(This post originally appeared on the Geeks Unleashed site.  That site is currently on hiatus and in the interim I have been republishing some of my articles.  While dated, these are still good interviews that deserve to be out there.)

 

Today on Indie Spotlight we are pleased to once again talk with Jimmy Palmiotti.  Jimmy is a master comic book writer and artist with pages and pages of credits.  One of his biggest accomplishments are four successful Kickstarter projects.  With the fifth project, FORAGER, currently seeking funding it was a perfect time to sit down once again with Mr. Palmiotti.  Jimmy discusses FORAGER, Kickstarter, and yes we had to bring up the 800 pound Harley Quinn in the room.

To donate to the FORAGER Kickstarter project, head over to the official page.

GEEKS UNLEASHED:  First of all thank you for doing this interview after the awful time you has a few weeks back.  To address the gorilla in the room though… As nearly all comic fans know, there was a considerable backlash over the draw Harley Quinn contest.  All of it over a (my words here) great misunderstanding of the overall point to the story.  While this “controversy” is about one page it does showcase one of the problems modern comics are facing.  Much like everyone was focusing on the one page, many reviewers (myself included) expect a beginning middle and end to every comic book issue when most of the time they are meant to be read as a chapter in a larger story.  Do you think this uproar still would have happened if fans had access to the entire plot and could see the context of the scene?  

JIMMY PALMIOTTI:  Yes, but we didn’t want to ruin the story. I took the blame for not frontloading the context of the page but not in a million years would I think the material would be taken seriously on any level. Live and learn.

GU: Also, by publishing full graphic novels through your many successful Kickstarters do you feel there is a benefit to publishing the entire story all at once? 

JP: I would love nothing better than to be able to afford to publish only graphic novels of my ideas, but I do not have the following needed to do that…yet. I am trying to gain new readers with each project and doing a couple of kickstarters a year might be helping. Although it is fun writing other peoples characters, working on my own is a much more satisfying experience.

GU: Not to have you answer questions you’ve answered before, but for our readers who may not go to other sites, what is the plot of FORAGER and how does it differ from other sci fi tales? 

JP: Although there is a lot of mystery, suspense and things happening between the covers, this story is a positive one that does what all classic science fiction should do: it makes you think. The basic story is about a couple in the middle of a marriage with troubles that decided to take their daughter away on a vacation in space and what happens while there are there. It’s about first contact and so much more that I rather not give away.

GU: You have said that FORAGER came about “out of frustration with mainstream science fiction movies where nearly all alien life in the universe wants to conquer or eat us. There is very little optimism, hope or joy.”  This can apply to many tales from every genre in the post 9/11 world.  A world that the children who will be reading this all ages title are growing up in.  How important do you think it is to provide stories like FORAGER that can provide that “hope or joy”?  

JP: I think it is very important to sustain a sense of wonder when growing up and to surround ourselves with entertainment with variety. Not everything has to be dark and gloomy and with a genre like science fiction, I always think it’s important to introduce the idea of hope into the world as much as possible. Our last Kickstarter Weapon of God did this on a different level.  With Forager, we want to share this good feeling and optimism and at the same time keep you on the edge of your seat.

GU: While FORAGER will be published for other retailers, the perks for those who contribute to this Kickstarter not only give them great benefits but it also seems to be an exclusive club.  With this being your fifth Kickstarter project have you experienced a closer interaction with your fans and readers that may not be possible through working with one of the major comic book companies? 

 JP: With all our kickstarters come signed art prints that you cannot get anywhere else, ever. As well, the book that you get is Kickstarter exclusive, even if it gets printed in a different format later on, because of the covers, content and so on. Each person is getting a one of a kind book. The benefit for us is connecting directly with the readers that understand how much hard work that goes into these projects and it also gives them a voice to say what gets made and what doesn’t. I love doing them, and although it takes me average around 3 weeks to fulfill the orders, nothing makes me happier to address each and every envelope and know the person waiting on the other side believed in my project and proved it. The fans and backers get to talk to me directly thru the Kickstarter page, address concerns and eventually I get to meet a lot of them at shows all across the country. Its an amazing experience.

 

GU: The preview pages you have shown look better than many comics on the racks today.  FORAGER looks to have an art style and coloring different from any of your other Kickstarter projects.  How important is it to have each project be unique and how did you, Justin and Steven come up with the look of FORAGER?  

JP: We knew we were going for an all ages look, so we wanted something that a younger reader would be attracted to , yet something so well done a comic lover would be drawn in. Steven was the right choice on these levels and the best part is the storytelling is just amazing. The coloring we were looking for couldn’t be a simple color job, so getting the crew at Challenging Studios on board was key to getting the look we wanted. We want to show people that we care MORE than any big business, that we can do a better book, have better production and give a better price than what they are used to. It is always our goal to show up the majors. We even went so far as to make sure it is printed in the USA and not overseas so we could control quality and keep the work here.

GU: Jimmy, I always ask… Which donation level would you select if this wasn’t your project and why? 

JP: I would go for the mystery pack because I know I am getting the books and prints and I know we will be putting some very cool items into those packages and I love to be surprised. Hands down my favorite pledge level.

GU: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions.  What final thoughts would you like to leave the readers with and hopefully lead them right over to Kickstarter? 

JP: I would like to point out that the digital copies are a bargain, because once we officially release the book, they are all going up a few dollars and the difference here is the money goes directly to us and not a middle man. I would also like to say people should visit PAPERFILMS.COM to get our past books, digital downloads and a ton of other cool stuff we now have available. And finally, a big thanks to everyone who keeps supporting our projects!