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Dark Horse Comics To Publish Henchgirl – We Talk To Kristen Gudsnuk

Published Tue, 12 Jul 2016 10:00:23 -0500

Henchgirl has been a hit indie comic book this year, published by Scout Comics, and created by Kristen Gudsnuk. It tells the superhero story from the point of view of a henchman.Or, rather, a Henchgirl, one Mary Posa, working for supervillain Monsieur Butterfly. Which would really be a disappointment to her superhero parents.

As of next year, Henchgirl will be published in collection form by Dark Horse Comics, for March 29th 2017.

I spoke to creator Kristen Gudsnuk about the move.

Rich Johnston: Straight up. Why Dark Horse for the collection rather than Scout Comics?

Kristen Gudsnuk: Scout was a good first step for me. They were essential to getting me on comic shops' shelves, and are home to many excellent new comic series. But I've been a lifelong fan of Dark Horse Comics, and couldn't pass up the chance to be part of their fantastic catalog of titles.

RJ: Earlier this year there was an aftermarket run on back issues of Henchgirl and there was the word pushed by Scout Comics that a TV/film deal was about to be announced for the comic.. but then silence. What actually happened – was it all a scam to push interest or was it based on reality?

KG: It does sound too good to be true, but that news actually isn't a fabrication. I can't say the details yet, but we're working with a renowned production company– which, incidentally, made one of my top 5 all-time favorite movies– on a TV deal.

RJ: I will keep my copy in mint condition then! Marvel has already announced a Doctor Doom comic, yesterday Bleeding Cool ran news on their new comics Kingpin, Bullseye, Deadpool Mercs and more. Oh and Captain America is Hydra now. Is the industry trying to copy Henchgirl?

KG: Yeah! Where's my royalty check? …In all seriousness, considering Henchgirl is firmly rooted in subverting superhero comics' tropes, it's probably the other way around. I've always enjoyed seeing stories from the villain's perspective, though– Superior Foes of Spider-Man was a really seminal series for me. So as a comics fan, I'm glad the tide is turning that way. And I bet it has more to do with Suicide Squad than anything else!

RJ: Reading Henchgirl, I was reminded conceptually of the backstories of henchmen in Austin Powers, a specific issue of Invisibles, the Death Star contractors conversation in Clerks and the stories of Emp's boyfriend Thugboy in Empowered. Were any of these things influential on Henchgirl, or did it emerge in a different fashion?

KG: Wow. Actually, none of those was a point of reference for me when making Henchgirl. I haven't seen or read any of those things, other than Austin Powers, which I haven't watched since I was 10! But I do have my sources of inspiration. Namely, Bruce Timm's animated DC universe, sitcom humor, Sailor Moon, Scott Pilgrim, and my own real life. I remember pondering who I would be in a superhero comic– a hero? A villain? And somehow it seemed most likely that I'd be some low-rent villain's henchgirl. I was pleasantly surprised that no one had used the title "Henchgirl" yet, and started writing a one-off gag script that grew longer and more involved, until I had Henchgirl.

RJ: I think I disappointed my parents by working in advertising rather than becoming a teacher like them. Henchgirl focuses on that parent-child relationship, the effect of expectations. How does your family feel about what you do? What disappointed them most about your choices in life, do you think? Has anything changed now?

KG: I do remember various family members gravely sitting me down to warn me about the dangers of following your dreams and the futility of trying to make a career of art or writing. At this point, they see I'm not starving or homeless, despite not having a 9-to-5 anymore, so they've toned down on the disapproval. I think disappointing your family is a fear we all have, particularly when coming of age, when you haven't figured out who you are or what you want to do. Mary (the protagonist of my comic) is clearly a late bloomer, having deferred her own coming-of-age indefinitely, so it seemed particularly relevant to her story.

RJ: Certainly relatable… Henchgirl is published in collected form in March 2017. What is the likelihood do you think of a civilization still there able to publish a comic, considering what we see on the news right now?

KG: If civilization isn't still around I think I'll have slightly bigger problems than who's gonna publish my comic, won't I?

RJ: I don't know, Kirsten, that's always our biggest problems...

Henchgirl can be bought in individual issues from Scout Comics. The Amazon listing for the collection is right here.

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