Hooded Interview

WELCOME BACK TO ANOTHER GREAT INTERVIEW AT COMIC UNKNOWN! WE TAKE A PEEK BEHIND THE HOODED MIND OF CHRIS JOHNSON!

Comic Unknown: Welcome Chris Johnson and thank you for spending some time with us at Comic Unknown to talk about your book. How did you come up with the concept of Hoody?

Chris Johnson: Thanks for having me; I appreciate you taking the time out to talk about Hoody with me. Hoody was born in pain. He's a metaphor for the oppressed and he's my way of fighting back. 

CU: What made you want to work in the comic book industry? 

CJ: Anything I've ever done creatively has been something I thoroughly enjoyed. I have always been a writer; when I was a child, I drew my own comics at home. They weren't creator-owned, but they were the start of what would become both the Anomalous Comics and Chris Johnson the Writer brands. 

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

CJ: I have two outlined now, and a series open ending. It basically depends on how many times we can duplicate the success of the first Hoody Kickstarter. 

CU: Will the Hoody's universe continue after the series? 

CJ: Yes, Hoody is part of a larger story in the tapestry I have woven that is the Anomalous Comics back catalogue. He resides in the Downtown sector of the futuristic Savyer City, and interacts with characters from the city in meaningful ways that affect other books slated for later in the year. 

CU: What was/is the most difficult part in the production of Hoody? 

CJ: Really, me and Karl work really well together, and Sambas kills it in the coloring phase, so it's one of the smoothest, conveyor belt type processes. Now, were we all in the same room together while creating a Hoody book, that would be a really interesting and fun time! 

CU: Are there any other projects you are currently working on or plan on working on in the near future? 

CJ: Yes, I actually am releasing two adult comedies, Mind Things of a Dirty Zombie and Super Support Group, with Hoody this month in our Kickstarter campaign and I have an adult horror book called Nightmare Cafe, and an horror/comedy called Thrill Killers. 

CU: How did you meet your other creators for Hoody? 

CJ: I actually found Karl David Hewitt in a Facebook group for artists, and we immediately hit it off. He hadn't done any sequential work at the time, so we started on something small. Five pages. That story would become chapter one of the Hoody comic. Here we are, working on chapter four and we will possibly do a fifth chapter if we can get ten backers to pledge $120 to be killed by Hoody in this first issue of Hoody: Sympathetic Murderer. 

CU: When working with deadlines, do you have a specific strategy to best manage your time efficiently? 

CJ: Yeah, don't eat until it's done, haha. Seriously, I wake up, sometimes early, and get started on my computer and sometimes don't look up until hours later and my stomach is growling. I guess, dedication is really the core answer to that question. 

CU: Who is your favorite all-time superhero/villain? Why?

CJ: I like villains like the Joker and Carnage because of their reckless abandon in direct opposition to their respective heroes.

CU: Who has been the biggest influence on you in the comic industry?

CJ: I love Chris Claremont and Fabian Nicieza's writing ever since I was a kid. Recently, though, David Walker has grown my interest in writing more culturally influenced work, hence Hoody. 

CU: What is the best way readers can find more information about Hoody? 

CJ: Sure, everyone can always keep up to date with all the Hoody happenings at our Facebook page - facebook.com/hoodyhoodyhoody but until March 17th at 11am feel free to back our campaign. We met our goal in, like, 20 hours so now we're just giving out a bunch of cool stretch goals and special tiers (like putting our backers in the book). Check it out! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chrisjohnson/hoody/ 
Thanks for having me on!

THANK YOU SO MUCH CHRIS FOR THIS KILLER INTERVIEW! MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR ALL UPDATES ON ALL INDIE COMICS WE REVIEW AND NEW INTERVIEWS WITH THE CREATORS OF THESE AWESOME INDIE COMICS!

Interview of the Cosmos

Welcome to another great interview at Comic Unknown! We introduce Jason Lenox, the creator of Ugli Studios and Lords of the Cosmos

Comic Unknown: Welcome, Jason Lenox and thank you for spending some time with us at Comic Unknown to talk about your book. How did you come up with Lords of the Cosmos? 

Jason Lenox: An appreciation and enjoyment for classics from my childhood-Three Cartoons stick out Filmation's Flash Gordon, Thundarr the Barbarian and Masters of the Universe were three standouts that inspired!

CU: What made you want to work in the comic book industry?

JL: I think the medium is endless, and I enjoy working in it.

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

JL: At least 6

CU: Will the Lords of the Cosmos's universe continues after the series? 

JL: I think so. Well, at least I hope so!!

CU: What was/is the most difficult part in the production of Lords of the Cosmos? 

JL: Being a manager to a project, not just an artist

CU: Are there any other projects you are currently working on or plan on working on in the near future?

JL: An Adult Satanic Coloring Book is in the works right now as well as Lords of the Cosmos #3.

CU: How did you meet your creators for Lords of the Cosmos?

JL: Jason Palmatier was a client at an old job, and Dennis Fallon was a friend of his.

CU: When working with deadlines, do you have a specific strategy to best manage your time efficiently?

JL: Tell people NO more often than you tell them YES!! Seriously, you have to be careful how much work you accept, and what is the work you are doing- editing out the projects that are not furthering your big picture goals is key to being efficient as a creative, distractions are everywhere!

CU: Who is your favorite all-time superhero/villain? Why?

JL: Conan the Barbarian- he lives by his own rules, fights the good fight, and more often than not, gets the girl in the end- he is a classic character that has thrived as a pulp character and also as a great comic book read for decades!

CU: Who has been the biggest influence on you in the comic industry?

JL: Alejandro Jodorowsky- he is an amazing creator that has stuck to his vision in comics, film etc. whether people liked it or not- he succeeds on the strength of his belief in his own vision.

CU: What is the best way readers can find more information about Lords of the Cosmos?

JL: They can get a digital copy at COMIXOLOGY or a Physical Copy on Etsy - keep track of updates on Twitter and IG @lenoxartist Links are below

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LenoxArtEmporium

https://www.comixology.com/Lords-of-the-Cosmos-2/digital-comic/709963

www.jasonlenox.com

THANK YOU SO MUCH JASON LENOX FOR THIS COSMIC FILLED INTERVIEW! MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM FOR ALL UPDATES ON ALL INDIE COMICS WE REVIEW AND NEW INTERVIEWS WITH THE CREATORS OF THE AWESOME COMICS WE HAVE REVIEWED!

Spine Chilling Survival

NEVER AGAIN...

We return to the mind of Caleb Thusat and experience the grim times of World War II. We enter the world of Nook, a creepy ghost story but a chilling reminder of those who attempt to escape the grasps of Nazi Germany. From what history tells us, the war started in 1939 and Britain and France just declared war against Germany. Taking place during that year, we find a family of three fleeing to France to escape the gruesome reality of what is happening in their German homeland. Once at their new but dilapidated home, the daughter Avery's spots a cat. Constantly chasing after the cat, Avery's innocence will soon disappear as everything goes amiss. Noises and shadows around the home appear to be an omen at first, but the true horror drives up to the house instead of coming from within. But there is more than there seems to appear with Nook the cat as it is accompanied by the soul of a young girl that hides in the spandrel room under the stairs. Only time will tell what will occur with this girl and which direction it takes the story.

Released in 2018, Nook issue one is a 32-page black and white story that oozes a sorrow and woeful atmosphere from every angle. Written and created by Caleb Thusat, Nook's writing has accomplished its purpose and swallowed us into its domain. Thusat has the ability to merge sinister events with the innocence of a young child exploring a new home. Nook Issue One brings many questions to the table as it feeds the readers with just bits of information throughout the dialogue. The art by Marcello Biott complements the story in every way. It not only shows the sorrow the writing already provides but increases it with its art style, use of shadows, and the placement of the narrative and ghostly child throughout the issue. Readers can check out Village Comics' Patreon page and/or grasp a copy of Nook Issue One at Village Comics. On March 3rd, Caleb Thusat will be running the Kickstarter for the complete hardcover trade, so make sure to save it and keep an eye out!

FOLLOW COMIC UNKNOWN ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER FOR ALL UPDATES ON NOOK AND ALL OTHER INDIE COMICS WE REVIEW! KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR ALL NEW INTERVIEWS WITH THE CREATORS OF THE AWESOME COMICS WE HAVE REVIEWED!

Post-Apocalypse Now!

This World Ain't What It Used To Be

Cover Art By: Will Robson
Cover Colors By: Vincent Cyril

War and disease have taken the planet once called Earth; everything has either been destroyed or has mutated for the worse. Now known as Muck,  the inhabitants are ruled by a dictator named Sokrates. Oblivious of how exactly the previous world was, these new-world people believed Earth was based on books and VHS that have been scavenged (whether or not it was fictional or non-fiction). They envisioned a world of heroes, kungfu fighting cops, laser sword wielding nobles, and even androids who upheld the law. With such beliefs, these people still had the hope of a hero who can save them from Sokrates' grasp and his henchmen. Fortunately, a young teenager by the name of Madeline Moonshine will find the long lost vigilante El Marvo awoken from his cryo-sleep! Even though El Marvo is having a hard time remembering his previous life, instincts/reflexes quickly take over and revive his fighting spirit.

Written by Ben Errington and Luke Kondor and Art by Dan Butcher, El Marvo Issue One is a masked force to be reckoned it. Once uncovered, the issue is an unraveling eightball filled with action, jokes and much more. The issue parodies the real world and blends in the mysticism of 21st-century monotony and plagues Earth with "deadly diseases including Computeritis and Cough-E". El Marvo's clean and professional art finish allows the reader to jump off the rope and slam through the pages. Published by Hawk and Cleaver, El Marvo is available for purchased both via their site and Comixology. Readers can follow El Marvo's Twitter for updates and information on upcoming issues.

FOLLOW COMIC UNKNOWN ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER FOR ALL UPDATES ON EL MARVO AND ALL OTHER INDIE COMICS WE REVIEW AND KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR ALL NEW INTERVIEWS WITH THE CREATORS OF THE AWESOME COMICS WE HAVE REVIEWED!

Primeval Plains

APOCALYPTIC PROPHECY

Welcome to Kaiju Kingdoms, an ancient domain of massive beasts that protects their territories against an extraterrestrial foe. Summoned by a mysterious cult, it's up its inhabitants Enzo, Asha, and the other humans of this planet to lay their faith on a tool known as the kaijumori to fight back. The series opens with Enzo Di Corso, a boy from the Kingdom of Vencia. He recalls stories told to him from his father, the great explorer Jacopo Di Corso, of giant beasts that protects the many kingdoms. Enzo has terrible dreams including a vision of a horrid space monstrosity headed towards the world. Flash forward to current day and we have a now adult Enzo with his partner, the fierce warrior Asha Jakande, as they travel together facing off bandits who wield the power of the kaiju against them. The giant monsters known as Kaiju come from the deep, the sky, and the strange and are the last line of protection by any means necessary. Ultimately, the monsters shine throughout the story and bring life to the plot bringing out a variety of emotions for the creatures and the world they inhabit.

Kaiju Kingdoms is a love letter of the big kaiju monster of yore in comic form. Kaiju Kingdoms can enthrall the reader from the very cover. If you are a fan of old Godzilla and Jurassic Park movies, this will sink its teeth into fans (forgive the puns). The imagery, the worship of these ancient creatures is reminiscent of an old SNES game Primal Rage in the best way possible. Kaiju Kingdoms itself has the possibility to be a monster of lore and ancestral battles. Empathy can easily be felt for the terrestrial kaiju including the daikaiju Ryugon. Brian Del Rio has written a world ripe enough that begs to dive into. Kaiju Kingdoms dons an engaging art form that is colorful and energetic yet pressing when it's needed to be. The series has vibrant details in a manga-esque style and can take the reader back to a saturday morning cartoon feel. The series takes the reader on a journey of mythicism and latches them on until the closing panel. Currently, the series is only on its third issue but we anticipate much more from Brian Del Rio. Available on Comixology, issue one is priced at 99 cents while issue two and three are at $3.99. All in all, we would want to see more of these kaiju creatures and their origins, their human cohorts, mythology, and lore as soon as possible. Readers can find more info of Kaiju Kingdoms and Brian Del Rio at Mobili Comics site.

FOLLOW COMIC UNKNOWN ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER FOR ALL UPDATES ON KAIJU KINGDOM AND ALL OTHER INDIE COMICS WE REVIEW AND KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR ALL NEW INTERVIEWS WITH THE CREATORS OF THE AWESOME COMICS WE HAVE REVIEWED!