The following is an interview with Tom Peyer regarding the upcoming release of the collected trade paperback for Penultiman through AHOY Comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Peyer about looking back at the creative process for the series with Alan Robinson, the incredible bonus features that will be included in the trade paperback, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of the collected Penultiman trade paperback! As with all of AHOY Comics’ releases, this trade is sure to be packed with incredible bonus features. What will readers have in store with the upcoming release?
Tom Peyer: We have an introduction from the great Superman writer/artist Jerry Ordway who knows a thing or two about the internal struggles of widely admired superheroes. Artist Alan Robinson has shared some of his early character designs, with commentary from both of us.
BD: In looking back at the development and creation of the series, what can you share with us about your creative process in working with Alan Robinson that really made this series unique?
TP: What Alan brought to this is exactly what it needed: heart. He’s a master of facial expression and body language, and his characters experience emotion to an operatic degree. Alan’s people are so emotionally convincing, he can go from tragedy in one panel to comedy in the next without noticeably changing his approach or taking the reader out of the story.
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 Penultiman’s story has connected with and impacted readers, especially in light of the incredible critical and fan response to the series?
TP: Some readers said it really got them thinking about self-esteem issues, which was rewarding to hear because we weren’t fishing for it. Our only goal was to make a piece of entertainment. If something real snuck in there, all the better.
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects on which you are working that you are able to share with our readers?
TP: There are two projects I’ll be writing for AHOY that I’m really pleased about; one is something you might have seen from us before, and the other is brand new. I’m afraid I can’t be more specific yet.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about the Penultiman trade paperback?
TP: It’s about a superhero who seems perfect from the outside and is a ball of self-loathing on the inside. It’s also about the android sidekick who tries to fix him. The book will be available in comic book shops on May 12 and from booksellers on May 25.
