News and Events

Comic Book Artist Bill Reinhold
Visits the Academy

As a part of the Academy’s “Lunchtime Lecture Series”, Artist and Alumni Bill Reinhold spoke to a standing room only crowd in the Bill Parks Gallery on Friday, November 17, 2006. Mr. Reinhold spoke about his time at the Academy, breaking into the comic book business, and his work. He brought many hard copies of his drawings and finished comic books for students to look at. Students were enthusiastic during the presentation and asked Bill many questions about his work and the business of comic books.

After his presentation in the gallery, Bill went into the classrooms to work directly with students. Along with critiquing students’ work, Bill gave a demonstration of how he sets up a page for a comic book. Bill gave this advice to students, “Anyone I know that is successful puts a lot of time into their work. Stay driven, always keep your sketchbook with you, and take figure drawing classes regularly.” Bill also talked about his time at the Academy and was a student of Irving Shapiro; under which he learned watercolor painting and techniques, still very useful to him in his present work. Mr. Reinhold spent several hours with very excited students in the classrooms.

Artist Bill Reinhold attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago and graduated with a Graphic Arts Degree in 1982. He has been drawing and inking comics professionally for 25 years, working most notably for First Comics, Marvel Comics, and DC Comics. He’s known mostly for drawing characters such as, The Badger, Punisher, Batman, and Silver Surfer.

As a comic book inker, Bill has worked with other artists on Marvel Comics’ books such as Spider-Man, Daredevil, the Earth X trilogy, and The Hulk. At DC Comics he has inked the characters Batman, and Green Arrow, among others. Recently, Bill has done illustrations for Upper Deck’s trading card game
Marvel Vs.

In addition to making guest appearances at comic book conventions several times a year, he frequently lectures area students of all ages on drawing comic art and storytelling. Bill currently lives in Crystal Lake, IL, approximately 50 miles from Chicago with his family.

To view Bill Reinhold’s work, please visit his website at http://hedrawscomics.com