Interview in the Litterbox

WE RETURN WITH AN AMAZING INTERVIEW WITH A BIT OF FELINE IN THE MIND. 

We have a special opportunity to have an interview with a wow factor of comics who was even a pro-wrestler! We welcome Rusty Gilligan to Comic Unknown! In the comic business since 1978, Rusty has been credited in various work including with Marvel, DC, Image, WP Comics Ltd, and much much more. His filming work included movies such as Spider-Man 2, Captain America and the Avengers and shows such as The Walking Dead. 

So we begin this interview with Rusty about his comic series Mac and Trouble and himself .

Comic Unknown (CU): What made you want to work in the comic book industry? 

Rusty Gilligan (RS): I was 8 yrs old and had just moved to California. My family was having a party and while no one was looking, I snuck out and bought a comic at the supermarket around the corner... DC's "Action Comics"... and it opened a door into a whole new world for me. I was hooked and knew right then and there that comics were in my future. 

(CU): How did you come up with the story line of Mac and Trouble? 

(RG): I've always loved the idea of anthropomorphic characters... Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, the Ninja Turtles, Cerebus the Aardvark, Usagi Yojimbo, etc... this just all fell together one night. 

(CU): Were any of the characters inspired by another character or person? 

(RG): Yes - Mac and Trouble are 2 of my real life cats (we currently have 10). Mac was born with Cerebellar Hypoplasia, which effects his walking, and as a result he falls a lot... Trouble was a shelter cat that needed a home (he's huge like a raccoon). They became friends from day 1, and ever since have been a huge source of enjoyment to our family. Mac is grumpy and daring - Trouble is clumsy - but they just 'fit' together!

(CU): How many issues do you have in mind for the series? 

(RG): I'm really not doing them like a 'series' - I'm basically telling their adventures through the "Mac and Trouble" comic series, the "Amazing Tails" pulp books, and the various news strips. I'm going to be releasing some graphic novels and one-shots in 2017 with them, and exploring some new media.  

(CU): Will the comic's universe continue after the series? 

(RG): They ARE the universe - so I don't think I'll ever end it. 

(CU): What was the most difficult part in the production of Mac and Trouble ?  

(RG): Finding the right creators to work along with me in the beginning. I couldn't have done this without great friends.  

(CU): Are you planning on any new series after Mac and Trouble ? 

(RG): Yes and no - I do have a few other titles that I'm going into production with, but they fall right in line with Mac and Trouble. I've been reviving some characters that I created years ago for Marvel and others, and adapting them for use with the Mac and Trouble stories. A few have already appeared in Amazing Tails - and the upcoming Amazing Tails novel. 

 (CU): Who is your favorite all time super hero/villain? Why? 

(RG): I've always loved the Thing from Marvel's Fantastic Four - his story is just inspiring to me. He's strong, but gentle... has a strong sense of family... he's survived and overcome his limitations... and he's one of the most trustworthy heroes in the Marvel universe. Regardless of his strength and grumpy demeanor, there's a sort of 'sadness' that surrounds him... and a passion that drives him. There is no story quite like his anywhere. God bless Jack Kirby for sharing his creation with the world. 

(CU): What is the best way readers can find Mac and Trouble? 

(RG): Various ways actually! The have their own website at www.macandtrouble.com - Facebook under 'Mac and Trouble' - Twitter @macandtrouble... they're currently being published by WP Comics Ltd at www.wpcomicsltd.com! 

THANK YOU SO MUCH RUSTY FOR THIS GREAT INTERVIEW!! MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW COMIC UNKNOWN'S FACEBOOK AND AND TWITTER FOR UP TO THE MINUTE UPDATES AS WELL AS READERS CAN NOW SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL NEWSFEED FOR REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS AND GENERAL BADASSERY ON ALL THINGS INDIE COMICS!

Out of the Litterbox

WELCOME TO AN INTERESTING CATVENTURE AT COMIC UNKNOWN!

We introduce today a new buddy adventure that is not your average adventure. Pulled through a bizarre vortex into what is called the "Movie Studio", two not so ordinary cats become probationary agents that were somewhat recruited to help keep the universe intact. We welcome "The Adventures of Mac and Trouble" to the Comic Unknown family of reviews. Created by Rusty Gilligan (Marvel, DC, Walking Dead, etc...), Mac and Trouble Issue One consists of three stories each with their own creative team. The book starts with the Origin story that introduces us to these two silly cats. With Dan Gorman on pencils, Terry Pavlet on inks and E.T. Dollman on letters, the origin story is what starts it all. Mac and Trouble are pulled into a plane only known as the Movie Studio which is essentially the headquarters where agents receive their assignments to traverse to other worlds or even universes to solve problems, correct mistakes, and mop up the occasional "boo-boo". 

The second story is named "Never say no to Trouble" is undoubtedly a play on words where we follow Mac doing anything he can to stop Trouble from getting into.... well trouble. Trouble puts the universe in jeopardy for some orange juice and will stop at nothing for some added calcium.  "Never say no to Trouble", like the origin story has the same creative team except for the letterer known as Magnus. In our final encounter with these two felines, we enter the story that can be only known as " Nazi Hobgoblins at the Core of the Cosmos". Mac and Trouble are now looking for some quality Coney Island hotdogs and where else or when else can they go except for 1939. With Mac worried about using their multiversal traveling privileges for trivial reasons, Trouble once again runs off and gets himself into a predicament. The story does end in a cliffhanger and leaves us waiting for the next issue.  

The Adventures of Mac and Trouble Issue One at certain points reminded me of the newspaper comic strips and just let my innerchild run wild. Following these two crazy cats through time and space was a gratifying feeling where left me wanting more from the issue other than these three stories. The Adventures of Mac and Trouble is a Tom and Jerry styled adventure with some real world references except Jerry is replaced with a more sillier Tom (so Tom and Tom?). It is a must read and will definitely be enjoyed by anyone in almost any age (very mild language). You can follow these two rascals and their shenanigans on their Facebook page as well as their creator Rusty Gilligan's facebook page. Issue One can be bought digitally for $2.00 at WP Comics and will become available later tonight for physical copies.

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