Review Fix chats with “Toe Tag Riot†writer Matt Miner and artist Sean Von Gorman, who discuss the Kickstarter behind the wild and outrageous zombie tale that has everyone on Twitter and the Westboro Baptist Church talking.
From the inspiration behind the series and Von Gorman and Miner’s feud with the WBC, the creative team give us an inside peek at the creation and development of the comic.
For more information on the comic and to contribute to Miner and Von Gorman’s project, click here.
Review Fix: What was the inspiration for the comic?
Matt Miner: I love interviewing with Sean because the comic means something different to each of us but it’s equally important to both.
I’d asked Sean for a commission of a zombie-version of Joey Ramone and Sid Vicious and, as a guy who grew up in the punk scene, this got me thinking about punk zombies. Since I don’t eat meat, I started wondering “what would I eat if I was a zombie?” because I don’t think zombies can exist on a plant based diet.
So I decided if I was ever turned, I’d try and eat only bad people. Dexter-style (kind-of), I’d go after scumbags: racists, homophobes, hate groups, misogynists and the like.
Review Fix: Tell us more about the story, what are you hoping to accomplish here?
Miner: I think Sean described it pretty well – a punk band is cursed with temporary recurring zombification and goes on the road to chase the cure, using their zombie “superpowers” for good.
Sean Von Gorman: What I love about this project is that we’re able to tell a super fun, tongue-in-cheek story with a central message of inclusiveness and tolerance. I love that we have this really progressive tale wrapped up tons of blood and guts.
Review Fix: What makes the characters different from other comics?
Miner: Our characters give a damn about the world around them and are trying to make it a better place in a “let’s sic our zombie selves on some bad guys” kind of way.
Von Gorman: And our “Zombies” are very much aware of the Comic Book nature of their condition. They don’t become undead in the typical horror movie way but their
Review Fix: Talk about some of the rewards on Kickstarter, what makes them different?
Miner: We have a lot of rewards that include copies of the books, T-shirts that mock the Westboro Baptist Church, stickers and the like, but we also have a lot of spots where YOU, dear backers, can join the book. And the starting pledges to actually appear in the book aren’t astronomically high, either.
In addition, we have some awesome rewards that pro pals have donated, like a signed script and signed POP #1 from Curt Pires and, for the aspiring comics writer: a script review and critique from Adam P Knave (Amelia Cole). The kind of feedback Adam can give you would be priceless to anyone looking to break in to the business.
Review Fix: How important is the art to the story?
Miner: More important than the script. Seriously, since the book is so lighthearted and fun, the book is benefiting hugely from Sean’s great comedic storytelling abilities. Every time I get a new page from Sean there’s at least 1 for-real LOL involved because he’s just bringing the funny and the gory in a big way.
Review Fix: How interesting has the interaction with the Westboro Baptist Church been?
Miner: They called us “Insincere Pervs”! It’s still unclear what we’re insincere about.
Von Gorman: Yes they were more civil before they found out that they were endorsing a comic starring primarily LGBT cast. Whoops, I guess you should look at studd you promote. #ProTip
Review Fix: Any thoughts on sequel?
Miner: Sure. Let’s take Toe Tag Riot on a world tour. Tons of bad guys in other countries, too…
Von Gorman: Matt and I have created a super rich group of characters and the types of stories we can tell about them. Especially with them being in Zombies and in a Band. The possibilities are almost to frightening to think about.
Review Fix: How do you want it to be remembered?
Miner: I want it to be remembered as the book that got made because it hit its funding goal! So, dear readers, please check it out and pledge.
Von Gorman: Absolutely, Comics is a Team Sport. Especially when they are funded with through Kickstarter. Every single person who pledges to this project becomes part of it. But it can’t happen if we don’t make it to the goal. So to anyone who reads this, if you want to be a part of one of the next great Comic Franchises head over to ToeTagRiot.com and support Toe Tag Riot.
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