Thomas Yeates

Self-portrait by Thomas Yeates

Thomas Yeates grew up in Sacramento, northern California. He attended college in Utah, Sacramento, the Joe Kubert School in New Jersey. Since then he has been working as an illustrator, focusing on high adventure in the comic book/graphic novel field. He has worked for most of the major companies in that field, DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Eclipse, etc. He has illustrated Swamp Thing, Timespirits, Tarzan, Conan, Zorro, myths and legends for Lerner Publishing, and many short stories. Most recently he has illustrated Edgar Rice Burroughs’ John Carter of Mars for Barnes & Noble Publishing and is currently illustrating a series of books by the popular writer Anthony Horowitz.

Interview

What was your favorite book when you were a child?: Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
What’s your favorite line from a book?: I don’t have a favorite, but, “I had this story from one who had no business to tell it to me, or to any other,” is the first sentence in Tarzan of the Apes and a great lead in that makes you want to find out more!
Who are your top three favorite authors or illustrators?: That’s tough as I love so many great illustrators. Let’s say N. C. Wyeth, Wallace Wood, and Alex Raymond, for right now.
Why did you want to become an author or illustrator?: Because that’s all I was good at, so I figured out how to turn into an actual job.
Do you have any advice for future authors or illustrators?: Draw draw draw. With pencil, eraser. and paper—draw everything, and learn perspective.