Get Graphic: Ben Perkins Opens G.H.O.S.T. Agents Secret File

Art by Ben Perkins

Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Over the last few months, Get Graphic has been introducing you to the creative roster behind G.H.O.S.T. Agents! The ongoing maxi-series is a collection of episodic, standalone stories that builds to a wild psychedelic, spy-fi ride. One curated by writer Rocko Jerome with the artistic talents of Adam Lemnah, Sam J. Royale, Chris Anderson, and many more.  

We’ve already done plenty of damage exposing the identity of Rocko’s G.H.O.S.T. Agents. But we’re not done yet! Now we compromise their latest agent. Artist Ben Perkins. 

For your eyes only…

Firstly, who are you and where do you hail from?

My name is Ben Perkins and humbly come from St. Johnsbury, Vermont originally, but Portland, Oregon has been my home since 1997.

How did you get into comic books as a fan?

I honestly don’t remember. I seem to always have had comics from as early as I can remember. Tossed in with my box of toys, or stuffed into my dresser, I was always reading comics. It wasn’t until fourth grade and then again in eighth grade that I had moments of a real solid connection with comics. Then going into high school I decided that’s what I was going to do. Find a way to draw comics. 

How did you get into comic books as a professional?

That’s a hard question to answer. Ever since about 2003 I’ve been making comics for money for various people, most of them who just wanted a comic done, mostly people who aren’t really into comics or comics culture. I really started being able to exclusively work on only comics for a living back in 2013-2014 working my way through page rates and such. Now it’s what I do every day, for the most part. 

Tell us about your story in G.H.O.S.T. Agents. What’s it about? 

For my story in the second issue of G.H.O.S.T. Agents, we find Donna Printiss relaxing in her apartment in Brooklyn. The story opens with her dropping acid and picking out some nice records to listen to when she is alerted to an assassination attempt on her life. Now, she’ll have to defend herself while tripping the biggest trip she’s ever tripped. 

How did you get involved with G.H.O.S.T. Agents?

It was really easy. Rocko asked and I said yes. I was humbled that he asked me to be in the inaugural issue and asked me again to rejoin him for issue 2. I love working with Rocko because he is very supportive, but he’s also really good about not letting me get away with resting on my laurels. Challenging and very rewarding. 

What tools do you use to create?

Well, with anything creative I use my best tool first. My brain. Haha. No, seriously, I usually try to work out thumbs and pages in pencil and progress to ink and other mark-making tools accordingly. I did the first few pages of issue #1 in pen and ink, but because of speed and the type of stories we are telling, I moved to digital to facilitate a lot of things that would have been more laborsome, traditionally. And there’s the ever-pressing deadline. 

What’s next for you?

Right now, I’m working on trying to get Heavy published. I have a meeting coming up soon so I’m hopeful we can come to some agreement.  Besides that, I’m contributing to a lot of upcoming fan projects, like the second Darkest Image book, a Batman Year One Tribute book, the 1963 Annual, and working on a cool fan story with Andrew Cahak. Then I’m editing and doing more fun stuff for G.H.O.S.T. Agents. Other than that I’m thinking about future books I can publish with the different stories that I have all bouncing in my head. 

If you want to discover more of Ben’s work, be sure to follow him on Instagram, and Facebook, and Gumroad.

G.H.O.S.T. Agents #1 is available to order now. 

Keep an eye on PREVIEWSworld.com's Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram for more artist spotlights! 

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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. He is also the Consumer Marketing Manager for Geppi Family Enterprises. Troy's comics work includes MF DOOM: All Caps, Public Enemy's Apocalpyse '91, the Glyph Award-nominated Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Award-nominated Magic Bullet.