The following is an interview with Michael Stradford (co-founder – Gizmoe Press / writer – Graphic Samurai: The Art of Denys Cowan) regarding the recent launch of a Kickstarter campaign for the graphic novel anthology, Grindhouse Comics Presents, with Gizmoe Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Stradford about his shared creative process in bringing the collection to life on the page, the exciting rewards available to backers of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the launch of your Kickstarter campaign for the graphic novel anthology, Grindhouse Comics Presents! What can you share with us about the genesis behind this collection, and how would you describe its overall premise?
Michael Stradford: Thank you very much! This project came into being based on a screenplay that I wrote and sold but maintained the graphic novel rights. The script, originally entitled Raine after the lead character’s name was bought by actor Michael Jai White (Spawn, The Dark Knight) who did a rewrite in addition to directing and starring in it. He renamed the film Trouble Man.
White changed the tone of the screenplay, making it more of a comedy than was originally intended. Since I owned the graphic novel rights, I decided to create a version based on my original story.
I had owned grindhousecomics.com for several years and thought that Raine would be a great way to activate that domain. I also had a few other story ideas and characters on my computer, so I started thinking about Raine as the main feature and these shorter stories that introduced a variety of other characters as kind of previews of coming attractions like one would see at a grindhouse theater in the ’70s and ’80s.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in crafting a complementary collection of stories from various genres, all of which contained a hard edge of action throughout their narratives?
MS: Fortunately, all of my collaborators understood what the assignment was and were excited work on something that didn’t consist of capes and tights for a change. I gave each artist a very specific idea of how each character should look, what their back story was, and what the world was that they existed in. I gave them all room to work and invited their input on better ways to visually tell the story.
BD: Your work has spanned various entertainment mediums. What do you find to be most creatively rewarding as a storyteller working within the sequential art medium?
MS: As a lifelong comic book fan, I have always loved the various worlds that the medium offered and to have an opportunity to participate in that creative process is its own reward. As a fledgling writer, to have talented artists, colorists, and letterers bring my stories to life is a big thrill for me.
I like the idea of putting something out into the world and finding out if it resonates with anyone besides me. It’s exciting, but a bit scary. I am encouraged though. We reached out goal in the first 72 hours of the campaign and as of this writing, we’re in striking distance of reaching our second of three stretch goals.
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 these stories’ themes may connect with and impact today’s readers, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that they may inspire?
MS: I wrote these stories to be entertaining and to show protagonists of color in different eras, settings, and situations. I focused mainly on what I’d enjoy reading and hope that readers can get a kick out of it.
Also, I want the book to be a full experience, not just the comic book stories. From the heavy art paper stock to the vintage cover style painted by Joe Jusko to the unique endpapers that replicate grindhouse newspaper ads, the book was designed to have more of a European feel in its presentation.
There are also articles about how the book came together, the road from Raine to the comic book page, a 30-page Artists’ Gallery of illustrations of the characters, and a primer on Grindhouse movies, books, and comics.
BD: In light of the Kickstarter campaign, are there any reward tiers that you are most excited to share with our readers?
MS: The Frank Cho variant cover is a prime reward, as is the signed lithographs by Cho and Joe Jusko. I’m especially pleased about the signed Denys Cowan bookplate featuring the characters ‘Dakota’ and ‘Fargo’.
BD: Are there any other Gizmoe Press projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
MS: Sure. We’ve published several books over the last couple of years. Fargo: Hell on Wheels was our first release in 2024. It was based on a novel by John Benteen and Howard Chaykin adapted it. He also wrote the script for the next Fargo graphic novel, Panama Gold, which will be illustrated by Benito Gallego. That Kickstarter campaign will launch first quarter of 2027.
We have published two books on Doc Savage model Steve Holland, which was our first excursion into the coffee table book (9×12) arena.
We’re very excited that last year’s oversized book, Graphic Samurai: The Art of Denys Cowan, was nominated for a Ringo Award at this year’s Baltimore ComicCon. It’s a 9×12 315-page beauty.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about the Grindhouse Comics Presents Kickstarter campaign and your work with Gizmo Press?
MS: Readers can find out more about Grindhouse Comics by visiting our Facebook page, as well as @grindhousecomics on Instagram. For more on Gizmoe, head over to gizmoepress.com.
