Interview with...
ANDREW BALLOUN
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Writer Andrew Balloun has created a powerful stable of characters in several genres. He recently took a break from his busy writing schedule to stop by CBI Central and chat about his career in comics with publisher John Michael Helmer...
JMH: Where were you born and raised?
ANDREW: I was born in Dayton, Ohio. My elementary school years were in Louisiana, and my middle and high school years were in Florida.
JMH: Tell CBI about yourself…
ANDREW: I'm a moderately outgoing guy. I would describe myself as funny. I play video games, and I have a few bonsai plants.
JMH: Have you had any formal training in writing?
ANDREW: I've taken high school and college writing classes, but nothing really intensive like workshops or advanced courses.
JMH: Who are your writing influences?
ANDREW: Robert Kirkman. Robert Kirkman. Robert Kirkman. Invincible really inspired me to create my own shared comic universe. I read #1-100 in one sitting. I was blown away by the quality and quantity of what I just read, but I also walked away with a sense that I'd like to do that. I'd like to not just write comics, but create a massive multi-title shared universe that is plotted out years in advance.
Jack Kirby is a tremendous influence in terms of world building and cosmic adventure. Galactus, New Gods, Thor - Kirby defined an entire sub-genre and structured the metaphysics of DC and Marvel. The things he made were just so viscerally cool. I remember the first time I saw the Silver Surfer. It was at this arcade with this Marvel side scrolling video game. You could select different Avenger type characters. I know Silver Surfer isn't an Avenger, but he was in there for some reason. Just seeing this silver guy on a surf board fly around shooting things with hand lasers, I became an instant fan. That's the magic of Jack Kirby. You could see some pixelated version his characters once and fall in love with them. How could I not aspire to some fraction of a shadow of that?
JMH: How did you break into writing comic books?
ANDREW: Well I haven't yet. Right now, I have two comic projects, Team B and Mechknight Paladin, that are on crowd sourcing sites, and I have a third super secret project that I'm working on as well.
I would appreciate any advice anyone has for me.
JMH: What is the first comic you remember reading?
ANDREW: The 1993 Marvel Holiday Special that I read in elementary school. It was a short series of Christmas and Hanukkah themed stories with a variety of characters. I loved seeing the characters I knew, and it was great introduction to the characters I didn't know. I think this was my first time seeing the Punisher, Doc Sampson, Gomorrah, maybe even Captain America. The art was fantastic, and even holds up today. Sometimes I wonder if I could do a Holiday Special like that, but I'm not sure if the market would respond favorably to it. I really wish I could find it in my books.
That being said, my introduction to superheroes was Batman the Animated Series and X-Men cartoons. I watched Batman religiously everyday after school. I remember begging my mom to tape X-Men for me, and my disappointment when she didn't.
JMH: Do you read any of the new comic books that are being published today?
ANDREW: I religiously read Invincible every month. The stories are fresh and unexpected. The art is magnificent, but manages to keep getting better every issue.
I have a youtube channel where I review comics every Wednesday here,https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkCI5aeDLbb2GnPny4yMyaw. As of right now I'm dead set on reading more of Multiversity and the Legacy of Luther Strode.
The last story arc I was really excited about was DC's Godhead crossover event with the Green Lanterns. It's a must for anyone who loves comic adventures. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Anti-Monitor/Darkseid War, Secret Wars, and the return of Rocket Girl.
JMH: Print versus Digital. Your thoughts…
ANDREW: I'm happy with people reading my books. It doesn't really matter to me what the format is.
JMH: Writer’s block. How do you get around that creature?
ANDREW: Take a break. Eat a snack. Go to sleep. If none of those work, I force myself to write something, and edit it later.
JMH: What is your current project?
ANDREW: Mechknight Paladin is about a crusading order set in the current day that fight the supernatural with mechs. Paladin is the leader of a platoon of these brave mechknights. In their first story arc they find an artifact of mysterious and tremendous power with dire ramifications. This is a high energy action comic with a unique cross genre twist.
Team B is about a reserve group of superheroes who are brought in once Team A is wiped out. Some of them are retired superheroes with their reasons for boxing the mask. Some of them are new superheroes who weren't able to get on another team. Together they will save the world while annoying each other. Team B is a fun, comedy-based action comic that will not disappoint.
JMH: Do you research your story ideas? If so, how?
ANDREW: I did some light research into the command structure of a knightly order for Mechknight Paladin with Google.
The first rule of writing is write what you know. If you are doing an extensive amount of research, you're probably leaving your knowledge base.
JMH: What is your writing process like?
ANDREW: I start with a weird idea, and then work out from there. With Mechknight Paladin, I was watching The Strain, and I thought, "What if they got rid of the idea cliche of the rich guy being evil? What if the vampire hunter became the rich guy? What if the vampire hunter/rich guy had been preparing this whole time? Mechs!” From there I realize this is a fantastically fun idea, and break it off to become its own world. I then hammer out a long term plot, subplots, supporting characters, and themes. Then, when most of the work is done, I start actually writing.
JMH: Do your stories carry a message?
ANDREW: Mechknight Paladin is about rationality vs mysticism. The obvious retort to this that crusaders aren't rational. That's correct, and I did it on purpose. I didn't want the protagonists to be entirely rational. I want them to fight among themselves and question what they are doing. Ultimately, their rationality win over their base instincts.
JMH: Do you feel more comfortable with writing prose or comic book sequential storytelling?
ANDREW: I definitely feel more comfortable with sequential storytelling. In prose you have an image in your head, then you describe it, and then the reader creates some version of your mental image in their head. In comics you just show the image you see in your head on the paper. I don't really see how how someone could see prose as easier.
JMH: What are your thoughts on DC and Marvel rebooting their universes and starting over with #1 issues every few years?
ANDREW: Consistency and continuity are virtues, but they are the least entertaining virtues. If rebooting their universe, or a single title, helps make more enjoyable stories for readers then I'm all for it.
Specifically, I was a bit lukewarm on the New 52. I saw the reboot as a money grab and an attempt to make the DC universe movie ready. I thought it was a directive from higher ups and not a well thought story line. Now that we getting towards the end of the New 52 we see there was an intriguing story that was planned out far in advance and I want to know more about it.
JMH: If you could write a book from one of the big two (Marvel or DC), which character/s and why?
ANDREW: I have an incredible idea for an epic series of Batman graphic novels. Each novel would be a mystery for the Bat to solve. I think the subtle detective aspect of Batman gets over looked by the more flashy action aspects and this would be my response to that. Don't worry; this would have plenty of action. All together the series would be about 12 trades long.
I'm sorry to break the rules of your question, but not sorry enough to not do it. I'd love write an Orion series. I think Orion has all the makings of an A+ popularity character, and I'd love to bring him to that tier. I have some ideas about a Thor story that returns to Thor: Son of Asgard time period when Thor was a teenager. It would have a very young Thor sneaking off to Earth for adventure and then accidentally falling in love with Midgard. I have an idea I'm developing for a Punisher and Executioner book. I think it would be fantastic to write a Harry Potter style adventure with the Jean Grey school. It would be like Wolverine and the X-Men or Avengers Academy, but focused more on the students rather than the teachers. And of course, I'd be elated to write the Silver Surfer. Why? Because he's awesome.
Call me, DC and Marvel.
JMH: What future projects are in the works?
ANDREW: An artist and I just started on concept art for a new book called Perfect Kung Fu. It's about an underemployed mathematician who writes a proof for perfect kung fu. It's a completely new take on the kung fu genre that really captures the zeitgeist of people in their 20's today.
JMH: Where can readers get a hold of your books?
In the future.
JMH: How can fans and publishers contact you?
ANDREW: Through either my facebook or youtube pages are the best way. I check them daily, and I promise you a quick reply.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stampede-Comics/908305019188597?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkCI5aeDLbb2GnPny4yMyaw
JMH: Anything else you'd like to mention that we haven't covered yet?
JMH: Andrew, CBI appreciates your time! All the best!
ANDREW: Thank you so much for having me!
ANDREW: I was born in Dayton, Ohio. My elementary school years were in Louisiana, and my middle and high school years were in Florida.
JMH: Tell CBI about yourself…
ANDREW: I'm a moderately outgoing guy. I would describe myself as funny. I play video games, and I have a few bonsai plants.
JMH: Have you had any formal training in writing?
ANDREW: I've taken high school and college writing classes, but nothing really intensive like workshops or advanced courses.
JMH: Who are your writing influences?
ANDREW: Robert Kirkman. Robert Kirkman. Robert Kirkman. Invincible really inspired me to create my own shared comic universe. I read #1-100 in one sitting. I was blown away by the quality and quantity of what I just read, but I also walked away with a sense that I'd like to do that. I'd like to not just write comics, but create a massive multi-title shared universe that is plotted out years in advance.
Jack Kirby is a tremendous influence in terms of world building and cosmic adventure. Galactus, New Gods, Thor - Kirby defined an entire sub-genre and structured the metaphysics of DC and Marvel. The things he made were just so viscerally cool. I remember the first time I saw the Silver Surfer. It was at this arcade with this Marvel side scrolling video game. You could select different Avenger type characters. I know Silver Surfer isn't an Avenger, but he was in there for some reason. Just seeing this silver guy on a surf board fly around shooting things with hand lasers, I became an instant fan. That's the magic of Jack Kirby. You could see some pixelated version his characters once and fall in love with them. How could I not aspire to some fraction of a shadow of that?
JMH: How did you break into writing comic books?
ANDREW: Well I haven't yet. Right now, I have two comic projects, Team B and Mechknight Paladin, that are on crowd sourcing sites, and I have a third super secret project that I'm working on as well.
I would appreciate any advice anyone has for me.
JMH: What is the first comic you remember reading?
ANDREW: The 1993 Marvel Holiday Special that I read in elementary school. It was a short series of Christmas and Hanukkah themed stories with a variety of characters. I loved seeing the characters I knew, and it was great introduction to the characters I didn't know. I think this was my first time seeing the Punisher, Doc Sampson, Gomorrah, maybe even Captain America. The art was fantastic, and even holds up today. Sometimes I wonder if I could do a Holiday Special like that, but I'm not sure if the market would respond favorably to it. I really wish I could find it in my books.
That being said, my introduction to superheroes was Batman the Animated Series and X-Men cartoons. I watched Batman religiously everyday after school. I remember begging my mom to tape X-Men for me, and my disappointment when she didn't.
JMH: Do you read any of the new comic books that are being published today?
ANDREW: I religiously read Invincible every month. The stories are fresh and unexpected. The art is magnificent, but manages to keep getting better every issue.
I have a youtube channel where I review comics every Wednesday here,https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkCI5aeDLbb2GnPny4yMyaw. As of right now I'm dead set on reading more of Multiversity and the Legacy of Luther Strode.
The last story arc I was really excited about was DC's Godhead crossover event with the Green Lanterns. It's a must for anyone who loves comic adventures. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Anti-Monitor/Darkseid War, Secret Wars, and the return of Rocket Girl.
JMH: Print versus Digital. Your thoughts…
ANDREW: I'm happy with people reading my books. It doesn't really matter to me what the format is.
JMH: Writer’s block. How do you get around that creature?
ANDREW: Take a break. Eat a snack. Go to sleep. If none of those work, I force myself to write something, and edit it later.
JMH: What is your current project?
ANDREW: Mechknight Paladin is about a crusading order set in the current day that fight the supernatural with mechs. Paladin is the leader of a platoon of these brave mechknights. In their first story arc they find an artifact of mysterious and tremendous power with dire ramifications. This is a high energy action comic with a unique cross genre twist.
Team B is about a reserve group of superheroes who are brought in once Team A is wiped out. Some of them are retired superheroes with their reasons for boxing the mask. Some of them are new superheroes who weren't able to get on another team. Together they will save the world while annoying each other. Team B is a fun, comedy-based action comic that will not disappoint.
JMH: Do you research your story ideas? If so, how?
ANDREW: I did some light research into the command structure of a knightly order for Mechknight Paladin with Google.
The first rule of writing is write what you know. If you are doing an extensive amount of research, you're probably leaving your knowledge base.
JMH: What is your writing process like?
ANDREW: I start with a weird idea, and then work out from there. With Mechknight Paladin, I was watching The Strain, and I thought, "What if they got rid of the idea cliche of the rich guy being evil? What if the vampire hunter became the rich guy? What if the vampire hunter/rich guy had been preparing this whole time? Mechs!” From there I realize this is a fantastically fun idea, and break it off to become its own world. I then hammer out a long term plot, subplots, supporting characters, and themes. Then, when most of the work is done, I start actually writing.
JMH: Do your stories carry a message?
ANDREW: Mechknight Paladin is about rationality vs mysticism. The obvious retort to this that crusaders aren't rational. That's correct, and I did it on purpose. I didn't want the protagonists to be entirely rational. I want them to fight among themselves and question what they are doing. Ultimately, their rationality win over their base instincts.
JMH: Do you feel more comfortable with writing prose or comic book sequential storytelling?
ANDREW: I definitely feel more comfortable with sequential storytelling. In prose you have an image in your head, then you describe it, and then the reader creates some version of your mental image in their head. In comics you just show the image you see in your head on the paper. I don't really see how how someone could see prose as easier.
JMH: What are your thoughts on DC and Marvel rebooting their universes and starting over with #1 issues every few years?
ANDREW: Consistency and continuity are virtues, but they are the least entertaining virtues. If rebooting their universe, or a single title, helps make more enjoyable stories for readers then I'm all for it.
Specifically, I was a bit lukewarm on the New 52. I saw the reboot as a money grab and an attempt to make the DC universe movie ready. I thought it was a directive from higher ups and not a well thought story line. Now that we getting towards the end of the New 52 we see there was an intriguing story that was planned out far in advance and I want to know more about it.
JMH: If you could write a book from one of the big two (Marvel or DC), which character/s and why?
ANDREW: I have an incredible idea for an epic series of Batman graphic novels. Each novel would be a mystery for the Bat to solve. I think the subtle detective aspect of Batman gets over looked by the more flashy action aspects and this would be my response to that. Don't worry; this would have plenty of action. All together the series would be about 12 trades long.
I'm sorry to break the rules of your question, but not sorry enough to not do it. I'd love write an Orion series. I think Orion has all the makings of an A+ popularity character, and I'd love to bring him to that tier. I have some ideas about a Thor story that returns to Thor: Son of Asgard time period when Thor was a teenager. It would have a very young Thor sneaking off to Earth for adventure and then accidentally falling in love with Midgard. I have an idea I'm developing for a Punisher and Executioner book. I think it would be fantastic to write a Harry Potter style adventure with the Jean Grey school. It would be like Wolverine and the X-Men or Avengers Academy, but focused more on the students rather than the teachers. And of course, I'd be elated to write the Silver Surfer. Why? Because he's awesome.
Call me, DC and Marvel.
JMH: What future projects are in the works?
ANDREW: An artist and I just started on concept art for a new book called Perfect Kung Fu. It's about an underemployed mathematician who writes a proof for perfect kung fu. It's a completely new take on the kung fu genre that really captures the zeitgeist of people in their 20's today.
JMH: Where can readers get a hold of your books?
In the future.
JMH: How can fans and publishers contact you?
ANDREW: Through either my facebook or youtube pages are the best way. I check them daily, and I promise you a quick reply.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stampede-Comics/908305019188597?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkCI5aeDLbb2GnPny4yMyaw
JMH: Anything else you'd like to mention that we haven't covered yet?
JMH: Andrew, CBI appreciates your time! All the best!
ANDREW: Thank you so much for having me!
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