The following is an interview with C.M. Edwards regarding the comic book series, Heroic Journey: Deathmarch. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Edwards about the inspiration behind the series, his creative process in bringing the story to life with artist Indiana Zordan, the impact that Heroic Journey may have with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of the first issue of your comic book series, Heroic Journey: Deathmarch! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the series’ premise, and what inspired you to tell this story?
C.M. Edwards: Heroic Journey: Deathmarch is about a world more than it’s about a single character, a mythical world confined in chaos between the never-ending battle of good vs. evil; however, it’s not a story where good triumphs or evil prevails; it deals more with choices and consequences and how they affect the characters and how the characters then affect the world. When I was younger I played a lot of tabletop RPGs and some of the greatest stories are made by a group of friends sitting around a table rolling dice; this is one of those stories. While there were heavy outside influences like League of Legends and Magic the Gathering for world-building, the largest was me and long-time friends making it up as we go.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in working with Indiana Zordan, and what have been some of your creative influences?
CME: Working with Indiana was great; he really knows how to make an impact with his art. He’s really talented in putting emotion onto a page. During the process of creating the characters and the look of the world, we were very careful not to make it look too much like anything but not something no one would recognize. Source material starts from Dungeons & Dragons and goes as far as to take influence from the anime, Fate/Stay Night.
BD: What do you have in store for readers in terms of the upcoming issues, and when shall we anticipate the release of Issue #2?
CME: Being honest, issue one is like kicking the wheel down the hill; it’s just the start of a wild ride that could run into anything in its path on the way down. The main character Isca has taken it upon herself to wage a one-woman war against an immortal Baron with hopes of vengeance but that’s just where the story starts. The dive goes deeper into the very creation of the world of Heroic Journey and how a god with good intentions can be the villain of the story. Issue two is a ways off, it is planned to release side by side with a new title of mine around July.
BD: At Fanbase Press this year, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Heroic Journey: Deathmarch’s story will connect with and impact readers, and why do you feel that this story was important for you to bring to life?
CME: I think the right story can make the right change in anyone’s life; as we grow up, the stories we grow up with shape our mindset as we take on the world. For me personally, a story that molded me was Gargoyles. Gargoyles took my imagination out form my small little box and allowed me to dream about places I had never been or heard of. It stopped me from staring at the ground and put my head in the clouds I hope Heroic Journey: Deathmarch can be that for someone.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
CME: Yes actually, coming real soon is Malice + Magic. It’s a step into the modern fantasy genre for me; it follows a young girl who tries to right her wrong after she causes the end of the world. The script is finished and it’s in early stages, it should be a nice place holder until Heroic Journey returns with Issue two titled “Crusade.”
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Heroic Journey: Deathmarch?
CME: The best way to find out more about Heroic Journey is to find Story Mode Press on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter (@AtomoSK94) and don’t forget to purchase Heroic Journey: Deathmarch available now on Gumroad!
