Action Pulp!

January 28, 2026

By Adam Messer

Rob Davis is a professional working artist who hones his craft daily. Regarding art, Davis encourages others to “be like a river and relentlessly find  a way over, under, around, or through them by constantly practicing to improve.”

Please introduce yourself.

I’m Rob Davis. I’ve been an artist nearly all my life. 

What genres do you create art and why?

I’m into all sorts of genres but mostly work in Comic Book storytelling and Pulp style illustrations. I do book design and logo work as well.

What is your earliest memory of reading?

I know I read books prior to it, but a book on Ants springs immediately to mind. Comics, naturally, with the Disney Duck books and similar being on my list (we’re talking the 1960s here). Then a friend introduced me to Marvel Comics and it was all over.

When did you know you wanted to create art? How did it happen?

I recognized early that I loved to draw. My dad was a paper salesman so I had a near unlimited supply of paper to work with. It was a copy of The Avengers #2 that I bought off the spinner rack that captivated me and inspired me to become a comic book artist.

What’s one of your favorite scenes in one of your works?

An overhead two-page spread shot of the Playboy Mansion in an issue of SCIMIDAR. I’ve always loved research and I referenced the mansion for a story R.A. Jones did that occurred at the mansion. 

What makes a good character? A bad one?

A realistic back-story or reason for their actions. If there’s no framework for the character it’s hollow shell and uninteresting. 

What moves the story for you? Unpredictability. I’ve read stories of all types in my life and watched a good amount of television episodes and the beats and plot points become obvious after a while. I made the mistake once of reading several Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan books back to back and got to the point where I could tell where a plot point was going to occur. I’m always entranced by a story that I can’t anticipate what’s happening next or “whodunit.” Add in good character development (the character is consistent) and I’m sold.

What is your favorite book and why? “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” by Robert Heinlein. It embodies a lot of what I mentioned in the previous question about “unpredictability.” And  the characters were memorable, including the conscious computer program in the story. A pretty close second is “Stranger in a Strange Land” by the same author. It was the themes in that book that intrigued me, actually in both books that’s true.

What do you want to say to your audience?

My job as a comics and spot illustrator is to enhance the author’s story. So I’m working to help say what the author wants to say. I have written a few stories, but I’m much better an amplification than plotting and character development. 

What advice do you have for new artists?

Two things: 1) Develop a thick skin. You’re going to get a lot of critique and rejection. Learn to roll with it to improve your skills. 2) Don’t give up. Keep at it, working to improve. A lot of obstacles will be strewn in your way. Be like a river and relentlessly find  a way over, under, around, or through them by constantly practicing to improve. As a bonus make sure you’re professional; be on time and easy to work with.

Do you have anything else you would like to add?

Find a good life partner who supports your work. This goes for everyone.

Website: robmdavis.com  airship27hangar.com

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates and more!