Marvel Comics artist Todd Nauck discusses his creative process – and recent work on an OREO collaboration

Todd, it’s great to connect. Before we dive into this OREO collaboration, how did you find your way into the world of comics?
I fell in love with comics at an early age and knew I wanted to draw them for a career. I took my comic art samples to a lot of Comic Cons to show my art to editors. There was one Marvel editor that would always come to the conventions in Dallas and I got to show her my art over the course of a couple years. I think she saw enough growth in my work to take a chance on me and hire me for a one-page gag for Marvel’s humour comic book, “What The — ?!”

I was hired by Deadpool creator, Rob Liefeld, to work for his studio a year and a half later. That was my big-time break into drawing comics full time as a career.

Amazing! And what have been some career highlights to date?
I’ve had the honour of drawing so many comic books and covers over the years. But I think being known as an artist that draws a lot of Spider-Man is a big honour, especially being a Spidey fan since I was four years old.

Getting to draw Spider-Man and former President Barack Obama together in the bestselling AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #583 has been quite a memorable assignment. I sign copies of that comic at every comic con I go to!

I can imagine! And beyond Spider-Man?
I’ve done a lot of work in the X-Men sector as well. I am always thrilled to draw as much Spider-Man and X-Men as I can!

Are there any areas of Marvel that remain on your wishlist?
While I’ve drawn so many Marvel characters via cover art, I’d love to try my hand at a Fantastic Four or an Avengers collaboration sometime!

What balance is there to be struck between capturing an iconic character faithfully, while also showcasing your own individual style as an artist?
Drawing iconic characters is like walking in the footsteps of giants; the legendary artists I grew up admiring. I want to honour what they established and then send that character through my mind’s eye and onto the page as my chance to try something new or spin it with my style.

Great answer! Now, we’re chatting today because of a fun new collaboration between Disney, Marvel and OREO – the Marvel OREO Stuf of Doom Cookies! You illustrated the depictions of Doctor Doom that feature on the packaging. What was important to capture and convey here?
The main aspect to my approach is the character’s personality. In the case of Doctor Doom, I want to capture the essence of who he is as depicted in Marvel Comics, as well as consider how the nature of his powers and gear may inform his poses.

Is it strange for you as a Marvel Comics artist to see these characters exist in consumer products in this way?
Well, some of these characters have been icons for decades, like Doctor Doom, Spider-Man and the Hulk. Many of these characters have risen in popularity beyond the comics – as we’ve seen with the successful product collaborations such as the Marvel OREO Stuf of Legends and Marvel OREO Stuf of Doom Cookies. It’s been so cool to see so many more Marvel characters become household names and instantly recognisable!

Before we wrap up, what do you feel is perhaps your most underrated work? Is there a comic out there that should get more love!
I drew a GWEN STACY five-issue mini-series that came out in early 2020 around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic when the comics industry went on pause. We were only able to release issues 1 and 2 as individual comics. It took two years before we got to finish our story as a five-issue collected volume, GIANT-SIZED GWEN STACY #1. It’s a fun story of Gwen Stacy in High School before she met and dated Peter Parker in college.

I’ll check it out! Last question – what fuels your creativity?
My passion and excitement for Super Hero action and adventure is major creativity fuel for me! I’ve been a fan of big powers, cool costumes and wild, weird, larger-than-life Super Hero stories since I was kid. It’s what made me want to be a comic book artist!