GVN Talking Comics Interview: Frank Cho on The Frank Cho Exhibition At Philippe Labaune Gallery

Since graduating from High school, Korean-born artist Frank Cho wanted to draw and create. He began by creating comic strips for The Owl, the newspaper of Prince George’s Community College, and for The Diamond, the school paper of the University of Maryland, College Park. He later developed his own syndicated strip titled “Liberty Meadows.”

After a 5 year run, he eventually pulled the strip from syndication and transitioned into comic art. Doing cover art for Marvel and other publishers. This led to a long-term 14-year exclusivity contract with Marvel, working with such characters as Spider-Man, Shanna the She-Devil, The Avengers, The Hulk, and the X-Men. After its expiration, he worked for DC Comics, Image Comics, AWA Studios, Boom Studios, and Flesk Publications. During this time, Frank had built up an impressive resume of artwork. It was this that led to a request to show his work at the renowned Philippe Labaune Gallery.

The Frank Cho Exhibition, opening on September 19th, will showcase some of Frank’s finest works from his career across various media. Ahead of the show’s opening, we caught up with Frank to discuss his artistic beginnings, his work in syndication, and his upcoming art exhibit. So, let’s welcome talented artist Fran Cho to GVN Talking Comics.

“Comics Were a Lifesaver…”

GVN: Thank you, Frank, for sharing some of your valuable time. Since this is our first opportunity to talk, let’s start with some of your creative beginnings. You were born in South Korea and moved to the US at the age of six. At that tender age, was it an easier transition than it might have been had you been older, and when did you first start your interest in art and comics specifically?

Frank: Comic books were a lifesaver for me. Being an Asian immigrant at that young age, as my awareness of self and the world had just started to grow, was traumatic. Comic books and movies helped me learn English quickly, assimilate into the American culture, foster my imagination, and provide a general safe space for me.

Making His Own Path

GVN: As you developed your talent, were your parents supportive of your ambition, or did they prefer you to focus on a career that would be more stable and financially lucrative?

Frank: Growing up Korean, my parents pushed me very hard to become a doctor or an engineer. Let’s just say there was a lot of friction growing up. They meant well, but essentially, my parents didn’t know what to do with me. The funny thing is, their lack of support gave me the inner strength and independence to forge my own path and become the artist I am.

Success in Syndication

GVN: Your first syndicated comic strip was Liberty Meadows. How hard was it to get into syndication? (I have heard various stories from cartoonists who were rejected numerous times and some who made it on their first go). Also, was the process different from what you believed going in?

Frank: Breaking into newspaper syndication was easy for me. I’m one of the few lucky ones who managed to do it while still in college with Liberty Meadows. But maintaining a career as a syndicated cartoonist proved difficult—the constant censorship, daily deadlines, and petty politics soured me and prompted my early exit. These experiences opened my eyes to the shortcomings of the newspaper industry and the decline of American newspapers over the past thirty years. But they say things happen for a reason, and leaving the newspaper strip business led me directly into Marvel Comics, and the rest is history.

Maintaining a Process

GVN: Besides your work on the comic strip, you have also worked for many of the mainstream publishers, including Marvel (as you mentioned),  DC, Dark Horse, and Dynamite. When working with different publishers, does your process change, or do you have to adapt to who you are working with?

Frank: No, my personal process has never changed. I strive to make the best comic book possible with any given character and story. I frequently disregard current styles or trends to discover what will make each comic project uniquely stand out. I incorporate a blend of artistic styles and mindsets onto the page to craft a visually captivating comic.

The only real difference is the level of freedom you are given, depending on the size of the company you’re working for. Unfortunately, the larger the company or corporation, the less freedom you are given with the characters.

The Frank Cho Exhibition

GVN: So, let’s get to the reason we are getting together, and that is your upcoming “Frank Cho Exhibition” with the acclaimed Philippe Labaune Gallery. How did this opportunity come about, and could you have even conceived when you started drawing that one day a New York Gallery would be showing your work?

Frank: Sometimes, opportunities arrive unexpectedly. Nathaniel Pallant, curator of the art exhibition, sought me out at Lake Como Comic Art Festival and invited me to exhibit at the Philippe Labaune Art Gallery in New York City. Nathaniel Pallant is an avid art collector and curator with a deep knowledge of art, boasting an impressive network, particularly in international media and publishing. The Philippe Labaune Comic Art Gallery is a prestigious venue for discerning taste, so when they call, you answer. It was as simple as that.

Exhibiting my work in a gallery was not part of my original plan, as I was focused on writing, drawing comics, and meeting deadlines. Now, I am both excited and a bit nervous about sharing my art with the public at the renowned Philippe Labaune Art Gallery.

Selecting Pieces for the Show

GVN: With your numerous artworks produced, how did you decide which pieces would be shown, and did you have input into which ones would make the cut?

Frank: Philippe Labaune, Nathaniel Pallant, and I pored over my collection of artwork. We had a blast picking out the best representations of my art in various styles. Their insights were both illuminating and fascinating. My hope is that this selection of art will impact the people visiting the gallery in the same way. For me, this collaboration is about more than just one exhibition. It’s about building something long-term with a team who understands both the art and the artist — Philippe Labaune, the gallery owner, and my curator Nathaniel Pallant bring that balance perfectly.

“Simple. Enjoyment”

GVN: I want to thank you again Frank for chatting with us. Before I let you go, I want to ask one last question. When fans come to see your exhibition, what would you like them to take away from their visit?

Frank: Simple. Enjoyment. I hope the exhibition will bring some beauty into this world and give people a brief respite from this hectic time.

If you are in the NY area and are a fan of Frank Cho’s work, or comic art in general, you should check out Frank’s Exhibition. It runs from September 19th to October 25th.