INTERVIEW WITH COO DAVID CAMPITI ABOUT ?#?SDCC?:
Kirak Cursor requested that Mr.Campiti to do an interview with us before SDCC began. However, because of his busy schedule he was unable to do it at that time. So he caught up with him again after SDCC and he was kind enough to give us some time. He thanked him once again for taking the time from his busy schedule and answering a few questions about the creative aspect of the books. Here it goes.....
1. How was your overall experience at this year's San Diego Comic-Con ?
Comic-Con was busy! You have to imagine 125,000 fans -- plus pro's, celebrities, exhibitors, and staff -- crowded into one massive building, most trying to see a million things. Every person attending Comic-Con comes away with a different experience. If you're willing to stay all night in line, you can enter Hall H and see all the biggest presentations and celebrities. If you brave the long lines upstairs, you can attend dozens of panels. Or get portfolios reviewed. Or watch films. Down on the main floor, you can visit hundreds of booths and tables and meet artists and writers and a whole lot more -- not to mention coming away with bags chock full of swag! The visions of Comic-Con you see covered on TV might be the flashiest parts, but it's not everyone's experience there. My time at the Red Giant booth was far different -- and in a lot of ways, even more fulfilling because I was meeting fans, readers, investors personally.
2. GSL #1 previews looked great. But the most exciting thing is the Markiplier connection. How did the idea come about and who worked on his artwork ?
The Markiplier connection comes from Chris Crosby, who is our digital guru Big Brother who knows about everything popular online. Chris, of course, owns Keenspot.com -- which publishes Tom Fischbach's TWOKINDS comic strip. It's been an online comic for 11 years! Mark Fischbach is Tom's brother, and they have been sharing space at the Keenspot/Red Giant booth for years. We got to know Mark, Chris suggested we team up with him, and it became a natural fit. You'll recall Mark had hosted our Sunday panel previously.
3. One of the announcements was that Markiplier was going to feature in his own comic book. Can you explain in more detail what we can expect ? Is this a series ?
Benny Powell came up with the idea of a Markiplier comic book and called Mark, who said, "Sure! Why not?" and we were off and running. Mark announced that it will be a one-shot, to start. Obviously, if reaction is as good as we expect, that will be just the beginning. I need to leave the substance of the storyline for a later time, because it's just too terrific to leave for a quick Facebook interview.
4. There are a lot of discussions in the group and other forums (some comical comments like Mark needing help from you on how to market) on the nature and extent of Markiplier's involvement with Red Giant Entertainment ? What's your take on that ?
HAHAHA! Wait -- seriously? That's a real question? Let's put things into perspective: The man is racing up toward nine million subscribers. He's built a channel, a persona, a FAN BASE that has as many viewers per week as The Walking Dead. Twice as many viewers as Marvel's Agents of SHIELD. That's a massive business he runs for himself. A business of free content, ad-supported, which is exactly Red Giant's business model. Of course we talk, and he knows exactly what he is doing. To assume Mark will simply shill for a company is to NOT understand his fanbase or Mark's online persona. If he switches from making fun of something to promoting a particular company, his fans will find that disingenuous and will turn him off. We appreciate Markiplier online for what he IS, not for what other people want him to be.
5. There seems be some confusion with regards to the naming/numbering of the GSL line ? Can you clarify whats after GSL #1 ?
To start with, there is no title called GSL #1 or GIANT-SIZE LINE #1. Doesn't exist.
"Giant-SIze is our BRAND," is something Benny has stressed to me. And the PR has been very clear: The title of the just-released free comic book sampler for Comic-Con was simply GIANT-SIZE #1.
The Giant-Size line of free comics scheduled for November begins with GIANT-SIZE ACTION #1, followed by GIANT-SIZE ADVENTURE #1, GIANT-SIZE FANTASY #1, and GIANT-SIZE THRILLS #1. They will be followed by #2 of each title the next month, then #3, and so on. It really is that simple.
6. Is Red Giant or you (personally) going to more conventions in the near future ?
Red Giant has nothing else scheduled for summer since we've already done the biggest show, but we're already discussing what's next when the books launch.
My agency Glass House Graphics will be at New York Comic Con in October, with our talents Will Conrad, Fabio Laguna, David Lawrence, Cliff Richards, Luke Ross, and myself already scheduled.
7. Anything else you want to share with the fans and investors?
If you missed Comic-Con, get your hands on a GIANT-SIZE #1 so you can see for yourself how good the stories and art will be -- you can order the digital version right now!
I read somewhere someone dismissing the work they hadn't seen out-of-hand because it wasn't from Marvel or DC. So again, it's all about context. Perspective.
AMPED is written by long-time DC editor and author Brian Augustyn, known for DC's Batman: Gotham by Gaslight and a ton of other great books; he's also written for Valiant, Event, and Now Comics. Art is by Pasquale Qualano, a prolific Italian artist who has worked for Marvel, Aspen, Zenescope, and various European publishers.
DUEL IDENTITY is by Emmy Award-winning Elaine Lee, a playwright who has written for Marvel, DC/Vertigo, Dark Horse, Moonstone, and others. Jon Lam and Candice Han have worked for a bunch of publishers.
FIRST DAUGHTER is from Mike Rosenzweig and Chris Crosby, who has long been at the forefront of digital comics publishing. Artist Tina Francisco is an artist for DreamWorks, and a storyboard artist, and has worked for quite a few publishers.
MAGIKA, based on my movie NIKO: THE JOURNEY TO MAGIKA, is written by David Lawrence and the wildly-talented Kevin Juaire, who has written for DC. Wilson Tortosa has drawn Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, City of Heroes, Battle of the Planets, Wolverine Manga, and loads more for Lego and other clients. Sebastian Cheng is a cover painter.
MONSTER ISLE is scripted by Larry Hama, a long-time Marvel writer and editor, who created the insanely-profitable G.I. Joe. Aurelio Mazzara is a top Disney artist in Europe.
PANDORA'S BLOGS is by yours truly (who wrote Superman for DC and The Marvel Art of Mike Deodato, Jr. for Marvel) and Jinky Coronado, who drew Avalon High for Random House, one of the biggest publishers in the world.
TESLA is by screenwriter Terry Keefe and New York Times best-selling author David Lawrence, with art by Bong Dazo, who drew Marvel Deadpool and Thunderbolts and is currently drawing DC's The Flash.
WAYWARD SONS is by Benny Powell, whom all of you know, and Nigel Raynor, who has drawn The X-Men and Avengers for Marvel and is a Marvel licensing art artist.
There are no amateurs here, no beginners. Each is a significant professional in this business from Disney, DreamWorks, Marvel, DC, and beyond. What's more, each title has its own specific visual identity so that one book will not be confused visually with another. That was important to us.
I've been producing comics for 33 years -- for Marvel, DC, Image, Dark Horse, Dynamite, IDW, Dabel, Valiant, and most of the others -- and even I'm impressed with the roster of talent we've assembled.
I can't wait for the world to see these books!
AI
