The following is an interview with award-nominated animator/writer/director/comics creator Stephan Franck regarding the recent launch of his Kickstarter campaign for the returning graphic novel series, Palomino. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Franck about where readers will find Eddie Lang and his daughter Lisette in Volumes 2 and 3, his creative process in returning to the neo-noirish world and characters, the backer rewards available to those supporting the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: As we return to Palomino, where will the second and third volumes of this 4-part series take readers next?
Stephan Franck: In Palomino Volume 1, we saw that Eddie Lang, who is a Los Angeles private detective by day and a working musician by night, has a pretty thick skin, but that his old-soul teenage daughter might be even more hard-boiled than he is. Together, they form an awesome and hilarious duo; however, an unresolved tragedy looms large over their lives: the disappearance of Lena, Lisette’s mom and the love of Eddie’s life. But while Eddie and Lisette struggle to keep their family together, a new case wedges itself into their lives, threatening to reopen wounds that are barely closed as it is. In Volume 2 and 3, Eddie follows this new mystery deep down the rabbit hole, which brings him to the edge of losing control. Meanwhile, frustrated by her dad’s refusal to reopen her mom’s case, Lisette decides to take matters into her own hands. Needless to say, trouble ensues. It gets tense, it gets emotional, with gnarly action and very tense suspense, and as always wry, hard-boiled humor.
BD: In returning to the world and characters of Palomino, did you find that there was a creative shorthand in crafting their dialogue and dynamics?
SF: Totally. I have to say that I never really get started on the story until I find a good way into the characters. That’s what happened with Palomino. I always knew I was going to write a neo-noir story set in the early ’80s forgotten LA music clubs scene, but it didn’t really click until a scene between Eddie and Lisette just came to me. The scene ended up not being in the book, but that still was my way in. From that moment on, I knew who Eddie and Lisette were. How they interacted, with that mix of unconditional love and support for each other, but also that very noir hardness and wry humor that really hides their outsized sense of right and wrong and empathy. Once you’ve found your way in, once you feel their emotional superpower AND vulnerability, characters keep revealing themselves the more you write, then at some point, for a moment, you pretty much have them on tap.
BD: The Kickstarter campaign for the first volume of the series was a phenomenal success, with nearly 700 backers supporting the project. With this latest campaign, what can you tell us about the backer rewards that are available to supporters?
SF: First and foremost, we have the two new books: Palomino Volume 2 and 3 (out of 4), and we’re also unveiling new Palomino-themed art prints. To answer a frequently asked question, Palomino Vol. 1 will still be available through the campaign! What’s more, we’ll also have the gorgeous hardcover Abrams ComicsArts edition of my previous graphic novel series, Silver. Book 1 is already out, and book 2 is pre-orderable through the campaign! I cannot say enough how gorgeous this edition looks. And all books ordered through the campaign will be signed!
BD: Your work as an animator, writer, and director spans genres, age groups, and universes! What makes Palomino such an exciting passion project for you as a creator and a story that begs to be shared with readers?
SF: For me as a reader, a key aspect that makes a graphic novel stand out is authenticity. It has to do with the credibility of how the world of the story is depicted, but also the human truth of the characters. Between my years as a club musician, and raising two kickass girls in Los Angeles, I feel like there is an amount of honest, lived-in, slice-of-life fun that makes this story compelling and immersive. Then, you add the neo-noir crime and mystery inspired by real LA cases, and hopefully the right sense of humor, and I think we have a book that not only rings true, but that is also super entertaining. Something that grabs you and really takes you somewhere.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to support the Kickstarter campaign and your other work?
SF: To enter the world of Palomino (and Silver, btw) and support this campaign, go to the Palomino Volume 2 & 3 campaign, and at any other time, readers can also visit Darkplanetcomics.com.
