Review Fix chats with “Emily and The Strangers†Creator Rob Reger, who discusses the first two issues of the series. Laid back and fun, a conversation with Reger is just as enjoyable as an issue with Emily and her band mates, who, if Reger has his way, will land on a motion comic one day.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for the comic?
Rob Reger: Originally, when Emily the Strange (as a comic character) was signed to Virgin Records, I wanted to create the back story of how the band was put together and possibly more importantly, “why would Emily perform with Strangers, when she loves so much to do it herself?” That, and eventually, why would she want to perform in front of thousands of people, when she really just prefers the company of her cats (over humans). This series is dedicated to the “making of the band”…
Review Fix: Artists and writers are always influenced by things they encounter in their everyday lives. Considering that, what are some influences that played a part in the creation of any of the characters in the comic?
Reger: Raven came directly from her novel series published by Harper Collins.
Winston’s name references a cool dude I know that was featured in the Emily the Strange “Rock” issue… (he’ll pop up in issue #2)
Evan was originally created because my former editor (Shawna Gore) and I thought it would be funny to have a character named Evan Stranger (like he was even stranger than Emily herself). It turns out he’s not stranger, but still strange… and in fact a “Stranger.”
In general the characters were all created to represent different dynamics and different types of music we like, to form a unique multi-talented band… Not so much in particular references specifically… We reference some of their musical tastes in the coming issues, and these of course we all stand by and have influenced us- like The Clash, Zappa, etc.
Kraken was sort of a Jimi Hendrix’s “Axis Bold As Love” type of character.
Review Fix: What do you think is the comic’s selling point?
Reger: It’s a new look into Emily, deeper look into her personal space, new characters to meet, and will eventually lead to her “real” music. Every page is cram packed with details you can feast your eyes on for a long time. I still find stuff on these pages I hadn’t seen before and lots of cool kitties.
Review Fix: What’s your favorite part of the first issue, why?
Reger: Really, it’s the art. As I say above, all the subtle hidden messages and “easter eggs” keep you looking at every scene.
Review Fix: How important is the art to the series?
Reger: It’s huge. Look into the backgrounds for foreshadowing into future issues and secret messages.
Review Fix: Who do you think will enjoy the series the most?
Reger: New readers? People who want to know why and how Emily Rocks… It’s a new way to introduce a character that has been around for 20 years now…
Review Fix: What are some of your guilty pleasure comic books and television shows? How have they shaped you as a creator?
Reger: Is any comic a guilty pleasure? I stand by all the comics I loved: 8-Ball, hate, Mad Magazine, Steven, Hellboy, Dr. Seuss (Okay, that’s not a comic, but a big influence.) TV: 90210 was about as guilty as I got. I really don’t watch too much TV… when I was younger (I’m kind of old now) I dug McGuiver, Magnum PI, Smurfs (I guess that was a guilty pleasure), 90210 (that too), PeeWee’s Playhouse was a rad show. PeeWee’s Playhouse and McGuiver certainly stuck with me and have rubbed off on Emily. I suppose 90210 was an influence in that it represented what I (and Emily) really wanted to get away from.
Review Fix: What are your goals for the series?
Reger: More Serieses. In all series-ness, my goal is to create more of a character arc for Emily, to show some emotions and relationships we have not seen her in before. And to explain why music with a band and not solo. Also, to further inspire the band to become real to get animated music videos, and motion comics going.
Review Fix: How do you want it to be remembered?
Reger: On Vinyl and on YouTube.
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