Meet Alekos Manikas | Comic book Artist, Character Designer, & Background Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alekos Manikas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alekos, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want my legacy to be positive and inspiring for many generations to come. I want people to remember not just my name but the spread of joy and happiness I gave to those who are going through tough times. As some people know growing up, I didn’t have the best childhood… But, during those tough times, I would watch and read lots of superhero shows and comics when I was younger. They have been a great influence in my life, as I didn’t have the best childhood. So, I want to give that joy and happiness to others, as it helped me growing up. It’s about giving back and helping others. I wish to inspire the next generation to follow their passions and dreams! That is what I want for my legacy.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Sure! I’d love to tell you more about my art! I create, Illustrations based on comic book art, character design, and background design. The way I create my art is by being truly immersed in what I am creating, feeling the story, the mood, and the expression, but just really having fun in what I love to do. I cannot express how excited I am about the future; I feel like I can make a positive impact on today’s society. Of course, it has been a journey getting to where I am today, a lot of failures in the past, which eventually helped me towards success. For example, I would attend a convention called C2E2 at the McCormick Place in Chicago. There I would have my portfolio reviewed each year. The first year I attended I had a harsh review. If it wasn’t for that harsh review, I wouldn’t have the motivation to improve on being better for the years to come. After those years of attending, I started to really have my art noticed by professionals there, which meant I was heading toward the right path to success. Eventually, I would have many freelance jobs, creating character designs, and even creating a 5-page comic book! The hard work does pay off, there are no easy shortcuts. Of course, the hard work comes with challenges. One of the things I make sure is that my artwork is professional and worthy to show to the world for everyone to see! It’s something I am truly proud to show! Besides that, like any artist, it takes years to define your craft, and it truly never ends. I would look up many artworks that catch my eye and really study how the artist created them. I would also look up artists in the industry and see how they work, or if they have any tips and tricks that could help me to become an even better artist! You never really stop learning! That is the beauty in it, overall, you want to be the best you can be. Knowing all this really challenges me to learn in new ways when I tackle a project. The lesson I learned is that you need a lot of practice defining your craft and making sure it is acceptable in the eyes of professionals, and acceptable in your eyes as well. At the end of the day, it is your art, and you want to be proud of what you create. Of course, have fun with it! I want the world to know me as an inspiration for many artists to pursue their dreams. As they have been passed down to me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Let’s see if my best friend was visiting the area (Aurora, IL) … We would probably hang out at my place and catch up on everything first. Talk about all the exciting things that have happened or things to happen in our lives. Besides that, probably go to the mall, visit some cool stores, and go to some restaurants around the area. Maybe even go to the batting cages. It would be awesome to even go to some museums in Chicago, like the Museum of Science and Industry, The Field Museum, or even the Art Institute! As long as we are both having fun! We could even come up with something together. I am not picky as long as it’s fun!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Throughout my journey, I would like to shout out the support, mentorship, and love I get from everyone who has inspired me and who has truly been there for me. When I was attending the Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago, I had many great mentors, without them I wouldn’t be as knowledgeable in my craft as I am today. They continue to support me even after graduating all these years, so I am very thankful to you all. There are few people in my life, I’d also like to thank. My dad, my brother, and my friends who have become a part of my family through tough times. I am very thankful for all of you, and I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for you guys. I am truly grateful for the love and support throughout the years! I’ll continue to strive forward! I want to create art that all of you are proud of!

Website: https://alekosmanikas.myportfolio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alekosmanikasart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alekos-manikas-6690baaa/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Alekos-Manikas-Art/100037191867145/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@alekosmanikasart