Interview with...
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JMH: Where were you born and raised?
Hal: I was born in Digby Nova Scotia, and being an army brat and later the son of a police officer, I was raised in the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Four places I consider home are Borden and Alliston Ontario, Saint John, New Brunswick, and of course Digby Nova Scotia.
JMH: Tell CBI about yourself…
Hal: As stated I was an army brat and the son of a police officer. Being in the army, my Dad was stationed at numerous bases throughout my childhood. It seems we moved every year or two. I easily made friends, but thank God for comic books to keep me occupied! I am married and recently celebrated my 15th wedding anniversary. I have a soon-to-be 13 year old daughter who is already a better artist than I am, and I fear she will soon be a better writer as well. I tried breaking into the industry in the mid-nineties as a penciler, but after numerous rejections I decided to try my hand at writing. Writing is the easiest aspect of creating a comic book. A good editor and a great artist can make even the worst writers seem adequate.
JMH: Have you had any formal training in writing?
Hal: No, I have no formal training in writing, but I did attempt to major in English while at university. Me not sure how that work'd out fer me.....
JMH: Who are your writing influences?
Hal: Chris Claremont, Marv Wolfman, Jim Shooter, Denny O'Neil, Darwyn Cooke, Carl Potts, Terry Pratchett, Robert E. Howard, David Gemmell, and George Lucas.
JMH: How did you break into writing comic books?
Hal: Red Leaf Comics is my honest-to-goodness first big break! I have been struggling away for over a decade working with countless indy comic companies. Red Leaf Comics was the first to stick to their guns and do what they said they were going to do, and that was produce a comic using me as a writer. I do have a co-creator owned property that is over 10 years old called Dreamland:2047, and my partner Raymond Thomas and I are in the process of making the first 2-3 issues available through the iphone. Now we have to go and finish what we started and finalize issue #4. Dreamland: 2047 would make a great movie btw....
JMH: What is the first comic you remember reading?
Hal: I can't recall, but it would have likely been either a Spider-Man or Superman comic. I do have numerous copies of the old over-sized treasury editions of DC and Marvel comics from when I was a child. One that stands out is the Limited Collector's Edition Presents Batman, which reprints Batman #s 232, 242-244, with the stories being "Daughter of the Demon", "Bruce Wayne--Rest in Peace", "The Lazarus Pit", and "The Demon Lives Again!" For me, perhaps the best Batman ever produced!!!
JMH: Do you read any of the new comic books that are being published today?
Hal: I am reading the Red Leaf stuff, but for the other companies I usually just pick up graphic novels. DC's relaunch has intrigued me though, even though I have experienced numerous restarts from this company.If and when more Alien Legion stuff is produced, I would definitely pick that up.
JMH: Print versus Digital. Your thoughts…
Hal: I think having the option is great, but me personally, I like to have the tangible comic.
JMH: Writer’s block. How do you get around that creature?
Hal: Writer's block can be very debilitating, and I've had my share of it. For me, I like to read a good novel, or read a good series. The Dark Phoenix Saga seems to help me out at times. Sometimes just throwing a good movie on also helps get the creative juices flowing.
JMH: What is MacSorly, R.C.M.P.?
Hal: MacSorly, R.C.M.P., as of right now, is going to be stand-alone tales leading up to our hero Walter MacSorly becoming the first incarnation of the greatest of Canadian superheroes, The Leaf. The creator, and mastermind behind Red Leaf Comics, John Helmer, has already laid out a great history of the superhero The Leaf and it spans 3 generations! Yes, John has mapped out the histories of 3 generations of the same hero. I'm being allowed to play with the history of Walter MacSorly, the first Leaf, or as we like to refer to him, the Golden Age Leaf.But right now, and quite possibly for the next few issues, Walter MacSorly will remain Officer MacSorly of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He is gradually becoming The Leaf though.
JMH: Does being Canadian give you any advantage when writing a Canadian hero?
Hal: Great question, and honestly I don't know? Some people stereotype Canadians and say we act a certain way, and always do this and do that, say this and say that, but I don't think so. I'm positive that I can write a decent Captain America story, even though I'm not an American. I know I can write a good Herakles tale for Marvel or DC, and I am not Greek. If I have any advantage with regards to writing MacSorly, RCMP, its that I have a friend who is a retired RCMP officer and he has no problem allowing me to bounce ideas off him. Having a father who is a retired police officer doesn't hurt either. So long story short, my answer is NO...lol.
JMH: Do you research your story ideas? If so, how?
Hal: I use the internet a lot while researching information. Not only information for my story, but I would like to know what's going on in other comics that share my continuity. My biggest pet peeve is that I want my work to maintain a correct continuity because I would hate to step on another creator's toes and make an error that would affect a character's time scheme. Any artistic research I leave solely for my artists. I may throw them the odd bone in the form of a particular site or book, but usually I leave them alone because they are the pros.
JMH: What is your writing process like?
Hal: My writing process is the same every time. I start by scribbling out my premise, usually in one full page. From there I decide on how many scenes, what is going to be my hook, and what I will have for character development. I have my beginning, middle, and end usually figured out [but this can often change with some helpful tweaking from a good editor]. All my writing for my first draft is done in a scribbler using a mechanical pencil, and it has to be a mechanical pencil with an eraser. From there I proceed to my second draft which I do on my computer. After some editorial advise and suggestions I quite often complete my third draft a couple of days later.
JMH: Do your stories carry a message?
Hal: I think they do, and sometimes I don't even see my message until after the story has been completed. Sometimes my proof-reader will see an underlying message that I may have not even realized I conveyed. I did want to convey in MacSorly, RCMP #1 the notion of duty and honor, and patriotism and prejudice. These qualities are seen on a daily basis whether we realize it or not.
JMH: Do you feel more comfortable with writing prose or comic book sequential storytelling?
Hal: I am more comfortable writing comic book sequential storytelling. What I try to convey in prose, I know an artist can render 10 times better. In fact, I have been script-writing so long now that prose doesn't really interest me.
JMH: What are your thoughts on the DC Reboot/Relaunch?
Hal: I think a reboot is actually needed from time to time. We get new generations of readers, and honestly, our heroes have to be 'up-to-date'. Batman fought gangsters and now he's fighting 'gangstas'. You have to go with the times, and a reboot every once in a while keeps our heroes relevant. I do feel for creator's though who's work sometimes becomes irrelevant by no longer being canon and becomes in essence unofficial and having never happened.
JMH: What do you think Marvel's response will be?
HH: Didn't Marvel just reboot a little while ago? I still have, and treasure, my Avengers comics when they were rebooted by Kurt Busiek and George Perez. Has there been another reboot????
JMH: What future projects are in the works?
Hal: My future projects are, as of this moment, another issue of MacSorly, RCMP [and I hope many more]. John recently sent me another plot synopsis that I think will translate very well into issue #2. It seems that my co-creator owned limited series Dreamland: 2047 is once again in my life. With issues 1-3 having completed scripts, my partner Raymond Thomas is transferring them into available downloads through the iphone. I'll have to get cracking on issue #4, and possibly a 3-issue prequel. My main focus right now though is with Red Leaf Comics and anything John Helmer throws my way.
JMH: Where can fans get a hold of your books?
Hal: Fans can find my Red Leaf work through redleafcomics.com, and they can read some of my interviews at comicbookinterviews.com. I'm also hoping that a few local comic stores here in the Maritimes may consider carrying Red Leaf comics.
JMH: Anything else you'd like to mention that we haven't covered yet?
Hal: Yes. I can't thank John Helmer enough for giving me this opportunity to write for his company. I've had a lot of ups and downs over the last 10 years. From writing a spec script for an animation studio, and then seeing the studio go bankrupt, to signing on to write countless comics, only to see them never completed. I like to tell a story of a potential team-up that never happened. I befriended an up-and-coming penciler about 8-10 years ago, and we even discussed doing a comic together. Unfortunately, we couldn't get together to find time to create a masterpiece. I doubt he remembers me but I have been following his career. His name is Freddie Williams II and he currently pencils Captain Atom for DC Comics. I should also thank Barbara Kesel as well. Back when she was one of the talent editors at CrossGen Comics she went over a few of my writing samples and she told me that I showed potential. Well my potential has finally been achieved with the soon-to-be release of MacSorly, RCMP. I hope my writing continues to develop and that I become an adequate storyteller.
JMH: Hal, thank you for spending time with comic book interviews.
HAL: Thanks Guy, and now I have to get to work on MacSorly, RCMP #2. I would also like to state that I didn't say 'eh' once in any of my responses. Not too bad, eh?
Discovery Hal Hilden's comics here:
www.drivethrucomics.com/product/121033/MacSorly-RCMP-1h?manufacturers_id=5016
www.drivethrucomics.com/product/114718/MacSorly-RCMP-1?manufacturers_id=5016
www.drivethrucomics.com/product/260355/Beetle-Girl-24b?manufacturers_id=7565
Hal: I was born in Digby Nova Scotia, and being an army brat and later the son of a police officer, I was raised in the provinces of Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Four places I consider home are Borden and Alliston Ontario, Saint John, New Brunswick, and of course Digby Nova Scotia.
JMH: Tell CBI about yourself…
Hal: As stated I was an army brat and the son of a police officer. Being in the army, my Dad was stationed at numerous bases throughout my childhood. It seems we moved every year or two. I easily made friends, but thank God for comic books to keep me occupied! I am married and recently celebrated my 15th wedding anniversary. I have a soon-to-be 13 year old daughter who is already a better artist than I am, and I fear she will soon be a better writer as well. I tried breaking into the industry in the mid-nineties as a penciler, but after numerous rejections I decided to try my hand at writing. Writing is the easiest aspect of creating a comic book. A good editor and a great artist can make even the worst writers seem adequate.
JMH: Have you had any formal training in writing?
Hal: No, I have no formal training in writing, but I did attempt to major in English while at university. Me not sure how that work'd out fer me.....
JMH: Who are your writing influences?
Hal: Chris Claremont, Marv Wolfman, Jim Shooter, Denny O'Neil, Darwyn Cooke, Carl Potts, Terry Pratchett, Robert E. Howard, David Gemmell, and George Lucas.
JMH: How did you break into writing comic books?
Hal: Red Leaf Comics is my honest-to-goodness first big break! I have been struggling away for over a decade working with countless indy comic companies. Red Leaf Comics was the first to stick to their guns and do what they said they were going to do, and that was produce a comic using me as a writer. I do have a co-creator owned property that is over 10 years old called Dreamland:2047, and my partner Raymond Thomas and I are in the process of making the first 2-3 issues available through the iphone. Now we have to go and finish what we started and finalize issue #4. Dreamland: 2047 would make a great movie btw....
JMH: What is the first comic you remember reading?
Hal: I can't recall, but it would have likely been either a Spider-Man or Superman comic. I do have numerous copies of the old over-sized treasury editions of DC and Marvel comics from when I was a child. One that stands out is the Limited Collector's Edition Presents Batman, which reprints Batman #s 232, 242-244, with the stories being "Daughter of the Demon", "Bruce Wayne--Rest in Peace", "The Lazarus Pit", and "The Demon Lives Again!" For me, perhaps the best Batman ever produced!!!
JMH: Do you read any of the new comic books that are being published today?
Hal: I am reading the Red Leaf stuff, but for the other companies I usually just pick up graphic novels. DC's relaunch has intrigued me though, even though I have experienced numerous restarts from this company.If and when more Alien Legion stuff is produced, I would definitely pick that up.
JMH: Print versus Digital. Your thoughts…
Hal: I think having the option is great, but me personally, I like to have the tangible comic.
JMH: Writer’s block. How do you get around that creature?
Hal: Writer's block can be very debilitating, and I've had my share of it. For me, I like to read a good novel, or read a good series. The Dark Phoenix Saga seems to help me out at times. Sometimes just throwing a good movie on also helps get the creative juices flowing.
JMH: What is MacSorly, R.C.M.P.?
Hal: MacSorly, R.C.M.P., as of right now, is going to be stand-alone tales leading up to our hero Walter MacSorly becoming the first incarnation of the greatest of Canadian superheroes, The Leaf. The creator, and mastermind behind Red Leaf Comics, John Helmer, has already laid out a great history of the superhero The Leaf and it spans 3 generations! Yes, John has mapped out the histories of 3 generations of the same hero. I'm being allowed to play with the history of Walter MacSorly, the first Leaf, or as we like to refer to him, the Golden Age Leaf.But right now, and quite possibly for the next few issues, Walter MacSorly will remain Officer MacSorly of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He is gradually becoming The Leaf though.
JMH: Does being Canadian give you any advantage when writing a Canadian hero?
Hal: Great question, and honestly I don't know? Some people stereotype Canadians and say we act a certain way, and always do this and do that, say this and say that, but I don't think so. I'm positive that I can write a decent Captain America story, even though I'm not an American. I know I can write a good Herakles tale for Marvel or DC, and I am not Greek. If I have any advantage with regards to writing MacSorly, RCMP, its that I have a friend who is a retired RCMP officer and he has no problem allowing me to bounce ideas off him. Having a father who is a retired police officer doesn't hurt either. So long story short, my answer is NO...lol.
JMH: Do you research your story ideas? If so, how?
Hal: I use the internet a lot while researching information. Not only information for my story, but I would like to know what's going on in other comics that share my continuity. My biggest pet peeve is that I want my work to maintain a correct continuity because I would hate to step on another creator's toes and make an error that would affect a character's time scheme. Any artistic research I leave solely for my artists. I may throw them the odd bone in the form of a particular site or book, but usually I leave them alone because they are the pros.
JMH: What is your writing process like?
Hal: My writing process is the same every time. I start by scribbling out my premise, usually in one full page. From there I decide on how many scenes, what is going to be my hook, and what I will have for character development. I have my beginning, middle, and end usually figured out [but this can often change with some helpful tweaking from a good editor]. All my writing for my first draft is done in a scribbler using a mechanical pencil, and it has to be a mechanical pencil with an eraser. From there I proceed to my second draft which I do on my computer. After some editorial advise and suggestions I quite often complete my third draft a couple of days later.
JMH: Do your stories carry a message?
Hal: I think they do, and sometimes I don't even see my message until after the story has been completed. Sometimes my proof-reader will see an underlying message that I may have not even realized I conveyed. I did want to convey in MacSorly, RCMP #1 the notion of duty and honor, and patriotism and prejudice. These qualities are seen on a daily basis whether we realize it or not.
JMH: Do you feel more comfortable with writing prose or comic book sequential storytelling?
Hal: I am more comfortable writing comic book sequential storytelling. What I try to convey in prose, I know an artist can render 10 times better. In fact, I have been script-writing so long now that prose doesn't really interest me.
JMH: What are your thoughts on the DC Reboot/Relaunch?
Hal: I think a reboot is actually needed from time to time. We get new generations of readers, and honestly, our heroes have to be 'up-to-date'. Batman fought gangsters and now he's fighting 'gangstas'. You have to go with the times, and a reboot every once in a while keeps our heroes relevant. I do feel for creator's though who's work sometimes becomes irrelevant by no longer being canon and becomes in essence unofficial and having never happened.
JMH: What do you think Marvel's response will be?
HH: Didn't Marvel just reboot a little while ago? I still have, and treasure, my Avengers comics when they were rebooted by Kurt Busiek and George Perez. Has there been another reboot????
JMH: What future projects are in the works?
Hal: My future projects are, as of this moment, another issue of MacSorly, RCMP [and I hope many more]. John recently sent me another plot synopsis that I think will translate very well into issue #2. It seems that my co-creator owned limited series Dreamland: 2047 is once again in my life. With issues 1-3 having completed scripts, my partner Raymond Thomas is transferring them into available downloads through the iphone. I'll have to get cracking on issue #4, and possibly a 3-issue prequel. My main focus right now though is with Red Leaf Comics and anything John Helmer throws my way.
JMH: Where can fans get a hold of your books?
Hal: Fans can find my Red Leaf work through redleafcomics.com, and they can read some of my interviews at comicbookinterviews.com. I'm also hoping that a few local comic stores here in the Maritimes may consider carrying Red Leaf comics.
JMH: Anything else you'd like to mention that we haven't covered yet?
Hal: Yes. I can't thank John Helmer enough for giving me this opportunity to write for his company. I've had a lot of ups and downs over the last 10 years. From writing a spec script for an animation studio, and then seeing the studio go bankrupt, to signing on to write countless comics, only to see them never completed. I like to tell a story of a potential team-up that never happened. I befriended an up-and-coming penciler about 8-10 years ago, and we even discussed doing a comic together. Unfortunately, we couldn't get together to find time to create a masterpiece. I doubt he remembers me but I have been following his career. His name is Freddie Williams II and he currently pencils Captain Atom for DC Comics. I should also thank Barbara Kesel as well. Back when she was one of the talent editors at CrossGen Comics she went over a few of my writing samples and she told me that I showed potential. Well my potential has finally been achieved with the soon-to-be release of MacSorly, RCMP. I hope my writing continues to develop and that I become an adequate storyteller.
JMH: Hal, thank you for spending time with comic book interviews.
HAL: Thanks Guy, and now I have to get to work on MacSorly, RCMP #2. I would also like to state that I didn't say 'eh' once in any of my responses. Not too bad, eh?
Discovery Hal Hilden's comics here:
www.drivethrucomics.com/product/121033/MacSorly-RCMP-1h?manufacturers_id=5016
www.drivethrucomics.com/product/114718/MacSorly-RCMP-1?manufacturers_id=5016
www.drivethrucomics.com/product/260355/Beetle-Girl-24b?manufacturers_id=7565
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