We chat with the writers about their new comic that dares to smash 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' with 'Pulp Fiction.'
Welcome to our Creator Corner, our new reoccurring interview series, where we chat with the coolest and most thought-provoking creators in the comics industry. In this entry, we're conversing with writers Lesly Julien and AJ O Mason about Headcases. Listen to the unedited audio HERE.
Making a comic is one thing; selling a comic is something totally different. How do you hook an audience? What's the key to an infectious elevator pitch? In our latest Creator Corner conversation, we're chatting with the two comic scribes behind Headcases, Lesly Julien and AJ O Mason. They've got some strong opinions on the matter, and based on their latest Crowdfundr launch - they certainly know what they're talking about.
Julien and Mason describe Headcases as Ferris Bueller's Day Off meets Pulp Fiction. What the hell does that mean? Well, we get into it, but aren't you already curious? Haven't they already achieved their goal? You gotta read a comic that smashes those two conflicting cinematic masterpieces together. Whether they succeed in the endeavor is almost not an issue. Their attempt is a mighty big swing, and we all must know more.
"Yeah, so obviously those properties are very easy for folks to understand," says Julien. "The analogy here is we have these two kids, these kind of knuckle heads who get started on this very crazy adventure that takes place outside of their daily school routine. And they're just messing around and going to museums like in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The Pulp Fiction tie in is there's this pretty serious crime element that takes place. Basically, you find out pretty quick in the story is they accidentally steal a head, so that kind of what starts things off."
Okay, okay, that whole Ferris Bueller's Day Off meets Pulp Fiction thing is starting to make a little more sense. Please, tell us more. And that's what we do in our latest deep-dive conversation, differentiating the creative process from the publishing process and the selling processes.
On that front, we also discuss the importance of character likability. Should we always be on the side of the protagonists? Or is being on their opposite side the more significant realm to inhabit? Maybe likability shouldn't be a creator's issue at all. That's a reader's problem, and it's a problem they should get looked at by a doctor. "Nurse, scalpel. We're cutting this likability tumor out."
"When it comes to characters," says Mason, "it's always that classic Breaking Bad example. Like, Walter White, I mean, you could argue that there is likability to him, but I don't think, for example, that he's likable. But if you understand a character, I think that's the best thing that you can do as a writer."
It's a brave new world regarding the comics industry (as well as everything else that swarms around it, frankly). Lesly Julien and AJ O Mason are in the trenches, making comics, selling comics, and loving comics. Chatting with them is an inspiring endeavor, and it will have you stretching to make your dreams a reality.
Julien previously appeared on Comic Book Couples Counseling discussing his other wickedly gnarly comic book mashup, Savage Wizard. That comic, you might remember, crossed a WWE vibe with a Conan the Barbarian/Lord of the Rings aesthetic. If you have not listened to that conversation yet, you can do so by clicking HERE.
Most importantly, jump over to the Headcases Crowdfundr page and browse around. If you like what you see, please consider backing their hard work.
Also, be sure to follow Lesly Julien on Twitter and track him down via his Website, and AJ O Mason on Twitter and Instagram.
And, of course, follow Comic Book Couples Counseling on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter @CBCCPodcast, and you can follow hosts Brad Gullickson @MouthDork & Lisa Gullickson@sidewalksiren.
Send us your Words of Affirmation by leaving us a 5-Star Review on Apple Podcasts.
SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY JOINING OUR PATREON COMMUNITY.
Continue your conversation with CBCC by hopping over to our website where we have reviews, essays, and numerous interviews with comic book creators.
Podcast logo by Aaron Prescott @acoolhandfluke, podcast banner art by @Karen_XmenFan.