Interview
Ricky Clover Jr
Ricky Clover, 48, is a Devry University student who currently attending classes online. His major is Multi Media Design and Development and been a member of PhillyCAM since 2012. He is a 2019 Cammy Award winner for Excellence in TV Production, Marky. Marky was a 3D animated comedy short set in 1992 about a teen stuck with a perpetual bad haircut during his first day of middle school. Ricky is currently creator and host of Clover Label Live Podcast and developing video game, Escape From Dragoon Dungeon. Two Escape From Dragoon Dungeon video game exhibition events in the year 2026. Temple University at EastCoast Black Age of Comics Convention Saturday, May 16th 2026 and Regal Theatre Urban Action Showcase Expo, Times Square, New York City, Saturday November 14th 2026.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I was raised in Southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a love and passion for cartoon animation. My father, Ricky Clover Sr. briefly attended The Art Institute of Philadelphia. Concept of Marky came about when he imagined his life as animated sitcom during his middle school years of early 90's. I has always had a fondness for animation medium. Looney Toons, The Simpsons, The Boondocks (comic strip and cartoon) G.I Joe A Real American Hero, Fist of the North Star, Golgo 13: The Professional, Street Fighter 2: The Animated Movie, Transformers: The Movie and Heavy Metal are his favorite animated features he likes. Formal training throughout the years to perfect his skills as animator. At age 15, he attended Soapstone For The Arts 4 week graphic arts in Decatur, Ga. At age 17, he was enrolled Enrichment Program For The Gifted in Decatur, G was internship program for high school students. He was in graphic arts program in Decatur, Ga. At age 29, he attended University Arts League 8 week advance comic book artist workshop. Teacher was a comic book artist, Pete Stratis, creator of Evenfall in Philadelphia, Pa. At age 33. he attended Devry University Multimedia Development And Design Accelerated Course Bachelor's Degree Program in Fort Washington, Pa. At age 37, PhillyCAM (Community Access Media) Local TV and Radio Channel. Two Adobe Premier Workshops( video editing and filmmaking course), After Effects (3D Animation course) and Audio Production course. I am a Devry University student who currently attending classes online. My major is Multi Media Design and Development and been a member of PhillyCAM since 2012. In 2019, I was a Cammy Award winner for Excellence in TV Production, Marky. Marky was a 3D animated comedy short set in 1992 about a teen stuck with a perpetual bad haircut during his first day of middle school. Currently working on the follow up, Marky: Life Be Buggin, set to be broadcast on PhillyCAM, ROKU and AppleTV in winter 2022. In Marky: Life Be Buggin, Marques Lawrence Sharper must contend with his bad luck haircut on a day to day basis. Marky: Life Be Buggin is multi-award winning animated short. In 2023, Marky: Rock Da House has won many awards and currently shown as Marky marathon on Saturdays at 2am.”
What inspires you?
“What inspires me is my dad, Ricky Clover Sr, my life experiences (my perspective on the world) and pop culture entertainment of video games, cartoons, tv shows and movies.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The messages I include in my work is anti-bullying, the bonds of friendship, being heroic and overcoming adversity. The themes I include in my work are good vs evil, justice and revenge and coming of age.”
How would you describe your work?
“I describe my work having dark humor in both Marky animated series and Escape From Dragoon Dungeon (video game) that navigates the humor condition.”
Which artists influence you most?
“The artists that influences me were my dad, Ricky Clover Sr., Ralph Bakshi (animator of Fire and Ice, Fritz The Cat), Denys Cowan (creator of Milestone Media and Static Shock), Aaron McGruder (creator of The Boondocks) and Peter Ramsey (director of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse).”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is very basic. An idea forms in my brain and write or draw it down on paper, napkin, notebook. Then, I transfer my ideas on the computer. Lastly, the idea becomes digital artwork in the form of a poster, flyer and artwork for clothing apparel, animation for Marky, Clover Label Podcast and Escape From Dragoon Dungeon Assets.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The artist’s role in society is to bring entertainment, being informative and touch the lives of the masses in the form of limitless imagination and boundless creativity. I see an artist's role evolving with the uses of AI. Software like Sora that has Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting The Shredder and Foot Clan in 1996 WCW match and Deebo (villain from Friday movie series ) beating the snot out of people who attempt to punk him out is the future artist's role in society.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Yes, Marky live screening events at PhillyCAM Main Studio in 2024. Marky And Da Bandits X. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Escape From Dragoon Dungeon video game exhibition @ Black Age of Comics Convention in Temple Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and The Future is Black Podcast interview @ Black Age of Comics Convention in Temple University Executive Room. Philadelphia. Pennsylvania in May 2026.
And the upcoming Escape From Dragoon Dungeon version 2 video game exhibition Regal Theatre Times Square, Urban Action Showcase Expo 14, New York City.”
Website: cloverricky.wixsite.com/escape-from-dragoon
Instagram: @real.clover
Other links: www.tiktok.com/@medaanimator78
