Where were you born? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Manila, Philippines.

Schooling? Art training?
I'm a BS Architechture from Far eastern University and I took up a Whilce Portacio's Comics Creation Course.

How long have you been working professionally in comics?
One time last year, an opportunity to ink with Philip Tan the first ten pages of the first issue of "Mutant Earth". I had been paid but not credited.

What things -- both in art and otherwise -- have you worked on, besides comics? Are comics a full-time gig for you or part-time?
I was employed at Duty Free Philippines-Logistics Division. I'm now a government employee at the Office of the Mayor in Manila. In my short hours and three days a week in the office, I can consider working in comics a full-time gig.

Talk about how you broke into the business --was it easy?
It's hard yet I manage to work my best. Try and try until I succeed. Good because I have been paid, bad for no credits.

How did you settle on the style(s) you're currently using?
I combined two different techniques of two well-known comic inkers (Batt and Danny Miki). Now I have developed an inking style of my own.

Did you work as an assistant to any other artists?
I assisted in inking of a locally independent comic book of the second issue of Mars Ravelo's "Darna" which was been released last May 2003.

How did your parents take to the idea of working in comics?
They are happy about it and they support my work in comics. My mother let me fulfill my dreams since I was a young boy, drawing comic book characters such as Superman, Spiderman, Captain America, etc.

How would you describe your work space?
My workspace is my bedroom, spacious and comfortable to work. Yes, my office is my home yet sometimes I go to places such as shopping malls and parks where I can relax and be inspired to ink.

What job are you the proudest of?
Proudest- my first inked work. Embarrassing - my name never showed up in the first comic book.

What are you currently drawing?
DEITY.

Tell us more about your family.
Single, yet someday I plan to get married. Friends often ask me when, I keep telling them "Time will tell".

What projects do you hope to work on in the future?
I wish to start to any comic book publishing, but it is my dream to work at DC and Marvel comics.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
I like to teach people especially kids about comics and to have my own local comic publishing company or own a comic book store. 

What is the interest in comics where you live?
There isn't much interest in the family except me. Most of my friends are comic artists. Some are well-known in the industry, others are just like me, wanting a break in the business.

What's 1 thing you'll always find in your refrigerator?
Bottled waters, healthy foods and junks.

What's your favorite food?
Fried chicken, fried fish, meat dishes, salads and other nutritious foods and junk foods!

What are your favorite interests --Movies? Music? TV?
Movies, related to comics, novels and others. Music, loud and heavy, soft and mellow,etc. TV- humor and reality program. Hobbies- collecting and making toys. Sports- martial arts and bowling.

Have you ever thought of writing your own stories?
I can create characters and concepts to comics, but writing I can't do.

What's an average day in your life like? Walk us through a typical day.
It's hard to describe my typical day, yet most of the time I spend my day thinking what to do and what to make.

Any humorous or interesting anecdotes to tell about the comics business?
Whilce Portacio once told me that to become a good inker, one must be an asshole. I think that means that I have to be as creative as I can.

If you weren't a comic-book artist today, what would you be?
If not a comic book artist, I may be employed in a government or private company.

The single thing you'd most like to be remembered for in your life is...?
Bearing the name "Aries Mendoza-inker" in a comic book.

Any closing words for your fans?
In my opinion, some will turn out great, yet some won't. But if you will work hard, know what to do and where to go, you'd be fine. Opportunity in comics is a great privilege for me yet I need more time for improvement. If I will be accepted, I'll start from square 1 and work my way up.