Friday, February 26, 2010
6 New Reviews Posted!
Posted 6 New Reviews this week! Dingo #3, Ash-Tray Comics #1, Devil #1, 28 Days Later #7, Vincent Price Presents #17 and Bomb Scares Vol. 1. Come check them out!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Deep Discussions with Decapitated Dan: We Will Bury You Crew
Welcome back kiddies. I have lured the We Will Bury You Crew into the depths to pick their brains about their new comic. So sit back and relax we find out why we should all read We Will Bury You.
Hey everyone thanks for taking time to talk with me about We Will Bury You. First of all lets talk about you. Who are you and what do you do?
Zane Grant: I'm Zane, I share writing responsibilities.
Brea Grant: I'm Brea, also writing.
Kyle Strahm: I'm Kyle. I'm pencilling and inking.
How did you find yourself getting into making comics?
Z: I've been into comics and writing since I was younger. When I was living in Washington, D.C. a while ago, I started researching how comics are created and did a graphic novel writing workshop with a couple of guys from D.C. Conspiracy. I worked on some stuff with my
friend Orion, and then Brea and I started talking about doing We Will Bury You.
B: I think Zane and I are both very creative people who were looking for an outlet. So, about a year ago, we decided we should write something together. For me, it was a way to create and stay busy. Comics seemed the most logical because we're both avid comic readers. I think a major problem for me is that in the film industry, you have to wait years for anything to actually start happening. I spend a lot of time waiting on a phone call to tell me I'm starting a movie, but with comics, Zane and I could just write without waiting for someone to give us the go ahead.
K: I've been making comics since I was nine or so. I was a big fan of the early '90s Batman books and before that the Eastman and Laird Turtles stuff blew my little mind. I thought "That's something I can do" and went to town. After high school, I headed off to an art institute for a year and found I wasn't being taught what I was interested in learning, so I quit and started doing comics again on my own. I did a lot of mini zine-style books way back in the early Aughts and hit a lot of the indie shows. I did a webcomic in 2005, Clockwork Creature, which led to occasional freelance jobs which led to this.
So what can you tell me about We Will Bury You?
Z: It's the story of a Ukrainian artist immigrant and a sex worker trying to survive a zombie apocalypse in 1927. In the process they deal with the inhumanity of other survivors and make some friends. Sideshow 'freaks', will make an appearance, which I am happy about.
What's it all about?
Z: A lot of zombie more recent stories follow pretty normal people longing to restore their everyday lives. In relation to that trend, I think my main motivation behind writing these characters is to channel what happens to people who were already sort of screwed when society
collapsed. The main characters, Mirah and Fanya, only had a failed marriage and poverty to lose. They sort of go from living to survive to living to survive while surrounded by violent undead. Being poor is scary, but being poor amidst mass violence is horrific.
K: It's about two beautiful women running through a filthy city inhabited by grotesque people who are turning into zombies. While the story is largely about poverty, I'm mostly thinking about how I can make things as chaotic and dirty as possible. There are body parts flying all over. Heads are dropping from windows. Everyone keeps spitting and bleeding a lot. The book also has a lot of subtle humor in it. Look for it. It's subtle.
Who are the main characters?
Z: The main characters are Mirah, a woman who is working as a sort of 1920's call girl at a taxi dance hall, and Fanya, her unemployed, thieving girlfriend. Mirah's jealous husband Henry also drives the story. There's a large cast of 1920's dandies, ruffians, police, and a voodoo priestess to round things off.
B: And like Zane said, a few sideshow performers make an appearance.
K: The zombies. The one with the top hat is pretty cool. There's one who's a voodoo priestess and she's awesome. Yeah, there will be freakshow zombies later, a mermaid zombie, flapper zombies, hobo zombies, a zombie barbershop quartet. I'm hoping zombie Calvin Coolidge will make an appearance. There are zombies riding roller coasters and smoking pipes and playing steel drums. Jack Dempsey shows up for a second, but he just punches zombies.
Where did this idea come from?
Z: Flappers and zombies was an idea I'd been kicking around for a while. The 1920's stand out in a lot of ways as a decade of change. It was the time of America's first sexual revolution, and a lot of subversive political ideas were spreading. The clash between those living vapid, decadent lifestyles and those struggling to survive, and the lead up to the Great Depression and global financial crisis, provides a great environment for zombies.
B: We originally wrote a huge worldwide storyline - following people from all over the world from similar backgrounds to our main characters - like prisoners or German artists. Since it's our first comic, we didn't exactly get our ideal 100 issue deal upfront so we picked the two characters we thought would be the most interesting to start with.
K: Brea and Zane gave me a lot of photos with some thoughts about how they'd like things to look and we tossed sketches back and forth. They are very open to any ideas I come up with and are great to work with.
If you were to give this books a movie style rating what would it get?
Z: I'm not sure. It is a zombie book, so people get ripped apart and disemboweled. How do they decide those ratings? I know the MPAA is a dark wraith that will slay you, so I don't think I should say too much about that.
B: Eh - probably somewhere between PG-13 and R but mostly just for violence.
K: I did just draw some bare breasts that could kick it up to R but they might make me take those out.
What are you hoping readers can take away from this story?
Z: I hope people like it. I mostly read comics as escapism. If I
learn something or think differently about something because of one, I
think it's a bonus.
B: I'm with Zane - entertainment is key. And I hope we're doing something different enough that people will think it's interesting. With all the zombie things coming out, I'm hoping we don't get lost in the shuffle.
K: I hope we've put enough of a spin on the zombie thing so that people will really take notice. I think we have.
Is this a series that we can expect more from in the future?
Z: Right now, it's a mini-series, but if people like it, we definitely set up some things to allow the crisis to unfold globally. It's areally fun story to write, so I'd love to keep working on this
alternative history.
K: I would be up for more.
So how did you all come together to create this book?
Z: Chris Ryall and Denton Tipton at IDW helped piece together the team. Kyle's art is amazing, so we're really happy to get to work with him. IDW helped us set up Zac Atkinson, who is doing the colors, which are great… and Brea is my sister so working with her is always fun.
B: We also need to give a shout out to Ben Templesmith who I met at a comic convention. He gave us all the info on pitching and writing for IDW and agreed to do our first cover which really helped us to secure a deal.
K: I shout out to Dara Naraghi who gave my portfolio to Chris in the first place. Thanks, Dara!
Can we expect more from you horror comic wise in the future?
Z: Brea and I have been working on a few things of the sci-fi and horror persuasion that we'd really like to write, so we'll see.
B: I think the horror genre is addicting. Once you start creating in any medium in that genre, you just want to push more boundaries and see what you can do scare people. So, I definitely think I'll be doing more in that world.
K: Yeah, horror, sci-fi, and barbarian fantasy. Buns are in the oven.
Can you talk a bit about your experiences so far with working in comics?
Z: When I tell people I'm working on a comic, they usually say
something about how great it must be to draw all the time. When I explain that I don't draw, almost everyone says, 'Oh, you just write them?' Regardless, I like the format of writing comics and working with other people on a project. Thinking in terms of panels and how to pace pages is a lot of fun and harder to pull together than you might think. Kyle is quite helpful with making pages flow together.
B: When I got the first copy of our first issue, it was one of the most exciting moments of my life - just to see it all come together the way we had planned it. It was cool. I think we're learning a lot as first time writers - we've made some mistakes but it's all fun and I think it'll just get more fun as things go along.
K: I like working together as a group. Everything I'd done up to this point had been in black and white and hand-lettered by me. It's pretty crazy to see my work colored by someone else, but Zac is doing a fantastic job.
What has it been like working with IDW?
Z: Everyone at IDW has been great. Denton Tipton, our editor, deserves an award.
B: Indeed.
K: The D in IDW stands for Denton.
Were you into any horror titles growing up that lead you to want to create a book like this?
Z: When I was about ten, I remember being really scared of the Hellblazer covers at the comics shop in our town, so I avoided them. I got into horror movies in high school, and started picking up 30 Days of Night in college because of Templesmith's art. I was surprised at how much could be done with the medium, and now I buy pretty much any new horror comic that my local shop picks up and seek out the EC titles and Creepy stuff that is being reprinted these days.
B: I don't know if it led me to creating a book like this but I like the genre. I'm a fan of Creepy (Zane got me into it), Walking Dead and Locke & Key.
K: Kelly Jones' Batman is pretty much what got me into comics. I was also really into Spawn way back when. Before that, I read a lot of MAD Magazine which influenced my visual style. Even though it was ridiculous, there was a MAD horror parody called Arbor Day that scared my pants off. I was really into The Nightmare Before Christmas when it came out. Since then, I've also been reading Eerie, Creepy, and Tales From the Crypt. The original Swamp Thing run was great to look at. I love Wrightson, Richard Corben, and all those old Bruce Jones Twisted Tales books. Hellboy is still one of my favorites. I never really thought I was doing horror until people kept saying, "Dude, I dig your horror style."
What comics are you currently reading?
Z: I pick up Walking Dead, the new Creepy, Locke and Key, Crossed, Hellblazer, Stumptown, King City, The Goon, Thor, Hack/Slash, Sweet Tooth, Chew, and anything Mignola or Brian Wood-related on Wednesdays. Basically, horror, noir, sci-fi, or Viking will get me to take a
chance on your book at least once. My favorite web-comic is the Abominable Charles Christopher, but I follow a few other ones. Graphic novel-wise I enjoyed reading Ball Peen Hammer, recently, and am working my way through the Pluto manga series. Both of those seem
pretty dark in a way. I'm looking forward to Choker, the new Zombies vs. Robots run, more Tank Girl… seems like lots of good work is coming out in 2010.
B: I don't know if it's because we're related or because we share comics, but I read a lot of the same stuff as Zane - Stumptown, Hack/Slash, Sweet Tooth. I'm also a big X-Factor fan.
K: I have a big stack that never seems to get any smaller. Scalped, Franken-Castle, Hellboy, Jason Aaron's Punisher, the new Creepy, Glamourpuss, Batman & Robin, Tank Girl trades, Savage Dragon, Starr The Slayer, Bisley's Hellblazer, and some of those Frazetta books. I'll usually buy anything drawn by Corben or Mignola. I'm always flipping through the giant Judge Dredd case files, the first Lobo mini-series, Brian Bolland's The Actress and The Bishop, Batman: Black and White, and that Sam Kieth Wolverine/Cyber story from Marvel Comics Presents. In 2010, I'm looking forward to Cupid from AiT/Planet Lar.
So where can readers find out more about this book?
Z: You can check our blogs at http://zanegrant.org, http://breagrant.com, http://www.kylestrahm.com, or IDW's site.
So in summary give me a quick recap on We Will Bury You and why fans should give it a try.
Z: Historical zombie graphic fiction. It's a book that serves the interests of both historians and gore hounds. If that's not enough, Ben Templesmith, Nate Powell, and Trevor Hutchison are doing covers.
B: I think horror and zombie fans will like that it takes a different perspective on the genre. Also, zombie cops.
K: It's awesome! Brea and Zane and Zac and Denton and I are all awesome! And We Will Bury You is what happens when you put us all together! You will need sunglasses when you open issue #1 of We Will Bury You!
Thanks so much for your time guys.
Hey everyone thanks for taking time to talk with me about We Will Bury You. First of all lets talk about you. Who are you and what do you do?
Zane Grant: I'm Zane, I share writing responsibilities.
Brea Grant: I'm Brea, also writing.
Kyle Strahm: I'm Kyle. I'm pencilling and inking.
How did you find yourself getting into making comics?
Z: I've been into comics and writing since I was younger. When I was living in Washington, D.C. a while ago, I started researching how comics are created and did a graphic novel writing workshop with a couple of guys from D.C. Conspiracy. I worked on some stuff with my
friend Orion, and then Brea and I started talking about doing We Will Bury You.
B: I think Zane and I are both very creative people who were looking for an outlet. So, about a year ago, we decided we should write something together. For me, it was a way to create and stay busy. Comics seemed the most logical because we're both avid comic readers. I think a major problem for me is that in the film industry, you have to wait years for anything to actually start happening. I spend a lot of time waiting on a phone call to tell me I'm starting a movie, but with comics, Zane and I could just write without waiting for someone to give us the go ahead.
K: I've been making comics since I was nine or so. I was a big fan of the early '90s Batman books and before that the Eastman and Laird Turtles stuff blew my little mind. I thought "That's something I can do" and went to town. After high school, I headed off to an art institute for a year and found I wasn't being taught what I was interested in learning, so I quit and started doing comics again on my own. I did a lot of mini zine-style books way back in the early Aughts and hit a lot of the indie shows. I did a webcomic in 2005, Clockwork Creature, which led to occasional freelance jobs which led to this.
So what can you tell me about We Will Bury You?
Z: It's the story of a Ukrainian artist immigrant and a sex worker trying to survive a zombie apocalypse in 1927. In the process they deal with the inhumanity of other survivors and make some friends. Sideshow 'freaks', will make an appearance, which I am happy about.
What's it all about?Z: A lot of zombie more recent stories follow pretty normal people longing to restore their everyday lives. In relation to that trend, I think my main motivation behind writing these characters is to channel what happens to people who were already sort of screwed when society
collapsed. The main characters, Mirah and Fanya, only had a failed marriage and poverty to lose. They sort of go from living to survive to living to survive while surrounded by violent undead. Being poor is scary, but being poor amidst mass violence is horrific.
K: It's about two beautiful women running through a filthy city inhabited by grotesque people who are turning into zombies. While the story is largely about poverty, I'm mostly thinking about how I can make things as chaotic and dirty as possible. There are body parts flying all over. Heads are dropping from windows. Everyone keeps spitting and bleeding a lot. The book also has a lot of subtle humor in it. Look for it. It's subtle.
Who are the main characters?
Z: The main characters are Mirah, a woman who is working as a sort of 1920's call girl at a taxi dance hall, and Fanya, her unemployed, thieving girlfriend. Mirah's jealous husband Henry also drives the story. There's a large cast of 1920's dandies, ruffians, police, and a voodoo priestess to round things off.
B: And like Zane said, a few sideshow performers make an appearance.
K: The zombies. The one with the top hat is pretty cool. There's one who's a voodoo priestess and she's awesome. Yeah, there will be freakshow zombies later, a mermaid zombie, flapper zombies, hobo zombies, a zombie barbershop quartet. I'm hoping zombie Calvin Coolidge will make an appearance. There are zombies riding roller coasters and smoking pipes and playing steel drums. Jack Dempsey shows up for a second, but he just punches zombies.
Where did this idea come from?
Z: Flappers and zombies was an idea I'd been kicking around for a while. The 1920's stand out in a lot of ways as a decade of change. It was the time of America's first sexual revolution, and a lot of subversive political ideas were spreading. The clash between those living vapid, decadent lifestyles and those struggling to survive, and the lead up to the Great Depression and global financial crisis, provides a great environment for zombies.
B: We originally wrote a huge worldwide storyline - following people from all over the world from similar backgrounds to our main characters - like prisoners or German artists. Since it's our first comic, we didn't exactly get our ideal 100 issue deal upfront so we picked the two characters we thought would be the most interesting to start with.
K: Brea and Zane gave me a lot of photos with some thoughts about how they'd like things to look and we tossed sketches back and forth. They are very open to any ideas I come up with and are great to work with.
If you were to give this books a movie style rating what would it get?
Z: I'm not sure. It is a zombie book, so people get ripped apart and disemboweled. How do they decide those ratings? I know the MPAA is a dark wraith that will slay you, so I don't think I should say too much about that.
B: Eh - probably somewhere between PG-13 and R but mostly just for violence.
K: I did just draw some bare breasts that could kick it up to R but they might make me take those out.
What are you hoping readers can take away from this story?
Z: I hope people like it. I mostly read comics as escapism. If I
learn something or think differently about something because of one, I
think it's a bonus.
B: I'm with Zane - entertainment is key. And I hope we're doing something different enough that people will think it's interesting. With all the zombie things coming out, I'm hoping we don't get lost in the shuffle.
K: I hope we've put enough of a spin on the zombie thing so that people will really take notice. I think we have.
Is this a series that we can expect more from in the future?Z: Right now, it's a mini-series, but if people like it, we definitely set up some things to allow the crisis to unfold globally. It's areally fun story to write, so I'd love to keep working on this
alternative history.
K: I would be up for more.
So how did you all come together to create this book?
Z: Chris Ryall and Denton Tipton at IDW helped piece together the team. Kyle's art is amazing, so we're really happy to get to work with him. IDW helped us set up Zac Atkinson, who is doing the colors, which are great… and Brea is my sister so working with her is always fun.
B: We also need to give a shout out to Ben Templesmith who I met at a comic convention. He gave us all the info on pitching and writing for IDW and agreed to do our first cover which really helped us to secure a deal.
K: I shout out to Dara Naraghi who gave my portfolio to Chris in the first place. Thanks, Dara!
Can we expect more from you horror comic wise in the future?
Z: Brea and I have been working on a few things of the sci-fi and horror persuasion that we'd really like to write, so we'll see.
B: I think the horror genre is addicting. Once you start creating in any medium in that genre, you just want to push more boundaries and see what you can do scare people. So, I definitely think I'll be doing more in that world.
K: Yeah, horror, sci-fi, and barbarian fantasy. Buns are in the oven.
Can you talk a bit about your experiences so far with working in comics?
Z: When I tell people I'm working on a comic, they usually say
something about how great it must be to draw all the time. When I explain that I don't draw, almost everyone says, 'Oh, you just write them?' Regardless, I like the format of writing comics and working with other people on a project. Thinking in terms of panels and how to pace pages is a lot of fun and harder to pull together than you might think. Kyle is quite helpful with making pages flow together.B: When I got the first copy of our first issue, it was one of the most exciting moments of my life - just to see it all come together the way we had planned it. It was cool. I think we're learning a lot as first time writers - we've made some mistakes but it's all fun and I think it'll just get more fun as things go along.
K: I like working together as a group. Everything I'd done up to this point had been in black and white and hand-lettered by me. It's pretty crazy to see my work colored by someone else, but Zac is doing a fantastic job.
What has it been like working with IDW?
Z: Everyone at IDW has been great. Denton Tipton, our editor, deserves an award.
B: Indeed.
K: The D in IDW stands for Denton.
Were you into any horror titles growing up that lead you to want to create a book like this?
Z: When I was about ten, I remember being really scared of the Hellblazer covers at the comics shop in our town, so I avoided them. I got into horror movies in high school, and started picking up 30 Days of Night in college because of Templesmith's art. I was surprised at how much could be done with the medium, and now I buy pretty much any new horror comic that my local shop picks up and seek out the EC titles and Creepy stuff that is being reprinted these days.
B: I don't know if it led me to creating a book like this but I like the genre. I'm a fan of Creepy (Zane got me into it), Walking Dead and Locke & Key.
K: Kelly Jones' Batman is pretty much what got me into comics. I was also really into Spawn way back when. Before that, I read a lot of MAD Magazine which influenced my visual style. Even though it was ridiculous, there was a MAD horror parody called Arbor Day that scared my pants off. I was really into The Nightmare Before Christmas when it came out. Since then, I've also been reading Eerie, Creepy, and Tales From the Crypt. The original Swamp Thing run was great to look at. I love Wrightson, Richard Corben, and all those old Bruce Jones Twisted Tales books. Hellboy is still one of my favorites. I never really thought I was doing horror until people kept saying, "Dude, I dig your horror style."
What comics are you currently reading?
Z: I pick up Walking Dead, the new Creepy, Locke and Key, Crossed, Hellblazer, Stumptown, King City, The Goon, Thor, Hack/Slash, Sweet Tooth, Chew, and anything Mignola or Brian Wood-related on Wednesdays. Basically, horror, noir, sci-fi, or Viking will get me to take a
chance on your book at least once. My favorite web-comic is the Abominable Charles Christopher, but I follow a few other ones. Graphic novel-wise I enjoyed reading Ball Peen Hammer, recently, and am working my way through the Pluto manga series. Both of those seem
pretty dark in a way. I'm looking forward to Choker, the new Zombies vs. Robots run, more Tank Girl… seems like lots of good work is coming out in 2010.
B: I don't know if it's because we're related or because we share comics, but I read a lot of the same stuff as Zane - Stumptown, Hack/Slash, Sweet Tooth. I'm also a big X-Factor fan.
K: I have a big stack that never seems to get any smaller. Scalped, Franken-Castle, Hellboy, Jason Aaron's Punisher, the new Creepy, Glamourpuss, Batman & Robin, Tank Girl trades, Savage Dragon, Starr The Slayer, Bisley's Hellblazer, and some of those Frazetta books. I'll usually buy anything drawn by Corben or Mignola. I'm always flipping through the giant Judge Dredd case files, the first Lobo mini-series, Brian Bolland's The Actress and The Bishop, Batman: Black and White, and that Sam Kieth Wolverine/Cyber story from Marvel Comics Presents. In 2010, I'm looking forward to Cupid from AiT/Planet Lar.
So where can readers find out more about this book?Z: You can check our blogs at http://zanegrant.org, http://breagrant.com, http://www.kylestrahm.com, or IDW's site.
So in summary give me a quick recap on We Will Bury You and why fans should give it a try.
Z: Historical zombie graphic fiction. It's a book that serves the interests of both historians and gore hounds. If that's not enough, Ben Templesmith, Nate Powell, and Trevor Hutchison are doing covers.
B: I think horror and zombie fans will like that it takes a different perspective on the genre. Also, zombie cops.
K: It's awesome! Brea and Zane and Zac and Denton and I are all awesome! And We Will Bury You is what happens when you put us all together! You will need sunglasses when you open issue #1 of We Will Bury You!
Thanks so much for your time guys.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Deep Discussions with Decapitated Dan: Steve Mannion
Welcome back kiddies. I have lured Steve Mannion into the depths to pick his brain about life and everything in between. So sit back and relax as he tells us about who he is, what he does, and what we can expect from him in the future. Trust me, you will like what you read!
Alright lets start out with a short answer section and get the usual out of the way.
Name:
Steve Mannion
Age:
44
Married/Single/Dating/Other:
Other
Pets:
Nope
Highest Education Level:
Joe Kubert School of Cartooning Diploma
High School Mascot:
Tiger
First Job:
Machine Shop
Favorite instrument to play:
Skin flu...ummm Guitar
Staying with short answers lets talk about what you do:
Comic(s) you created Before 1995:
Christina Winters, Death Rattle
1996 - July 4, 2005:
Batman Detective, Cap America, DC "Big Books"
July 5, 2005 - Tomorrow and one day after:
Fearless Dawn Baby! ..and the Bomb
Alright all that stuff aside lets get to the meat of the interview:
What do you do when not making comics?
Man, It's been a while. The FD deadlines have been brutal (But Fun!) Frankly, I clean. And watch WW2 Dogfights and tank battles on youtube. Action Packed!...Oh, I do a lot of hiking... have seen: Bear, Copperhead, Porcupine, Fox, Wolf, Coyote, Cougar (I think) Blue-tailed Skink...
Favorite thing to surf on the web?
Youtube WW2 Dogfights.
You take a trip to Russia and get stranded for 2 years. What do you do to pass the time?
Buy a wife.Just kidding! Seriously, I'd see the sites and make
friends man. See the war memorials,that'd be cool. Different cultures are cool.
When you were 10 and 20 what were you for Halloween?
At 10, a Stellar Hunchback. At 20? I think Robin Hood.
Favorite comic character when you were 14 and now?
Honestly at 14 I just read Mad. Now I like old Sgt. Rock comics.
If you had to listen to one CD for a full week and nothing else, what would it be?
Beatles, Let it Be
Back to comic stuff for now.
Knowing that Iceman is the greatest hero of all time, why do you think he is so underused?
Who?
What do you think is going well for horror comics and what is missing?
Going well? The Goon is great. Missing? I dunno. Maybe a problem-solver Ghostbuster type ? More mystery and finesse, less gore.
Alright your making a comic about a homeless dog who has the talent and looks to be the worlds biggest rockstar. Whats the dogs name and sell me on a quick pitch? Go!
Dirty Dog. Rap Star. Talking dog wins career by default. That's a dumb Idea man!
We all know how good you can work with the pencil but what do you really want to be when you grow up?
A Private Detective!
Where is the real money at in comic creating?
Ummm...
When your making comics whats going on around you? Music, what kind? Silence? TV on?
Silence. Computer on for surfing breaks.
10 years from now. Where do you see yourself?
I have no idea. Way too far into the future for my brain.
Alright we can finish up with a quick word association game. I will say a word, you give me a quick one sentence response.
Fearless Dawn?
Yes
Asylum Press?
Yo!
Horror Comics?
Pizza
Skittles?
Smarties
Donkey?
Butt
The letter Q?
Quetzylquotyl
Olives?
Pickle
Decapitated Dan?
The Man!
Steve Mannion?
Dude!
Thanks so much Steve.
If you want to check out more about Steve please go to Steve's Page. If you would like to know more about Fearless Dawn please go here http://www.fearlessdawn.com.
Alright lets start out with a short answer section and get the usual out of the way.
Name:
Steve Mannion
Age:
44
Married/Single/Dating/Other:
Other
Pets:
Nope
Highest Education Level:
Joe Kubert School of Cartooning Diploma
High School Mascot:
Tiger
First Job:
Machine Shop
Favorite instrument to play:
Skin flu...ummm Guitar
Staying with short answers lets talk about what you do:
Comic(s) you created Before 1995: Christina Winters, Death Rattle
1996 - July 4, 2005:
Batman Detective, Cap America, DC "Big Books"
July 5, 2005 - Tomorrow and one day after:
Fearless Dawn Baby! ..and the Bomb
Alright all that stuff aside lets get to the meat of the interview:
What do you do when not making comics?
Man, It's been a while. The FD deadlines have been brutal (But Fun!) Frankly, I clean. And watch WW2 Dogfights and tank battles on youtube. Action Packed!...Oh, I do a lot of hiking... have seen: Bear, Copperhead, Porcupine, Fox, Wolf, Coyote, Cougar (I think) Blue-tailed Skink...
Favorite thing to surf on the web?
Youtube WW2 Dogfights.
You take a trip to Russia and get stranded for 2 years. What do you do to pass the time?
Buy a wife.Just kidding! Seriously, I'd see the sites and make
friends man. See the war memorials,that'd be cool. Different cultures are cool.When you were 10 and 20 what were you for Halloween?
At 10, a Stellar Hunchback. At 20? I think Robin Hood.
Favorite comic character when you were 14 and now?
Honestly at 14 I just read Mad. Now I like old Sgt. Rock comics.
If you had to listen to one CD for a full week and nothing else, what would it be?
Beatles, Let it Be
Back to comic stuff for now.
Knowing that Iceman is the greatest hero of all time, why do you think he is so underused?
Who?
What do you think is going well for horror comics and what is missing?
Going well? The Goon is great. Missing? I dunno. Maybe a problem-solver Ghostbuster type ? More mystery and finesse, less gore.
Alright your making a comic about a homeless dog who has the talent and looks to be the worlds biggest rockstar. Whats the dogs name and sell me on a quick pitch? Go!Dirty Dog. Rap Star. Talking dog wins career by default. That's a dumb Idea man!
We all know how good you can work with the pencil but what do you really want to be when you grow up?
A Private Detective!
Where is the real money at in comic creating?
Ummm...
When your making comics whats going on around you? Music, what kind? Silence? TV on?
Silence. Computer on for surfing breaks.
10 years from now. Where do you see yourself?
I have no idea. Way too far into the future for my brain.
Alright we can finish up with a quick word association game. I will say a word, you give me a quick one sentence response.
Fearless Dawn?
Yes
Asylum Press?
Yo!
Horror Comics?
Pizza
Skittles?
Smarties
Donkey?
Butt
The letter Q?
Quetzylquotyl
Olives?
Pickle
Decapitated Dan?
The Man!
Steve Mannion?
Dude!
Thanks so much Steve.
If you want to check out more about Steve please go to Steve's Page. If you would like to know more about Fearless Dawn please go here http://www.fearlessdawn.com.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
3 New Reviews for your reading pleasure!
Just posted 3 new reviews. Possessions: Book 1, Deadworld: Slaughterhouse and 28 Days Later #6. Check em out!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Deep Discussions with Decapitated Dan: Ken Marcus
Welcome back kiddies! This time we welcome Ken Marcus into the dungeon. If you don't know who Ken is shame on you. He wrote one of the funniest comics of 2009. Sit back and relax as he tells us about who he is, what he does, and what we can expect from him in the future. Trust me, you will like what you read!
Alright lets start out with a short answer section and get the usual out of the way.
Name:
Ken Marcus
Age:
38
Married/Single/Dating/Other:
Married
Pets:
Nope.
Highest Education Level:
Undergrad. JMU in Virginia.
High School Mascot:
Bruin. Which is apparently a bear of some sort.
First Job:
Dishwasher.
Favorite place to get away from it all:
Sweet, sweet comic store.
Staying with short answers lets talk about what you do:
Comic(s) you created Before 1999:
Zero.
January 1, 2000 - January 2, 2004:
Zero.
January 3, 2004 - Today:
Super Human Resources 1-4.
Alright all that stuff aside lets get to the meat of the interview:
What do you do when not making comics?
I'm a writer at an ad agency. I am bringing down some of the world's biggest companies, one mediocre ad at a time. I am also a father of a two year old and a four year old. They take up most of my time.
Atari or Intellevision?
Intellevision. Pitfall, baby.
Your in bed, when ZAP! Aliens snatch you up. What are you most looking forward to when you meet them face to face?
The gentle, loving probing. Wait...
When you were 10 what were you for Halloween?
I was a pirate and I have no images of it. I try to keep my childhood as undocumented as possible. For legal reasons, you understand.
If you were at the mall when the real Santa showed up would you:
A. Get in line and ask for a present.
B. Get your gun and kidnap the fat man.
C. Crap your pants because you didn't think he was real which for some odd reason the child in you is dead and you need to get your imagination back.
D. Tell him I'm Jewish. And then crap my pants.
What do you know about the process of making pipe wrenches?
About as much as I know about writing comics.
Back to comic stuff for now.
Knowing that Iceman is the greatest hero of all time, why do you think he is so underused?
Um…because he's not so great. No, I like him. When he's written right, which isn't often. I like the smartass X-man thing. But how often can you put someone in a block of ice in a fight and have them bust out? Tough powers to write, I imagine. God, remember that scene from a Chuck Austen comic where Iceman constituted himself from his own urine? (Shudder)
Favorite comic character when you were 10 and 25?
Wolverine. It's stupid, but there's a reason he's the most popular comics character in the last 20 years. I do like the bad boys.
Alright your making a comic about an elite team of fishermen who keep the seas safe from the killer swarms of Tuna. Whats the name of the book and sell me on a quick pitch? Go!
"Seamen!" With so much mercury in the oceans, Charlie Tuna becomes mentally unhinged. He goes on a horrible "whale watching tour" killing spree. But the Gorton's fisherman guy takes matters into his own surprisingly-feminine hands. He assembles his own team of drunk, borderline-literate fishermen--Seamen!--to take Charlie Tuna down, once and for all. With extreme prejudice. It's a musical.
We all know funny writer but what do you really want to be when you grow up?
I guess I knew I wanted to be in advertising, pretty early. I think I probably wanted to get into tv or film. But I realized pretty quickly I didn't want to be poor. So…advertising it is.
Where is the real money at in comic creating?
God knows I haven't seen it. I don't see how a lot of guys support themselves, honestly. I guess in creator owned stuff. You have to have a lot of titles going before it starts to support itself. I would guess, most creators we know and love, except for your top level guys, lead a pretty, healthy middle class life. I would guess that only 5% of creators are getting wealthy from comics. But I am hardly an expert. I think most indy guys have other "real" jobs. They have to.
When your making comics whats going on around you? Music, what kind? Silence? TV on?
I'm usually at work, supposed to be doing my actual job. Really. Luckily my bosses don't ready any comic book interview sites. Losers.
10 years from now. Where do you see yourself?
I really don't see comics being a "career" for me. I would like to put out a indy miniseries a year or so. Make it a supporting hobby, and I could go do a few shows a year. It's a great outlet. I really have no desire to pester and pester editors to land a back-up four pager for "Night Nurse" or whatever. Just to "break in." What a nightmare. In ten years, I would love to have 7 or 8 trades on a table to sell at shows. Awesome.
Alright we can finish up with a quick word association game. I will say a word, you give me a quick one sentence response.
Super Human Resources?
We got better with every issue.
Ape Entertainment?
Will be "Boom" in a year or so.
Horror Comics?
Alan Moore did it best.
Pillows?
The flatter, the better.
Ephebiphobia?
I think I do have this.
Green Jello?
Hope there's grain alcohol in there.
Tickle Me Elmo?
My kids might have this.
Decapitated Dan?
Great supporter of SHR. Probably mad at me I took so long to do this interview. A thousand pardons. That was like four sentences.
Ken Marcus?
Pretty lucky for a lazy guy.
Thanks Ken. Great stuff!
While Ken keeps his life a secret you can see what they were up to with Super Human Resources at http://www.superhumanresourcescomic.com
Alright lets start out with a short answer section and get the usual out of the way.
Name:
Ken Marcus
Age:
38
Married/Single/Dating/Other:
Married
Pets:
Nope.
Highest Education Level:
Undergrad. JMU in Virginia.
High School Mascot:
Bruin. Which is apparently a bear of some sort.
First Job:
Dishwasher.
Favorite place to get away from it all:
Sweet, sweet comic store.
Staying with short answers lets talk about what you do:Comic(s) you created Before 1999:
Zero.
January 1, 2000 - January 2, 2004:
Zero.
January 3, 2004 - Today:
Super Human Resources 1-4.
Alright all that stuff aside lets get to the meat of the interview:
What do you do when not making comics?
I'm a writer at an ad agency. I am bringing down some of the world's biggest companies, one mediocre ad at a time. I am also a father of a two year old and a four year old. They take up most of my time.
Atari or Intellevision?
Intellevision. Pitfall, baby.
Your in bed, when ZAP! Aliens snatch you up. What are you most looking forward to when you meet them face to face?
The gentle, loving probing. Wait...
When you were 10 what were you for Halloween?
I was a pirate and I have no images of it. I try to keep my childhood as undocumented as possible. For legal reasons, you understand.
If you were at the mall when the real Santa showed up would you:
A. Get in line and ask for a present.
B. Get your gun and kidnap the fat man.
C. Crap your pants because you didn't think he was real which for some odd reason the child in you is dead and you need to get your imagination back.
D. Tell him I'm Jewish. And then crap my pants.
What do you know about the process of making pipe wrenches?
About as much as I know about writing comics.
Back to comic stuff for now. Knowing that Iceman is the greatest hero of all time, why do you think he is so underused?
Um…because he's not so great. No, I like him. When he's written right, which isn't often. I like the smartass X-man thing. But how often can you put someone in a block of ice in a fight and have them bust out? Tough powers to write, I imagine. God, remember that scene from a Chuck Austen comic where Iceman constituted himself from his own urine? (Shudder)
Favorite comic character when you were 10 and 25?
Wolverine. It's stupid, but there's a reason he's the most popular comics character in the last 20 years. I do like the bad boys.
Alright your making a comic about an elite team of fishermen who keep the seas safe from the killer swarms of Tuna. Whats the name of the book and sell me on a quick pitch? Go!
"Seamen!" With so much mercury in the oceans, Charlie Tuna becomes mentally unhinged. He goes on a horrible "whale watching tour" killing spree. But the Gorton's fisherman guy takes matters into his own surprisingly-feminine hands. He assembles his own team of drunk, borderline-literate fishermen--Seamen!--to take Charlie Tuna down, once and for all. With extreme prejudice. It's a musical.
We all know funny writer but what do you really want to be when you grow up?
I guess I knew I wanted to be in advertising, pretty early. I think I probably wanted to get into tv or film. But I realized pretty quickly I didn't want to be poor. So…advertising it is.
Where is the real money at in comic creating?
God knows I haven't seen it. I don't see how a lot of guys support themselves, honestly. I guess in creator owned stuff. You have to have a lot of titles going before it starts to support itself. I would guess, most creators we know and love, except for your top level guys, lead a pretty, healthy middle class life. I would guess that only 5% of creators are getting wealthy from comics. But I am hardly an expert. I think most indy guys have other "real" jobs. They have to.
When your making comics whats going on around you? Music, what kind? Silence? TV on?
I'm usually at work, supposed to be doing my actual job. Really. Luckily my bosses don't ready any comic book interview sites. Losers.
10 years from now. Where do you see yourself?
I really don't see comics being a "career" for me. I would like to put out a indy miniseries a year or so. Make it a supporting hobby, and I could go do a few shows a year. It's a great outlet. I really have no desire to pester and pester editors to land a back-up four pager for "Night Nurse" or whatever. Just to "break in." What a nightmare. In ten years, I would love to have 7 or 8 trades on a table to sell at shows. Awesome.
Alright we can finish up with a quick word association game. I will say a word, you give me a quick one sentence response.
Super Human Resources?We got better with every issue.
Ape Entertainment?
Will be "Boom" in a year or so.
Horror Comics?
Alan Moore did it best.
Pillows?
The flatter, the better.
Ephebiphobia?
I think I do have this.
Green Jello?
Hope there's grain alcohol in there.
Tickle Me Elmo?
My kids might have this.
Decapitated Dan?
Great supporter of SHR. Probably mad at me I took so long to do this interview. A thousand pardons. That was like four sentences.
Ken Marcus?
Pretty lucky for a lazy guy.
Thanks Ken. Great stuff!
While Ken keeps his life a secret you can see what they were up to with Super Human Resources at http://www.superhumanresourcescomic.com
Saturday, February 6, 2010
2 New Reviews for your reading pleasure!
Just posted 2 new reviews. Atomic Robo and the Shadow From Beyond Time TPB and The Anchor #4. Check em out!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Deep Discussions with Decapitated Dan: Josh Howard
Hey everyone Decapitated Dan here. I recently had a chance to chat with Josh Howard, the creator/writer/artist for Dead@17, about the newest chapter in the series debuting in March 2010. If you have not had a chance to check out any of the Dead@17 stories I highly recommend doing so. The books have good depth and are very original. Josh's art style is very attractive to the eye as well. I recently became a fan of this book after picking up the Ultimate Edition trade, and then reading all of it in a matter of a few days.
So lets jump right and and see what we can find out about Josh and Dead@17: The Witch Queen.
Decapitated Dan: Alright so lets start out simple. Who are you?
Josh Howard: Josh Howard, creator of Dead@17 and other ridiculous concepts.
DD: Comic wise what have you already done?
JH: Lost Books of Eve, Black Harvest, and Clubbing are the main things I've been involved with.
DD: Alright so what do I need to know about Dead@17?
JH: It's about a teenage girl named Nara who discovers she's the key to the end of the world. Her adventures have spanned 5 mini-series with 2 more on the way.
DD: Where did the idea for the series come from?
JH: Its earliest influences were Evil Dead/Army of Darkness, Twin Peaks, C.S. Lewis, and Biblical concepts.
DD: How much fun are you having creating with this universe?
JH: It's been fun but it's also been very difficult and trying at times. But I'm probably having more fun with it now than ever.
DD: How much farther can you take this series? Do you see an end in site?
JH: After The Witch Queen in March, there will only be one more mini-series and that's the end.
DD: So after the events in Dead@17: Afterbirth, where do we find Nara now?
JH: Nara is now banished to Purgatory while the devil is roaming free upon the Earth.
DD: Can we expect any surprises coming out of Dead@17: The Witch Queen?
JH: Definitely. A new character is introduced who has answers that Nara has long been searching for.
DD: For new readers is this series going to be a good place to jump on board?
JH: Unfortunately, no. New readers would be best served by picking up the Ultimate Edition (containing series 1-4) and Afterbirth (series 5) before jumping into Witch Queen.
So lets jump right and and see what we can find out about Josh and Dead@17: The Witch Queen.
Decapitated Dan: Alright so lets start out simple. Who are you?
Josh Howard: Josh Howard, creator of Dead@17 and other ridiculous concepts.
DD: Comic wise what have you already done?
JH: Lost Books of Eve, Black Harvest, and Clubbing are the main things I've been involved with.
DD: Alright so what do I need to know about Dead@17?
JH: It's about a teenage girl named Nara who discovers she's the key to the end of the world. Her adventures have spanned 5 mini-series with 2 more on the way.
DD: Where did the idea for the series come from?
JH: Its earliest influences were Evil Dead/Army of Darkness, Twin Peaks, C.S. Lewis, and Biblical concepts.
DD: How much fun are you having creating with this universe?
JH: It's been fun but it's also been very difficult and trying at times. But I'm probably having more fun with it now than ever.
DD: How much farther can you take this series? Do you see an end in site?
JH: After The Witch Queen in March, there will only be one more mini-series and that's the end.
DD: So after the events in Dead@17: Afterbirth, where do we find Nara now?
JH: Nara is now banished to Purgatory while the devil is roaming free upon the Earth.
DD: Can we expect any surprises coming out of Dead@17: The Witch Queen?
JH: Definitely. A new character is introduced who has answers that Nara has long been searching for.
DD: For new readers is this series going to be a good place to jump on board?
JH: Unfortunately, no. New readers would be best served by picking up the Ultimate Edition (containing series 1-4) and Afterbirth (series 5) before jumping into Witch Queen.
DD: In general how have fans responded to the Dead@17 universe so far?
JH: The fans have been great and there's more coming aboard all the time. I couldn't have carried the series this far if it wasn't for them.
DD: Any moment from a convention or show in particular since you started that just stands out to you?
JH: Just seeing people covered with tattoos of my artwork is something I'll never get used to. And when I say covered I mean entire arms and legs. It's crazy.
DD: So what are you reading these days?
JH: Lots of SF/Fantasy. I'm really into Steven Erickson's Malazan series right now, plus I'm trying to work my way through The Wheel of Time. Mistborn, Shadows of the Apt, and Name of the Wind are all recent favorites as well.
DD: So lets sum it all up, why should people go out and get Dead@17: The Witch Queen?
JH: Because it's a crucial arc to the series that sets the stage for the final chapter.
DD: Thanks so much Josh.
JH: The fans have been great and there's more coming aboard all the time. I couldn't have carried the series this far if it wasn't for them.
DD: Any moment from a convention or show in particular since you started that just stands out to you?
JH: Just seeing people covered with tattoos of my artwork is something I'll never get used to. And when I say covered I mean entire arms and legs. It's crazy.
DD: So what are you reading these days?
JH: Lots of SF/Fantasy. I'm really into Steven Erickson's Malazan series right now, plus I'm trying to work my way through The Wheel of Time. Mistborn, Shadows of the Apt, and Name of the Wind are all recent favorites as well.
DD: So lets sum it all up, why should people go out and get Dead@17: The Witch Queen?
JH: Because it's a crucial arc to the series that sets the stage for the final chapter.
DD: Thanks so much Josh.
If you would like to check out what Josh is up to you can at http://joshhoward.typepad.com/. You can also pre order Dead@17: The Witch Queen now online or through your local comic shops.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Wulf and Batsy Volume 2 Coming in March
Alright my little friends. If I have to suggest one book for the whole year, and I know it's only February, it would have to be this. Bryan Baugh has his own unique style that he brings to the horror genre. The stories are so different then anything else you can find, and his art style was meant for gore-geous horror. So if you didn't catch me praising Volume #1 enough (Dark Delights #8) check this one out it will not disappoint. I should note that this will not be solicited in Previews or anywhere other than through Bryan.
The second Wulf and Batsy trade paperback features a brand new, never before-published, epic-length story called Lustmord Nightmares, plus extras including: full-page character illustrations, Captain Bloodclot Ads, and a Supplemental section of notes, sketches, layouts, and text showing how this new story was conceived and developed. The whole book totals 268 pages, with a cover price of $25.00. Available for order March 1st, 2010. Recommended for mature readers 18 and up.
More info on Wulf & Batsy and on Bryan Baugh can be found at http://www.cryptlogic.net
The second Wulf and Batsy trade paperback features a brand new, never before-published, epic-length story called Lustmord Nightmares, plus extras including: full-page character illustrations, Captain Bloodclot Ads, and a Supplemental section of notes, sketches, layouts, and text showing how this new story was conceived and developed. The whole book totals 268 pages, with a cover price of $25.00. Available for order March 1st, 2010. Recommended for mature readers 18 and up.
More info on Wulf & Batsy and on Bryan Baugh can be found at http://www.cryptlogic.net
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Deep Discussions with Decapitated Dan: Nick Percival
Welcome back kiddies! This time we welcome Nick Percival into the dungeon. Sit back and relax as he tells us about who he is, what he does, and what we can expect from him in the future. Trust me, you will like what you read!
Alright lets start out with a short answer section and get the usual out of the way.
Alright lets start out with a short answer section and get the usual out of the way.
Name:
Nick 
Percival
Age:
Still in the snappy thirties...
Married/Single/Dating/Other:
Married
Pets:
3 cats (Wiz, Dusty & Mew) and 2 rabbits that I don’t have anything to do with. I think they’re ours.
Highest Education Level:
Er – in the UK, ‘A’ levels...?
First Job:
Comic book store worker (true!)
Favorite place boogie down:
Was the LeadMill - an indie type club –very cool in its day, not so much now.
Favorite Hot Dog toppings?
Just ketchup – a sin, I know.
Staying with short answers lets talk about what you do:
Comic(s) you created Before June 1, 1990:
Some crappy looking stuff in my bedroom...
June 2, 1990 - October 31, 2006:
Judge Dredd, Slaine, 2000AD covers, posters, lots a stuff...
November 1, 2006 - Today:
Judge Dredd, Slaine, 2000AD, Marvel’s Dead of Night, various covers, cards, film production art and oh, yes, Legends: The Enchanted
Alright all that stuff aside lets get to the meat of the interview:
What do you do when not making comics?
Try and get my arse in the gym, try and catch up on my ever growing stack of videogames, movies, books and play with my kids so they remember who I am.
Best and worst video games you ever played?
Best: Silent Hill 2 or Devil May Cry 1. Worst: Dead or Alive Beach Volleyball
Your’e on a tour of Marvel Comics when you decide to pull the fire alarm. Everyone rushes outside except you. What do you do with the 30 minutes you have to yourself?
Steal Joe Quesada’s paycheck
When you were 10 what were you for Halloween?
Some Zombie thingy. I did go as Spider-Man when I was eight and spent weeks making the costume and then wore it under my regular clothes for school just in case the Green Goblin showed up.
If you were on a boat that was attacked by the Loch Ness Monster, would you:
A. Take a picture with your camera to share with all your friends.
B. Dive into the water and fight the beast with your trusty Swiss Army Knife.
C. Crap your pants because you didn't think he was real, which for some odd reason proves that the child in you is dead and you need to get your imagination back.
A and then B and probably the crapping bit from C
Back to comic stuff for now.
Knowing that Iceman is the greatest hero of all time, why do you think he is so underused?
I guess because he’s always leaving the wet patch with him everywhere he goes....
Favorite comic character when you were 7, 11 and 18?
Spider-Man, Wolverine, MiracleMan
We all know your artwork is amazing but what do you really want to be when you grow up?
I’m still waiting to get super-powers and working at cloning myself to get more art done and give the wife a treat.
Where is the real money at in comic creating?
Ha! There is none – wait for the large movie options.
When your making comics whats going on around you? Music, what kind? Silence? TV on?
Movie soundtracks, way too many crappy DVD’s, way too many good DVD’s & their commentaries, etc. Frank Darabont gives good commentary.
10 years from now. Where do you see yourself?
In hospital after directing some cool movie.
What do you know about the process of making toothpaste?
I thought they squeezed it out of a sick dog for extra minty freshness.
Alright we can finish up with a quick word association game. I will say a word, you give me a quick one sentence response.
Judge Dredd? 
Bloody annoying uniform to draw and paint.
Legends?
My lovely original upcoming graphic novel (LEGENDS: The Enchanted) written and painted by yours truly, filled to the brim with all kinds of dark, twisted fairytale goodness like punk rock Giants, killer fairies, magic beans, bars, cool motorcycles, pissed off trolls, magic, violence, bionics, nightclubs and much, much more...
Horror Comics?
The old EC stuff – excellent!
Dolly Parton?
An old Hannah Montana?
Lobo?
Bisley version every time.
Green Olives?
First thing to go off the Pizza and in the bin.
Transformers?
Bad, bad, bad....
Decapitated Dan?
Shoots from the hip I believe...
Nick Percival?
Is very tired now and waiting for Santa.
Thanks so much Nick.
If you would like to know more about Nick and what he is up to you can go to http://www.nickpercival.com/
Monday, February 1, 2010
3 New Reviews for your reading pleasure!
Just posted 3 new reviews. Dreamkeeprs Vol. 2: Flight to Starfall, Nightmare World Vol. 1: Thirteen Tales of Terror and Daffodil #1. Check em out!
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