Thursday, June 18, 2009
Short Interviews: Damien Walters
Welcome to Khudd's blog and today I am Interviewing the greatest Gymnast/stuntman/tumbler I've ever seen, Damien Walters. If you don't know who he is, then type his name on google or on YouTube and just watch. It will blow your mind, he is literally defying gravity and leaping human bounds.
KH: The first question I want to ask, is there a specific label for what you do?
DW: Hi ya. There isn't really a specific label for the things I do in the video, to be honest its a mix up of all different things. I used to compete for Great Britain in gymnastic tumbling, where I worked. I was ranked 4th in the world and I always did a little free running,but then i got found on YouTube by one of Jackie Chan's stunt coordinators named Brad Allen, who invited me to do a film called Hellboy 2 where I played the double for the prince. After that, he got me two more stunt jobs one ninja assassin and the other kick ass, which both come out at the end of the year. So I try to incorporate anything I can that I think is fun to do in my videos, what I'm trying to say is, I guess I just love movement in any form.
KH: How did you get started and at what age?
DW: I started in gymnastics when i was 7, then started tumbling when I was 12.
KH: When you do a Back-flip off a building, or jump off a moving car, are you afraid or scared?
DW: Yeah of coarse you get scared sometimes, but its nice to know that you've over come that fear to accomplish something. Of coarse, I would never just learn a move go up on a building and try it straight away, I've been doing somersaults for nearly 20 years now, so I'm pretty sure of what I can and can't do with my body. So, I still get a little nervous :)
KH: When looking up back-flip, I seen different variations to do a back flip, like the x out as I seen you do on your reel, what is your favorite?
DW: I like doing double lay outs as you feel so high and they seem to take forever to come back down to the ground, it sounds cheesy but just for a little moment you feel relaxed in the air.
KH: Too see you do something like this and succeed and to remember I broke my arm trying to do a flip off the monkey bars it's amazing. Have you ever injured your self?
DW: Yeah I'm afraid there is always the possibility that u can get injured, its just the nature of any sport I suppose, but if you sat at home worrying about that all day you would never have any fun. You just have to be confident about your own abilities and just be sensible.
KH: What's your favorite stunt that you ever attempted?
DW: I don't think I really have one particular favourite, as I just love making new things up or trying new variations. That's the best bit, putting your own little spin on things.
KH:I have also found out, that you work with kids , what made you start working with kids?
DW: Yeah I coach tumbling at my dads gym in Derby, and I have done that since I was 18, I have some very talented children in my group and they are a pleasure to work with. They bring so much joy to the sport, as when you teach them a move they can put there own little style in it and it's so nice to see them progress in there abilities.
KH: I read some of the comments on your videos and one person said "the real life spider-man" and another person said "you are my hero" how does that make you feel when you see people enjoying something you enjoy to do?
DW: To be honest, it's so nice to read the comments, it makes me smile just knowing that people appreciate the things that you have done, as like you just said it's what I love doing and have spent my whole life doing and for people to comment positively on that it makes you feel so nice and grateful to everyone that watches. I'm no spider-man or anything like that in real life I'm just a guy who gets way too bored, way to quickly, that's why I make the videos in all honesty.
KH: What are you working on now?
DW: I'm currently at home, working on a new little show with my friend live wire, it just involves things we do from day to day and shows us in the gym messing about. It's things that we find fun and hopefully other people will too here is the link for our latest vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C-rRNR1xck .
KH: Are we going to see you in anymore Hollywood movies?
DW: I've done three films now, which I mentioned earlier and hopefully I might have another coming soon I just try and take one day at a time and see what happens I don't like to plan too much ahead or say I want to be at a certain place at a certain time in my life. I just train and get on with my life and if something comes up great, but if not I'm still doing what I have always loved doing, so its all good.
KH: One of my personal questions is: How in the world did you climb up that wall?
DW: haha. To run up the walls takes a few practices you have to find the best path and the quickest and after you do, you just keep drilling it until it becomes easy as anything else. Anyone can do anything with the right practice.
KH: Could you give the people a link to where we could find you?
DW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MeiwLLZjDo that's the link to my latest video, hope you enjoy it.
KH: To watch someone live there life like you do is truly amazing and it really inspires people to accomplish there goals, I thank you for allowing me to interview you, but before I go I want to ask you to play a little game that all of my other guests have played. It's a words association game I say a word and you write the first thing that pops in your head, ready?
Spider-man: Sticky
Life: Full
Stunt: Pain
Jackass the show: Crazy
Damien Walters: Me
Khudd:What...lol
And that's all if you want to be interviewed or have any question message me at kari_huddleston@yahoo.com . Great guy, hope he has more success in the future.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Monday, November 3, 2008
Monday, 3rd 2008
This week is a big week in history, 'cause tomorrow is the day we vote. Voters have the choice of Barack Obama or John McCain. Since I didn't register to vote all I can do is spread the word. Please, and I mean please, vote for Barack. America is so close to a depression and we need a change.
http://www.voteforchange.com/
1-877-US-4-OBAMA
Today check out the Monday night football Or if you want to have a laugh watch SNL at 9:00/ 8:00 central. Also heroes is on but that show is crap. Monday night raw is on but what is good on wrestling any more?
If you want to go see a movie, then check out Zack and Miri Make a Porno or if you are with children take them to see High School Musical.
As far a comics check out Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel & Ultimatum will be in stores this Wednesday.
Not a long post today and I will have more interviews and reviews.
http://www.voteforchange.com/
1-877-US-4-OBAMA
Today check out the Monday night football Or if you want to have a laugh watch SNL at 9:00/ 8:00 central. Also heroes is on but that show is crap. Monday night raw is on but what is good on wrestling any more?
If you want to go see a movie, then check out Zack and Miri Make a Porno or if you are with children take them to see High School Musical.
As far a comics check out Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel & Ultimatum will be in stores this Wednesday.
Not a long post today and I will have more interviews and reviews.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Big News: Sunday October 2008
Welcome to the fourth post of writer and fan, khudd. I'm a comic book writer and fan that loves to listen to other media related things. I dont do this sort of thing so lets just get to the damn post. It is a sunday and I have the scores for todays games, but first I HAVE to tell todays top peformer:
Kyle Orton. He threw 34 times and completed 24, 334 yards, 2 tds and 0 interceptions helped the bears defeat the lions 34 to 7. There were some huge blowouts and it really made you want to stop watching.
Kyle Orton. He threw 34 times and completed 24, 334 yards, 2 tds and 0 interceptions helped the bears defeat the lions 34 to 7. There were some huge blowouts and it really made you want to stop watching.ATL def GB: 27, 24
NYG def Seattle: 44, 6
Car def KC: 34, 0
IND def Houston: 31, 27
Dallas def Cincinatti: 31, 22
New England def San Fransico: 30, 21
Mia def San Diego: 17, 19
Washington def Phi: 23, 17
Tennessee def Baltimore: 13, 10
Denver def Tampa: 16, 13
Arizona def Buffalo : 41, 17
Watch Monday Night Football to see the 1-3 vikings face off agianst the 2-2 Saints.
My pick is simple the Saints will blow this team away. 27- 3
Now everyone has at least seen or heard of Kimbo Slice from either the youtube videos or the interviews. This unstoppable machine of a man had made a living for himself beating the snot out of people in his hometown of Miami. He went undefeated as he knocked people out and ended people with his powerful right hook. Now he has been offered to take on MMA fighting and he won his first three fights. Then people got to wondering was his streak a fluke will he get to the MMA and knock people out? Well he had a fight yesterday and...... well....we were right ,just watch-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5ZxpbtcC8A
WOW!! He got his behind rocked! LMAO
Well, to get more serious we end with our thoughts to OJ Simpson. OJ was found guilty on all accounts and he faces life in prison. We all rember him putting the glove on half way but this time they have caught him. He was going to get back his memorbalia and now he is in prison. Just pray for him and his family and we leave off with a quote
“The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.”- Malcom X
Friday, October 3, 2008
Short reviews and interviews Part 2: Mike Imboden
First I wanted to say sorry for not updating my blog, it has been a crazy month. But now i'm back with part two of short interviews, so here it is.
Fist of Justice looks so great and the project looks like a ton of fun. The title is published by Digitalwebbing and it is written by creator Mike Imboden. So lucky for me I have him with today .
Kh: Hows it going today, Mike ? Everything fine ?
MI: Doing better now that I’ve managed to recover from last weekend’s Baltimore Comic-Con. It was rough going into a show having just gotten over a cold – there are ton of germs flying around at a show and when your immune system is already working overtime it can be hard to stay, or even get, healthy.But, I’m better now and ready to get back into the swing of things!
Kh: First question I want to ask is, how is it too see your thinking and creations drawn so beautifully ?
MI: I’ll tell you, it’s a real cool feeling that never gets old. The best part is when I see a page and the artist has changed something so that it works even better than what I had originally envisioned.
Kh:How did you come up with a idea like FOJ ?
MI: Originally... The first Fist of Justice way back in Digital Webbing Presents was just a “throw-away”, or “done in one” story that had a twist ending, like a Twilight Zone episode. But then people started saying how fun the story was and how cool the character looked. “When are you guys doing more?” was something we heard quite often. Ed Dukeshire and I got together and came up with a way to bring him back that made sense. There was a lot of brainstorming, but it didn’t take long for us to agree on how we wanted to do things.
Kh: For fans of comics that has not read a FOJ book, what is it about ?
MI: The tagline we’ve used sparingly, but are going to start pushing hard, is “Old School, New Attitude” and that sort of sums it all up. The quick synopsis is that Fist was a hero back in the late 1970s. After an encounter with a villain, Fist was out of commission for about 30 years. Now that he’s back, we’ve a guy who’s trying to adjust to a much different world than he remembers. I think the thing that makes us stand out from similar characters is that we’re actually trying to tell stories that wouldn’t seem out of place back in the late 70s or early 80s. No prolonged and drawn-out story arcs, no brooding and moody heroes; everything is a bit more light hearted and... I guess “innocent” is a good way to put it.
Kh: Whats going on in FOJ right now anything big?
MI: Right now we’ve got Fist trying to repair some faults in the time stream that are a result of Professor Mistyk (a powerful magician) looking for Fist during the 30 years that he was missing. This is allowing us to do a variety of stories and sort of frees us up to do whatever we want, while still maintaining a couple running sub-plots to keep everything moving along. Issue #3, which will be out any day, features a team-up with The Living Corpse and we’re working on getting an FoJ/E-Man team-up ironed out.
Kh: Any spoilers you can give?
MI: We’re currently working on getting a big name writer who can do JUSTICE to what we’re doing, to do a guest issue. He’s truly in a LEAGUE of his own. I think that’s the best I can offer up at this point.
Kh: What book would you like to write for?
MI: I really want to work on a horror title or, ideally, a giant monster story. I’m a huge Godzilla fan and love the whole kiaju thing. I loved Cloverfield and JJ Abrams said it best when he was doing promotions for the movie; America needs its own Godzilla. Cloverfield was a very good effort, but I think there’s more to be done there. I’d love to be a part of that, whatever it is.
Kh: Any other books in the works?
MI: I’m always working on stories for my brother from a different mother, Jamal Walton, and his world of “Warmageddon” (www.warmageddon.com). I’ve also got a couple of stories to work on for Ken Haeser and Buz Hasson for their book, “The Living Corpse”. As soon as time permits, I am going to knock out a script for something I’m involved with called “Green Brook”. Shawn Gabborin of Angry Gnome Comics approached me and asked if I’d be interested in participating in a project where a handful of different creative teams given the same (very basic) story premise, then given free reign to take that story wherever they want to go with it (genre, art style, whatever). Of course I said “Yes”. It’s going to be something very fun for the readers to get into, to see how each of the teams take this thing and what they do with it. All of the books will debut at the 2009 Pittsburgh Comic-Con.
Kh: What comic book made you start reading?
MI: Man, that was like 35 years ago! Ha! The one comic that stood out in my mind was an old issue of G.I. Combat that had The Haunted Tank on the cover. I must have read and re-read that comic dozens of times when I was little. I think the ones that had the most impact on me, though, were the old Spider-Man and Luke Cage comics of the early to mid-70s.
Kh: Any shout outs or links you would like to give?
MI: Man, there are at least a dozen people who’ve helped me start climbing this ladder that I’d feel like a total chump if I singled any one of them out in favor of someone else. So I’ll be smart and tell people to go visit www.imboden.org. I’ve got links there that people can follow to everyone who’s deserving of a shout out. Was that diplomatic enough? :)
And thats all the space we have but before we go, Mike. I have a game that TJ May has played and Dj Coffman has as well . Now it your turn. The rules are simple I say a word and you say the first thing that comes to mind . Ready?
Digitalwebbing:Some of the best comics you probably aren’t reading. Yet.
Fist Of justice:THE best comic you aren’t reading. Yet.
Mike Imboden:Dedicated and hopeful.
Superheroes:A comic staple and great escapism.
Stan Lee:A true master and someone I wish I was a fraction as good as.
Khudd:A cool sound effect I need to work into an upcoming issue! :)
You go ahead in get that in a issue, and that is all folks.
Fist of Justice looks so great and the project looks like a ton of fun. The title is published by Digitalwebbing and it is written by creator Mike Imboden. So lucky for me I have him with today .
Kh: Hows it going today, Mike ? Everything fine ?
MI: Doing better now that I’ve managed to recover from last weekend’s Baltimore Comic-Con. It was rough going into a show having just gotten over a cold – there are ton of germs flying around at a show and when your immune system is already working overtime it can be hard to stay, or even get, healthy.But, I’m better now and ready to get back into the swing of things!
Kh: First question I want to ask is, how is it too see your thinking and creations drawn so beautifully ?
MI: I’ll tell you, it’s a real cool feeling that never gets old. The best part is when I see a page and the artist has changed something so that it works even better than what I had originally envisioned.
Kh:How did you come up with a idea like FOJ ?
MI: Originally... The first Fist of Justice way back in Digital Webbing Presents was just a “throw-away”, or “done in one” story that had a twist ending, like a Twilight Zone episode. But then people started saying how fun the story was and how cool the character looked. “When are you guys doing more?” was something we heard quite often. Ed Dukeshire and I got together and came up with a way to bring him back that made sense. There was a lot of brainstorming, but it didn’t take long for us to agree on how we wanted to do things.
Kh: For fans of comics that has not read a FOJ book, what is it about ?
MI: The tagline we’ve used sparingly, but are going to start pushing hard, is “Old School, New Attitude” and that sort of sums it all up. The quick synopsis is that Fist was a hero back in the late 1970s. After an encounter with a villain, Fist was out of commission for about 30 years. Now that he’s back, we’ve a guy who’s trying to adjust to a much different world than he remembers. I think the thing that makes us stand out from similar characters is that we’re actually trying to tell stories that wouldn’t seem out of place back in the late 70s or early 80s. No prolonged and drawn-out story arcs, no brooding and moody heroes; everything is a bit more light hearted and... I guess “innocent” is a good way to put it.
Kh: Whats going on in FOJ right now anything big?
MI: Right now we’ve got Fist trying to repair some faults in the time stream that are a result of Professor Mistyk (a powerful magician) looking for Fist during the 30 years that he was missing. This is allowing us to do a variety of stories and sort of frees us up to do whatever we want, while still maintaining a couple running sub-plots to keep everything moving along. Issue #3, which will be out any day, features a team-up with The Living Corpse and we’re working on getting an FoJ/E-Man team-up ironed out.
Kh: Any spoilers you can give?
MI: We’re currently working on getting a big name writer who can do JUSTICE to what we’re doing, to do a guest issue. He’s truly in a LEAGUE of his own. I think that’s the best I can offer up at this point.
Kh: What book would you like to write for?
MI: I really want to work on a horror title or, ideally, a giant monster story. I’m a huge Godzilla fan and love the whole kiaju thing. I loved Cloverfield and JJ Abrams said it best when he was doing promotions for the movie; America needs its own Godzilla. Cloverfield was a very good effort, but I think there’s more to be done there. I’d love to be a part of that, whatever it is.
Kh: Any other books in the works?
MI: I’m always working on stories for my brother from a different mother, Jamal Walton, and his world of “Warmageddon” (www.warmageddon.com). I’ve also got a couple of stories to work on for Ken Haeser and Buz Hasson for their book, “The Living Corpse”. As soon as time permits, I am going to knock out a script for something I’m involved with called “Green Brook”. Shawn Gabborin of Angry Gnome Comics approached me and asked if I’d be interested in participating in a project where a handful of different creative teams given the same (very basic) story premise, then given free reign to take that story wherever they want to go with it (genre, art style, whatever). Of course I said “Yes”. It’s going to be something very fun for the readers to get into, to see how each of the teams take this thing and what they do with it. All of the books will debut at the 2009 Pittsburgh Comic-Con.
Kh: What comic book made you start reading?
MI: Man, that was like 35 years ago! Ha! The one comic that stood out in my mind was an old issue of G.I. Combat that had The Haunted Tank on the cover. I must have read and re-read that comic dozens of times when I was little. I think the ones that had the most impact on me, though, were the old Spider-Man and Luke Cage comics of the early to mid-70s.
Kh: Any shout outs or links you would like to give?
MI: Man, there are at least a dozen people who’ve helped me start climbing this ladder that I’d feel like a total chump if I singled any one of them out in favor of someone else. So I’ll be smart and tell people to go visit www.imboden.org. I’ve got links there that people can follow to everyone who’s deserving of a shout out. Was that diplomatic enough? :)
And thats all the space we have but before we go, Mike. I have a game that TJ May has played and Dj Coffman has as well . Now it your turn. The rules are simple I say a word and you say the first thing that comes to mind . Ready?
Digitalwebbing:Some of the best comics you probably aren’t reading. Yet.
Fist Of justice:THE best comic you aren’t reading. Yet.
Mike Imboden:Dedicated and hopeful.
Superheroes:A comic staple and great escapism.
Stan Lee:A true master and someone I wish I was a fraction as good as.
Khudd:A cool sound effect I need to work into an upcoming issue! :)
You go ahead in get that in a issue, and that is all folks.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Khudd's short interview & review Part 1 : Tj May
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
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
Monday, September 1, 2008
Labor Day Fun
Today is Labor Day and I have today off so that is fun already . I have nieces and nephews over and I have my grandmother and mother over . Great times and great moments . I have great news as well I will be doing a couple of interviews and some reviews . I hope to have Robert Kirkman here so be patient with that . Also I will be doing a review for comics that come into stores every Thursday and I will be doing indie comics . So be ready for lots of fun with this blog and I hope you enjoy .
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