An Interview With Unmasked Artist Victor Stabin
VICTOR STABIN (Artist and cover illustrator for “Unmasked”)
Rockpages.gr: How did you get the job for doing the artwork of "Unmasked"? Was it someone who approached you from the KISS management?
Victor Stabin: A year before my KISS involvement, I had placed an ad in “Art Directory” and the guy…the art director of Howard Marks Agency who was responsible for all the KISS album covers and not only…
Rockpages.gr: You are referring to Dennis Woloch?
Victor Stabin: Yes, I think so…Dennis was his first name, so I guess this should be him…anyway, he had seen my work and wanted me to do the artwork for the new KISS album. They already had the idea for the comic strip and they asked me to come up with the drawing and the design. I designed the first three panels…the first three comic strips; they liked me and gave me the job. I knew immediately that this was an important assignment that required a lot of work. At the time I was working for other artists but KISS was by far the best thing.
Rockpages.gr: In comparison with your previous artworks, how different was the KISS cover?
Victor Stabin: It was a little bit different, but mainly it was slightly different techniques…I’d say, a little bit different.
Rockpages.gr: Did you have the chance to meet a member of KISS?
Victor Stabin: I met Gene, Paul and Ace.
Rockpages.gr: What was the impression that they gave you?
Victor Stabin: Gene was really into the whole project…he had a broad understanding of the comic history, he was very articulate and he seemed to be the one who was really interested in the KISS business side of things. Ace and Paul were there…they checked out the drawing and they were observing over the whole thing…see what’s going on, you know…
Rockpages.gr: After the "Unmasked" cover, why you weren't got involved with KISS again?
Victor Stabin: I don’t know…they didn’t ask me…I think that every artist that the Howard Marks Agency hired didn’t have a second chance for another KISS job. Is that correct?
Rockpages.gr: Well, if you put aside Ken Kelly, I think you’re right.
Victor Stabin: OK. I remember Ace asked me once to do the cover of one of his solo records but it didn’t work out.
Rockpages.gr: When was the last time that you listened to "Unmasked"?
Victor Stabin: Oh…(laughs) That would be 25 years ago!
Rockpages.gr: Really?
Victor Stabin: I am a big jazz fan, that’s why…I only have the vinyl edition, by the way.
Rockpages.gr: Victor, the poster inside the “Unmasked” album is by far one of the best posters of KISS. I guess many people tell you so…
Victor Stabin: Yes…I am very proud of that one. Let me tell you this: The first and the last panel of the album cover were totally done by me…everything…the drawing, the painting, the whole design. I knew from the KISS management and the Howard Marks agency that the last one would be a poster inside the album. So, I didn’t want anybody’s hand on it (laughs)! On the other panels I was greatly assisted by Mark Samuels who did most of the design…
Rockpages.gr: Last words...
Victor Stabin: When I got the job for KISS, I immediately knew that this would be a great thing in my career…something that I would be characterized for after many years…
Rockpages.gr: Come to think about it, here there is a Greek journalist asking you questions over a cover that you did 29 years ago!
Victor Stabin: (laughs) Exactly. But, you know what? I wasn’t shocked when you got in touch with me about the interview…maybe, a little surprised but not shocked. A few people every 2-3 years ask me questions about KISS…this was the first time from Greece, though. Here’s an interesting story…I was in Hong Kong many years ago and someone asked me if I had done anything popular or recognizable. Instead of answering to his question, I took him to a nearby record store and I showed him the “Unmasked” cover! KISS is not just a band…KISS is beyond music and I am glad that I worked for them!
