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Julian Lytle was born just outside the city in Prince George’s County. 2010 was perhaps the start of his breakthrough to a bigger audience—-he was featured in May’s Heavy Metal magazine, was nominated for a Glyph award as a Rising Star of comics, and was featured in podcasts and a couple of substantial web interviews by Mark Ruffin and David Brothers. Lytle became interested in comic books at the height of the 1980s boom, and lists Jim Lee‘s artwork on X-Men No. 1 as a major influence. He started his biweekly web comic Ants in April 2009 and he continues to infuse the comic with an eclectic mix of videogame, comic book, and African-American culture merged with political commentary.
Washington City Paper: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Julian Lytle: I like to actually change my style depending on the type of comic I am making. So Ants, my webcomic has a scratchy, messy style with some sloppy zip a tone shading. My other main style is a more realistic ink style using flat colors. I haven’t done many comics with that style that I have put out.
WCP: When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
JL: I was born on April 9th, 1980. The ’80s were great except for crack, crime, Reagan, recessions, and some questionable fashion choices made by the fashion industry.
WCP: Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
JL:I moved into the city for ease of use of the Metro. I had to catch a bus to get to the metro while I lived in PG. I have lived in the Washington, D.C., area my entire life.
WCP: What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
WCP: Who are your influences?
WCP: If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
WCP: What work are you best-known for?
WCP: What work are you most proud of?
JL: Right now it’s my webcomic Ants. It’s the first time I’ve done a continuing comic for a long period of time. I’ve also managed to stay on schedule and not miss a week since I have started. I’m also pretty proud of my Guns N’ Honey art series. Those have gotten good responses over the years.
WCP: What would you like to do or work on in the future?
WCP: What do you do when you’re in a rut or have writer’s block?
WCP: What do you think will be the future of your field?
WCP: What’s your favorite thing about D.C.?
WCP: Least favorite?
WCP: What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?
WCP: Do you have a website or blog?
JL: Yes I have some websites,
http://www.julianlytle.com/ – My portfolio site
http://ants.julianlytle.com/ – my webcomic Ants
http://ignorant-bliss.com/ – my blog site that also houses my new podcast.