Review Fix chats with Starside Co-Creator Dylan Klein, who discusses the series, his origin in comics and goals for the future.
Review Fix: How did you know a career in comics was for you?
Klein: For a foundational anecdote, the Captain Underpants series was a huge influence on me as a kid. The two characters George and Harold would write their own comics and as a 7-year-old in the late 90s, there was nothing cooler, so I decided to write my own Captain Underpants fanfiction comics that I would give out to people on my block. That experience made me fall in love with the medium. Jump ahead 18 years later when the story of Starside was developing, I knew I wanted to tell it in a visual medium and comics just felt like the perfect fit. This launched me further into a love of working in comics and I haven’t looked back since.
Review Fix: Who inspires you creatively?
Klein: I wouldn’t say there is a specific person that inspires me, rather any creator who is able to completely immerse me in their worlds, through any medium, with rich but effortless worldbuilding really excites me to do the same in my work.
Review Fix: How are your comics different or special?
Klein: We try to write our comics in a way that gives the story time to breathe – to have quiet moments where we can really build mystery, tension, or character development that isn’t tied to dialogue or action-packed set pieces. The first issue begins with a silent sequence of our main character running from something – no text boxes or dialogue, just setting the tension with visual storytelling. We want the reader to feel rewarded for taking their time with the story so they can absorb everything we put on the page.
Review Fix: What about Starside? Sell us. Sell us hard.
Klein: Starside is a story that on the surface seems rather straightforward. But as it progresses, layers peel back to reveal a deep, interconnected conflict with rich lore, worldbuilding, and character development that can stand alongside other great sci-fi and fantasy stories. When you pair that with Jordan’s art style, Starside is a universe that truly feels unique.
Review Fix: Who do you think will dig it the most?
Klein: Fans of sci-fi/fantasy epics will dig Starside the most. We like to think the story blends certain aspects of Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings, so fans of any of these stories will find a place in the Starside fandom.
Review Fix: How do you want your books to be remembered?
Klein: We want Starside to be remembered for its engaging universe, its deep characters, and the journey readers will go on when reading it.
Review Fix: What are your long-term goals for your work?
Klein: From the beginning I’ve always wanted to create a story that has a vast community where people can connect with others over their shared love of the world and characters, so my goal is to keep building up the Starside universe to the point where that can be achieved.
Review Fix; Why should someone support your work?
Klein: I feel like I can’t confidently say why someone should support my work over other fantastic comics that are out there, but I think if there are people that are looking for a fresh sci-fi story to get lost in, then Starside is that comic.
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Klein: I truly appreciate all the support Starside has received since the story began way back in 2018. To all past, present, and future readers, thank you for being a part of this journey. I also want to give love to my creative partners Lane and Jordan. Without them Starside would never have gotten off the ground and I would be living a life unfulfilled.
Review Fix: What’s next?
Klein: Lane, Jordan, and I are in the process of pitching a brand new story to publishers in order to get our names out there in the comics industry. It’s quite the departure from Starside, going from an epic space opera to Victorian-era thriller, but it’s a story we really believe in.
Review Fix: Where can people find out more?
Klein: People can learn more about Starside on our website www.starsidecomic.com. They can also buy physical and digital issues and other story-related merch at the shop on our site. We’re also on social media @starsidecomic.
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