The following is an interview with Eric Nguyen regarding the release of the collected trade paperback of White Savior with Dark Horse Comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Nguyen about the shared creative process of working with co-writer Scott Burman throughout the series’ development, the incredible critical and reader response to the story throughout the life of the series, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of the collected White Savior trade paperback! What will readers have in store for them with this new collected release?
Eric Nguyen: Well, I think the thing about the trade is that it lives on. In the more independent-book sense, a lot of the time, the trade is where the real success of the book comes, and, hopefully, its staying power, as well. So, I think the trade is all about those readers who were skeptical of a book called White Savior hearing all the great reviews and support we’ve gotten, and finally picking it up to give it a read.
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 co-writer Scott Burman that really made this series unique?
EN: Well, let me say, for the record, Scott Burman is a crazy person. We’re talking about a white guy who thought, “It’d be a good idea to co-write a comic called White Savior.” There’s definitely a screw loose there. But all kidding aside, he’s hands down the best creative partner I’ve ever worked with. He’s an idea factory – he’ll come up with twenty ideas and thirty jokes in the same time it takes most writers to get one line out. And he’s so easy and collaborative to work with. I got to be free in my art, and we would just have fun creating the best story possible.
We’re both each other’s biggest supporters. I think part of it is because we started this together seven years ago without a publisher, without much of a fanbase – the only thing we had was a dream. And with a title like this, it’s been a fight every step of the process, and through it all, we’ve stood by each other not just with the comic, but with every hurdle life has thrown our way.
As for the story, I’d say what makes the story unique is the pure comedy of it – there’s not many books that have page for page, joke for joke, as many as we do. People often look at the message of the book and already have an opinion on it, and I think the more readers give it a chance, and the more they laugh at the nonstop humor, the more they’ll see and appreciate that message.
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 Todd’s story has connected with and impacted readers, especially in light of the incredible critical and fan response to the series?
EN: Todd’s story is everybody’s story. Todd is everyone who’s ever felt like they’re the voice of reason in a world where reason doesn’t seem to matter. The core concept of the story is about someone who’s given a position of leadership not because of merit but because of other underlying circumstances. And how this leader’s followers are so blinded by their loyalty and belief that this is the “chosen one” that they can’t see the obvious truth, which is that this person shouldn’t be leading anyone anywhere. Everyone’s had a boss who got the job because of nepotism, or seen a politician rise to power through lies, and everyone has felt that they’re more capable than the so-called leaders who presume to know it all when in fact, they know nothing. And so this book is something that relates to everyone simply because everyone’s felt that way.
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects on which you are working that you are able to share with our readers?
EN: Scott and I had a pretty big deal lined up that’s looking like it might fall through. These things happen, so we’re now officially going to start pitching. Just opened up some conversations and seeing where it’s going to go. The dream book for both of us is a Jimmy Woo book for Marvel – Scott and I have already plotted out most of it, and even if it takes twenty years to get there, we’re hoping one day we’ll get to tell that story.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about the White Savior trade paperback?
EN: The best way to learn about it…is by reading it. So, pick up White Savior in a local comic shop today!
