Meet Matt, a New York Times Best-Selling artist (thanks to his work on the Plants vs. Zombies franchise’s comic outings) born and raised in Louisiana. He is a creator of webcomics, as well as “a tarot reader and Tai Chi junkie.”
As stated in his bio, he graduated Savannah College of Art and Design. He has later illustrated for many advertising firms in his home state area, while also making artwork for independent video games, stage productions and films. After his online lecture on writing genre fiction, as part of (described by us in our previous article) Opolcon 2024, he agreed to become our website’s first, inaugural featured interviewee.
Q: How does it feel to remotely take part in conventions and events like this one?
A: This has been a very unique and creative challenge for me and first time I’ve ever done this, working between two different languages. It’s also my first time working with a translator. The experience has broadened my ability to communicate. We’re building two different linguistic bridges, and I really appreciate that.
Q: What inspires you in your personal works nowadays? What is your main inspiration right now?
A: My main inspiration now is: how do I express what’s most immediately in my heart? How can I give people laughter and humor? How can I speak to my readers about the fears and anxieties of modern life?
Q: What made you interested in becoming an author and a visual artist? What set you on your current path?
A: That’s a very interesting question. I’ve been drawing comic book stories since I was a young child, and the process of creating these stories has become almost ritualistic for me – it’s a habit of mine. I’ve definitely drawn a lot of inspiration from stories I encountered in the past, including works like Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki.
Q: What is the difference between the online and physical release spheres, between your current Webtoon works and what came before?
A: I will start by saying that I grew up in the physical space. As a child, I read comic books that were sold in the grocery store. These were released on a monthly basis, so I would read one every month and then I would have to wait another for the next chapter. What’s interesting about reading a story like that is that you have a lot of time to think about what you’ve read. Today, because of the nature of the digital space, we work and create faster. In the past, readers did not have this immediacy to contact writers and give feedback. I, as a child, was not able to do that. So it is a very different, wonderful relationship now – much closer and more personal than in the physical space.
Q: If you could work on any franchise’s books, like your prior involvement in Plants vs. Zombies, do you have a dream project (even in a completely theoretical world)?
A: Oh, yes, sure! I would say the main franchise I’ve always wanted to work on, and this comes from my childhood, is Star Fox. I’ve always loved the blend of technological science fiction with anthropomorphic animals… and I just really love the characters.
Q: Do you have any words for people inspired by your works, your fans, or the audience here?
A: The main thing I’d like to say is this: your influence or impact on the world comes from your most sincerely felt place. It’s often said to “follow your bliss,” but it’s difficult to understand what that really means. People often assume it means to be self-indulgent, but it’s not about that. When we talk about following your bliss, we mean finding how you can serve others and feel happiness from that. For me, I have felt a great service to people through writing and through art and if at any point I no longer feel that I am fulfilling it, I will do something different. So my word of inspiration to my audience is: always be willing to follow the changes that happen in your life, regardless of where they may take or bring you, and do not fear. That is simply the life of the universe guiding you to the next big event.
Q: Thank you. It has been a pleasure to ask you these few questions.
A: Thank you very much.
If you are interested in learning more about Matthew’s works, you can “do a barrel roll” over to his Webtoon author’s account, where he hosts his popular free of charge projects – these being Trailer Park Warlock, The Legend of Redneck, and Batmonster. His updates can also be found on most social media platforms, e.g. through his personal profiles on Instagram, Twitter/X, and his YouTube channel.
(photos: Matthew J. Rainwater, OPOlink.pl, Opolcon, Webtoon)
Special thanks to Matthew J. Rainwater and the Opolcon/OKF Fenix team.
