Gerard interviu comics book

*i`m not ok* Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 440

(int)interview with Gerard's editor(comic book)

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A diversely anticipated comic book debut, marriage, and successfully touring from one of the most musically quenching records ever made, it is fair to say that Gerard Way has had a transcendent year. Someday, our grandchildren will hear how Gerard Way was one of the most alluring, magnetic, theatrical front men in rock and roll. Reaching God-like status among My Chemical Romance’s faithful supporters, can Gerard achieve the same victory in the belly of the comic book world? Gerard’s comic, “The Umbrella Academy”, seems to have a guaranteed success with his astonishing literary talent and fans that fallow him like a religion. With the Umbrella Academy’s debut literally right around the corner (debut is set for September 19, 2007), I had a few questions for Gerard’s editor at Dark Horse comics, Scott Allie.

KS: “With the release of the Umbrella Academy right around the corner and everyone involved working so diligently, how excited is Dark Horse to finally have the debut here? How excited is Gerard to be sharing his comic with his musical fans?”

SA: “Well, we already have copies. And we're really excited about it. When my assistant first received it, when I was out of the office, she sent out an email to the whole team, and talked about what a special book she thinks it is, how happy she is to be a part of it. Pretty much everyone who gets to work on it in some way feels that way. Never mind the whole MCR connection—this is just a really unique comic, and that's why we're publishing it. I'd been waiting for a story like this, and now that I have it, I'm just grateful that it's got a built in audience who are hopefully gonna find their way to comics stores and guarantee Gerard's success. As you know, Gerard just got married last week, so between getting married and finally getting his comic out, he's on cloud nine. He's having a great year. And today he just gave me the script for Umbrella Academy #4, so Gabriel is starting on that now.”

KS: “Has Dark Horse had higher than expected pre-orders for the Umbrella Academy?”

SA: “Our expectations were real high, so no. We knew this would be one of our biggest books of the year, and it is. At a national meeting with comic-book retailers this weekend, they told us they had lots of people coming in who'd never bought a comic before, asking about this book. However, I don't think all the My Chem fans have figured out the connection yet, or at least they haven't connected with a local comics shop. I think when the book comes out, it's gonna disappear real fast, and if you didn't get in looking for it on the 19th, you might miss it. I don't know that the shop owners understand how big a following Gerard has–which is why I've been telling fans all along, if you want the book, let the shop owners know in advance.”

KS: “From a literary point of view, it is amazing how Gerard can articulate his thoughts and images, how would you say he compares to other writers in the comic book field?”

SA: “He's got a real unique style. His imagery is very weird, and his words are real evocative, very quirky and distinctive. He's got a great sense of humor in the book. Not in terms of jokes, but just weird setups and strange lines of dialogue, that sort of keep you guessing. He's very visual, and that's a really good quality in a comic writer. He wants to keep the story real surprising, so sometimes it changes as we work on it.”

KS: “I have noticed that even people, who are not fans of My Chemical Romance, are drawn to the Umbrella Academy. What can you say about the feedback from faithful comic fans who might have been skeptical initially?”

SA: “When we got the first issue lettered, so it could finally be read, we sent copies to some of my regular readers of Hellboy and Buffy. People who are really into comics. They all said they were skeptical at first, but that it seems like Gerard is the real deal, that the whole team is really strong together. I still hear from people who are skeptical, but not really from anyone who read the Free Comic Book Day story back in May, and certainly no one who's read the first issue.”

KS: “What kind of impact has the Umbrella Academy had on your other comics? Have you noticed a new audience drawn to Dark Horse possibly due to the publicity of the Umbrella Academy?”

SA: “I think that'll tend to happen more after #1 comes out. We do have a lot of new Myspace friends, though, people who are only there for Gerard, and who are commenting on some of what else they see. I think Joss Whedon's work on Buffy is a real natural crossover for readers—fans of Negru Parade really might like Joss's work. He's a fan of the band, and when he and Gerard met in San Diego they really hit it off. Gerard's a tremendous fan of Hellboy and The Goon, so we're hoping some My Chem fans will check those books out. Gerard has always wanted his fans reading comics. We want to make it easy for them.”

KS: “For the fans in countries other than the U.S., when can they expect to see the Umbrella Academy in their comic shops? If they don’t have a local comic shop, how do you suggest they obtain a copy?”

SA: “In most English-speaking countries, it will be out in a week or two. In non-English-speaking countries, you should go ask your local comics shop, because sometimes they can get the American edition—usually not, but sometimes. Failing that, it depends on the countries, but we're working on deals this month to get the book into those other countries, it just might take a while. In Germany and France, they prefer to publish the comics as big books, and would normally wait to get the whole series done, and then put it out in a big hardcover. I think they should put the book out the same way we do here, in thin little pamphlets once a month, but that's not how they do it. So people in those countries are likely looking at next summer or thereabouts. The failsafe, though, is ordering it off the internet. A lot of internet retailers in the US, like tfaw.com and midtowncomics.com are going to be selling an awful lot of these books.”

Based on the responses from Scott at Dark Horse, the My Chemical Romance fans have a rare opportunity to rise to the challenge and support their leader in his new quest in the comic world. I can not recall a time when there has been an opportunity for a crossover by fans of this magnitude. Doused with history-making potential, fans are urged to inspire their senses with the exceptional story and artwork that adorn the pages of the Umbrella Academy.

More information for the Umbrella Academy can be found at www.darkhorse.com.