By MAGGIE WICKS
Comic creator. Died aged 34.
One of New Zealand's most influential illustrators has died in Los Angeles.
Born in 1970, Martin Emond was New Zealand's best-known comic-art export.
The creator of punk character Switchblade and the internationally acclaimed series White Trash, Emond had been living in Los Angeles for the
past two years.
He moved there in 2002 to promote the iconic character Switchblade, the subject of a popular series of paintings, posters and the New Zealand-made brand Illicit streetgear.
As an 18-year-old, Emond worked in an abattoir to save for a trip to England where he contacted comic luminary Kevin Eastman, creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Eastman gave Emond his first break, publishing his four-part White Trash series, which introduced the world to his "hyper realism" style.
His next opportunity came following an Auckland show of hardcore rock band Danzig.
A year after forcing a book of sketches on to the tour's promoter, Emond received a phone call from rocker Glen Danzig.
Danzig invited him to join a new comic company in the United States and Emond went on to serve a four-year stint on the erotic series Verotik.
Emond was also known as a painter, tattoo artist and animator.
His career included work for comic empires Marvel and DC Comics, designs for Illicit and album cover art for bands Shihad, Danzig and Head Like A Hole.
His work appeared in many pop-culture comic books and his Rolling Red Knuckles series gained him a cult following in Japan.
Emond's influence is evident in the work of other New Zealand comic artists such as Ant Sang, the creator of the Dharma Punks series.
His success overseas while living in New Zealand served as encouragement to upcoming comic artists, showing international recognition and success could be achieved from Downunder.
Local cartoonist Dylan Horrocks says Emond was a huge inspiration to comic artists in New Zealand.
"Martin was always really supportive of young cartoonists in New Zealand.
"He was known as a really kind and positive guy who just loved what he was doing."
Emond had recently begun working with Pirate.net, a subsidiary of the Fox Television Network, to turn Rolling Red Knuckles into an animated series.
He was engaged to be married.
A memorial service for Edmond will be held at Alleluya Cafe, St Kevins Arcade, Karangahape Rd on March 28 at 4.44 pm.
All friends and fans are welcome.
