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Twinterview – Talking To Popgun Vol 4 – Eleven Of Them

What was I thinking? Image Comics recently published the fourth Pop Gun anthology volume, featuring a diverse group of comic creators telling a very diverse set of short stories. From acts of piracy sailing the seas of mathematical higher cogniscence, to a tale of alpha dominance of monsters, hunters, dogs and monkeys or a sea monkey version of Finding Nemo. And I gathered a few of them on Twitter to talk through the book, their work on the book and what we may see from them in the future. And pretty much anything else that comes to mind.

Okay folks, shout out. Name, name of story, your role, and its high concept!

MichaelWWoods My name is Michael Woods. I wrote the story 'Endangered' which was illustrated by the very talented Michael Meier. It's set in a world where vampires are on the endangered species list and are routinely hunted by a hillbilly clan the Van Helsings.

Did Vietnam have a role to play, do you think, in the change in American storytelling, seeing the enemy as victim?

Michael Woods: God, that's a good question. Probably. I was born post war, so it's speculation, but I think we started seeing the world differently when we started seeing the war on television and how things weren't so black and white. And a lot of other things were happening at that time, for sure. But, I think we did begin to question who were the who were the "good guys" and who were the "villians".

brianwinkeler Brian Winkeler, writer BASTARD ROAD: ELLE HATH FURY! with Dave Curd & BASTARD ROAD: THIS BLUDZ FOR YOU! with Eric Sandhop. BASTARD ROAD is an ultraviolent post-apocalyptic action comedy = 'The Road Warrior' + 'Futurama' + 'Itchy 'n' Scratchy.'

Are roads illegitimate from your point of view?

Brian Winkeler: In the Bastardverse, all roads are illegitimate.

It's the little roads I feel the most sorry for.

Brian Winkeler: Little things cause big trouble for Bastard, especially the Deadly Miniachi (though he's squished a few in his time).

markandrewsmith I'm Mark Andrew Smith, my story is "Bullets for the Poor", writer. It's about bullets being a solution to poverty.

it did feel a little like A Modest Proposal. Any inspiration from Swift's baby eating thesis there?

Mark Andrew Smith: there was inspiration from A Modest Proposal and Swift. It was speculative about the future and asks "What Happens if things continue on this path?"

Rich Johnston: well, here we go. Do you believe a mass policy of restricted reproduction and/or sterilisation would benefit society?

Mark Andrew Smith: I think a mass policy of restricted reproduction would be a good idea actually and more responsible. I think just drive on the 405 and you'll agree. It's populated and we do the same for cat and dog populations.

adampknave Adam P. Knave, Co-writer of The Black Decaheadron and Agents of the W.T.F. with @djkirkbride, also co-editor of Popgun4. Black Decaheadron is all down to female math pirates on the Higher Plane Seas.

I got flashbacks as to how Dream always used to get around in Sandman. Was that intentional?

Adam Knave: Not in the least but we'll take it. Jason Ibarra, the artist wanted to draw some women and geometic shapes. Somehow that made sense to us as a group of female pirates getting theirs back from being told girls can't do math.

It's a silly mysogynist sterotypical assumption – have they never seen women working out if they can afford shoes?!?

Adam Knave: Well they've traded shoes for boots and sales for swords, so someone will work it out eventually. But it is one of enduring things in our culture, as amazingly blind as it is. So why not shine a light on it using pirates?

eltonpruitt Elton Pruitt, writer of "He Floated Away," the title of which was inspired by a Husker Du song. It's the story of a man who turns his back on his family and community, only to find in the end that they are what make him whole.

Elliot Blake: That's a great story, Elton – one of my faves in the book.

Rich Johnston: Do you think that's universally true? Some people seem to get on fine with the collapse of the nuclear family.

Elton Pruitt: I think to a large extent, yes. I know as I've gotten older and particularly after becoming a parent, I've gained a new sense of the real importance of family and community in my life. Having said that, my goal in this story was not so much to hammer home that message, as just to tell a good story that hopefully has a magical realism, fable-esque sort of quality to it.

Rich Johnston: What are your other favourite fairy tales that do that kind of thing? Most fairy tales I remember seem to damn families.

Elton Pruitt: Good question. I have no idea how to answer : ) But I should've thrown into the high concept a bit about the dangers of being blinded by love and/or lust. That's primary to what the story, which is "inspired by actual events," is about.

elliotblake Elliot Blake, writer of Mekano Turbo, created by the brilliant illustrator Alexis Ziritt – @aziritt – fast cars, giant robots, mayhem. Mekano Turbo is about a one-eyed mercenary named Tuerto, wrestling with his demons as he tries to survive in a post-apocalyptic world.

In the kingdom of the bland, is the one eyed mercenary king?

Elliot Blake: Well, I think that in Tuerto's case, it's not being the king that motivates him, it's survival – and he's not sure if if survival is something he even wants. But with all the giant robots, fast cars, and demons chasing him, there's no time for bland.

DJKirkbride I'm D.J. Kirkbride, co-writer of "Agents of the WTF" & "The Black Decahedron" and a co-editor of the book about a 300 year old Scottish wizard trapped in a 10 year old's body and his partner, Princess Annpaytoo a Native American sorceress from another dimension. They fight evil magic, banter, & save the day! Often with magic bagpipes.

Are you aware of the sexual act known as bagpiping – and is it magic?

Kirkbride: There's a sexual act called "bagpiping"??? Always learning from you, Rich. Okay… time for a Google search. BRB, y'all.

May I suggest you don't do Google Images for that…

Michael Dialynas: too late already did

Kirkbride: Too late! My eyes! Okay, now I feel dirty. Thanks, Rich.

RexGraine I have been working on a Harlequinade as a Tijuana Bible.

Comics and sex. Should they mix? Procreate, even?

theWoodenKing Michael Dialynas, my story is Stay for Breakfast of the Lonely Ghost. its a love story about a ghost who falls for a man who has been sending love letters to an old romance.

Do you believe words carry a timeless meaning? As true to a random reader as to any intended participant?

Michael Dialynas: defiantly they do, the words play a major role but not as much as the feelings and thoughts that is carried through out

NickTapalansky Hey guys sorry I'm late. RUSTED: FADED SIGNAL is the story @alexeckmanlawn and I contributed. It's about a young girl finding hope in a world that's forgotten how to communicate in person. It's a bit post-apocalyptic commentary on the Twitter generation (oh, irony)

Yeah, get out you heathen! How can things be fixed?

Nick Taplansky: Haha! I know, we're such rebels. Truth is, I just think it'd be nice to, I dunno, reach out with a voice instead of a keyboard every once in awhile. Does anybody spend hours on the phone catching up anymore? Nah, send an email. It's generation of people scared shitless to meet face to face for lunch because they won't know how to talk to one another

Adam Knave: You only say this because you like to cuddle with the rest of us.

Nick Taplansky: It's an extreme example, but I say let's grab a bite and talk about it instead of waxing philosophical here. Ha!

elizabethgenco Elizabeth Genco, writer of QUEEN OF CUPS, illustrated by the fantastic @john_bivens (affectionately known as "Mr. B") QoC is about a guy juggling multiple women, and what happens when he consults a Tarotist for a little clarity. I should add that it's based on a true story.

I somehow thought it was. Would polygamy for men and women help of hinder modern society, if it was out in the open?

Elizabeth Genco: Oh gosh, where do I go with that one? ;) I'll just say that I'm all for healthy expressions of sexuality that are out in the open

Okay here's one based on what Elliot was saying. Everyone – what's your favourite Popgun story from someone you didn't known in person?

Adam Knave: as one of the co-editors that's not the sort of thing I should commit to. But Hamburgers For One by Frank Stockton blew me away. I just adore that story

Elliot Blake: Hamburgers for One, Bastard Road, Chasing the Goldfish, just to name a few-a lot of good stuff in this book! Also, I really like Jeffrey Brown's story, but I know him – we've been working off and on for several years developing an animated series.

DJ Kirkbride: I'm with Adam on the whole as a co-editor I shouldn't do this, but, also like him, "Hamburgers For One" comes to mind. Also, Ken Nimura's "Chasing The Goldfish" is a lovely comic. And Andy Ristaino's "Night of the Living Vidiots" is so fun!

Michael Woods: 'Chasing the Goldfish' looked great, but my favorite from someone I didn't know was probably 'Jacket'

Elliot Blake: Agreed – the Jacket is really moving.

Nick Taplansky: JACKET was amazing. That'd definitely hit my list of faves.

Brian Winkeler: I love the style and color of Alice & Meg Hunt's HATE LEAGUE.

Nick Tapalansky: Favorite story so far? Hmmm… I'm only about halfway through (though I did skip around a bit) and I really enjoyed @incogvito & @attila_adorjany's story (sorry guys, title escapes me). And, to be fair, I do know them but only after the fact.

DJ KIrkbrideL @attila_adorjany's comic with @incogvito is "The Golden Mantis of China Town." Cool Kung Fu Theatre comic fun!

Nick Taplansky: Yeah, that's it! Great story, lots of classic Kung-Fu theater fun. Loved it.

Elton Pruitt: "Harshing the Mellow." Best damn title, and I am in love with @peruzzo's art.

DJ Kirkbride: I agree with @brianwinkeler on the "Hate League" love. Fun style that just isn't what I expected.

Afam Knave: Oh man how could I have not mentioned Night of the Living Vidiots? That story is awesomesauce!

Elizabeth Genco: I was incredibly moved by UNTANGLED by Dominique Carrier (and the art is just stunning)

Mark Andrew Smith: I like "Kill the Legend" for style, and "Hamburgers for One" for pacing and tone.

I'm guessing that Popgun contributors aren't really in it for the money – so what's the best benefit you've got from being involved?

DJ Kirkbride: Haha, you guess right! There's just a huge love of comics from everyone involved in the book, from up and comers like well, I guess me, to the more seasoned pros like @ErikJLarsen and Jeffrey Brown. It's the opportunity to be published in a great big beautiful book side-by-side with some talented folks, and just the sheer fun of comics. I love what in a great big beautiful book side-by-side with some talented folks, and just the sheer fun of comics. I love what @joekeatinge and @markandrewsmith created with POPGUN… It's an anthology with no set tone or subject. Just good comics!

Michael Woods: Being part of sheer unadulterated cool

Elliot Blake: It's just good to have something out there. The last thing I had published was in an issue of Negative Burn in the '90's and then I gave up trying to get comics published to focus on my career in the animation business. Never lost th

Mark Andrew Smith: it's great to see people get noticed and start their careers. A lot of editors keep Popgun on their shelf I've heard and flip through it when they're looking for people to hire. Hearing a lot of the stories has been great

Elton Pruitt: A heaping helping of credibility. Everyone's heard of POPGUN, so to be a contributor is like gaining entrance to that really cool club everybody's talking about. It was SO easy to get a great art team on board, because it's such a great exposure gig.

Elizabeth Genco: Hard to say, but it may have been introduction to the concept of the "Action Turducken" by @adampknave

Adam Knave: We will always have the Action Turducken, won't we?

Elizabeth Genco: What has been seen cannot be unseen

Adam Knave: You see all these crazy people? I get to hang with them. That right there is the best benefit of the book. All of these wonderful, mad, creative people to hang out with and share a drink with. It doesn't get better. Except bags of money. I might be willing to trade you @nicktapalansky for a few bags of money.

Michael Woods: I do like bags of money.

Mark Andrew Smith: Me too!

Nick Taplansky: Wouldn't have to be big bags either. He'll take a small sack of of quarters as long as there's a big $ on it.

Brian Winkeler: Dave & I had been working on BASTARD ROAD for a while and POPGUN helped us immediately start building a fanbase for big BASTARD future plans (comics, games, animation). And it's just awesome to be published amongst such great work.

Nick Tapalansky: Popgun, in the few short years it's been around, has produced a legacy of awesome books. Just being a part of that is great. Plus, you get people who try to sell you like @adampknave. Normally I have to go all the way to Mexico for that sort of treatment.

All very creatively fulfilling I'm sure, but has it got any of you laid yet? Any of you popped your gun as a result? Or bagpiped?

Michael Woods: No, but here's hoping.

Elliot Blake: All I can say on that question is that my wife is proud of me.

Mark Andrew Smith: I had to google Bagpipping haha. It's a new one for me.

Nick Taplansky: I'm engaged, so I'm afraid bagpiping is out. Had to give it up when… Crap, I hope @volatile_tifa isn't reading…

There's none more self-critical than a comic creator (who isn't Mark Millar) Anything about the published strip you wish you'd changed?

Mark Andrew Smith: I was a little bit nervous about the reception of mine but I like it and I wouldn't change much.

Michael Woods: Sure, but dwelling on your mistakes will only make you hate everything you do. You learn from what you've done and move on. And hopefully every now and again, you look back on something and really like what you did.

DJ Kirkbride: There are a million things I'd change with my writing, but luckily I co-wrote my stories with @adampknave, so I'm safe there. And our artists (Matteo Scalera on "WTF" and Jason Ibarra on "Decahedron") are so great that they also hid my writerly shortcomings. But, yeah, in everything I write, while it's fun, I immediately want one more draft after its out. Like right now I want to change the "its" in my last tweet to "it's"… gah!

Michael Woods: Wait a minute…are you blaming the mistakes on your co-writer? Good man! =P

Elliot Blake: I'm really happy with how Mekano Turbo turned out, so nothing specific I would change. Wish it could've had more pages. Tuerto, in his world, I felt like I could have told more story. And we're talking about doing more Mekano Turbo.

Mark Andrew Smith: I really enjoyed Mekano Turbo.

did you feel restricted by the format much?

Elliot Blake: The great thing for me about writing Mekano Turbo for @aziritt was doing something out of my normal comfort zone and getting to play with characters and a world I never would have created on my own. A real privelege.

Mark Andrew Smith: doing something original in short form is hard because there's a lot less space and you have to be effective and concise.

Michael Woods: Not at all. I love short stories. It's great to get an entire tale out in just a few pages. I'd love to do shorts all the time…like a co-feature or something (hint, hint @DC_NATION).

Any thoughts on 2000AD? They do that shit every week the mad fools.

Mark Andrew Smith: I have a ton of respect for 2000AD. It's non stop since I can remember. Can Americans write for it?

Yes, and they do as well. There's no passport check that I can see. Might there be a pitch in your future?

Nick Tapalansky: 2000AD is a great mag. I'd love to sneak something in there.

Elton Pruitt: I'm actually crazy happy with how it turned out. It's the work I'm proudest of to date.

Adam Knave: There's maybe one thing I would change, but generally, between Matteo Scalera on Agents and Jason Ibarra on TBD when there were any falterings they covered them by making everything flow and move perfectly.

Nick Taplansky: Funny enough, no not really. I hadn't read it for almost a year before the book came out and was worried that when I did I'd find something I hated, but, for once, I was happier with it the further removed I was from writing it. Oh no, is Millaritis? There's lots I'd change about Awakening Vol 1!

Brian Winkeler: Agents of Gore" should be "Knights of Gore." And they mixed up my & Dave's credits on page 7. Otherwise, I'm golden.

Popgun volumes are slowly coming back onto Amazon's direct listings – but Vol 4 isn't yet. Someone in the UK is trying to sell theirs on Amazon Marketplace for over $1700… is it worth that do you think? Failing that option- are there any favourite shops you'd recommend people buy a copy.

Adam Knave: $1700? for 512 pages of awesome comics? Well why not? But for shops? Jim Hanley's Universe is my fave store ever followed by the SF giants Comix Experience and Comic Relief.

DJ Kirkbride: Rich, I'd say POPGUN is literally worth 30 USD plus tax and/or shipping! I hope it's available everywhere!

Mark Andrew Smith: I heard about the whole Amazon Fiasco, you broke the internet Rich! I like Meltdown.

I was no where near it when it happened officer.

DJ Kirkbride: @meltdowncomics here in LA has been good to us with a release party and enthusiasm… @skylightbooks is trying to get copies. They have a terrific graphic novel section and have been big POPGUN supporters. I love 'em!

Brian Winkeler: We sold out at our @NewWorldComics signing in OKC. Atomik Pop & Speeding Bullet in Norman, OK are great as well.

All right, a final one – what can we expect from you all in the future (aside from P5 of course) – care to drop any URLs on me?

Adam Knave: People can go to http://www.adampknave.com for everything I do. Working on a new novel, two webcomics and a bunch of comic pitches with @djkirkbride , we got a lot of irons in the fire these days.

DJ Kirkbride: I have several pitches in the works. I don't want to curse them by talking before they're done, but… I've been working on several different stories with @adampknave and some great artist, many met through Popgun. Lots of fun in store!

Mark Andrew Smith: I have "Sullivan's Sluggers" a baseball horror graphic novel debuting in August which is drawn by James Stokoe. It's been a lot of work and I'm going to be thrilled to see people's reactions to it.

Elton Pruitt: Working on a project now that's just in the contract stage, but let me just say it will ROCK, and I'll spill the beans on EltonPruitt.com just as soon as I am able.

Michael Dialynas: well right now i am putting together a "best-of" anthology of my work the last 4 years. the book is to be published here in Greece next month at the Comicdon Con Athens. Other than that i have a couple of pitches that need to be tweaked before sending.

Elliot Blake: More Mekano Turbo, and @aziritt and I are working on a crime comic called The Package, which will be a one-shot. And of course people can keep up with me here, at www.elliotblake.com, where my animation stuff is, and for those so inclined, my iPhone photo blog at elliotblake.tumblr.com. But mostly I'm cracking wise here @elliotblake.

Michael Woods: I have a short I did with Eduardo Mederos going up on Act-I-Vate pretty soon. There is also the second volume of Outlaw Territory this July with at least one person here contributing a story. There is also a OGN with Dan Duncan called Bruised Peach (image) hopefully later this year. And possibly more Creepy soon and for those who might be interested, you can hear more about future projects at http://michaelwwoods.livejournal.com/

Brian Winkeler: Dave Curd & I have big plans for BASTARD ROAD, I'm working on a sci-fi comedy with Eric Sandhop, and I'm looking for a home for my superhero sitcom(ic) KNUCKLEHEADS with future superstar artist @robertwilsoniv.

Mark Andrew Smith: I'm going to drop my facebook http://www.facebook.com/markandrewsmith

Nick Tapalansky: @alexeckmanlawn and I have AWAKENING Vol 2 coming in Sept (you can read the first chapter at http://bit.ly/7FP9pD Plus, a two-part back-up for Todd Dezago's THE PERHAPANAUTS in issues coming out later this year. Check out www.NickTapalansky.com for up to the minute updates (and details on how you can buy my comp of #popgun4 for $1000 – a steal by some standards, it seems).

Remember, I want you all talking to BC about them first. None of this ComicsAsylum, Splashcrunch or Newsaresources, okay?

Mark Andrew Smith: It's a deal.

Adam Knave: You stop breaking internet resellers and we have a deal.

Rex Graine: comix and sex have mixed as long as comix have existed. We in the west just like to deny deny deny.

And on that point, everyone said their thank yous and disappeared into the virtual night.

Popgun Volume 5 is $29.99 from Image Comics and available in all good comic shops now.

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