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You've Never Heard Of… Mark Poulton, Chase Poulton And Their Pizza Tree Of Horror

Published Thu, 08 Jun 2017 09:00:00 -0500

Senior Boricua Correspondent Marco Lopez writes,

One of the things I love about interviewing creators in this biz is them sending me digital copies of what they're working on. It allows me to check out some sweet new comics I can then turn around and pick up in print and it sometimes introduces me to some cool projects I would never have checked out in the first place.

Except for my newest interview. I've been a fan of his work for several years and we share a love of one of the greatest movies of all time The Lost Boys.

Because this time I am interviewing Mark Poulton and his son Chase Poulton about their awesome new all-ages graphic novel the Pizza Tree. The book has a great look to it with fantastic art and lettering by Ryan Onorato and quite the imaginative story.

Now some of you may remember Mark as the writer of Rob Liefeld's Avengelyne, Brigade and when he worked on Liefeld's run of Savage Hawkman for DC Comics. He is also the author and co-creator of the 2011 Eagle Award-nominated children's book A Cat Named Haiku and the Arcana comic Koni Waves.

Speaking of Arcana, Pizza Tree is part of their new line of creator-owned graphic novels under their new imprint Aristacomics where Mark serves as Editor in Chief.

Before we get to that interview here's a short summary to entice you.

Friday night means pizza night for the Poulton Family. However, when Chase plants a slice of pepperoni in their backyard, every night becomes pizza night after a mysterious Pizza Tree appears. The Poultons soon learn free pizza comes with a price. For those with a taste for horror, sink your teeth into the Pizza Tree!

Marco: I always like to assume that not every fan of comics knows the work of every creator or how they got their start. Only so many of us can be that nerdy. So, the first question I want to ask is what made you fall in love with this medium Mark? And to follow up on that. How did you get your start in this business?

And for you Chase what was the first comic book you ever read and what is it you love about comics?

Mark: I first fell in love with comics through G.I. Joe. I loved the cartoon and had all of the toys when I was a kid. The commercials for the toys were so great, because it started with a cartoon and then showed a kid recreating that scene with the toys. The commercial ended though with an ad for the comic book series, and I was like, "There's G.I. Joe comic books?! I need them." My mom got me a subscription to them and then I started seeing ads for the other books and they looked cool, so I started checking out more and more different books.

As far as my career goes, I started out with my own book, Koni Waves. My friend, Dexter Weeks, who I would later go on to do A Cat Named Haiku with, was a student at the University of the Arts and interning for a storyboard artist. I kept telling the two of them that we should make a comic book and finally we did. After Koni Waves, things just kept rolling and getting cooler and cooler.

Chase: I love stories. I make my Dad read me books and make up silly stories all of the time. I don't remember the first comic book I ever read was, but I remember the first one I ever loved and that was Power Lunch!

Marco: Now let's talk some Pizza Tree. How did this project come together Mark and what were your influences (if any)? Because for me this story has a very Little Shop of Horrors and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes vibe. It would be cool to see it adapted into a children's live action movie. It's definitely a graphic novel I can see kids flipping out over.

Also, how much of this is based on Chase's imagination?

So, what made you think of a Pizza Tree Chase? Do you really love Pizza as much as the fictional version of you in the story? And what's your favorite kind of pizza?

Mark: Chase's imagination is responsible for this book! We were having pizza one night and Chase came up with the idea of a boy planting a slice of pepperoni and a Pizza Tree growing from it. While we adapted it, my influences were movies like Monster Squad and the 'Burbs. I just love the idea of this funny, horror story taking place in a suburban setting. Chase is a huge Goosebumps fan too, so there's definitely a nod to them as well.

Chase: When I was 4 years old I told my Dad that I knew where pizza came from. I thought if you planted a slice of pepperoni a Pizza Tree would grow from it. My Dad thought we should write a story about it.

My favorite type of pizza is plain cheese, but sometimes I like pepperoni. And yes, I do love pizza.

Marco: Given how well this graphic novel came out Mark and it is your second children's comic. Do you have any plans to do further children's stories with Chase based on his fun ideas? And is this an avenue of storytelling (children's comics) you would like to further explore with your own ideas? Right now, you're two for two. So, might as well go for a triple.

And how about you Chase? Would you be interested in another collaboration with your dad?

Mark: Thanks. I'm really proud of Pizza Tree and A Cat Named Haiku so I appreciate the kind words. They are my favorite projects. Yes, I definitely plan to do more. All Ages is one of my favorite genres to write. I'm already working on some new all ages titles on my own and Chase and I are brainstorming some ideas for a follow up to the Pizza Tree.

Chase: Yes, I told my Dad the next one needs to be bigger than the Pizza Tree.

Marco: Let's talk future work. Is there anything else you're currently working on outside of children's comics that you could tell us about? Even a small mention?

Mark: Sure, Jon Malin (Artist for Marvel's Thunderbolts) and I have a fully completed graphic novel, Graveyard Shift, which I'd like to get released this year. Jon and I have been working on it for years. In fact, it was around this time 6 years ago we released a preview book, but Jon's work was so good on the book it got him hired to do Youngblood back in 2012 and then most recently by Marvel for Thunderbolts. I'm also co-writing a book with Jesse Snider (Evil Ernie) called King of Kings that deals with religion, gods, and heavy metal. Both are totally the opposite of all ages.

Marco: Tell me more about Aristacomics and how it came about and what we can expect coming from this new line of creator-owned comics. Is it only OGN's or also monthly issues? I'm always happy when there is a new publisher for creator-owned books on the scene.

Mark: Artistacomics is the brainchild of me, Chris Kotsakis and Enrico Botta. I've known Chris and Enrico for years and they have wanted to work together on something and break into the comic industry. They asked me if I would be interested in forming an imprint with them and it was really something I've always wanted to do. Luckily, I've always had a great relationship with Arcana Studio's owner, Sean O'Reilly, so it seemed only natural to get Sean and Arcana involved as well. With their animation division, they are doing stuff in the indie comics market that is unrivaled. At Artistacomics, we're focusing on all ages and teen books, but we won't rule out anything that is quality. Besides Pizza Tree, Enrico has his book The Black Demon in production and I am almost finished with my Super Sentai inspired teen comedy book with artist, Mark Yoon called Squirt. Chris, Jay Taylor and I also have something in the works with one of my all-time favorite artists, Mike Gustovich, creator of the Justice Machine!

Marco: Alright Mark we've come to end but this is the moment where I allow you to pimp your work to the fans. Make that passionate plea and tell the readers why they should check out Pizza Tree and why they should keep an eye out for Aristacomics.

Also, let the fans know when it's coming out and when they can order it from Diamond Previews.

Mark: I've worked for big companies and with legends of the industry, but there's nothing I'm more proud of than working on Pizza Tree with my son, Chase. It's the highlight of my career. Every aspect of this book, from the story and art to the printing and packaging amazes me. Artist, Ryan Onorato did an incredible job putting this book together. For $9.95, this hardcover graphic novel is one heck of a deal. If you're interested in purchasing it, you can tell your LCS to pre-order it for you using the Diamond Code JUN17 1213 from Arcana Studio. It will be in stores this August.

And that's the end of that. I want to thank Mark Poulton for letting me interview him and his son Chase and I hope you all enjoyed this edition of You've Never Heard Of. Don't forget to check out the Pizza Tree when it hits your local comic shop or ask your local store to pre-order it for you.

Marco Lopez is the co-owner of the website Atomic Rex Entertainment. Where you can find the web comic Massively Effective, that Marco describes as Bill and Ted in tights. Also, hosted on the site is Marco's web strip series Orion's Belt that follows a family of adventurers in space and his anthology series A Shot of Whiskey. Marco has also written for Zenescope Entertainment and Lion Forge Comics.

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