Interview with Aqua Teen Hunger Force co- creator Matt Maiellaro

Pulled from: www.ifanboy.com

Aqua Teen Hunger Force has become a bonafide hit for a generation of animation and comedy fans thanks to its decade-plus long run on Cartoon Network. With that, co-creator Matt Maiellaro has taken his years of work in the trenches of animation and become an “overnight success.” In addition to helping guide ATHF into its 12^th season, Maiellaro has two animated pilots up for review and he’s entering the world of comics with a graphic novel called The Knowbodys from Kickstart Comics.

We caught up with Maiellaro to talk about his venture from the world of cartoons into comics and the transition from surreal humor to supernatural action.

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iFanboy: We know who you are, Matt... but who or what is The Knowbodys?
 
Matt Maiellaro: Mom and Dad work for an exclusive, secret agency called Practice, an agency which is set up to police the supernatural and keep that world in-check. So like, if you’re a werewolf and you live in a human neighborhood, you’ll be ticketed for disturbing the peace if you howl at the moon at 3 in the morning. Like our human society; the supernatural world has its share of good and bad. Mom and Dad have these extra sensory abilities so they are able to see the supernatural world. Mom and Dad also do their jobs in secrecy - the kids have no idea. They tend to move around a lot, putting up the front of being the All American family with nerdy jobs while really they’re investigating a supernatural crime. The kids get tired of moving around, changing schools, meeting new friends while the parents are so immersed in their job they lose focus on the most important part of their lives; family.

iFanboy: But according to the previews of the book, that family life gets put aside when the parents have a job to do in New Orleans. What’s the threat there?

Matt: A bunch of toys have come to life and they’re threatening a pack of talking cars that just got back from Rio. Sold?

How about, a colleague of the head of Practice has broken out of prison and is threatening to disrupt the fabric of human existence. The prison is located under the Gulf of Mexico outside of New Orleans so the Knowbodys are called in to find this guy and stop him before all heck breaks loose. New Orleans is the perfect setting because it is one of the most haunted places in America.

iFanboy: You’re best known for your comedic work on Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Squidbillies, but The Knowbodys. What brought you to tell this story?

Matt: The Knowbodys is serious, yes, but it’s also fun and mildly light-hearted even with the stakes-at-hand, so there is a balance I think. Knowbodys has structure while an Aqua Teen Hunger Force has random silliness and tends to de-struct mainstream templates. I wanted a chance to tell a real story and follow characters on an emotional journey and that’s what excited me about writing Knowbodys.

iFanboy: Besides The Knowbodys, what are your current projects right now in animation, comics and music?

Matt: I’m still making Aqua Unit Squad 1, we are about to hit season 12 and begin writing season 13. I have a pilot with Fox Animation and one with Disney XD... fingers crossed for pickups. I’m also developing the Mad Libs movie with Appian Way (Appian is run by that guy who starred in that little boat movie, Titanic). I don’t have much going on musically, just noodling the guitar at home while working. I figured after playing Download at Castle Donnington last year opening for ACDC (one of many bands that did so) I deserved a break from rockin’ out.

iFanboy: With a break from music, do you plan on spenting that time doing more comics?

Matt: I would love to do another comic. I have some ideas already brewing so... let’s do it!

And here's five exclusive pages from The Knowbodys, which is scheduled for release this fall.



Interview with HEADACHE Writer, Lisa Joy

Pulled from: http://mynewplaidpants.blogspot.com

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A couple of months ago a friend turned me on to a new comic called Headache. He knew how to sell me on it - he said it was by a Pushing Daisies writer and shared some ass-kicking DNA with Buffy. Indeed it does - here's how Kickstart's website sells it:

"Sarah is an 18-year-old girl who also happens to be the Greek Goddess, Athena. She must embrace her destiny and take on her own family, the gods, in order to stop them from destroying mankind."

It's a terrific read - if you like Joss Whedon this'll very much be your bag - and now I want more. More! You can buy it over here, or via the link above. But my friend wasn't done there - he got to chat with Headache's writer Lisa Joy recently and was kind enough to share said chat with us exclusively.

Like I said up top Joy was a writer on Pushing Daisies, and now she writes and produces Burn Notice. She's married to Jonathan "brother of Christopher" Nolan, who famously wrote the short story Memento was based on (not to mention something called The Dark Knight). Headache is Joy's first foray into comics but we doubt it'll be our last. At least I hope not - I want more Headaches!

What’s the one thing you’d tell someone who think comics aren’t cool?

Lisa Joy: BAM! POW! SHAZAM! How ya like 'em now f@ck$rs!

Growing up, Marvel or DC?

Joy: Neither. I'm a late bloomer. Didn't have my comic book awakening until my mid-20s.

Which superhero is the biggest douchebag?

Joy: The Comedian. No means no, douchebag.

In an all-companies crossover, can you assemble your ultimate five-hero team?

Joy: Catwoman, Buffy, Jean Grey, She-Hulk, and my gal Sarah Pallas (aka Athena). They'd kick ass and get along like a house on fire. And once a month there'd be peace on earth - bad guys would know better than to mess with super women with synced up cycles.

Who’s got the stupidest costume of any hero or villain?

Joy: For women, Wonder Woman. Anyone who's ever rocked a bustier knows they're asphyxiating torture devices. And nip slips would be a real problem when fighting crime.

For men, Ant-Man - He has a helmet that controls ants. 'Nuf said.

Have you ever had a story or character rejected by an editor? What/who was it?

Joy: Right now, I'm batting 1,000. But "Headache" was my virgin attempt. So there's plenty of time to fail.

Which are the best and worst comicbook movie adaptations?

Joy: For best - "Dark Knight" and not just because I'm hitched to the writer. For worst - whaddya take me for - someone who never wants to work in this town again?

What's the project you're most excited about right now?

Joy: My USA pilot "Mind Fields" and some very cool stuff in the works for "Headache".

What would be your dream project to work on?

Joy: Ant-Man. The musical.

What’s been your strangest Comic Con/convention experience?

Joy: Looking out over a sea of cylons, caped crusaders, and storm troopers and realizing - I'm home!

If you were going to do Cosplay, who would you dress up as?

Joy: Wonder Woman with an Ant-Man helmet.

What do you read for fun?

Joy: Lots of explosives and ballistics research for "Burn Notice" which probably has me on a government watch list.

Who is your favorite writer?

Joy: The one I married.

What do you do for fun?

Joy: Chew Nicorette and kick ass. But I'm almost out of Nicorette.

Kickstart Comics Kicks it into High Gear!

Posted on July 27th, 2011 - 09:45 AM by Kevin Pearl 

Pulled from: http://blog.comixology.com

As a publisher KICKSTART COMICS has quickly become a breakout success over the past year with great comics from superstar creators like Jimmy Palmiotti, Joshua Williamson, Justin Grey and many more.  Taking time from a busy schedule to talk about some of the awesome comics; Kickstart productions very own Samantha Olsson Shear has been nice enough to answer a few questions about the company as well as give advice about how to kickstart your own projects. Check out the interview below:

So Kickstart comics has been really making waves lately with some great digital comics. What are your thoughts on digital distribution so far?

Samantha Olsson Shear: We really like what we’ve seen from digital distribution. As an independent publisher, it allows us to find more readership for our titles in places where readers may not have access to the physical book. The more ways that we can reach new readers and expose them to both the comic medium and our books, the better.

What do you hope readers of digital comics will get out of downloading a book from the Kickstart comics collection?

Samantha Olsson Shear: We hope it will encourage them to pick up the others.  And really to just pick up comics in general.  While there is still something great about going and browsing through a comic shop, not everyone has the time or easy access to one.  Comics are a great medium and we are pleased its making strides in the digital space.

It looks like there are a bunch of great books in the works from Kickstart, Can fans expect more digital offerings from you soon?

Samantha Olsson Shear: Absolutely, we will continue to release all of our books digitally as well as in comic stores.

Let’s switch gears for a moment and talk about a few of the recent OGN’s kickstart put out. What can you tell us about them without giving anything away?

Samantha Olsson Shear: Book Smart is a fun, adventure.  It’s a fun twist reminiscent of some great, classic action flicks.  Juan Santacruz’s art gives us some great action with our heroine.  We think readers will really enjoy this. We’ve also been talking to a sexy starlet about the leading role which is still under wraps but has us really excited.

Any chance you could tease us with a bit of what’s to come both in print and digital?

Samantha Olsson Shear: We have DEAD WALKER coming out later in September in time for Hallloween.  It’s perhaps the closest title in our line to something in the horror landscape.  Shannon Denton and Matt Jacobs served up some sinister art.  Also up on the dock are KNOWBODYS from Aqua Teen Hunger Force creator Matt Maiellero and a really stunning period Samurai tale DIVINE WIND from Jeff Amano and Julian Totino Tedesco. It’s sort of a Japanese 300. The artwork (and storytelling) will blow you away.

Now another cool thing about Kickstart comics has been the success of the Blacksmith mini-adventure game available through itunes. How did that project come about?

Samantha Olsson Shear: We were approached by a game developer to make a game out of one of our titles.  Blacksmith was a no brainer there given that the main character belongs to a secret society of weapons makers.  He has to go on the run when he is framed for a murder he didn’t commit.  The game has been getting a lot of positive feedback and launched in the new and notable section a few months back.  It’s really fun.  Type in THE BLACKSMITH on itunes to get the app.

Are there any plans for more games based off of the stellar array of Kickstart comics?

Samantha Olsson Shear: We are definitely discussing which one to adapt next.  We have also done two motion comics on two of our first titles HERO COMPLEX and coming soon BAD GUYS. Hero Complex was viewed by over 1.8 million viewers in its first week.  So when you are talking digital, motion comics are a great medium as well.

So in conclusion, what advice do you have for folks looking to kickstart their own careers, whether in comics or otherwise?

Samantha Olsson Shear: In our short time as publishers, we have striven to make good stories for a wide audience.  Much of that is simply following the type of material we like. Our advice would be to create what you love and not what you think everyone else wants.

Preview: Dead Walker

Posted by Richard Boom on Jul 14, 2011

Pulled from: http://www.brokenfrontier.com

Kickstart Entertainment sent BF preview art of their upcoming title DEAD WALKER.   

DEAD WALKER is due out in September just in time for Halloween.  

DEAD WALKER is written by Christian Forte, a newbie to comics.  Pencils & inks & cover by: Shannon Denton (Deadpool, The Revenant) & Matt Jacobs (Grunts w Shannon Denton) with color by Carlos Badilla (Hack Slash).

Jonathan Walker brought himself back from the dead to avenge his wife’s murder but at what cost?  While taking his revenge he must also save the world from the evil he himself created.  And, seemingly cursed to live forever, he will struggle to find new meaning in eternal life.

  

  

Warner Bros. Snagging 'Red Star' Comic for Producer Neal Moritz (Exclusive)

Jason Netter of Kickstart Productions is also set to produce.

7/20/11 Pulled from: The Hollywood Reporter

Warner Bros. is in negotiations to pick up the Soviet-themed sci-fi fantasy comic book series The Red Star, which had been put into turnaround by Universal.

Neal Moritz and his Original Films banner are attached to produce as is Jason Netter of comic-centric shingle Kickstart Productions.

The lavish comic, created by Christian Gossett, first appeared in 1999 and is set in an alternate USSR where futuristic technology and magical elements co-exist. The main character is a soldier in the Red Fleet and his wife, who become keys to defeating a former brutal ruler and his minions.

While at Universal, the project was being developed as a vehicle for Timur Bekmambetov, with Matthew Sand penning a script and Mark Platt producing.

The Warners deal is just getting underway and at this stage has no creative attachments.

Moritz, who is coming off the success of Fast Five, is in production on the Columbia’s remake of Total Recall and New Line’s Jack the Giant Killer. His Ryan Reynolds-Jason Bateman comedy The Change-Up opens Aug. 5.

Netter was a producer on the 2007 Angelina Jolie comic book movie Wanted. He is developing adaptations of Preacher, set up at Columbia with D.J. Caruso attached to direct, and The Boys, based on the Garth Ennis comic.