The following is an interview with Frank Martin regarding his ongoing indie comic book anthology series, Modern Testament. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Martin about the inspiration behind the series, the creative process of working on an anthology, his partnership with Insane Comics, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You have been hard at work on the comic book series, Modern Testament, having released three volumes thus far. For our readers who may be unfamiliar, what can you tell us about the premise of the series?
Frank Martin: Modern Testament is an anthology series about biblical beings in the modern world – angels, demons, etc. It focuses on what these creatures’ jobs and roles were in antiquity and how they come to terms with their place in today’s society. Each volume consists of three standalone shorts, so it’s possible to pick up any issue and begin reading.
BD: What inspired you to tell this story?
FM: Biblical beings like these aren’t new to comics, but they’re usually a part of some grander cosmic plot. With short stories, I can really focus on the individual characters and the themes that have made them so popular for so long. Updating them, as well as putting my own spin on their mythos, has been fun.
BD: Why do you feel that readers will most connect with the characters and story behind Modern Testament?
FM: Mainly because these are familiar characters and, in some cases, familiar situations. I don’t have to introduce readers to creatures they haven’t met before or worlds they’ve never been to. Because they’ve undoubtedly experienced these creations in some form or another before, I can jump right into their stories and really get to the heart of what makes them tick.
BD: What can you share with us about the creative process of working with your creative team?
FM: Putting together an anthology is both fun and tough, because there are so many moving parts to it. Each story has its own creative team, so managing them all with deadlines and edits can be daunting. The trick is to get a good jump on things earlier on. That way, when the book’s ultimate deadline is approaching, I’m not too overwhelmed that nothing gets done.
BD: What makes Insane Comics a great home for your series?
FM: Modern Testament was part of the first line of books released by Insane, so it’s been a real pleasure seeing the book grow and develop alongside the company. With such a wide selection of genres and stories, Insane can appeal to a whole range of readers. Modern Testament fills the niche of urban fantasy and mythology within Insane’s library of titles.
BD: As Modern Testament continues, are there any exciting updates or plans that you would like to share with our readers?
FM: Volume 4 will be the last regularly scheduled installment of Modern Testament. The series in its entirety will be collected into a trade that will also include the two FCBD shorts, never before published in print, as well as an additional short exclusive to the trade. In addition, several crossovers between Modern Testament and other titles are in development, too. So, keep a look out!
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about your work?
FM: The best place to follow along with my projects would be on my author page on Facebook. You can also follow me on Twitter (@frankthewriter) or check out some of my prose work at amazon.com/author/frankmartin.
