ARTISTS WE LOVE: PHIL NOTO

Luis has raved about this artist so often, it was obvious who was next for us alphabetically

One of my favorite artists to visit with at either the Marvel booth or Artist Alley every year at NYCC is the great Phil Noto. Phil studied illustration at Ringling School of Art and Design. He then went on to work 10 years at Walt Disney Animation working on iconic films such as Lion King, Pocahontas, Mulan, and Lilo & Stitch. With the industry moving away from 2D hand drawn animation, he then entered the world of comic book art.

Phil Noto

I first noticed Phil’s work doing covers for the Birds of Prey series at DC Comics in 2003. This led to consistent work over the next decade for some of the most iconic characters in comics—Batgirl, Superman, Danger Girl, Beautiful Killer (an underappreciated creator-owned gem), Hellboy, Buffy, The Infinite Horizon, Avengers, X-23, Wolverine and Jubilee, X-Force and Thunderbolts. His work is a blend of photorealism with a touch of pop art. Phil has a unique style that is instantly recognizable. His covers are lushly painted and very reminiscent of the classic compositions of Drew Struzan. It’s in his coloring that you can see his animation influences most. His work literally jumps off the page with an energy that is hard to capture in a flat page.

Phil Noto

For the better part of the last six years, Phil has become the artist most synonymous with Star Wars. Everything from Marvel Comics Star Wars line (his cover for the Rogue One comic adaptation is simply gorgeous), to hard cover novels and toy packaging, to signage at Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge. If it’s from a galaxy far, far away, his pencil has had a hand in influencing it.

Phil Noto

Phil is one of the nicest creators you could ever meet. He is always ready to talk about his creative process, what he’s currently working on or simply nerding out over how this lifelong Star Wars fan is now living the dream drawing characters he’s loved his whole life.

Phil Noto