Review Fix Exclusive: Joshua Fialkov Talks ‘King’

Review Fix chats with writer Joshua Fialkov, who discusses his new series via Jet City Comics, “King.” Breaking down the inspiration for the tale, as well as his goals for the future, Fialkov gives us the skinny on this cool new series.

Synopsis:

King is the sole human survivor of the apocalypse. While working for the LA Department of Reclamation, he scours the wasteland in search of the “life seed”—but discovers his deadliest foe instead. King is available in print at your local comic store and digitally via comiXology and the Amazon Kindle Store.

Review Fix: What was the inspiration for this series?

Joshua Fialkov: I’m a huge fan of post-apocalyptic fiction (in case my other series THE BUNKER wasn’t a clue…), and specifically, how every one of those stories has so many of the same tropes.  Whether it’s I AM LEGEND with its Vampires, or KAMANDI with it’s mutates and animen, to MAD MAX, and on and on… The one thing that unites them all is the idea of “Welp. That’s over.  Now what?”   Usually, that takes the form of quests and missions, these big epic journeys, but, if you just take a tiny bit of reality, like most things in life, those things probably won’t/don’t work, and, eventually, it’s going to just become another job you do between sitting at home watching the psychic’s orb and drinking venusian nectar with your buddies.  That’s the world that KING takes place in.  Epic adventure, sure, but, at it’s core, it’s about being a human being in a world that’s completely and utterly hostile towards them. 

Review Fix: What did you learn from your other projects and how did they impact this one?

Fialkov: I think more than anything, I try to focus on the humanity of the characters. I want to make sure that my characters feel like people, so that when you put through the ridiculousness of, y’know, fighting a biker gang of duckmen, or wrestling with karate bears, that we actually give a damn about them. 

Review Fix: What is it like to be a part of Jet City Comics.

Fialkov: It’s been great so far.  I love working with the fresh faced publishers to get to see the world through their eyes.  Plus, having a great connection on the digital side, which has always been a priority for me from the beginning of my career, and, to hopefully continue the message that digital and print can not just coexist, but allow for each other to flourish. 

Review Fix: What do you think makes this series special?

Fialkov: I’d say it’s the collaboration with Bernard and Marcelo, frankly.  The two of them bring so much imagination and heart to the story that there’s not a lot for me to do other than sit back and be constantly amazed.  I’ve been extremely lucky in my career in that I’ve consistently worked with some of the best artists on earth, and, perhaps more importantly, have become close friends with so many of them.  Between Gabo on THE LIFE AFTER, Joe Infurnari on THE BUNKER, Kody Chamberlain on PUNKS, and Bernie and Marcelo on KING, I get to spend my time creating stuff I love with people I love.  What could be better than that? 

Review Fix: How would you like this series to be remembered?

Fialkov: I love that the book is, theoretically, equally funny, heartfelt, and action packed.  I feel like in a lot of ways it’s a pretty good middle ground of what I love about comics, and I’m just achingly grateful for that.  

Review Fix: Bottom line, why should someone read the comic?

Fialkov: If you like The Karate Kid, Planet of the Apes, Jack Kirby, and Cthulu, then this book is for you.  If you don’t, then, well, there might be something wrong with you, and I’d recommend a trip to your local psych ward.  

Review Fix: What’s next?

Fialkov: We’ve got five issues of King in our first story, and then hopefully a LOT more to come.  We’re also coming up on the 3rd collection of the BUNKER, and the launch of a brand new series of THE LIFE AFTER, both from Oni Press.