Review Fix chats with comic book writer Mahdi Khene, who talks about his career in comics and so much more.
Review Fix: How did you know a career in comics was for you?
Mahdi Khene: Honestly, I didn’t! I started out as a musician actually. I was pursuing that career up until the pandemic when the gigs just sort of… vanished! I think I was rewatching Smallville for the millionth time, comfort food for the soul, when I had this grand realization that, “hey, wait a minute… I can do that!” And that’s how my career in comics started!
Review Fix: Who inspires you creatively?
Khene: Oh it changes all the time. I find inspiration sort of everywhere, especially in real life. If you spend enough time in a Brooklyn diner you’ll have a whole cast of characters to work with. But artist wise? I love the old Steve Ditko and Stan Lee stuff. McFarlane was huge when I was a kid. A lot of the European artists from the 60s too. It’s hard to settle on just a few names. I’ll go with… Everyone!
Review Fix: How are your comics different or special?
Khene: Hmm that’s a tough one. I think when you read a Zuperhero Comic, you’re really reading something from someone that adores the medium. From cover to cover, it’s all story. Even the ads, where some are fake and some aren’t, tell a story. I think you get jacked up when you read a Zup book. The art might be gritty at times, the story might be a little vulgar, but I think when you put it down you may just wanna start making comics yourself.
Review Fix: What about this comic? Sell us. Sell us hard.
Khene: Steel Streets? Oh man… That’s my spoof of the spoof of the spoof that ended up mutating into 9 issues of ninjas, radiation, amnesia, and 1980s pop culture galore. Its New York, Its dramatic, its heartbreaking, its funny, it takes itself seriously without being serious. As Stan the man would say, ‘nuff said!
Review Fix: Who do you think will dig it the most?
Khene: Fans of the black and white boom of the 80s definitely gravitate to it.
Review Fix: How do you want your books to be remembered?
Khene: Oh, as long as they’re enjoyed in the moment that’s fine with me.
Review Fix: What are your long-term goals for your work?
Khene: Just to keep doing it, honestly!
Review Fix: Anything else you’d like to add?
Khene: Well, the Zuperhero Universe is always getting bigger with guest artists and stories so, if you wanna tag along to a shared universe you haven’t seen since the early marvel days, then come onboard ‘cause its only getting bigger from here!
Review Fix: Where can people find out more?
Khene: They can keep up with the latest on instagram at @mahdikhene and @zuperherocomics and on the website www.zuperherocomics.com !
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