Comics have a way of redefining themselves in order to keep up with the changing tide of time itself.  Heroes who first came into existence when the clutch was the standard in automotive instrumentation still exist during a time when fax machines are considered out-of-date technology.  Villains who are known for using the latest chemical compositions and radiological yields suddenly find themselves being outshined by a teen who can hack into the DoD’s mainframe.  But the one thing that has never changed with comics, even though the companies themselves have, is that they love to bring about events and changes that attempt to attract readers.

*Please note that the subject matter discussed in the interview contains adult content and is for mature readers only.


One of my favorite webcomics, Khaos Komix, recently came to a planned end, and I felt it was the best time to find out just what goes on in the mind of its creator, Tab Kimpton.  Much of the webcomic has a personal significance for Kimpton, given the information I’ve gleamed in conversation and looking on the comic’s website, as the subject matter has touched both myself and my fellow FBCer, Kristine Chester, deeply; however, because of said subject matter and the artistic style used, a lot of the webcomic is considered mature content and not geared toward children, so be careful when reading it.  Now, thanks to some friendly emails between the two of us, I was able to have an interview with Kimpton about Khaos Komix and other ideas.

This interview was conducted on February 27, 2013. 

Recently, I sent an email to Greg Dean, creator of one of my favorite webcomics, Real Life, telling him how much I enjoyed his work over the years.  Not only did Greg respond to me, but he responded quickly and was very friendly.  In fact, he agreed to have a one-on-one interview/conversation with me about Real Life and his actual life.  So, with his permission, I have shared our conversation here for your reading pleasure.

As an ardent webcomics fan, I have read several over the years of my life, but there are only a few that I consider my absolute favorites.  One such favorite is Blue Milk Special (www.bluemilkspecial.com), a comic that parodies the original Star Wars trilogy.  I recently had the chance to talk to Rod and Leanne Hannah, the creators of BMS, and they were kind enough to answer some questions for me concerning their lives.  Rod did the majority of the talking, and with their permission, I have shared their thoughts and answers.

New on the Tube is a series devoted to reviewing relatively new television shows and determining how they may (or may not) appeal to their intended audiences, where the shows are going, and what can be done to make them better. 

Series Premise: 


Strange things are happening on the frontier, well beyond the patrolled and policed Guardian Space that the Corps operates in.  Hal Jordan and Kilowog head to the frontier to investigate and come face to face with a new menace: the Red Lanterns.  The pair, along with a disillusioned Red Lantern, patrol the frontier in an effort to discover more information.  They are the officers of peace in the universe; they are Green Lanterns.

SPOILERS BELOW

52 Catch Up is a series devoted to looking at issues from DC's New 52 and seeing how they're faring now that they're underway, why they're worth reading (or not), and places we hope they will go in time.

Concept:

Unknown to the population of Earth, as well as the superhero community, a group of powerful individuals keeps a vigilant watch over the world for any approaching violent storms.  They do not consider themselves to be heroes, do not play by the moral code that the Justice League imposes upon itself, and go to great lengths to stay invisible to all eyes.  Ruled by a Shadow Cabinet with an unknown motive, and led by a man as old as the universe, these individuals keep the Earth safe from alien threats.  They are Stormwatch.

SPOILERS BELOW

The Top Four series looks at certain aspects of the comic book world from two perspectives: Rob’s, as a relative newcomer to mainstream comics, and Kristine’s, as an older hand in the world.  Each installment evaluates the top four choices from both Rob and Kristine and why they chose their picks.

By Robert J. Baden and Kristine Chester

Characters are what make up a comic, be they superhero, villain, or just a supporting civilian that gives funny quips.  Without these people, such things as superhero teams or armies couldn’t function; they’d be empty, and, thus, useless.  Characters are the glue that make comics work, and how they’re portrayed and shown helps the readers empathize—or hate—them to the point where we see them as real people.  And, in a way, they are real people: other people created them, gave them a purpose, wrote how they interact with others, and how they show their feelings to others.

Throughout our experiences, we’ve seen several characters, both good and bad, and feel that we have picked the top four that make great characters.  These picks represent who we feel stand out the most in the comic world.

It seems as though with the title of superhero (or even supervillain) comes invulnerability the likes of which an Olympian would be jealous of.  Heroes face great odds on a normal basis, and statistically speaking, there’s going to end up a time when their skill—or luck—won’t be enough to keep them from paying the ultimate price.  In fact, this has happened so often that it’s created a trend that is nearly laughable, even to a point where it is poked fun of (within the confines of the storyline) by very minor and throwaway characters.  I am, of course, speaking of heroes and villains dying due to a battle gone wrong...and then coming back to life in extraordinary ways.

SPOILERS BELOW

52 Catch Up is a series devoted to looking at issues from DC's New 52 and seeing how they're faring now that they're underway, why they're worth reading (or not), and places we hope they will go in time.

Concept:

The Justice League can’t combat all problems, despite their diverse roster and power-set.  There are mystical and magical enemies and threats that have no basis in science or technology, that disrupt the world on a profound level.  When such threats emerge, those who have experience must form together to take them on.  They are the Justice League Dark.

SPOILERS BELOW

For those who have not yet read the first issue of this series, I’ll give a small recap:  The time is set well before the formation of the Galactic Republic, and the great Schisms that have torn apart the Jedi Order have not yet taken place.  On the planet Typhon, within the Deep Core, beings from several species throughout the galaxy have come to better understand the ways of the Force.  Lightsabers are not yet known to these users of the Force, and balance between Light and Dark in all things is taught to the Je’Daii (Jedi).  And then, the Infinite Empire catches wind of these mystical users and set their eyes on Typhon.

MINOR SPOILERS