SECRET PROJECT #9 - INCINERATOR...interview with creators Brickthrower, McManus and Quinn

SECRET PROJECT #9 features INCINERATOR, a story by M. Sean McManus, Brian Quinn, and myself. So this week we have a guest contributor, Jeff Brown of Dorkshelf.com, who will be conducting the interview for all 3 creators of INCINERATOR. (check out photo of me and Jeff at left). Please enjoy and stay tuned for our story which will premiere Monday May 3rd (McManus' birthday!).

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Jeff Brown (Aka Boss Hogg): How long have you been reading comics?

Mary E. Brickthrower: I started reading comics when I was 12 to get in with the cool band nerds that I hung out with…yeah I was a band nerd and I thought reading comics would make me cooler ! I was strictly a Marvel girl then, loved VENOM and XMEN. I only collected for about a year before the need to fit in wore off. Then later on, when XMEN the movie came out, I thought “hey, I used to like comics” and started collecting again. This time my interests were all about indies – the 1st two comics I bought during my reawakening were PURGATORY and LUCIFER.

Brian Quinn: I have 2 older brothers that collected comics, so I always had them around. I'm dyslexic but was categorized at an early age (around first grade I think). My mom asked one of my doctors if it was okay for me to read comics since I loved them from an early age. His response was something like "I don't care if he is reading the side of a cereal box, just as long as he is reading something."

M. Sean McManus: I've been reading comics as long as can remember. I read Spidey Super Stories, Archie, and of course Batman from a very early age. The first comic I started reading with any regularity was G.I.Joe from Marvel Comics in 1982-- they had some awesome commercials then.

JB: When did you decide to become an artist creator?

BQ: There was no defining moment or anything like that; just an understanding that when I got older, I was going to be involved with drawing comics. I think as I actually started working on more complex stories in my college years, I really discovered that I enjoy telling stories more than just drawing. Probably why I lost interest in the fine arts so soon after graduating. I was able to do some much with comics that I felt very restrained in painting or other forms of fine art that I was studying at the time.

MSM: I don't know that I ever "decided" to do it, it's just what I have to do... sometimes.

JB: What brought about SECRET PROJECT?

MEB: Check out my previous interview with Tommie Kelly, as he was there to witness the birth of Secret Project. Once the idea started to take form on the message board, my artist Brian Quinn suggested I take on editing duties for the anthology. No one objected, and the rest is history.

JB: How did you become involved with SECRET PROJECT?

BQ: Pretty much like everyone else I think; it was being discussed on the Oeming board and I got involved when Mary & Sean approached me with their story. Not sure if this was before or after I suggested Mary take over the job of editing this project (heh heh).

MSM: I believe I was a witness to the project from the very beginning. I was at a pub in times square with Ziggy and Tommie Kelly, and Tommie said something like, "Why don't we all do an anthology together?" To which Ziggy said, "That's a great idea". Then I think by the next morning Quinn had nominated Mary to be the EIC of the project... and then it just grew from there.

JB: Mary, here are couple questions especially for the editor of SECRET PROJECT: What are some words of wisdom you would like to share about the process?

MEB: Always be open to your collaborators ideas, they might just be better than yours! Also, if you know you can’t make a deadline or you know you won’t be able to participate, TELL YOUR EDITOR! A little bit of communication goes a long way.

JB: Where did the title come from?

MEB: We were throwing around ideas on the board for weeks and nothing was sticking. But it seemed like everyone on the board had some sort of “Secret Project” that they were working on…so we thought “why not expand on that concept.” It worked well for the anthology b/c we had no theme for it, so it’s a very broad term. I like to think it refers to our contributors’ best work.

JB: What is it like collaborating with another creator, let alone friend’s?

MEB: Sean and I are together now, but when we working on INCINERATOR we were just friends. I guess that might’ve allowed a certain amount of politeness that I wouldn’t have now! Haha, we have worked on one other comic script since then and I’m sure I was much more of a bitch about what I wanted in that script. Seriously though, collaborating was a lot of fun. It started with just a word ("Incinerator") and we both came to the table with ideas. Sean really took the reigns in combining our ideas and honing the script due to his past script knowledge. Quinn was easy-peasy to work with in regards to illustrating our tale; I think the dark style of our tale really lends itself to Quinn's particular style for the story.

JB: What inspired you for your tale?

MSM: Incinerator grew out of conversations I had with Ms. Mary E. Brickthrower. She had a definite idea for a story, and I had a bit of a fever dream. Incinerator is a merger of those two ideas.

MEB: The first thing that inspired us was a Flickr image of a crazy looking building called "Incinerator." I was inpsired by Plato's idea of "The Cave," and early versions of the script were entitled "Horror" by Sean so I think we were inspired by some bleak dystopia that I can't think of right now.

BQ: It was a strange story that felt like a dream. I know that sounds hokey, but in this case, it really had that vibe. Regarding the style of art I decided to go with, I had been messing around with some wet & dry wash inks on recent Wicked Samurai pages, so I decided to add that to this project as well.

JB: Are you big gamers? if so what are you playing?

MSM: I love video games, but I'm a bit of a serial monogamer. I'm currently obsessed with Halo3-- still. I've tried some other things since it first came out, but I'm all about the on-line play in Halo. It's not necessarily the most realistic or the latest and greatest of games, but I still think it's the best.

MEB: I get obsessive about a game (like PORTAL) and tend to never let go. Even if I don't play it anymore. Same with Tekken. Still love Tekken Tag even if I never play anymore. But like McManus, it's all about Halo ! We like being able to play split screen and using both of our game tags, I'm kinda insane about getting my gamer score higher (hence my recent manic play with Forza Motorsport, getting my score up left and right with that game!)

BQ: I wouldn't say I'm a big gamer, since I rarely have the time needed to devote to any one game. I do however read up on the business and listen to several podcasts each week. Right now I have God of War 3 waiting for me and I just picked up both Army of 2 games. So many games, so little time...

JB: Which do you prefer the online or the convention experiences?

MSM: Interesting question-- both. I definitely prefer both on-line and convention experiences.

BQ: Being a cartoonist, I am mostly locked away on my own working or even on the internet chatting with friends and/or fans on IM or facebook these days. I definitely enjoy the convention experience because it's a rarity to meet fans face to face, or people that have never seen my work before. And the after hour parties...

MEB: Oh yes Quinn, the after hours is where it's at! That's really my favorite part of conventions, being able to hang out with my online friends in a real life atmosphere. It's so much fun! And the FOO! Crew knows how to (in the immortal words of Andrew WK) "PARTY HARD!"

I do like technology as far as communication goes though; I will text or email over a phone call. The only person I talk to on the phone on a regular basis is my mother. I even text with my dad!

JB: Do you have any advice for those out there looking to start a secret project of their own?

MEB: It's a long hard road out of hell but eventually you will see the light. Haha. Be patient, and if you're an editor you have to keep deadlines in check and the communication open. We started this project back in 2007 and through life changes, board changes, etc, we produced a pretty big anthology that features a lot of great talent. I couldn't be happier with it. So much so...I'm actually considering editing another.

JB: What about you guys? Any advice for those starting out?

BQ: So many things... for now I will just stated that it is incredibly important to hit conventions, both big and small. Meet the people that create the books you read, and some you have never known about before. It's very important to know how the machine works before you jump into this business in any capacity.

MSM: "Starting out", you mean like a baby? I don't think I could give any advice to someone just starting out like that, I don't even speak their language anymore.

JB: What else are you working on right now?

BQ: I'm working on a pitch with Lazlow Jones from Rockstar Games & XM/Sirius Radio. It's called "Darwin" and promises to be epic!

Working on "Jigoku City" & "Wicked Samurai" on my own. Two pitches that mix the supernatural with 19th century Japanese culture.

Also working on a book project based on the legend of the Jersey Devil that was initially started when I was still doing stuff over at Weird NJ/US. I don't have a home for this book yet, but I am hoping to have it completed in time for the Fall of 2010. Will most likely self publish.

Will finally get around to updating my official site http://www.brianquinnartist.com so please bookmark it and check back soonish.

MSM: Currently I have a short story out in Outlaw Territory volume 1, available in stores now. I also have several other projects that are still to embryonic to plug right now- check out my website for more info about what I do: www.mseanmcmanus.com

MEB: Sean and myself have worked on a script for another anthology, and for me that's about it. If you need an editor, I'm cheap! Hire me! /shameless self promotion.

JB: Well guys thank you for your time.

MEB: No, no, thank you!

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PHOTOS: An image from INCINERATOR; Quinn, Oeming and McManus.

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~Till Next Time Kittlings.

SECRET PROJECT #8 - THE MISSION...and interview with ZeeS

This week we chat with ZeeS, the creator of Secret Project #8, THE MISSION. ZeeS is multi-talented...he wrote and illustrated this edition of SECRET PROJECT. Be sure to check the web site on Monday when his story premieres!
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Mary E. Brickthrower: How long have you been reading comics?

ZeeS: I remember reading Captain America, and the old Incredible Hulk and Savage Sword of Conan magazines when I was 4. Shortly after that I started drawing. While I was in high school, I neglected any type of reading I had for school to read comics – I think the only story I read was Hamlet. Since I was 18, my reading has been cut down drastically. It just wasn’t worth it after awhile, I had to read every little book in order to work out a storyline. It wasn’t until I was 21 that I really took literature seriously and, ironically enough, read Fahrenheit 451, which led me to writing and creating more stories. Now it’s limited to any Hellboy/ BPRD mini, Scalped, and the occasional catch-up on classics like Watchmen or V for Vendetta. Right now, I’m trying to build up my Moebius and Taiyo Matsumoto collection. The latter’s work seems really informed by Moebius, and Moebius is king of composition, and panel layout. Matsumoto’s got a very cohesive idea about how his writing and art coalesce.

MEB: Moebius is indeed awesome! When did you decide to become an artist / writer / creator?

ZeeS: When I was 13, I decided that I would either have to continue drawing for the rest of my life or completely stop all together. My brother (Chris Moreno) and I would create

little comics to feel it out, but nothing really serious. I was always better at developing the stories in my head, since that’s where most of my ideas stay anyways. Later, while I was inking a comic written by Tony DiGeralamo, I got more of an idea of what working in comics was all about. Now there are so many ways to self-publish, it takes away the intimidation of having to go through the whole pipeline of comic companies. The good thing about self-publishing is that there’s more of an opportunity to tell stories that don’t always get told in the mainstream, particularly for communities of color. I really looked up to the Hernandez brothers. It was great to read stories about other Chicanos and know that Chicanos actually wrote and drew those stories. Making comics is something I hope to pass down in my family, because I think of how much my dad drew and didn’t have the opportunity to continue it. He passed something amazing on to my brother and me. I want to give that to my students and eventually, my kids.


MEB: How did you become involved with SECRET PROJECT?

ZeeS: I was kicking around on the Oeming Board talking to a bunch of schlubs, when someone brought up the idea of doing an anthology. I was all for it. Originally, I was going to work with JefUK on his story, because I was working on a pretty heavy story at the time and didn’t want to write something new. But I worked out a story idea from a dream and decided to work on The Mission; I think the character in The Mission is very Moebius influenced.

MEB: What else are you working on right now?

ZeeS: Right now, I’m on a long break from school – art school is expensive. (I advise anyone thinking of going to seriously debate alternatives that cost as much - like investing in a car and driving around the country, or opening your own studio) Experience and practice can beat an art school education any day, and you can always take outside classes that are more specific (and cheaper). But while I am on my break, I’m working on my thesis animation and another AmericansUK comic with JefUK called Just Super. I hope to finish 2 more comics. Space Funk and my Presidential Debacles comics this year. Presidential Debacles is a 2-parter, Kerry Zombie vs. Bush Alien and Bush Alien vs. Obama: Space Avenger. I’m also about to get started on a mural and web comic called The Modern American Couple with my partner, inspiration and my energy, Mensen.

MEB: Sounds like you're busy - good luck on all your projects! And thanks for chatting with us!

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~Till Next Time Kittlings.

Secret Project #7 - Donal Delay's THE MEETING + EXCLUSIVE News about our upcoming PROJECT!

As some of you may have noticed, SECRET PROJECT began on Mike Oeming's forum over at Jinxworld. Donal Delay took that to heart when crafting his story THE MEETING for the anthology. I asked Delay a few questions about his tale which will be premiering Sunday April 4th. Check'em out!

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Mary E. Brickthrower: How long have you been reading comics?

Donal Delay: A little over 20 years. It started with a couple issues of Marc Silvestri's Wolverine, and some Whilce Portacio issues of X-Factor on a road trip with my parents. It was just a casual reading. I started seriously getting into comics when Image formed.

MEB: When did you decide to become an artist / writer / creator?

DD: Probably around the time I started reading

comics. I wanted to start telling my own stories. Making my own characters. etc.

MEB: How did you become involved with SECRET PROJECT?

DD: I post on Michael Oeming's message board from time to time. He's one of my favorite artists (hence the story) and a bunch of cats on the board were putting together an anthology and taking open submissions. It sounded like fun..

MEB: What else are you working on right now?

DD: I'm working on a short graphic novel called HERRIN MASSACRE. It's about the slaughtering of 50 scabs in 1920's Illinois by the coal miners who were on strike. It'll be about 70-80pgs. You can see the progress of it on my blog http://donaldelay.blogspot.com. Later this year I'll have a short, 24pg comic called BOSTON STRONGBOY coming out. It's about John L. Sullivan. The first World Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

MEB: Thanks Donal!

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EXCITING NEWS!!! M. Sean McManus and myself have been tapped by a major publisher to oversee their new imprint of Graphic Romance Graphic Novels. A formal press release for the imprint known as HEART'S INK, INC. is being drafted by the lawyers now. Our first adapted GRGN, will be Nora Robert's BORN IN FIRE and is being scheduled for a fall release.

SECRET PROJECT #6 -- Neil Vokes' MARC OF THE VAMPIRES

My dear kittlings, this week's interview is a bit late but certainly not least. Neil Vokes' contributes to SECRET PROJECT this week with his story MARC OF THE VAMPIRES. Vokes is a legend and having him aboard SECRET PROJECT was truly an honor. I asked Neil a few questions about his past, present and future in comics. Enjoy!

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Mary E. Brickthrower: How long have you been reading comics?

Neil Vokes: Well the 1st comic I recall reading was SUPERMAN in a barber shop-back then they had them for the kids so we'd scream less often,I guess-My best guess is I was 4 years old,so 52 years...yes-I'm that old.

MEB: When did you decide to become an artist / writer / creator?

NV: I probably decided to become an artist back when I was a kid,but I don't think I seriously considered it as a vocation until i was in my late 20s,after losing my "real" job-my wife,Siri, urged me to follow my dream-amazingly,I actually got work in the industry-it's been 26 years now.

MEB: How did you become involved with SECRET PROJECT?

NV: Honestly it's been so long since we started this I don't recall exactly how I got involved-I think i was reading about it in Oeming's forum and basically "raised my hand" and volunteered to donate a story and whatever advice I could to the Project.

MEB: What else are you working on right now?

NV: Recently,I've been working on several short stories,including one for Scott Wegener's ATOMIC ROBO, written by old pal Robert Tinnell; Rich Woodall's ZOMBIE BOMB!, written by another old friend,Jack Herman who wrote EAGLE with me back in the '80s; and another story with Jack for Kerry Gammill's upcoming anthology, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE.

I'm also in the midst of drawing a new series with Bob Tinnell called FLESH & BLOOD-it's another "monster rally" comic like our THE BLACK FOREST 1 & 2 graphic novels-though in this case,instead of an homage to Universal Studios' films, we're using the great Hammer Films company's work like HORROR OF DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED and VAMPIRE LOVERS as our inspiration-so it will be a more "mature" title. After that I hope to get back to Bob's other script, THE VOICE-this is a very dark,violent thriller with supernatural elements-then I have a pet project on the boards with another writer friend, David Zuzelo, which would be pure mindless fun-it's working title is MACISTE at the moment-the only way to describe it would be an R rated THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN and that doesn't begin to cover everything we have planned.

MEB: Thanks Neil!

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Be sure to check out http://www.secretprojectcomic.com on Monday 3/22 for Neil's story!

Secret Project #5 - Sam Little's Fuzzy F***ing Navel interview LIVE* from TAMPA!

*well almost live. I mean, I am posting this interview LIVE from sunny Tampa where I'll be celebrating some close friend's birthdays and taking a Phillies spring training game. But let's talk about the matter at hand - Mr. SAM LITTLE and his contribution to SECRET PROJECT. His story is called "Fuzzy Fucking Navel" and you might be surprised what it's about. I talked with Little about "Fuzzy..." as well as other comic related things. Check it out!

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Mary E. Brickthrower: How long have you been reading comics?

Sam Little: I've been reading comics since the dawn of man. One of my earliest memories is cutting out pictures of Spider-Man and Captain America from comic book covers and taping them up on the walls of my room. Oh, how that childhood memory torments my inner nerd. Would that I could only reach back through time and slap myself. STOP! CUTTING! UP! THE COMICS! That'd teach me.

MEB: Conversely, when did you decide to become an creator?

SL: It's all due to those crazy nutty message boards. I joined the Benbo a few years back to ask Bendis a question about Ultimate Spider-man.

Did I really just type that out loud? Gadzooks.

Anyhoo, whilst perusing the various boards I came upon something on the Oeming board called the MONDAY FUN SKETCH thread that Scott Wegener had started. I'd kinda fell out of drawing for awhile, but there was some cool stuff posted in the thread and everybody seemed pretty loose and non-judgmental so I posted a couple of things. This went on for a few Mondays and I got more and more cranked up about drawing again. The nice folks on the board were very encouraging, I must say. Then I happened to pick up Bendis' TOTAL SELLOUT and I really liked the comics in there where people just kind of told a story. And I thought to myself, "Gee, maybe I could do something like that..." And so I did. And I just never stopped. Man. That was a long story.

MEB: How did you become involved with SECRET PROJECT?

SL: You know what? I don't remember. I am old and am no longer able to retain new long-term memories. Or short-term ones. I'm sorry...who are you again? But, no. I'm guessing somebody posted about it on the Oeming board and I said "Sign me up."

MEB: What else are you working on right now?

SL: Well, I'm still kicking out those "people-telling-stories" comics over at http://www.untruetales.com/. It updates a new page every Sunday. I also did a hardboiled crime comic called THE HAMMER with a few other guys over at Zuda. It's about an angry pink bunny that hits people with a hammer. And it's a hardboiled crime comic. Did I mention that already? Anyways, you can find all 60 pages of it here: http://www.zudacomics.com/the_hammer

Anyways, It's an honor to be included in the Secret Project with all these talented folks. Thanks for having me!

MEB: No, no - thank you Sam!

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Well there you have it! Be sure to check out SECRETPROJECTCOMIC.com this Monday to see Sam's story!

~Till Next Time Kittlings, I'm on vacay!

SECRET PROJECT #4 -- THE MUGGING

This week we're talking with Ziggy Blumenthal, artist on the Will Swyer penned THE MUGGING, the 4th installment of SECRET PROJECT. But not only did Ziggy contribute to the anthology but also played a key role in the production of the comic. Check out the interview below and don't forget to check www.secretprojectcomic.com on Monday February 22nd!

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Mary E. Brickthrower: How long have you been reading comics?

Ziggy Blumenthal: Give or take about 20 years now. The first comic I really collected was POWER PACK. Between the ages of 11 and 13 my biggest goal was to get every issue and every appearance of the team (mission accomplished, by the way). Other than that I was really into AMAZING SPIDER-MAN,

NEW WARRIORS, ROBIN and I got every issue of the BILL & TED comic by Evan Dorkin. It wasn't until the comic store opened down the street from me when I was 13 that I really branched out, thanks to the recommendations of the owner. SIN CITY, WATC

HMEN, Miller's DAREDEVIL run, the early Jim Shooter / Barry Windsor Smith Valiant books and of course I continued to get everything I could by Evan Dorkin (or as I called him back then, The BILL & TED Guy).

MEB: When did you decide to become an creator?

ZB: It was really all I ever wanted to do. My motivation and how serious I took the thought went up and down over the years, but if asked the question I don't think i ever had a different answer. Looking back, I wish I took the thought more seriously more constantly back when I was 13 and throughout high school. I never really stopped drawing but there were definite misses opportunities in getting some good training early on. The aforementioned comic store that opened down the street from me was owned by Amanda Conner with her husband at the time. She's certainly helped me out and shown me a thing or two, but with a little more motivation on my part what an opportunity for a high quality mentor there. I really didn't know what I was missing.

In addition to that, with my family in the printing business I had the chance, and the intention, of trying the whole self publishing thing while still in high school. It would've been nice to have learned all those lessons so early on. But unfortunately, while I started many projects, I didn't have the discipline to finish them. On the bright side looking back at them they were all atrocious and we should all be thankful they never saw the light of day, but it would've been nice to get the experience.

It wasn't till I was 21 and working in a warehouse that I really decided to take making comics seriously and enrolled in the Savannah College of Art and Design's sequential art program. Now all I need is a genius idea I can make one issue of then sell to Hollywood, cause let me tell you, those student loans aren't gonna pay themselves!

MEB: How did you become involved with SECRET PROJECT?

ZB: I'll give the short version for those who didn't read Tommie's interview (Hey! Go read Tommie's interview!). Out on the town with Sean McManus and Tommie Kelly. In an Irish pub, showing the two of them how much more Irish I am than them both put together. Tommie mentions with all great talent on the Oeming board that we should all do an anthology. Everyone agrees, a legend is born. From there, with my experience self publishing, I decided to join Mary and Sean on the editorial side of things and help how I can putting the book together.

As for the birth of my story with Will, that was a case of us both being lucky enough to have bad luck at the same time. I originally paired with another writer and he originally teamed with Scotty Law to draw THE MUGGING. At the same time my writer and Scotty both had to drop out, so I was more than happy to pick up Will's story. Scotty did do layouts before having to drop out, so wanting as many people from the board involved in the book as possible I chose do my finished pencils off of Scotty's layouts.

The most interesting part of working on this story for me was it's the first thing I've drawn that I didn't ink myself. Tom Shloendorn did a fantastic job making my chicken scratch look good, but I definitely learned a few lessons about collaborative drawing. One of the reasons i decided to graytone the story was after getting the inked pages back I felt the pages looked too white. For a story that took place in an alley at night there was definitely not enough shadow work in it, and I realized it was completely my fault. The shortcuts I take penciling when I do my own inking aren't gonna fly when someone else is finishing the pages. Tom can't read my mind, and I know to pay attention to just how finished the pencils are before I send them out to someone to ink.

MEB: What else are you working on right now?

ZB: My main project is my weekly web comic, Chris Wnuk: Secret Jew, about a man who for reason not yet explained has to keep the fact that he's Jewish a secret. He goes out of his way to throw people off his Jewish scent while still adhering to his religious guidelines as best he can. Well, most guidelines. There's one pretty important Commandment that he's seemed to have missed. Let's just say it's in your best interests to NOT figure out he's Jewish.

Then there's my print comic, Sidekicked!/Operation Pajama Pants, with writer Cory Harris. What started as two separate comics has now been combined into a single flip-book (old Marvel Comics Presents style). The latest issue was released at the Baltimore Comic-Con, and we're making the con rounds with that. And as soon as I find a new apartment and get all my drawing equipment out of storage we'll be starting on the next issue. Anything you ever wanted to know about any of this can be found at fakemccoy.com

MEB: Thanks Zig!

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SECRET PROJECT #3 - The Power of Negative Thinking + Catching up with Attila...

This week we'll talk with artist Pat Loika and letterer Thomas Mauer of THE POWER OF NEGATIVE THINKING, the 3rd installment of SECRET PROJECT. TPONT will premiere on www.secretprojectcomic.com on Monday February 8th !
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MARY E BRICKTHROWER: How long have you been reading comics?
PAT LOIKA: I've been into comics for about 20 years, and Transformers and GI Joe were my gateway books.

THOMAS MAUER: While I read comics as a kid, there were long stretches in my teens and early 20s where I didn't even think about print comics. Web comics was where it was at and I followed tons of them.

It was around 2002 and Marvel's silent issue month that I started getting interested in the print medium again. Mainly, I read Star Wars comics though. It wasn't until 2004 that I started reading comics in earnest, not discriminating between genres. There are so many good stories out there, I couldn't imagine limiting myself to just one type of genre or storytelling.


MEB: Conversely, when did you decide to become an artist / creator?
TM: Toward the end of 2004, I had a few ideas for short stories and approached Noble Larimer and Ronin Studios about them. This led to editing a short World War II anthology. I couldn't find a letterer for my own stories and decided to give it a try. Lettering turned out to be fun, and shortly after Rich Johnston and X-Force's Chris Yost approached me about lettering their respective comics. It was a great challenge to improve my skills, and since they offered to pay me, you can blame them for leading me down the dark path of comic creation.

PL: I've always been into drawing, even before I discovered comics. I think I was 15 when I realized that I'd really, really love to draw comics...regardless of the pay.


MEB: How did you become involved with SECRET PROJECT?
PL: I frequented Mike Oeming's board, and I saw the open invitation to submit entries for Secret Project, and signed up. I paired up with writer Thommy Melanson and we worked on our story.

TM: Thommy and I have been working on short stories since 2005, so when he asked if I'd letter his story (drawn by Pat to boot--one of my favorite people in comics), I was on board.


MEB: What else are you working on right now?
TM: Right now I'm working on the web comics http://www.contropussy.com and http://wwww.gunsofshadowvalley.com as well as Dark Horse's upcoming NUMBER 13 mini series, the second volume of Image's OUTLAW TERRITORY, Image's BAD DOG, SULLIVAN'S SLUGGERS and SHUDDERTOWN, Atomic Pop Art's OCTOBRIANA, Disney's SHRINK, Archaia's AWAKENING, Desperado's STORM DAMAGE by Phil Hester, and a whole lot of other books.

Stuff that's already in stores includes Oni Press' LOVE BUZZ by Len Wallace, Dark Horse's RAPTURE by Mike Oeming and Taki Soma (the trade collection is in stores soon), Image's KILLER OF DEMONS by Chris Yost and Scott Wegener, all volumes of the POPGUN anthology (volume 4 is in stores February 24, 2010), STARSHIP TROOPERS, THE BOY WHO MADE SILENCE, and tons more.

It might be best to follow this link for a comprehensive overview:

http://thomasmauer.blogspot.com/2006/12/comics-portfolio-in-chronological_11.html

PL: I just finished up a 112 page graphic novel with writer Adam Witt. It's called Blacklisted, and it will debut at the Emerald City Comicon in March. I'm working on finishing up the first storyarc of The Villain with writer Steve Earnhart, and I'm working on a few other short stories.


MB: Thanks guys ! Best of luck to both of you !
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Also I recently spoke with Attila Adorjany and caught up with him and what's he's been working on:
ATTILA: Hope all's well and the New Year is getting off to a good start! I've recently re-launched my website with several focused galleries.
Here is the link: http://www.600poundgorilla.com

In addition I've been working on a Graphic Novel that I am
posting on the web as I complete pages.

MEB: Awesome Attila ! Thanks!
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~Till next time Kittlings!