 |
 |
|
INTERVIEW 1 - RUSS NICHOLSON - PART 1
Russ Nicholsons artwork is embedded in the FF legacy and for this reason I traced him down during his busy schedule to perform an interview regarding all his past contribution to the FF phenomenon, the gamebooks, games and novels. Also what about the years after FF demise? FFG: What are you working on at the moment? I have recently finished a set of illustrations related to a Gamebook - Realms of Sorcery for HOGSHEAD Publishing and I am in negotiation with a gentleman in Denmark doing four illustrations for his PhD Manuscript. Which I hope will lead to an agreement. In truth this is the first work I have been offered for over a year. I appear not to be the flavour of the year (let alone month) these days. Big sigh! How sad. FFG: What can you tell us about that? The illustrations were seven full page 11x8" black and white chapter "intro's" plus a sheet of "spots" (small decorative pieces to go with spell information). After more than a year of no work I found I was a little rusty but soon was producing reasonable work and for those couple of fans I appear to have - pleasing responses. FFG: What are you looking to be working on in the near future? Anything! Except for the (HOGSHEAD) Danish enquiry there have been no contacts made this year. I'd love to do some colour work again. I'd love to do some more black and white - but nobody appears interested. Sad or what! Actually, I was sorry that the FORBIDDEN LANDS series by Dave Morris and JaimieThomson, (Macmillan/Pan Books), was never completed; it was fun to have been involved in visualizing and creating elements of a complete world. Six books only completed - The format probably didn't help its shelf - life. The same could be said for another project I worked on a few years ago with Dave Morris, "THE SHADOW KING". There I had the opportunity of creating visuals for a London that had never existed, in fact I found myself tracking beyond its boundaries looking at the nearby countryside and technological "advances" (changes) that had come about on land and in the air. This was a world similar and yet different to that envisaged by such as, Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. Rough visuals were created but although interest was shown nothing serious as yet has come of it all to date. Pity, I think It would have been good. FFG: What do you think about the demise of the FF series? A pity. I enjoyed working on the various elements of the series. I enjoyed the work and never refused any. In fact I would have loved to have done more. |
The
name of Russ Nicholson is well known to many Fighting Fantasy
fans. He provided the illustrations for the first ever Fighting
Fantasy Gamebook the Warlock of Firetop Mountain along with
the Citadel Of chaos, Masks of Mayhem, Chasms of Malice. Stealer
of Souls, Island of the Undead, Deathmoor, Mage Hunter, The
Trolltooth Wars, Demonstealer, Shadowmaster, Blacksand, and
Allansia. The Interview below is a transcript from a past interview
with a favourite FF illustrators Martin Mckenna, that originally
appeared upon the FFG editors unofficial sister site