The following is an interview with Stuart Moore, writer of the recently released Captain Ginger from AHOY Comics. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Moore about the inspiration behind the series, his creative process in working with illustrator June Brigman, what he hopes that readers will take away from the series, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of your comic book series, Captain Ginger, through AHOY Comics! For those who may be unfamiliar, what can you tell us about the series’ premise, and what inspired you to tell this story?
Stuart Moore: Captain Ginger is a grand-scale space adventure about a starship crewed by evolved, intelligent cats. It kind of came to me all at once, unlike some projects that I think about for years. The inspiration, honestly, was June Brigman. I’d worked with her on other projects, and I knew that she not only loved cats, but LOVED to draw them. The story grew from there, in a variety of directions.
BD: What can you tell us about your shared creative process in working with artist June Brigman, inker Roy Richardson, and colorist Veronica Gandini?
SM: I just give June scripts and she draws them. She’s suggested some characters, and I follow her menagerie of real-life cats for inspiration. There’s a character in #2 that I based on a little guy she’d just adopted.
Sometimes, I don’t notice June’s little touches until I’m doing balloon placements for lettering. I just went over a page that’s a two-character scene, and the character work was so perfect—I’d asked for one character, Sergeant Mittens, to “look over slyly, as if he’s scenting blood.” The expression was subtle but unmistakable, and it set the tone for the whole scene.
Roy and June have been married, and collaborating, for a long time; he’s a skilled and experienced inker, and he knows exactly how to render her pages. June picked Veronica—they’d worked together briefly at DC. I think Veronica’s one of the most underrated colorists in the business; her spacescapes are breathtaking and she can make very complex scenes clear and striking. She’s also really made the ship look moody, dingy and dirty in spots. Cats don’t always take care of their surroundings.
BD: What do you hope that readers will take away from Captain Ginger?
SM: Well, I hope people will enjoy it. The focus is on the characters, but GINGER is also designed as a space-opera thrill ride. These characters are trying to survive in a universe that really wasn’t built for them.
As with all of the AHOY books, we also hope it’s funny. Both June and I have plenty of experience with cats and their ridiculous behavior.
BD: As with all of AHOY’s releases, there will be incredible extras included within the comic. What will readers have in store for them with the release of Captain Ginger?
SM: The first issue’s lead story runs a full 35 pages, making it the BEST! BARGAIN! IN COMICS! There’s also a feature called “The Intrepid Files,” a cartoon by Shannon Wheeler, and a very funny short text story by Grant Morrison, illustrated by Phil Hester. Beginning with issue #2, we’ll have a new HASHTAG: DANGER serial running in the back of the book by Tom Peyer and Randy Elliott. Plus, more illustrated text features.
BD: What makes AHOY Comics the best home for the series?
SM: Captain Ginger is a character-based adventure story, first and foremost. But there’s a darker aspect to it, as well. Humanity has wiped itself out, and it’s an open question whether the cats can do better. That question plays very heavily into the initial storyline.
BD: Are there any other upcoming projects on which you are working that you are able to share with our readers?
SM: Working on, YES. Able to share, SADLY NO. I hope to have an announcement very soon about a new series that’s very close to my heart from another publisher. And I have another AHOY project that I am DYING to show off. The coloring for issue #1 just came in, and it’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever been involved with.
Aside from that, I’m writing the graphic novel adaptation for Batman: Nightwalker, coming from DC’s Ink imprint next summer; I’m doing the English-language adaptation for Batman and the Justice League, a translated manga series beginning in October; and I’ve just written an X-Men novel that will be out in January. I like to keep busy.
BD: Lastly, what would you like to tell fans who want to learn more about Captain Ginger?
SM: If you like cats or space, you’ll love it. If not, give it a try anyway. Remember, BEST! BARGAIN! Etc.
