The following is an interview with writer/director DJ Wooldridge regarding the recent launch of his Kickstarter campaign for the cyberpunk thriller comic book series, Danger Boi & the Antagonists. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Wooldridge about his shared creative process of bringing the story and characters 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 launch of your Kickstarter campaign! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you tell us about the story’s premise?
DJ Wooldridge: Danger Boi & the Antagonists takes place in an alternate retro-futuristic dystopia, where brilliant, but broke, mechanic Satoshi Santos struggles to save his home from the world’s most powerful (so-called) heroes, the Statesmen. To do that he gears up as the high-flying Danger Boi and joins forces with a group of misunderstood outsiders to keep the city of Las Torres out of the Statesmen’s authoritarian control.
BD: How would you describe your shared creative process in working with artist Sean Peacock to bring this world and characters to life on the page?
DJW: Sean is an incredible collaborator! I came across his work a few years ago and immediately knew I wanted to work with him. As I pitched my initial idea for the project, he got it instantly. I really admire illustrators with a very distinct, immediately recognizable artistic voice, and I think Sean has that. It’s allowed me more freedom in the writing process, because I know I can just plant the seed of an idea and Sean will just run with it and elevate it.
BD: You are no stranger to crowdfunding, having successfully run several campaigns for various projects. Why do you feel that crowdfunding has been such a valuable resource to ensuring the success of today’s comic book creators?
DJW: I think crowdfunding is one of the few remaining truly independent outlets for getting creative work out into the world. Outsider art has thrived in the comics space over the decades due to a relatively low barrier of entry, but the books at the top publishers have increasingly become IP incubators for major studios. There’s still a lot of great, inventive books on the stands, but that outsider spirit that’s such a cornerstone of the comics community has more room to roam in the crowdfunding space.
BD: In light of the crowdfunding campaign, are there any particular backer rewards or tiers that you’re most excited about?
DJW: I always love to offer the chance for backers to get drawn into the comic. It’s a cool opportunity for fans to put on their fiction suit (as Grant Morrison put it) and immortalize themselves on the comic book page, interacting with this world Sean and I have created. Other than that, we have four incredible covers, and any tier that gets the book into your hands is something I think comic fans will enjoy!
BD: In addition, are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
DJW: Well, my pal Jonathan London (whom you also interviewed) just launched his Kickstarter for Hero of the Prophecy. I got a chance to read it and really dug it! It’s the type of swords and sorcery, swashbuckling adventure story we don’t do enough of anymore.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell readers who want to learn more about the Danger Boi & the Antagonists campaign and your other work?
DJW: Whether you love superheroes, or are tired of superheroes, if you’re ready for something new, I think Danger Boi & the Antagonists is a comic you’ll want to check out. We’re really trying to push the genre forward into the 21st century, and I think the results are thrilling. If you want more you can go to dangerboicomic.com and check out our Kickstarter. There are also tiers where you can pick up my previous comics, Chaos Theory and Hellbent. I’ve really tried to commit to projects that could only really exist in comics. So, if you’re as much a fan of the medium as I am, I think you’ll really dig what we’re working on!
