Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, raven gregory, zenescope

Raven Gregory Gets Jesse Jamesed

Published Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:00:49 -0500

Last updated Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:03:00 -0500

Jesse James writes for Bleeding Cool like an unstoppable force.

Growing up in the 80's you didn't have much choice in genres. Its was Super Hero's, Action Hero's, or Animals with swords. So when I opened up the store that's what I carried. Then the Diamond rep came in and offered me Zenescope. I remember looking at him saying "You want me to carry this in my store?" After spending some time with him, I caved in and bought a couple. Probably, one of the best business decisions I have ever made. A couple of weeks later Raven Gregory called me at the store. Next thing you know, he is doing a signing at the store. The great thing was, he stayed a extra two hours just to talk to fans. Since that day, we have become great friends. He is a very genuine guy and is always looking to help out when needed. In fact, this weekend he is doing a signing at the store with Ebas and I wont even be there. That's how much I trust the guy! As he gears up for San Diego Con, I asked him to come hang out with the Bleeding Cool fans.

Tell us where you are originally from?

Arizona. Born and raised. Summer's too hot and winter's too cold.

How did story telling become part of your life?

Been telling stories ever since I was a kid. Was lucky enough to have a family supportive enough to point out that I did it particularly well even at a young age. My older brother Ozzie used to brag about me to all his friends about how good of a writer his little brother was. Felt pretty nice. Been chasing that feeling ever since.

Do you remember your first work? Do you still have it?

Yup. Kindergarden wrote and made my first comic. All about Dinosaurs and a Boy part 2. I still have it with me by my desk.

How does your current writing style relate to your real life?

Everything is therapy when it comes to my writing. I'm always trying to work something out in my own head that translates to whatever I'm working on at that given time. Even if I don't say it in my stories there always has to be a bigger meaning behind it all. A theme that speaks to the heart of me and the story. I've always written this way and probably always will.

How do you prep at the beginning of a story?

It's different for each story. Some, I write a page by page breakdown of what happens in the issue. Others I just sit down and start writing and it all comes out on the page. It changes every time. Each story gets it's own special procedure to bring it to life.

You have done so much in your career. You have experienced the highs and the lows. How has this helped you overall as a creator?

It helps you to really appreciate being able to do something like this for a living. You don't take it for granted. Suffice to say, you make mistakes and screw up along the way but all of it becomes fodder for the future stories. If, I've learned anything it's that a writer can't create in a vacuum. You have to get out there and grow even if it means fucking up a lot along the way. I like to think I'm getting there even though I know I still have a long way to go.

You have had a huge success working with Zenescope over the years. However, you have worked with many other publishers as well. Is there some adaption needed when you are doing another publishers book? Or is it really just the same method regardless?

Writing for zenescope and other publishers all require this strange magic trick of being able to read their minds and know exactly what they want. I know, that doesn't make a lot of sense but it's very true. You get a sixth sense about this kind of thing. Some times it works and some times it doesn't, but that's basically distilled down to its most essential truth.

You have worked with so many artist over the years. How do you correspond with what you want the artist to do in each panel?

If, I haven't worked with an artist before I try to be as descriptive as possible. I like to include perspective, mood, time, scene, etc to really paint that image in their mind and then let them do their thing. With artists, I have worked with in the past who I'm more comfortable with I usually keep the script nice and loose unless they asked otherwise as they tend to create images a hundred times better than anything I had in mind.

Is this the same process for cover art?

Pretty much. There are some artist who need a guiding hand and others that need to just be let go to do their thing. Each artist is different in that respect.

So many artists show you their work. Is there something that you look for in their pieces or are you just looking for that "WOW" factor?

I'm not an artist but I know what looks good. My biggest thing is story telling. If you can nail that and the lineart is clean and tight it usually doesn't take much, but even that is saying a lot as mastering those simple disciplines can take years.

Your a fan favorite at conventions. Do you find that your fan base is a set demographic or do you feel you have a multi cultural fan base?

I used to think and in some part still do think that I have a much larger than normal female fanbase but after this many years it really is across the board. Young and old, white and black and brown and purple, rich or poor, there's a little bit of every thing there. Never, really sat down and thought about it beyond that. I try to write very personal stories set in some spectacular fashion that everyone can relate to or sympathize with on some level.

Does it in anyway hurt you at a show being a fan favorite?

I love the fans and sometimes I can't draw the line between being a creator and being a friendly guy. I know, I'm a writer and an editor but I never see myself as that and even today I'm still getting used to it. I've always thought of myself as just a guy who got lucky and writes comics. If, I meet someone cool at a show I'd hang out with them, like anyone else I'd meet anywhere. Sometimes you have to be able to draw the line in the sand between your personal life and your professional life and it's not always the easiest thing to do. But again, I'm learning and growing so hopefully I get it right one of these days.

You have done so many projects with Ebas and Nei Ruffino. How has their growth helped you be more active in your career?

We've all grown together since we started working together and it's really cool to see. Each of us, try to raise the bar month in and month out. Since we all do different things there's no sense of competition involved. Just us jazzed to see each other, keep bringing it and getting better and better. It's a cool relationship. In that they are two of my closest friends in the world. So, as our careers continue to grow we just smile and nod because we just want the best for each other and nothing less.

Is there a genre you would like to dab into a little, that at this point you haven't done?

I'll tell my little kid story one of these days. I want a book I can give my three and five year old daughters without them saying all daddy writes about are boobs and butts.

Are you in anyway surprised at the growth in the genre of women being the lead character?

Not really, but then again most of the characters I write are female.

Tell us how Facebook or other social medias have impacted your career?

HA!!! I've wasted many an hour on them instead of writing, like I should. But seriously, I love how it makes you as a creator so accessible to fans and readers. Before that, I don't think we ever really had that kind of experience outside of conventions.

Anything you can tell the fans that is coming up the next 3 months that will just be a killer book?

Jungle Book is just knocking my socks off every month. Robyn Hood is coming up and that's just as amazing and Pat Shand is writing his ass off. I see big things for that guy. My new creator owned book Irresistible, Wonderland ongoing #1, and Grimm Fairy Tales #75 all debut at San Diego Comic Con and I couldn't be more proud of anything I've ever written in my career. Just love those stories and those characters like nothing else and I hope it comes across in the issues.

Where can your fans find you on the net?