<\/p>\n","post_title":"ComicBuzz Chats With Angela Slatter","post_excerpt":"Castle Full of Blackbirds","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"comicbuzz-chats-with-angela-slatter","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-10-06 16:25:14","post_modified_gmt":"2022-10-06 15:25:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/?p=208211","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":208172,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2022-09-07 14:56:55","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-07 13:56:55","post_content":"With the launch of her debut graphic novel, Unretouchable<\/em> out on September 113th via<\/span> Graphic Universe, we got a chance to sit down and chat with writer, artist and creator Sofia Szamosi.<\/span>\n\nHi Sofia, it's so wonderful to have you here with us.<\/span><\/strong>\n\nHi! Thanks for having me!<\/span>\n\nCould you please tell us a bit about yourself?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nI am an artist, originally from New York City, who makes graphic novels, artists\u2019 books and zines, among other things! I am also a mom to a wonderful, not remotely \u201cterrible\u201d 2-year-old.<\/span>\n\nCan you tell us about the origins of Unretouchable<\/em>?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nUnretouchable<\/em> started out as a zine I made in 2016, after doing an internship with a \u201cdigital imaging specialist,\u201d aka the person who handles the tech on photoshoots and does photo retouching. The internship opened my eyes to a whole new world behind the scenes of image creation and manipulation, and led me to do a lot of soul searching about the power these images can have. I shared my zine, which was basically an illustrated personal essay, with my agent, Jennnifer Weltz of JVNLA in NYC, and she saw the seeds of a graphic novel in its pages.<\/span>\n\nThe Unretouchable<\/em> graphic novel is black and white; when did you make that decision?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nUnretouchable<\/em> has been black and white since its conception. The original zine that inspired the book was black and white; in fact some of those early images that inspired the character of Olive and the style of the artwork ended up making their way into the final book. I\u2019ve loved drawing in black and white since childhood, so it felt natural to work in that style.<\/span>\n\nWhat can you tell us about Olive?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nOlive is a recent high-school graduate from New York City who dreams of being an artist like her grandpa \u2014 and of finally meeting her online boyfriend IRL. It\u2019s the summer before her first semester of art school, and she feels full of questions about her path\u2026 How do people even make a living in the arts? Should she get a \u201creal job\u201d? What does real connection really look like? Her mom sets her up with a summer internship with a photo retoucher, and though at first she\u2019s equal parts fascinated and horrified, it leads her to become increasingly alienated by social media and the digital world around her and to ask more and more pressing questions about the power of images, what role media should have in her life, and what her role in that media should be.<\/span>\n\nHow long have you been working on Unretouchable<\/em>?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nSince 2016. While I truly love the graphic novel format, it is definitely not a quick process! The total time I spent working on the manuscript and creating the artwork was around two years.<\/span>\n\n With the launch of his new comic,\u00a0The Lost Gardens\u00a0#1, next month from\u00a0\u00a0Rabbit Hole Studios, we got a chance to sit down and chat with writer James Babineau.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Hi James, it's so wonderful to have you here with us.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks for having me chat with you on Comicbuzz!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Could you please tell us a bit about yourself?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Born and raised on Prince Edward Island, the smallest province in Canada. I am currently living in Newfoundland working and keeping the lights on as everyone else is. I am quite new to the industry in terms of work, but have been an avid reader for years shopping weekly at my local shop.<\/span><\/p>\n Can you tell us about the origins of The Lost Gardens<\/em>?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The origin story to The Lost Gardens<\/em> lies with the head of Rabbit Hole, Scott Humes. It was originally developed as a video game property and most recently began to be developed into a comic series that ties into the video game.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n How did Caius Schereiner, Michael Woods and John Hunt join the team?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Scott was the Nick Fury of this Avengers team, bringing in all of us together to form the creative team that worked on issue #1 of The Lost Gardens<\/em>. I was brought into the overall project as well by a very good friend of mine Andrew, who sent me a message and asked if I was interested in possibly writing for this project. We chatted, and had quite a few conversations developing the story and world and from there you have the world of The Lost Gardens<\/em> coming to life.<\/span><\/p>\n How would you describe The Lost Gardens<\/em>?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Lost Gardens<\/em> is best described as a Sci-Fi Fantasy. It blends two very different and often kept apart genres. From the first setting of Hub City, a technologically advanced utopia that operates under the guise of augmented reality; to the next setting of Charlotte, a technologically absent township in the heart of a bogland filled with creatures both friend and foe. It is a story about facing your fears and striving to overcome them, but will the protagonists of this story do so, ultimately I can not say.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n When you were writing The Lost Gardens<\/em>, did you write a full script?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Yes. My approach to creating a story begins at the outline level, then onto a rough page layout then onto writing the full script. From there it goes off to the wonderful creative team and they make absolute magic. I\u2019m always blown away by what they do, as sometimes I pitch some very abstract ideas or panel layouts and the expert skill that goes into this project brings it to life.<\/span><\/p>\n What can you tell us about Shawn Myers?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Shawn Myers is an average guy who works a fairly mediocre job at the Ministry for Parts. He isn\u2019t special, he doesn\u2019t have extraordinary powers, and he isn\u2019t an undercover spy. Until he experiences a severe glitch with the augmented reality technology implanted in every citizen of Hub City goes astray. It leads to some heavy consequences for his personal life, and all he truly desires is to experience \u201cSomething real\u201d. All I can say is that he most certainly will.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n How long have you been working on The Lost Gardens<\/em>?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Lost Gardens<\/em> started up in the summer of 2020 just as the Covid-19 pandemic was taking root in Canada. We never had any face-to-face meetings, as it was all virtual due to some of the restrictions that were in place at the time. I have been working on it ever since and still do to this day, and I cannot wait to see this journey begin to unfold.<\/span><\/p>\n How important is word of mouth for any indie project?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Immensely. I feel it is the most important aspect of pushing an indie comic that isn\u2019t part of the major labels. You want to reach as many audiences as you can, and to help that is to craft a tale that is eye-catching and well crafted to get the attention of the market. When I go to the comic store every week, I always go out of my way to look for interesting and new titles that I may not look at everyday. A huge aspect of this was also fostered by the store I shopped at for years when I lived in PEI, The Comic Hunter Charlottetown, really pushed indie comics and really opened up a huge world that I may not have experienced when I was just first getting into comics.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n How did Rabbit Hole Studios get involved with The Lost Gardens?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Rabbit Hole Studios and The Lost Gardens<\/em> go hand-in-hand. Scott would be more equipped to share the wonderful history of the studio as he founded it with the The Lost Gardens property before I was involved.<\/span><\/p>\n With the release of The Lost Gardens #1 on September 7th. How do you feel?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"unretouchable\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/unretouchable-683x1024.jpg\")
\n\nHow would you describe Unretouchable<\/em>?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nUnretouchable<\/em> is a coming-of-age story about growing up in a world where authentic experience feels harder and harder to come by, and we are marketed to more than ever on our phones and social media. Olive is grappling with how these forces shape her own perception of herself and her body, and the larger question of how these forces, distortions and pressures damage different people in society differently. Unretouchable<\/em> is a story about what it means to become an alert, conscious consumer and creator of images, and it\u2019s ultimately a tribute to self-acceptance.<\/span>\n\nWhen it came to writing Unretouchable<\/em>, did you write a full script?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nAfter writing the original zine (which was an illustrated personal essay), I then had the task of fictionalizing my story. Despite the similar internship experience, Olive really is her own bird \u2013 it took time to find her on the page. The first step was creating an outline, then I wrote a full script. Next I mapped out each page, figuring out which lines of the script would go on each page. Then I sketched the artwork, sometimes adjusting or changing the script if needed.<\/span>\n\nHow important is word of mouth for any indie project?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nThis is my first book, so I guess I am about to find out! I think it would be super important!<\/span>\n\nWhat part of the creative process did you enjoy more, the writing or the art?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nMost definitely the art! I love telling stories with images and words together. For me, the words really come alive when I am drawing them, and oftentimes I will revise or find the words as I am drawing. The script serves as a framework, but the real story comes out when I am drawing.<\/span>\n\nHas creating Unretouchable<\/em> been a challenge?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nYes, but it has definitely been a labor of love! For a good portion of the creation of this book I was either pregnant or holding a newborn, which was definitely challenging at times, but also really fueled my fire.<\/span>\n\nHow did Graphic Universe get involved with Unretouchable<\/em>?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nAfter my agent urged me to turn my zine into a treatment for a graphic novel, she shopped it around to publishers and Graphic Universe came on board. My editor, Greg Hunter, and everyone at Graphic Universe \/ Lerner has been such a pleasure to work with, and really helped me craft Unretouchable<\/em> into what it is today.<\/span>\n\nAny message for the ComicBuzz readers?<\/span><\/strong>\n\nTHANK YOU so much for reading and checking out Unretouchable!<\/em> I am so excited to hear what you all think of it! :) Stay tuned for news about my second graphic novel, which I am very excited about and hard at work on as we speak.<\/span>\n\nCheck me out here:<\/span>\n\nwww.sofiaszamosi.net<\/a>\n\nIG: @sofiaszamosi<\/span>\n\nTwitter: @sofia_szamosi<\/span>\n\nA big thank you to Sofia for chatting with us; we wish her the best of luck with her new graphic novel, Unretouchable<\/em>.<\/span>","post_title":"ComicBuzz Chats With Sofia Szamosi","post_excerpt":"Unretouchable","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"comicbuzz-chats-with-sofia-szamosi","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-10-06 12:38:33","post_modified_gmt":"2022-10-06 11:38:33","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/?p=208172","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":208068,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2022-09-02 18:57:11","post_date_gmt":"2022-09-02 17:57:11","post_content":"With the launch of her new comic, Rangers of The Divide II: Into the Depths<\/em> #1, next month from Dark Horse Comics, we got a chance to sit down and chat with writer, artist and creator Megan Huang. <\/span>Her work can be seen in many titles including Double Jumpers<\/em>, Princeless<\/em>, Aggretsuko, Rick and Morty<\/em>, Jia and the Nian Monster<\/em>, Jenny Zero<\/em> and Star Wars: Hyperspace<\/em>.<\/span>\n\nCould you please tell us a bit about yourself?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nHello! Yes! I\u2019m a Canadian comic artist hailing from the Greater Toronto Area. I\u2019ve been a comics professional for about 6 years now? Probably going on seven. Ah, my brain has a unique concept of time, haha! <\/span>\n\nFor any of our readers who are not familiar with the\u00a0Rangers of The Divide\u00a0series, what can you tell us about the series?<\/span>\n\nSo, the series follows a group of cadets and their very secretive and rather abrasive commander. After a mysterious force starts to terrorize their lands, the Rangers and their companion dragons set out across dangerous wilds to find and stop said force. <\/span>\n\nHow long does it take to create an issue of\u00a0Rangers of The Divide<\/em>?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nOh dear\u2026 it depends. But I think the fastest I\u2019ve gone is maybe a month and a half. Lately I\u2019ve taken on a lot more work outside of Rangers, so the pages have come in slower than I\u2019d like. 6 (or 7) years and my time management is still a mess!<\/span>\n\nDo you have a favourite scene from the first series?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nI think the entire Squall Owl chase was super fun. I feel I managed to capture what I was imagining fairly well on the pages, which is super duper crazy hard. I have a similar sequence in series 2 that takes up most of an issue. Just an action-packed ride! And it gets my blood pumping even as just the creator to draw the scene, so I hope readers feel the same way when they dive in. <\/span>\n\nHow important is pre-ordering for an independent comic?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nOh very important! It tells the stores to stock more, and it tells the publisher to push the book more. It\u2019s just good all around for the longevity of the series\/ book, as comics can very easily, flop, not simply due to a mere lack of quality, but due to a lack of backing. We really do rely on readers so much, and we definitely appreciate when we have that backing from fans!<\/span>\n\nWhat part of the creative process did you enjoy more, the writing or the art?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nHm\u2026 I\u2019d have to say the art. I think for series 1 it was the writing, but now I really just like seeing a page come together. That may be my impending deadlines talking though!<\/span>\n\n![\"rangersotd_2itd\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/rangersotd_2itd-666x1024.jpg\")
\n\nWhat was the feedback like from the first series of\u00a0Rangers of The Divide<\/em>?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nIt was positive from what I recall. People would reach out to say how much they loved it and that made my day every time. I did get one odd comment though from a review where they said the dragons looked more like Pok\u00e9mon. You can take that either way, but I like Pok\u00e9mon, I think a lot of us do, so I personally see it as a positive thing, even if that wasn\u2019t the intention.<\/span>\n\nHow did\u00a0Rangers of The Divide<\/em>\u00a0find a home at Dark Horse Comics?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nOh, well, I think my work on Jia<\/em> and the Nian Monster<\/em> before Rangers, had a part to play. I was able to work with veteran editors and of course, and Mike Richardson himself, on that one, so I think that held some weight when pitching Rangers. Though it certainly could easily have been rejected too if the art or story or just everything in the pitch wasn\u2019t up to par. Overall, I\u2019m grateful that it has a home here!<\/span>\n\nThe last issue of\u00a0Rangers of The Divide<\/em>\u00a0ended on a cliffhanger for the Commander and the cadets. What's in store for them in\u00a0The Divide II: Into the Depths<\/em>?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nMore creatures and more drama for sure. But also\u2026 more questions! Though the origin of the Juggernaut slowly begins to be answered. I can\u2019t say more than that. But I think it\u2019s gonna be a fun ride.<\/span>\n\nFor anyone who has not read the first series of\u00a0Rangers of The Divide<\/em>; will Rangers of The Divide II: Into the Depths<\/em> be new reader friendly?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nWe tried to make it so that it would be accessible to new readers. But I think there will honestly be some disconnect if you didn\u2019t read arc 1. Though if you\u2019re simply in it for cool new creatures, and strange new lands, you should be totally fine! Series 2 has a lot of that. <\/span>\n\nThe first issue of Rangers of The Divide II: Into the Depths\u00a0<\/em>will be available on October 26th; what can readers expect from the second series of\u00a0Rangers of The Divide<\/em>?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nLots of underground jazz. Jazz as in events, not actual jazz, haha! this series goes subterranean, so I hope to surprise people with a whole new world in Into the Depths. <\/span>\n\nAny message for the ComicBuzz readers?<\/strong><\/span>\n\nYes! Please read my comic! Haha! But on a serious note, thank you for taking the time to read through all my ramblings here. <\/span>\n\nA big thank you to Megan for chatting with us; we wish her the best of luck with her new series Rangers of The Divide II: Into the Depths<\/em>.<\/span>","post_title":"ComicBuzz Chats With Megan Huang","post_excerpt":"Rangers of The Divide II: Into the Depths","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","post_password":"","post_name":"comicbuzz-chats-with-megan-huang","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-10-06 16:26:42","post_modified_gmt":"2022-10-06 15:26:42","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/?p=208068","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":208046,"post_author":"2","post_date":"2022-08-26 15:49:13","post_date_gmt":"2022-08-26 14:49:13","post_content":"![\"lostgarden1_2\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lostgarden1_2-671x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"lostgarden2_1\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lostgarden2_1-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"lostgarden2_8\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lostgarden2_8-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"lostgarden2_16\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lostgarden2_16-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"lostgarden3_2\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lostgarden3_2-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n
![\"lostgarden3_3\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/lostgarden3_3-682x1024.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"newamerica1_1\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/newamerica1_1-666x1024.jpg\")
\n\n![\"newamerica1_2\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/newamerica1_2-666x1024.jpg\")
\n\n![\"newamerica1_3\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/newamerica1_3-666x1024.jpg\")
\n\n![\"newamerica1_4\"](\"http:\/\/comicbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/newamerica1_4-666x1024.jpg\")
\n\n