The following is an interview with Geovanni Flores, the creator of the indie comic book series, Decapolis. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Flores about his inspiration for the series, working with the creative team, what readers can anticipate from upcoming issues, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the release of your comic book, Decapolis #1: Prelude to Bathory! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the series’ premise, and what inspired you to tell this story?
Geovanni Flores: Decapolis #1 is the cornerstone to an entire comic book universe where characters’ actions, beliefs, and decisions have true repercussions. It takes place exactly in the middle of the superhero career of the main protagonist, Fayth.
Issue #1 establishes the world and the players of the story. As the plot continues to develop, we will see what is truly at stake. Fayth is called to assist with a terrorist crisis in North Africa, leaving his allies to deal with a case of serial killings that might have been perpetrated by a 500-year-old immortal. While Fayth tries to keep the peace in North Africa, his friends are left to discover who is behind the murders in Decapolis.
I started drawing comics before I even knew how to read or write. I just loved telling stories with pictures. As a child, I used to make comics and put random letters in the speech bubbles in hopes of making actual words. I suppose Decapolis exists today because I never stopped drawing comics. This book is a combination of everything that I love about graphic novels/comics, history, literature, and good stories. I’m working to create a universe that will never disappoint.
BD: What can you share with us about your creative process, both in working with your artists as well as taking on some of the artistic duties?
GF: At first, my plan was to script and draw every single issue of my story, but as I kept thinking of other stories that I wanted to draw, and as Prelude kept growing in scale, I realized that I could not do it all on my own. I first started working with one of my collaborators over ten years ago. I realized that having others draw my scripts not only made the work move faster, but their style also enhanced and enriched my stories. Even now it is still exciting for me to see someone else draw my characters. The process of working with my artists varies as much as their styles. Some of them love to work from written scripts, while others prefer to work from thumbnail sketches.
BD: What do you hope that readers will take away from your work?
GF: As much as I love mainstream comics, I am so disappointed with the endless cycle of characters that never change regardless of what happens to them. Whether they retire, get old, die, or whatever — if that character is profitable, it is always brought back, no matter how drastic the initial changes were. Moreover, the changes themselves are undone sometimes without an explanation.
I want my readers to read a story that is fun, concise, complete, and that will not go back on its landmarks. There are no alternate realities in my universe, no characters coming back from the dead and no reboots. If my readers are supporting my work, be it with time or money, I never want them to feel cheated.
BD: How many issues do you have planned for the series?
GF: The main Decapolis series (Vol. 1), as well as Vol. 2 Decapolis: The Story Continues, are ongoing. My story does have an ending planned out, but I am in no rush to get there.
BD: If given the opportunity to expand your series into other entertainment mediums, in what format do you hope to see it adapted?
GF: I think television would be a lot of fun. It would also allow me to expand on character development, which is the heart of any good story. Film would be crazy cool, but I worry that a medium with so many collaborators would not allow for the story that I want to share to be told clearly.
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
GF: Besides the main Prelude story on Decapolis Vol 1, I have a few other stories that are either published or that will be coming out shortly. Over on ComiXology, I have a one-shot called That Strange Vancouver Thing, and soon I will be releasing Prelude #2, as well as two more short stories (The Rooftop and Great Power), all which you can find sneak peaks on my website right now.
I am also excited to mention that both Prelude #1 and Vancouver will be available in print at the Comic Con Experience in Sao Paulo, Brazil. My artist/collaborator, Antônio Coltro, will be selling them at his table.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Decapolis?
GF: My website, faythstudios.com, which, as mentioned above, has sneak peaks of all my stories. I can also be found on Facebook, @faythstudios. If you wish to purchase my stories digitally, you can search for Decapolis on ComiXology, or check out store on my site to get a printed copy.
