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'The More Creative You Are, The More Powerful You Become' – Monty Nero On Death Sentence

Published Mon, 16 Jun 2014 11:30:00 -0500

Alex Wilson writes:

Death Sentence is probably the comic book with most relevance to our society currently being published. The story follows three individuals who have contracted the sexually transmitted virus "G +" which when active in its victims gives them superhuman abilities but their life expectancy drops to six months. Death Sentence, written by Monty Nero with interior art by Mike Dowling, shows dueling elements of humanity when faced with ultimate power and certain death.

Alex Wilson: There's a lot of talk about the power of art and the immortality of genes in this book. What make you wish to draw meaning from art and science, two seemingly diverging fields, in one story?

Monty Nero: It's art as a consequence of creativity. Creativity is integral to the human condition, it's one reason why we're the dominant species – we can imagine things that don't exist and make them. The theory we're putting forward is that when creativity's stifled we suffer, something essential inside us dies. As a result people seek validation in other ways, loud gaudy reckless ways, which is one reason for a lot of modern behavior. Sadly the way in which society has ordered itself economically means most people's creativity is permanently suffocated in the weekly grind. But everyone's creative as a child, it's just so thoroughly beaten out of you as an adult that some people think they're not creative at all.

Good science and learning is creative, but in this context I'm more interested in science as an answer to the riddle of why humans behave as they do. Selfish Gene theory, which is really badly named by the way, posits the theory that natural selection occurs through competing genes rather than organisms or species. That has all kinds of fascinating ramifications, including the shattering irrelevance of the individual human. That may seem very depressing, but if you accept it you start to recognize the mechanisms in your mind and body that have evolved to look after genes, and all the irrelevant painful consequences of that for your personal well-being. You can stop worrying about why you're here and why you do some of the things that you do, and start to define your own life as you wish. Which is the journey Verity's on in the story.

AW: All the characters infected with the virus expand their powers with creative endeavors. What are you saying about the act of creating something? Art? Music? Laughter?

MN: In the comic the more creative you are the more powerful you become. We've applied it to an action context, but it's clearly metaphorical. It doesn't matter if you do art or music or comedy or design raffia baskets or management systems – it's essential to your well being to express this creative part of you. It's in your DNA. One point we're making in the book is that hope is essential to creativity. If you don't have the hope that what you're doing is worthwhile and valuable you can't be creative. So choose hope. Choose hope every time.

AW: How did you come up with the premise of this book? Are there real world events that inspired you?

MN: Yeah loads. All the essential themes are based on real life, things that happened and how I felt about them. The prospect of becoming a Dad inspired the whole premise, having "six months left" to do something creative before my daughter was born. Though as it turned out I found fatherhood very creative and inspiring too. There's scenes based on my work, my old bosses, my sister's work in the music biz, drunken nights, sexual escapades, the London riots, politics. Weasel and Monty are both amalgams of about five or six different rock stars and comedians. It's all invented, but it's all inspired by trying to get to the core of real events and things that actually happened to real people. I think it's essential to look to the world for inspiration when you're being creative.

AW: If you could have readers take one thought, one idea, away after reading Death Sentence what would it be?

MN: Um… "make your own comic book it's fun." Beyond that, it's not for me to say. We made the comic so you can just enjoy it as an action romp, or pick up on the deeper themes and think deeply about modern society. It's totally up to you. As long as people enjoy it, I'm happy.

AW: If you were given the chance, super powers for 6 months and then death, would you take it? Why or why not?

MN: No, not even vaguely tempted. Happiness comes from what you do without, rather than constantly craving more. I'm very content and I'd like to spend as long as possible with my family.

You can pick up deluxe hardcover of Death Sentence when it hits shelves on June 18^th. Fans of twists on the superhero genre or those who enjoy independent comic books will fall in love with this title.

Alex Wilson dropped out of cub scouts at an early age after he refused to sell popcorn for "the man." Since then his life has entered into a downward spiral. He lives in the sinful world of comic books, folk punk, and seedy tattoo shops. You can find him bare-knuckle boxing to pay his rent or tweeting about Teen Wolf on his Twitter, @mralexwilson.

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