The recent struggles faced by the MCU, with underperforming projects, departure of key personnel, and complex storytelling, raise questions about its future. While it’s going through a challenging phase, it’s important to acknowledge that several real-world factors, like contractual issues, tragic events, and external pressures, have contributed to these challenges. There’s hope that with a clearer path ahead, the MCU can overcome these obstacles.
official_looking_timeline_for_the/In recent times, Marvel Studios has faced criticism for its abundance of content on Disney+, which has diluted the impact of its projects. While some MCU shows have succeeded by exploring characters and experimenting with storytelling, others have fallen short by relying too heavily on epic battles and convoluted plots. The overemphasis on explaining intricate time travel and multiverse concepts has also made the narrative more complex and less engaging for viewers.
Additionally, the departure of key actors and the effort to elevate secondary characters have posed challenges for Marvel. The loss of iconic figures like Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Panther has left a void that supporting characters are struggling to fill. The introduction of new characters hasn’t always yielded the desired results, and some projects have faced delays.
Despite these challenges, the MCU continues to expand with new characters, storylines, and timelines, making it increasingly difficult to follow and maintain viewer engagement. As it navigates these complexities, Marvel must strike a balance between quantity and quality, focusing on storytelling and character development rather than relying solely on spectacular battles and intricate plotlines. Ultimately, the future of the MCU remains uncertain, but there’s hope that it can regain its former glory by addressing these issues and delivering compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
Michael Alan Nelson is a writer currently is residing in LA, California. With 2 awards (2004, 2011), several short comic stories based on the HP Lovecraft’s Cthulhu and Supergirl to his name, his latest run has been with a rather interesting series going by the name of Hexed.
Tell us a bit about Hexed
MAN: Hexed is about a young woman named Lucifer who makes her living as a thief in a mystical underworld, all while trying to find a way to remove the hex that has been placed on her by the mysterious Keeper of Secrets. Lucifer works for a woman named Val Brisendine who operates an art gallery as a front for hiding all the magical pieces Lucifer steals. But as Lucifer goes about her thieving way, she crosses paths with several baddies, some of whom are dangerous in the extreme. The story follows Lucifer on her quest to free herself from her hex while keeping the world safe from deadly magic and the evil creatures who wield it.
How did you get into Hexed?
MAN: I created Lucifer (and the Harlot-Keeper of Secrets) in my series Fall of Cthulhu. But as that series wrapped up, we realized that Lucifer was such a fun character that we didn’t want her story to end. We thought it would be fun to put her in a universe of my own making. Thankfully, the folks at BOOM! Studios liked the character and the idea of creating my own universe for her so they let me run with it. The rest, as they say, is history.
Who was your favourite character to write?
The Harlot with Val running a close second. While I love Lucifer, there’s something about the Harlot’s foreknowledge that is so much fun to play with. I can also use an odd diction with her that I can’t with Lucifer. Some of the turns of phrase that I like to write would sound odd coming from a young woman, but not so much from an ancient mystical god. She can be snarky, heartfelt, and threatening all in the same sentence. That’s something that would be more difficult to pull off with a human character.
Was it the character itself or the story that made you pick that character as a favourite?
MAN: The character. Everything comes from the character. Don’t get me wrong, I love the story and the arcs the characters take, but it really is their personalities that make them come alive for me. The Harlot’s underlying madness, Val’s patient frustration, Lucifer’s cross-your-fingers-and-hope-for-the-best devil-may-care attitude. Having those characters with those traits really make writing them enjoyable. If it was just moving them through plot points, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun to write (or read).
What inspired you to work in comics?
MAN: My brother got me into it actually. He coloured comics in the 90s and knew that I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I had been struggling with novels and short stories since I was a teenager, so he asked if I thought about writing comics. So he introduced me to a few people in the industry and I started studying on the process. A couple years later, Ross Richie (the founder of BOOM! Studios) asked me if I’d like to write a short comic for his Zombie Tales anthology he was publishing. So I gave it a shot and, for some reason, he liked it and has been asking me to write for him ever since.
What is the piece you are most proud of?
MAN: Hexed. It’s by far the best thing I’ve ever written. I’m proud of most of my work, but I think the full story of Hexed, from its very beginning to the very last issue is, hands down, the best story telling I’ve done to date.
Who is your ultimate dream team to work on a comic with?
MAN: Oh, that’s a difficult question to answer and one that entirely depends on the project. There are so many wonderful and talented people in the industry that it’s hard to narrow down a “dream” team. To be honest I would just want to put them all in a room and eavesdrop on them talking about the craft of graphic storytelling.
What is your current project?
MAN: I’m trying to develop a few stories at the moment, just working on a few comic ideas and some more prose as well. I won’t have anything coming out in 2016, but I hope to see some of these ideas come to life next year.
What is a typical day in the life of you when working on comics?
MAN: I’m sure it would look quite boring from the outside. I wake up, drink some coffee and start writing. When the writing gets tough, that’s when I take a walk to help clear my head. Then I’ll head back to it, taking a break every now and then to eat or go for another walk. But my brain is pretty much toast by mid-afternoon. So I try to get as much done as early as I can. But if I spend my morning scanning news feeds or lurking on Twitter, the day ends up being a wash.
How long does it take to do a single issue script?
MAN: I’ve written some scripts in 24 hours and others have taken me a full month to write. But usually I can hammer out a first draft in a week. Then it takes about another week to do any rewrites or address any notes my editor may have.
The time also depends on the publisher/creative team. For most of my BOOM! Work, I write a complete script first before sending it off to the artists. When I was writing for DC, I would write “Marvel” style scripts which were much quicker since I was only giving a general overview of what happened on each page. However, that meant writing the bulk of the dialog after the art came back. That added a bit of extra time.
What is the process you go through?
MAN: Whenever I write a story, I usually create the interesting moments first. I’ll come up with the scenes, the tent-pole moments, then find the best way to connect them. I try to outline whenever possible since it helps if I know where I’m headed. I’ve written stories before where I had no idea where the story was going to go and, more often than not, it turned out to be a mess. Sometimes it works, but not very often. But if I have a key moment that I’m building toward, it makes creating the connective tissue that much easier for me.
Who are your inspirations?
MAN: That is a long and inexhaustible list.
What is your dream project?
MAN: A Hexed television show. It would be an utter dream to see Lucifer’s story on the screen.
If you could pick anyone to act as your mentor, who would it be?
MAN: If I could pick ANYONE, living or dead, it would have to be Orson Welles. I would give anything to have had the chance to sit in a room with him and listen to him discuss story and character, let alone have him take me under his wing. I have no idea if he could have made me a better writer, but I bet he could have certainly made me a better story teller.
Have you done anything at a convention, as in had a table in artist alley or a booth or been a guest?
MAN: I’ve been going to conventions as a guest of BOOM! Studios for over ten years now. So I’ve had a chance to meet fans from all over North America. I was even a guest at the Middle East Film and Comicon in Dubai one year. That was such a fantastic show and a great experience meeting fans from that part of the world. I also occasionally do more prose-focused shows like BEA or ALA, though not quite as much as I used to.
What was the most memorable fan moment you have had?
MAN: I’ve had so many memorable fan moments, but I think the most surprising was when a fan of Hexed came to the booth to show me her Lucifer tattoo. I was completely stunned and amazed that my story had moved someone so much that they were willing to permanently mark their body to show their love for the character. It was an incredibly humbling moment.
Have people ever cosplayed your work?
Avoiding all of the technical aspects, the simple result is that a man with ED will be able to produce the medicine. order soft cialis Most people are not even aware that they are in their earlier stage of sufferings. find now now viagra 25 mg The product is made viagra vs cialis available for quick global purchase. Impotence viagra price is one of the most common male sexual disorders that interrupt lovemaking. MAN: Yes! Last year was the first time I saw someone cosplay Lucifer from Hexed, though I had heard rumours that someone had been cosplaying as the Harlot somewhere else in the country. Oh, how I would love to have pictures of that!
How has the industry changed since you first started?
MAN: When I began writing in 2005, the industry was pretty much dominated by the Big Two. However, in that time we’ve really seen the rise of the independents like Image and BOOM! Studios. They’re taking the industry by storm and I love it! We’re seeing such great stories and ideas that go beyond the superheroes that the medium has been known for. It really is a new golden age and it’s fun to be a part of it.
How do you feel about the change to mainstream thanks to shows like The Big Bang Theory and the movies now in the cinema like Spiderman and Batman vs Superman?
MAN: It’s always wonderful to see comics and their most popular characters go on to other mediums, but I would like to see that mainstream popularity transfer to an increase in popularity for the MEDIUM of comics, not just the characters that began there. People will rave about an Avengers movie making a billion dollars and that certainly is a wonderful thing. But the popularity of the films aren’t directly proportional to the popularity of the comics. Yes, the comics a movie is based on will see an uptick in sales when the movie comes out, but I don’t believe that uptick is coming from a majority of new readers coming into the medium. And that’s what I want to see. I want to see people who love these films go and read the comics those films are based on. And once they fall in love with the medium itself, go out and find other stories they enjoy. That’s why I’m such a huge fan of The Walking Dead. Because I believe the show has brought in new readers to the comics medium. I want to see more of that.
Anything extra you would like to share:
MAN: Yes, buy my books! And not just my books, but the books of any creator whose work you enjoy. If you love someone’s work, support them so they can continue to create the stories you enjoy.
Fun time:
Who is your favourite comic book character?
MAN: Spider Jerusalem
Who is your favourite author(books)?
MAN: George R.R. Martin
What is your favourite movie?
MAN: The Princess Bride
What is your favourite band/music artist?
MAN: Joe Satriani
What is a quirk you have (like dipping fries into chocolate Sunday)?
MAN: I get really freaked out if I see someone put their socks and shoes on by covering one foot completely before starting on the next foot. You put your socks on first, then your shoes. You don’t dress one foot completely and then the other. That’s just…wrong.
My first official cosplay was in May of 2005 for the premier night of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith in Miami, Florida. I was an all-white Star Wars, Episode 2: Attack of the Clones Clone Trooper. I received the armour kit three months earlier as a gift from the Florida Garrison of the 501st Legion Star Wars Costuming Group as a Thank You Gift for allowing them to be part of my son’s Celebration of Life Ceremony. My son (Christian Richard Stafford), passed away at the age of eight in my arms from Leukaemia, March of 2005. He thought his cancer battle was actually his Jedi Trials as he was a huge fan of everything Star Wars. I fed his belief by being his Jedi Master while he was in the hospital and taught him lessons on sword fighting, meditation and mindfulness. He would never leave his hospital room without first putting on his Jedi robe.
The day after he passed away, I went to the crematorium and dressed him one last time in his Jedi costume and robe so that he would forever be the Jedi he hoped to become. On the night of the premier in Miami, those of us working the event were given the privilege of seeing an advance screening several hours before the general public. At that showing, I went to the concession stand and purchased an order of nachos, a hotdog, and pink lemonade. As I sat in the theatre with the rest of the 501st and Rebel Legion costumers, I placed the food and drink in the seat next to me and in the cup holder separating my seat from the next, I placed a small metal container with a Jedi badge affixed to it that contained my young Padawan. I fulfilled my promise to my son of taking him to see the last Star Wars movie. I have been a costumer ever since, and I do so to honor the memory of my son, Christian. He never got to grow up…SO WHY SHOULD I?!
photo credit: Martin Schiff
Cosplay achievements:
Thanks to cosplay, I have had a long list of achievements. I have been in two major documentaries: “Heart of an Empire” and as part of the Star Wars Blu-Ray Box Collection under Special Features “Star Warriors.” “Star Warriors” documents the 501st costume group and how George Lucas and Lucas Films chose 200 individuals from around the world to represent Star Wars fandom by having us march in the Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade in California. George Lucas was the Grand Marshal and we got to march as Imperial Forces in front of thousands of fans and televised worldwide. I was also selected by Lucas Arts and flown to New York City as part of the 501st to March on Time Square as part of the release of the game Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and the release of Revenge of the Sith on DVD.
My picture made the front page of the New York Times, and we were all on the CBS Morning Show. It was really cool to find out the I was listed on IMDB for my part in the 501st documentary “Heart of an Empire.” I later got internet attention when I started showing up in my now famous King Aquaman leather armoured costume. I had people from all walks of life telling me they had seen me on one website or another, showcasing images of my costuming. The King Aquaman armor was constructed by an uber talented leather worker named Sam Lee from Prince Armory. It took over a year to fully construct based on our combined design.
But one of my biggest achievements was not even an award. Several years ago I was leaving a convention here in Orlando called MegaCon. As I left the show floor and was heading out onto the main concourse, a little old lady stopped me and asked if her husband could have a photo with me. I was dressed in the classic version of Aquaman that included the low cut neckline and the black shorts over the green leggings with the fins on the calves. I quickly obliged and stood next to the frail old man and holding my trident, I did my best hero pose for him. After his wife had taken several pictures with her disposable camera, I began to walk away, and that was when the old man lightly grabbed my arm and told me, “You are exactly as I imagined you would look like.” I thanked him for the compliment and again began to leave and again he stopped me and said, “You are the living embodiment of my imagination.” At this point I again thanked him, but also felt things were getting a little weird.
He saw the puzzled expression behind my smile and asked if I knew who he was. I politely told him that I did not. That is when he told me, “My name is Nick Cardy, I invented Aquaman.” He was on his way to a panel of Golden Age Comic Artists and saw me and had to have a photo of me because I was exactly what he pictured when he first developed Aquaman. So my biggest achievement is being told by the creator of the character that so many people recognize me as, that I am The True Aquaman. To this day I am humbled by that encounter. Nick Cardy passed away a couple years ago and I never got to see the pictures of us together as I did not have a phone on me at the time since Aquaman has no pouches on his belt to hide it in. But it is an amazing memory for me none the less.
Cosplay pet peeve:
Cosplay bullies in any and all forms: body shaming, costume divas that think only they can be a particular character, cosplayers that use false accusations to bully others out of cosplay for their own reasons, cosplayers that act like they are royalty and are better than the rest of us cosplayers and convention goers that disrespect anyone’s cosplay whether it is store bought or handmade and not perfect. We are a community of geeks and nerds that love to express our fandoms with costumes. It’s about having fun and socializing with others who share our mutual fandoms. This is not high school, and we do not need to make this a popularity contest. Respect everyone and their choice of fandoms and the way they choose to represent their love of a character in costume.
What is the piece you are most proud of?
First, I would say my Iron Man costume as it was my first major cosplay costume. It weighs in at 85lbs. and is a total labor of love to wear as it is not comfortable, but it is loved by all the fans who see it. And the one I am best known for now is my King Aquaman armor. From the idea conception to finally wearing it was a year-long wait, but I am very proud of how it turned out and love the feeling I get wearing it and the feeling of being regal I have when I am walking around in it. The old saying, “The suit makes the man,” and in the case of my Aquaman armor, it truly does.
photo credit: Martin Schiff
Who is your dream team to work on a cosplay with?
In the last 10 years, I have gotten to work with so many amazing people that putting together a Dream Team would leave out so many incredibly talented individuals that I absolutely adore. Just to throw out a few names would include Danny and Heather Kelly, Chad Tango, Charles Hass, Brian Parsley, and Chase Law. Some that I would love to get to work with, but have not worked out the logistics yet, include Saraphina Cosplay, RJ Foster, Rebecca McGillicuddy, and Nica Stone to name a few.
What is a typical day in the life of you when working on a cosplay?
This question can be interpreted in two ways: when I am constructing a cosplay and when I am working as a cosplayer at a convention. I’ll answer both. I am a stickler for detail work when I develop a costume, so I try to make sure I have all the right tools and supplies to do the job correctly the first time. If I know something will require snaps added to it, I make sure I have the proper kind of snaps and the snap tool laid out and ready to use. I often work in a large open area on my hardwood floor that I cover with a drop cloth and then use large pieces of thick cardboard to protect the flooring underneath from cuts, dents, scratches and paint or glue drips. When I get started, I usually forget to eat or drink as I get so focused on the task at hand that I will work for hours and lose total track of time. Because of this, I tend to hold off on working on projects till one of my days off.
At conventions, I try to get to the event early so I can meet with the convention promoter and get my table or booth set up as quickly as possible. I then tend to wander around and introduce myself to the vendors and get an idea of what they have, so that if I see something I like, I can try to make a deal for it before the end of the convention. I usually suit up in the costume for the day about 30 minutes before general opening of the doors, so I have time to fix anything that might go wrong and get acclimated to temperature of the convention site. Sometimes they are now well air-conditioned and other times they might have it cracked down really low in anticipation of heavy crowds and lots of warm bodies.
I hardly ever sit or stay behind my table at events as I like to interact with fans and guests who stop by. It’s much easier to do a selfie with a fan while standing next to them then it is to lean across my table and do so. During lulls in the convention traffic, I try to again visit the different vendors, now in costume, so that they get a chance to get photos with me since they are usually not able to venture far from their merchandise or artwork. They really seem to appreciate the thoughtfulness on my part to bring a segment of the convention experience to them. I will chat with people all day long about all aspects of cosplay and particular fandoms while at the show.
But if I see a child who wants to do a photo with me, I will pause any conversation to honor the photo request of a family. I truly enjoy the interaction with the guests and fans alike at conventions. I typically bring my own food to the con and try to eat it as discreetly as possible so as not to have photos show up on the internet with Aquaman stuffing his face with grilled chicken and brown rice. (LOL). Another thing I am very careful to do is always use a stall when I need to use the bathroom as it is not safe with current cell phone cameras to simply do your business in costume and have to worry about photos of it showing up on the web. This is a good practice for any male cosplayer.
Who are your inspirations?
My major inspiration is and will always be my son, Christian. I do all of this for his memory. If I had to honestly trade all that I have done in the cosplay world to have him back…HELL YES, I WOULD! Beyond my son, I would say I am inspired by those cosplayers that truly put themselves out in the community at large for the sake of real charity work. Those that visit hospitals and clinics, those that raise money for charities and those that stand up for those who do not have the strength to do it themselves, such as the anti-bullying cosplayers.
photo credit: Any-Occasion-Photography
What is the current project you are working on?
I actually have several that are in the planning stages. Three new versions of Aquaman are being developed over the next year, an aquatic character suit is being completed in the next six months. The Force Awakens version of the X-Wing pilot costume and a couple other surprises are being sketched out.
What is your dream project?
This is a hard one as the King Aquaman was such a massive undertaking and overall successful project. I would really like to have another Iron Man costume that if as close to movie accurate as possible with electronic moving parts and sound system that allows me to sound like Ironman. I’m keeping my eyes out for someone talented enough to build the version I would ultimately want to have and wear.
photo credit: Ernesto-Javier
If you could pick anyone to act as your mentor, who would it be?
As a mentor, I would really appreciate having Scott Fensterer. He is an incredibly talented artist, prop builder and make-up artist. Learning a tenth of what he knows would be incredible. He was one of the last five competitors on this seasons Syfy Channel show Face/Off. Not only is he a talented artist, he is an amazing man all the way around and I truly look up to all he has to offer as a great human being.
How has the industry changed since you first started?
The cosplay community when I first started over ten years ago, was much more fandom loving based. Unfortunately, due to the mass media glamorization of the cosplay community—with reality shows and major coverage of the cosplayers at events like San Diego Comic Con and New York Comic Con—the community has been inundated with people seeing the prospect of being at conventions as the new cool place to been seen at. This has led to a large increase in shaming and cosplay bullying by individuals who are not truly in the community for the love of the fandoms they represent, but rather to be seen as cool because they are in a costume from the current popular craze in the media. This has me defining the community in two factions. My personal definition of a Cosplayer is: a person who dons a costume and does their best to represent the character in both actions and knowledge like an actor taking on the role. A Costumer: is a person who wears a costume because they simply like the character, but are not trying to become the character. Like a sports fan wearing a jersey of their favorite team, but obviously not being an athlete. Some would argue that a costumer is someone who makes their own costumes, but I prefer to call them costume designers. We are all allowed to use our own vernacular. It is highly useful for young super viagra online men, who smoke, to stop now. Today, buy Kamagra via online is known as one of get viagra cheap robertrobb.com the best medication. Internal sexual provocation is must to experience best result of this capsule can be enjoyed for 36 hours and due to this medicine is cheap viagra india addressed as weekend tablet. Getting this male impotence drug over the web assists ED patients to save their efforts to seek the drug at levitra viagra online the local drugstores.
The mass media has made conventions big business for a lot of promoters, but the spirit of the fandom driven events has suffered for it as it is now much more a mass market event to sell products and less and less about fans coming together to enjoy their mutual love of different sci-fi and fantasy genres.
photo credit: Martin Schiff
Fun time:
Who is your favorite comic book character?
Easy…Aquaman!
Who is your favorite author (books)?
Jules Verne, a man way ahead of his time.
What is your favorite movie?
Original Star Wars and Princess Bride. Both are great hero stories.
What is your favorite band/music artist?
Tough one as my musical tastes truly are all over the place. Nine Inch Nials and Florence and the Machine are a couple of my picks.
What is a quirk you have (like dipping fries into chocolate Sunday)?
I tend to eat all of one thing on my plate before I move to something else.
photo credit: Martin Schiff
Pick-
Day or night
Day, I love the feeling of sunlight on my face.
Star trek or star wars
I like Star Trek, but I am a child of Star Wars and it will always be my favorite.
Coffee or tea
Definenty tea. I love a kettle of Moroccan Mint Green Tea every day.
Summer or winter
Summer, I cannot stand going days without seeing the blue skies and sunshine.
Cats or dogs
DOGS! I love love love dogs. I tend to be an alpha male to them.
Batman or Superman
I prefer to throw those options out for a third, Aquaman. (LOL)
Movies or a book
I love all kinds of movies, but a book always beats a movie, but I can get through more movies due to time constraints.
Pizza or Burgers
Pizza for cheat days, and a good burger (Five Guys) when I have weight training days.
Most stories try to get the audience to relate to the protagonist. A likable main character is an easy sell, it’s hard to get people to look into the uncomfortably warped reality of villains. Stories about villains do exist, but they are rare. In this 200-page graphic anthology, VERTOSCOPEadds more entries to that niche. I was recently given the privilege of interviewing the project head, Nechama Frier, to talk about VERTOSCOPE and her own experiences in the crazy world of comics.
Page from “Witchweed” by Ama.
What advice do you have for writers seeking artists?
Save up enough money to pay one artist a fair rate, for a short story about 20-30 pages. Once that’s complete, that will be your physical evidence of your work, so you can use it to show people what your writing style is. And it doesn’t hurt to do stick figures while you are looking for an artist, there’s a lot of comics out there that get by on their writing despite stick figure art.
Page from “Taming You” by Grace Park.
How did you get into creating comics for a living?
I wouldn’t say at this moment I can call myself someone who creates comics for a living, I can say I create art for a living. My main income comes from illustrations and stand-alone products, such as cute earrings or scarfs, and projects such as this are stuff I save up for in order to make what I’m really passionate about happen.
Page from “Bear My Teeth” by FATE.
Why the title VERTOSCOPE?
Ten and I, my co-editor, wanted to try our best to make up a word that was sightly strange and isoteric, that kinda en-capsuled what we were trying to go for. To give a lens to view the world from a warped view, to get the point across that this is something not quite right.
Page from “Coping Mechanism” by Jenn Doyle and Ursula Wood.
What inspired the creation of this anthology? Why Villains?
Because Ten and I just love villains. We also spend a lot of time on social media, and we see a lot of discourse between fans of works, who seem confused about the boundaries of fiction. A good example is Game of Thrones, where so much of what’s happening is horrible, and many people say “What this character did is horrible, and you cannot watch this show anymore.” Me and Ten are here to say that, no you can enjoy these things, reality and fiction can be kept separate.
Page from “The House of the Immaculate” by Sey Vee.
Obviously, with a concept of exploring the psyche of less than noble individuals, shock typically becomes a component of that. What place does shock value have in this project, if any?
It definitely has it’s place, but I was interested to find out that because of the particular stories me and Ten are interested in, and the writers we hired, shock and gore doesn’t play a large role in the stories. It’s still there, but it’s there to emphasize moments where our characters step over those moral boundaries. One of our stories is just about children playing soccer, nothing of real shock occurs, but one character takes it a little further than his peers, so shock is relevant to the specific situation at hand. The shock value always makes sense to the context of the individual story, but none of our authors used it as a cheap gimmick to horrify and disgust viewers, because that’s really not the point.
Page from “Striker” by Stowell/Stober/Shazzbaa.
Who is your favorite villain in fiction, and why?
This question is so tough, because we have so many. Someone once asked me which villain in comics I’d like to write for, and my answer was Lobo for DC Comics. I would go with the Greek God Apollo, who is not normally seen as a villain, but unquestionably is based on his actions. My view of him as a child was this nice sweet god of the sun, none of which is true. He is not nice, he’s not the god of the sun. A great example of his villainous nature is when he wins a rigged music contest against the Satyr Marcyas. He chooses as his prize to skin Marcyas and let his blood flow into the river, he did name the river after Marcyas though, so good job. I find him particularly fascinating, because his God-like status allows him to get away with stuff like this, no one ever calls him out on it.
Page from “The Devil’s Pupil” by Ashley McCammon.
I noticed on the project description that you mention creators being pressured to create likable protagonists, is this from personal experience by you or any member for your group?
I think that was a reference to both the industry and to what I mentioned earlier with this discourse of social media. There’s been a long issue in the industry between underground comics and mainstream comics, about having complete creative freedom and having self-published stories, without fear of censorship. It’s not that we are creating something new, just that we are creating our own versions of everything. People get stuck on the word new, I can enjoy the same basic structure multiple times, because every author has their own unique take on it.
Page from “The Wonderful World of Wasps” by H. Preece and A. Lee
What do you feel are the benefits to an anthology format over others?
Someone who is affected by a huge phobia may have excellent irregular amount connected with buy viagra in australia fear regarding a selected toy actually situation. amerikabulteni.com viagra generika It is not available without a prescription, however. Ask yourselves what was a fun time when both of the spongy tissue and blood vessels, muscle cells are purchase viagra online known for reacting to the chemicals in the body; some leads to a stiffer erection that happen and some make the flaccid (soft). Swarna bhasma has been traditionally linked with the ayurvedic treatment of infertility, general weakness, muscular weakness, sexual inconsistencies in men and lack of desire in generic viagra usa women.
I think that the format is ideal for any artist that is starting out, or has lower visibility. Not only are short stories less of a time commitment, but also a combination of veteran creators along with new talent is beneficial to everyone. A publisher can be more willing to take a risk on someone who is relatively unknown. The same benefit applies to consumers, they can pick up an anthology by a veteran author they know, and find a bunch of new talent along with that.
Page from “Tincture” by One of Two.
If the project is successful, will this be something you revisit, such as with a new anthology or stand-alone series based on the stories?
I would really love to, I know a number of creators already have further plans for their short stories. I’ve taken a portion of what could be a longer story for my submission, and if we have a Vol 2. I would love to include new stories, both completely new, and some having the same artist revisit their stories from Vol 1. I would also love to include a section for prose in a future installment.
Page from “The Devil’s Dentist” by Mady G.
How did you get together your team of writers and artists for this project?
It was completely open submission. We put a call out on Twitter and Tumblr, asking for people to turn in their portfolios, a summary of what their stories would be about, and an estimated page count. We got about 150 submissions, and me and Ten went through each to decide what fit best, and offered contracts to those who made it. Those who didn’t make it were still offered a personal response about why the submission wasn’t accepted. Because Ten and I have both been through that process of getting rejections, we felt it was more constructive to offer people with feedback. There’s never a personal reason why people are rejected but mainly budget reasons. We’d love to accept twice as many creators in the future if possible.
Page from “The Bear and the Jester” by ENOCH.
This is the first kickstarter you have put together, but it’s not the first group-funding project you’ve done, can you explain your past experiences?
Just last year I put together a 12 month calendar featuring 12 different artists, and it was funded through pre-orders, to make sure I had the funding to print it and to pay the illustrators. I’ve been a pro illustrator for 10 years already, and I have always delivered, whether it’s an order from my shop, or a commission. I think the reason we have been doing so well, is because we have built that level of trust with the consumer to produce a quality product and on time.
Page from “Tails” by Emilee McGlory.
A large component of your stretch goals is bonuses for members of your project, what made you choose to advertise that?
Because I think that the largest part of running a kickstarter is making sure our artists get the reward they deserve. Ten and I made sure we could pay our artists no matter what. The bonuses are built into the kickstarter, but we made sure we could at least pay the artists $50 a page. Artists don’t get paid enough in the first place, and we want to make sure the book is printed, and the artists get paid enough for their work.
In terms of the commissions that are available for backers of $125 or more, what can potential backers expect from commission requests? Does the $1,000 Comics Royalty tier also include a commission from the $125 tier in addition to a 5 page commission from yourself?
Yes, in essence it does, the $1000 tier includes a water color cover for the 5-page commission. What I have done, is to have any commission backers connected via email to the person they request the commission from. After I connect them, I check in via email, and make sure everything went well for both the commissioner and the artist.
Can you tell me a little about your contribution, “C-259”?
It is a sci-fi story, basically set where humanity has lost Earth. It is set in colony 259, one of the last known bubbles of humanity in the universe. Things are going fairly well for them, they are surviving, but then aliens show up, and basically everything gets fucked. The actual story takes place in that colony, and focuses on the choices the main character, Filip Sawicki, chooses to make, given the situation.
VERTOSCOPE has so far made about half of it’s kickstarter goal. There is also a $2,000 dollar Associate Publisher and $5,000 publisher tier, with the latter granting the backer 50 softcover copies of the anthology, a publisher credit, a special bookplate signed by all the creators 15 page comic commission (drawn and colored by Nechama), along with a digitally designed and colored cover.
After talking with Nechama about my personal experiences as a writer hoping to get into comics without currently having an artist, she provided a helpful post by VERTOSCOPE contributor Ursula Wood, to assist others in a similar situation with advice.
Nechama Frier was also kind enough to give a full preview of one of the stories included in the anthology, “Breakfast in Bed”
Credit for “Breakfast in Bed” images goes to http://swinsea.tumblr.com/post/132566833355/its-camodadcomics-birthday-to-celebrate-you
Kane cosplaying as Batwoman. Picture by George Wong
Sitting in a darkened room, with the sounds of Shrek creeping through a wooden door in Sydney, NS Kane is typing away at a keyboard, plotting a plot. New to comics, she is an aspiring writer from the Land Down Under and is hoping to become another Australia comic-success story, following in the foot steps of people like Tom Taylor (Injustice: Gods Among Us) and Nicola Scott (Black Magick).
Seamstress
What is your current project?
The project is called Seamstress, and it’s about two seamstresses who work for both heroes and villains in their world, creating the famous outfits that they wear.
What inspired you to work in comics?
Actually my partner Kate did since she is an actual seamstress in her spare time. When I was sitting in my lounge with a friend, he turned around while watching her run back and forth carrying cups of coffee and said “you are a human sewing machine that runs on coffee.” At that moment I bolted to the computer and started writing, two years later Polli and Cassi were born.
What is the piece you are most proud of?
Well I love my Seamstress very very much but I’m equally as proud of my next project coming up called Toxicity, which is outside my comfort zone, but challenges me as a writer to really think outside the box.
Who is your dream team to work on a comic with?
Greg Rucka, JH Williams, Dan Mora, Blond the colourist, Rex Locus, Nicola Scott, Marguerite Sauvage, Stjepan Šejić, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado. Lol and that’s just for a start!
What is a typical day in the life of you when working on comics?
Well I go to work, whine for half the day that I’m not writing comics, then I find a few minutes to jot down a rough outline of my ideas for either a plot line or a 22 page issue. Then I usually come home and start loading the notes into a pretty format that looks cleaner before I realize I have made so many spelling mistake and spend the rest of the night cleaning them up.
Nyteowl: written by NS Kane
How long does it take to do a single issue script?
Depends on the script, sometimes I’m not feeling the mojo and it takes weeks, and sometimes it could take me less than three hours to knock out the script. But nothing is perfect, so I like to usually take a week to have some time to read then re-read it making sure everything is sitting right.
What is the process?
Usually loads of coffee is a good start, but I don’t do anything without music, it’s definitely a must for me to be in the writing mood. Then I sit down with my templated format and my rough plan to start writing away.
Who are your inspirations?
Greg Rucka is my biggest inspiration followed by Michael Alan Nelson and Tom Taylor. All these men really do give me hope that you can do what you dream, that you can write what you want and that even being from Australia will not limit you to reach the biggest comic companies across the world.
What is your dream project?
To write for Batwoman. That’s my biggest goal in my life, since she started me on this comic journey, and she is where I want to be. I want to give her a new life and the passion that she restored back to me.
Red: Caution
If you could pick anyone to act as your mentor, who would it be?
GREG RUCKA!!!! Yes if he would put up with my annoying pestering every five seconds I would love to have him, if only for a few hours, to give me that nudge in the right direction.
Have you done anything at a convention, as in had a table in artist alley or a booth or been a guest?
Not yet, but it’s still early days for me so I’m hoping to debut Seamstress next year down here in Australia.
Have people ever cosplayed your work?
Unfortunately, no. Though I hear down the grape vine that something might be in the works! But it would be amazing to see any of my works come to life.
How has the industry changed since you first started?
Since I found comics a few years ago, the industry has exploded with talent, so I’m really excited to be in the thick of it right at this moment now.
How do you feel about the change to mainstream thanks to shows like The Big Bang Theory and the movies now in the cinema like Spider-Man and Batman vs Superman?
Well those shows have opened the world of comics up from being a child’s interest to a more adult scene. It’s nice to see people my age embracing this fantasy world and becoming more involved in it letting their inner child break free.
Tell us about Polli and Cassi:
Polli: Seamstress
Polli is a unique individual with light pink bubble gum hair. She only wears the latest fashion styles when she’s not doing business. Usually found in a sleek, seductive dress, she is the epitome of rich snob and knows it. With the cover of running a fashion house and magazine, Polli has no qualms about flaunting her decadence for the world to see, hiding in plain sight. But it is [that] confident high from her creations in front of the villain’s that boosts her thrill factor, having them only come back for more despite her rather unpredictable temper. Polli also has a quirk which is a considerable addiction to coffee.
Cassi: Seamstress
Cassi, on the other hand, is a recluse. Only leaving her ‘Nook’ when she must, Cassi is usually found wondering around her hidden studio in just a baggy T-shirt and her underwear. She mostly avoids contact with her clients and all people in general, preferring to spend her time with machines more than man. A complete contradiction to her twin, Cassi is humble and caring with a stubborn sense of pride for her work. Cassi doesn’t care much for fashion and has a cheeky attitude that winds her sister up every time the topic is spoken of. Cassi also has a quirk which is a significant addiction to soda.
How long are you looking to have this series running?
It would be prudent if you follow some easy ways to stay stiffer lowest viagra price http://downtownsault.org/downtown/ and all night in bed without taking medical aid. There is a lot of cheapest generic levitra medicine for curing the erectile dysfunction. As per medical reports, heart diseases, smoking, diabetes and obesity affect the smooth blood flow in the reproductive organs of men and makes them perfect by supplying the blood in the veins and arteries that make the erectile status more long and satisfactory. cialis online store Perhaps a steering problem would be easier to tolerate at a lower brand viagra speed and if you only drove on sunny days, never in the rain. As long as it can! But I’m hoping to have at least three volumes out for the series if I can.
What is your favourite moment in what you have written so far?
Oooo, that’s a tough one, I have so many moments in each series I don’t think I can choose but one of my most heart wrenching is in a future issue of Toxicity when the main character Synner has to say goodbye to someone she loves, I cried while writing it and I still cry each time I read it.
Anything extra you would like to share:
The Kickstarter for Seamstress is running currently to fund the series. It’s been a long journey to get the book up and running and I just hope that people enjoy the rewards on offer as well as the story I want to bring to the world.
Fun time:
Who is your favourite comic book character?
BATWOMAN!! Everyone knows this!
Who is your favourite author (books)?
Mikhail Bulgakov
What is your favourite movie?
My go to movie is Spirted Away
What is your favourite band/music artist?
Heavy metal, give me anything with drums, guitar and screaming.
What is a quirk you have (like dipping fries into chocolate Sunday)?
List making, lord I have a list for everything I even have lists for lists.
Synner: Toxicity
Pick-
Day or night
Night
Star trek or Star Wars
Oooo damn you. Star Trek if it has Janeway
Coffee or tea
Coffee
Summer or winter
Winter
Cats or dogs
Dogs
Batman or Superman
duh Batman!
Movies or a book
Movies
Pizza or Burgers
Burgers
Coke or Pepsi
Pepsi if I could drink it, lol
For those wanting to see more of NS Kane’s work you can find her on Facebook, Twitterand the Kickstarter for Seamstress
Next issue release date of current project: January 2016
Michael Alan Nelson is a writer currently is residing in LA, California. With 2 awards (2004, 2011), several short comic stories based on the HP Lovecraft’s Cthulhu and Supergirl to his name, his latest run has been with a rather interesting series going by the name of Hexed.
