The following is an interview with Ana Khristenko, Josh Mak, and Aaron Mak regarding the recent launch of their Kickstarter campaign for the comic book series, ANA, in association with ANA (the band) and Cynation Comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with the creative team about their shared creative process of bringing the story and music to life on the page, the backer rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent launch of your Kickstarter campaign for the comic book series, ANA! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you share with us about the story’s premise?
Aaron Mak: A goddess, 4 champions from around the world… and also two inter-dimensional cats with a penchant for violence. On the horizon lies a mysterious foe with an insidious plan – a sinister mystery to be uncovered which hides a reality far too disturbing for most to accept.
BD: What can you tell us about your shared creative process in bringing not only this story to life on the the page, but in sharing your music, as well?
Ana Khristenko: I don’t really know much about comics, but I look for what I find beautiful and appealing to me. In terms of the story, I trust Josh with the crazy ideas he has, and I help by giving suggestions for characters’ names and telling them about Slavic mythology that isn’t represented in Western pop culture much.
AM: Despite retaining the same core team that worked on Gods Among Men, what I found insightful this time about Ana’s input and ideas in the creative process was how she brought a more objective eye to the creation. It’s all too easy for comic creators to perpetuate a cycle of writing what they read, but Ana enabled us to constantly ask ourselves, “Will people outside of comic readers also enjoy this?” This was an important question as many of existing readership were fans of the music.
Josh Mak: Our music process is similar to our comic creating process, as it begins in a very spontaneous and improvised way. We often have a skeletal structure of a song then we go into the studio and jam it out with each other, allowing the ideas to flow in an organic fashion as we listen and play off each other. When writing the comic, this process occurs in my head, one where no boundaries exist. Aaron then has the unenviable job of processing my thoughts into script.
BD: Why do you feel that crowdfunding has been such a valuable resource to ensuring the success of today’s comic book creators?
AM: Everybody wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves, and crowdfunding like Kickstarter enables people to do just that. By making an event of it, people can unite together to bring something that interests them into fruition. It’s the epitome of power to the people, and it’s always our goal to give the people the best quality stories and art we possibly can!
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that ANA’s story may connect with and impact readers?
JM: In issue one, a lot of questions are raised that intend to entice the reader into needing to know more. I have the end of the story planned and also plot points for various stages. Many of these themes are fictional but are very relevant to the times we live in. Themes that aren’t just for a niche audience but ones that resonate with humanity (even the cats are relatable).
AM: The part of ANA #1 that stands out to me most is in fact the first few pages – how ANA finds “the world’s greatest champions” not fully-formed, but rather as individuals stuck in their societal grind yearning to break free of monotony. I think this is something many of us can relate to, “…an opportunity to escape from endless routine.” In many ways, it is the fans who have given us an opportunity to break free of a laborious life.
AK: We want our fans to simultaneously experience and enjoy our art through both of these mediums. The comic is inspired by the music and the events in real life, but both are still able to be enjoyed individually.
BD: In light of the crowdfunding campaign, are there any particular backer rewards that you would like to highlight for our readers?
AM: Although we have our existing readers who are familiar with our first title, Gods Among Men, we understand there will be newcomers, too. We ensured that it would be made available through this Kickstarter, as well. In January, ANA returned from a highly successful first international tour in Europe, which we printed a limited one-off run of a Euro Tour Edition of ANA #1 – this will be made available in the Kickstarter, too.
AK: My favourite Kickstarter exclusive item is a very special Rose Gold Foil cover! It’s just so gorgeous and luxurious.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to share with readers?
JM: Gods Among Men is what started us on this comic journey. It holds a very special and personal place in my heart. It’s a drastically different comic from ANA, but it’s something I know all readers would also enjoy.
AM: We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the title that built the house of Cynation Comics, Gods Among Men. 6 months after a successful Kickstarter campaign, we were able to go on to secure stock of our books in 32 stores nationwide in Australia, as well as Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Budapest, Hungary.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about ANA and the Kickstarter campaign?
AM: ANA was described in a live concert review by Heavy Mag as “Nostalgia meets Innovation.” In every process of creating, whether it be music or comic books, we always begin with the story and maintain that tradition should not fear innovation – but innovation must respect tradition. As dedicated comic creators, we endeavoured to make a comic book that can be enjoyed as both a supplement to the music, or as a series in its own right. This one’s for the fans of ANA, fans of stories and great art and fans of being a part of a growing family.
