.

It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease theory going…But companies overcompensated to appease this small online group and in turn gave these types of people power to influence comics.

And then alienated their own diehard fans who actually bought the comics. The results have spoken for themselves. Comic sales for the big companies have taken a nosedive, while crowd-funded books that appeal directly to the fan base have been soaring in sales.

Robin TGG
Speaking of female boobs and the fear of them. I’m pretty sure that you must have heard quite a few “buzzwords” from the SJW camp over the years. You know, buzzwords such as “unrealistic standards”, broken spine” and “where are her organs” and so on? 

Clint
Well, if that just happens to be the case, then what are your thoughts on that matter? (personally, I don’t agree with them…Because there exist all sorts of different body types and sizes in real-life).

I don’t really pay any attention to it. Why? Because those type of people just isn’t my audience. I mean, they have whatever they are into, and I prefer to do my own thing.

Robin TGG
On a personal level, there are no doubts whatsoever in my mind that you’re a really creative person and talented artist. So, did it take you a long time to find your own unique drawing style? And have the hot and thick babes helped you to improve your skills as an artist? (the keyword is “motivation” *cough cough*)

Clint
Thank you. I’m probably still trying to find my unique style. I am always influenced by art that I like, and that is always seeping into my work.

Furthermore, I am always trying to become a better artist. Especially with the hot babes. Simply put, I just try to make stuff I like and think looks good and hope that the fans think so too.

Robin TGG
As you just happen to be a creator of art that covers everything from comics, video games, and real-life babes. What’s your opinion on comicsgate and what’s it been like to be an indie artist/creator in today’s art/comic industry considering the  SJW/PC climate in the current year?

Clint
I think comicsgate has been great. It’s a good healthy reaction to what has been happening in corporate comics and has been a source of a lot of awesome new creators and new comics.

So that has definitely been a good thing. I think it’s open a lot of doors for new and old creators alike to make creator-owned books. Creative freedom is a good thing, and I think the Big 2 are handcuffed creatively by their own PC culture that they have created.

Robin TGG
What would you say that you’re the proudest of so far with your drawings and comics, and why?

Clint
Definitely being able to put out my own creator-owned books. I’ve done Sea Dog and Codename: Killswitch and Pirate Queen. And after wrapping these two books up, if you like Hot and Thick Babe comics, just wait for my next project. The Blue Bombshell! Think a power girl comic done by Playboy. I think that one is going to grab a lot of attention when it comes out!

Robin TGG
What could you tell us about your and Mark Poulton’s ”SeaDog and Codename: Killswitch” comic book series? And how did that comic project and partnership come to be?

Clint
Mark and I had worked together before at another publisher, and I had seen how successful his book Grave Yard Shift had become, so I contacted him about doing a project together. He had his Sea Dog character that he had created with his son.

And I had my team Codename: Killswitch, which is kind of my homage to those early Image teams like Wildcats, Cyberforce, or Youngblood. We are both fans of those 90’s comics. So we wanted to do something that had that same fun and exciting superhero energy to it.

Robin TGG
I think it’s safe to say that you and Mark had quite a lot of success with book II of ”SeaDog and Codename: Killswitch” via indiegogo, since the campaign got over 290% funded not so long ago.

And with that fresh in mind, did you guys ever expect book II to become such a hit as it did on indiegogo? And what thoughts went through your minds when you realized that you had a hit on your hands?

Clint
Book 1 did pretty well for us and it seems that if you can deliver a fun exciting comic to the fans and especially deliver it on time, that you can really build an audience, so Mark and I definitely focused on that.

Furthermore, people were really excited about Book 1 and that excitement just grew when we launched Book 2, which has outperformed Book 1 by a lot!

Robin TGG
Is it really correct that book II of ”SeaDog and Codename: Killswitch” will be released in Juli this year? (2021) If so, how can one buy it? Will it be released in different versions? (hardback, digital, collector’s editions) And will it be available for the whole world to buy?

Clint
Yes, definitely! Sea Dog and Codename: Killswitch will be delivered by July 2021, if not sooner! Our campaign is running on Indiegogo right now, we have a Dan Fraga Variant cover available for Book 2 and also a Jon Malin Line Art Variant cover for Book 1.

So if you missed out the first time you can still get both books thru this campaign! You can back it right here:  https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/seadog-and-codename-killswitch-book-ii#/

Robin TGG
As I just happen to be a big fan of pirates and babes, what could you tell us about your ”Pirate Queen” comic book? And how did that one come to be? And what’s it been like to work with Mandy Summers?

Clint
Pirate Queen is a character I created about eight-years back, and when I got involved with Comicsgate, I knew that she would have fans there. So I definitely wanted to do more with the character. Mandy had just done her first book and was also very involved in Comicsgate, and I loved her energy, enthusiasm, and creativity.

So I asked if she’d be interested in writing the Pirate Queen’s new adventure and she said yes. So it’s been a blast ever since we started. Mandy has some great ideas and really ran with it! Pirate Queen is finished and set to go to the printers soon, but you can still get Book 1 In-demand on Indiegogo right here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pirate-queen–2#/

Robin TGG
In general, what are your thoughts on censorship, cancel culture, thought policing, and creative/artistic freedom? And what can the common man and woman do to support and help indie artists such as yourself?

Clint
Society tends to be a bit cyclical. What is going on now is reminiscent of the McCarthyism that was happening in Hollywood in the ’50s. Censorship through fear and intimidation. I’m hoping for the pendulum to swing back to a more moderate place, hopefully, sooner than later.

However, there will always be those that stand up against censorship. History has shown time and again that those that use censorship and fear to promote their agenda fall by the wayside.

Robin TGG
Now, as for my last interview question for this time. What are your expectations, hopes, and plans for the rest of this year? And is there anything else that you would like to say to our readers?

Clint
It will be a full year. Pirate Queen is getting ready to ship. I’m finishing Sea Dog and Codename: Killswitch right now. And later this spring, I plan to launch the Blue Bombshell. After that, I might take a day off.

And then I and Mandy have Pirate Queen Book 2 already in the planning stages. So I plan to stay busy! Hope everyone keeps an eye out for my books and thanks for the interview!

Robin “V-Act” Ek
Editor in chief
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround

More by Robin Ek:

• The realistic survival game “The Last Plague: Blight” is coming to Steam EA on October 3rd, 2024
• “Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Anniversary Edition” is coming physically to consoles on October 8th, 2024
• The single-button boss rush game “ONE BTN BOSSES” is now available for PC via Steam
• The unique viking base builder/roguelite/strategy game “Landnama” is now available for consoles
• The full version of “MARS 2120” is now available for PC and consoles

Tags: Art, Cancel culture, Censorship, Clint Hilinski, Comics, Comicsgate, Lewd, PC culture, Pirate Queen, SeaDog and Codename: Killswitch, SJWs