Comics, Television, Movies: September 2008

KH: So…Right now I have with me writer and co creator of Ill Conceived, Catching Lucifer’s Lunch and A Day in Psychosis of David Price and he is here to talk with me.

TJ: Hi Kari. Thanks for having me.

KH: Hello T.J. did I miss any other books you have done or anything that has been published?

TJ: I’ve been working in and around comic since 1998. I started as a reporter for ToyFare Magazine, The Hartford Courant, and Vamperotica Magazine; where I also contributed short stories.

TJ : I wrote two webcomics for SUMM Publications, and a few comic book shorts for Narwain Publications. A non-fiction book that guides fathers on how-to teach their children baseball will be published this fall by WonderDads Publishing.

KH: Could you tell readers and fans about what they can expect from a T.J. May book?

TJ: I guess that depends on the genre I’m writing in, but they can always expect a well- crafted tale.

I’m best known for horror and dark fantasy, but I have the baseball book coming out, and I’m currently working on a non-fiction graphic novel about autism, a sci-fi adventure for all-ages, and two screenplays for an independent film company.

I recently sold a horror short story to a prose magazine, and I’m toying with the idea of taking part in the NaNoWriMo this year. But that will depend on how much progress I’ve made on my current slate of projects.

KH: Who are SUMM publications?

TJ: SUMM Publications is a small press company I founded with my brother, the illustrator, Jason May. We established the company in 2000 and set out to produce comics and stories we wanted to read. But, even more so, it became a vehicle that has allowed us to market our talents to other folks in the field.

KH: For anyone who has already read one of your books we see a lot of dark things in your books is there a reason for that?

TJ: Well, I have been fortunate to lead a fairly well lit life. Which often leaves me worried that the other shoe will drop at some point. I also grew up terrified of horror stories and films. Even into college.

But, I decided to face my fears freshman year and began to inundate myself with horror movies. Forced myself to keep my eyes open throughout. It was sophomore year that I really began to focus more on writing and realized that I loved the cathartic opportunities both horror and fantasy afforded me.

So, in over coming my fears I became a fan, and discovered a vocation.

KH: Are you reading any comic books or into any?

Ironically, I am not a life-long comic fan like most creators. However, I have always loved TV and film versions of characters that originated in comics. The initial move to write comics was actually more of a calculated business move.

My brother, three years my junior, is a huge fan of the art form and was studying illustration as I was graduating. We had one cousin writing for Star Trek in Hollywood, and another editing many of the great Batman stories of the 1990s at DC. Having grown-up with nepotism impeding my progress in baseball, I saw no reason to not take advantage of my good family fortune.

In the process, I have grew to love the medium almost immediately.

KH: What made you start reading comic books?

TJ: In part the situation I described above. This all happened around 1994 and at the same time I had to undergo back surgery that ultimately ended my baseball career. I’m a huge fan of do-it-yourselfers and a little company called Image had been making some noise.

More specifically, a guy by the name of Todd McFarlane caught my eye. In part he was interesting because like me, he was a baseball prospect; and in fact had been drafted before an injury ended his career. Instead of packing it in and just moved on to his next biggest passion and made a go of it.

I was very depressed about my own situation at that time, and his story inspired me to move on. Of course, I couldn’t get baseball totally out of my system. Despite constant pain still play in a men’s a league once a week from spring to Fall.

KH: What made you start writing comic books or books period?

Other than baseball, writing stories was the next best thing I did. Actually, I do it much better than I play baseball. In baseball I really had to make something of myself, which I suppose was part of the allure. Writing comes to me more naturally.

When I switched to creative writing I was instantly successful in my classes; which left me to question how good a program I was actually in. I’d never had immediate success at anything so I was pretty skeptical for a long time of my actual ability.

I got into the game late and constantly feel like I need to catch-up so I’m always looking for mentors, and reading books to improve my knowledge as I attempt to master the craft.

KH: Any influences in the writing world?

TJ: From a business standpoint and just ballsy efforts, Todd McFarlane and George Lucas are influences that have shaped my independent spirit.

Writers, in no particular order, Neil Gaiman, Tom Sneigoski, Stephen King, Clive Barker, Ray Bradbury, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Richard Matheson, Joseph Campbell, and any types of Mythology, Occult, or Folklore and their histories I can get my hands on.

KH: What’s next for SUMM?

TJ: We aren’t sure. The company has done what we’d hoped it would and displayed our talents for other companies to take note. Jason has several projects in the works and I’m negotiating several projects with other companies at the moment as well.

So, there’s nothing imminent on the slate for SUMM Publications. And if these other projects are outsourced to other companies it’ll be awhile before we see anything with the SUMM logo on it.

However, all of these projects have teams in place so if interest elsewhere fizzles, they will end up at SUMM Publications. Then you will likely see a revamp of our publishing model with a heavy Internet presence.

KH: What’s next for T.J. May?

TJ: Good question. I have all the projects I listed above in development and I’m in negotiations with suitors for all of them. There is also talk of one or two of my previously published comics being optioned for film in the near future. And I still have a reality show based on a Major League Baseball team on the table at a production company. But, none are officially picked up yet so there’s not much I can say about them.

There could be nothing new from me, or a flurry of major announcements in the months to come.

KH: Anyone or anything you might want to shout out or put a link about?

TJ: You can keep up with my work at www.tjmay.net. My goal for the foreseeable future is to keep on that baby a little better. Most of my comic book work is available in the store at www.summ.net. DAD’S: TEACH YOUR KIDS BASEBALL is available for pre-order at www.wonderdads.com. And you could always add me as a friend at www.myspace.com/tjmay.

All right and that’s it for Khudd’s short interviews and be back next time because we will be having DJ Coffman.

Before we go T.J., I have this game that is called What’s on his mind . The rules are simple I will say some things and you have to tell me the first thing that pops up in your head. No cheating , are you ready?

T.J. May:

Tired

Jason May:

Best brother in the world.

Catching Lucifer's lunch:

Ode to Lovecraftian horror.

Stephen King:

Horror Rock Star

Movie:

My second favorite pastime

Marvel:

Superheroes

Khudd:

Midwestern, punk-ass. (j/k!)

[Laughter]

Catching Lucifer's Lunch

4 out 5 Punches

Writer: Tj May
Artist & Letterer: Jason May

Publisher: SUMM Publications

Final Word:
This book is nothing far from awesome the May brothers are brillant in everything they do . If you haven't bought this book then I suggest you do . Great art & story = Great buy

Comics, Television, Movies

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Khudd's short interview & review Part 1 : Tj May

Monday, September 1, 2008

Labor Day Fun

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