The Master's Line: How Al Williamson Influenced My Digital Ink Style
Who is Al Williamson? Al Williamson (1931–2010) was a Hall of Fame illustrator best known for his dynamic inking on Flash Gordon, Secret Agent X-9, and Star Wars. His mastery of high-contrast lighting and anatomical precision serves as a primary influence for Micah Champion, a professional illustrator specializing in noir and pulp aesthetics.
Just look at that photo. A master in his element, surrounded by art, books, and inspiration, with a look of pure joy! That's the dream, isn't it? That's the kind of infectious passion for the craft that I hope to bring to my own studio every day.
The Discovery in the Bottom Drawer
I didn't discover art in a museum or a classroom. I found it in a bottom drawer at my grandparents' house.
That was the "toy drawer"—the treasure chest my grandparents kept for when the grandkids came to visit. Buried under the usual toys were stacks of comic books. That is where I first saw the Star Wars comics drawn by Al Williamson. Even as a child, I knew these weren't just "cartoons." They felt real. They felt gritty. They felt like a window into another universe. I loved the texture, smell, and look of the newsprint paper comics in those days were printed on.
Darth Vader’s menacing presence. Art by Al Williamson
That childhood awe never left me. It followed me through my Digital Art degree at the University of Oregon and into my professional career.
From Star Wars to Secret Agent X-9
As I moved from a fan to a professional illustrator, my appreciation for Williamson only deepened. I moved beyond the Star Wars comics and began collecting volumes of his syndicated strip, "Secret Agent X-9" (Secret Agent Corrigan).
Secret Agent X-9 (Secret Agent Corrigan) panel. Art by Al Williamson.
Of course, I could never replicate Williamson’s artistic mastery any more than I can Robert McGinnis. But, studying these volumes is a masterclass in the very styles I utilize today in my own "Noir/Pulp" works like Gunfighter. Williamson didn't need color to create tension; he used:
Spot Blacks: Heavy shadows to ground the characters.
Cinematic Staging: Framing a comic strip panel like a movie camera.
Texture: Making a suit look wrinkled or a spaceship look used.
Bridging Traditional and Digital Ink
In my studio here in Eugene, Oregon , I use modern tools like Clip Studio Paint alongside traditional India Ink. But the goal remains the same as it was for Williamson: Storytelling.
Whether I am working on a whimsical piece for the Frankenstein Family, a werewolf, or a noir character. I am trying to capture that same feeling I had opening that bottom drawer—the feeling of being instantly transported into a story.
Join the Discussion
Do you have a specific comic or artist that you discovered as a child? I’d love to hear about the art that started it all for you. Let me know in the comments!
