EXPOSED - IF YOU WRITE IT, COMICS WILL COME

The 19th century Poet Laureate, Alfred Lord Tennyson, has said a great many of things in his life to inspire people to keep on keeping on. 'Oi! Don't suck it like that! That will hurt', being something he said. 'Never warm it with your cold hand's, dear, it will chaff', being another. But one of the most profound things Al ever said in his entire life, was quoted to me by my mate, Vic, just the other day whilst he was telling me about his great wartime comic book. Here. Check it out. 





1) What are your own origins Vic? Plus what path did you take in life to get to where you are today?   Well, my generation saw the big boom from Marvel and DC in the late 60’s early 70’s. I grew up on the usual mainstream titles, but I had a great passion for the lesser known horror books such as ‘Tomb of Dracula’ and ‘Werewolf by Night’. Reading comics was my hobby and pastime, so no computers or games consoles, nothing digital, just cool stories that thrilled. Remaining a collector for several decades, I experienced many styles of writing and storytelling and slowly the desire to write began.

My first writing experience was in books. I authored a couple of children’s titles for the business I worked for at the time and soon realized that it was more than just a desire. Soon after the RAF (Royal Air force) asked me to develop a film for the 60th Anniversary of the Dambusters, we made a business decision to write a book to accompany it. I worked with historian, Simon Harrison, and ghost wrote the title for him. Then I took to writing about myself and self published a book called ‘One Plus Ten’ – the story of my first eleven years. As all this was happening my imagination began to run wild with stories about war, crime and horror. 'Light of Darkness' was the next title (First horror novel) and it’s whilst writing that I decided to work on comics.

2) What inspired you to create ‘Exposed’?   'Exposed' began because I really wanted to write a WW2 story. History, especially the First and Second World War, really fascinated me. I’ve been all over Belgium, France, and parts of Luxembourg, on war walks with friends and family tracing the steps of my own relatives and those of the 101st & 82nd Airborne. There have been many titles over the years, some fantastic, by the likes of greats such as Kubert, and more recently, Garth Ennis, and I felt there was room for one more with a horror slant.

3) In your own words how would you describe this story?   The story is about five men who land on the beaches of Normandy during the invasion of Europe. Led by Sgt Jackson, the men reveal their own secrets and find out how the Nazi have been planning to win the war in the West.

The plot is uncovered when the men enter a cave hidden in the bluff on the beach and are greeted by the ‘Devil Children. – Cannibalistic vampires! Battling their way forward, the soldiers dare not retreat as the killing grounds of the beach mean certain death. After a tough struggle they manage to scatter the cave dwellers into the crevices of the darkness. Reaching the end of the passage they walk into a huge void – where a German factory has been build underground. The facility is a Nazi experimental unit, aimed at the conquest of Europe.

4) If ‘Exposed’ was a song, what song would it be and why?   Creedence Clearwater Revival - 'Long as I Can See the Light'. When I hear this song I think of Jackson leading his men, saying to himself that as long as he can stay focused they can survive. Their influence is in our trailer, but it comes more from hard rock than the laid back stuff of the 60/70's. 

5) If you could get a celebrity – either living or dead – to promote your comic, what person would you get, and why would you want to choose this particular person?   Wow! Any celebrity I like! Well, based on the theme of the comic, it would have to be one of two people. Either Richard Winters (101st Airborne – Band of Brothers), because he parachuted into Normandy the night before the invasion. Or my long time hero, Audie Murphy – Americas most decorated soldier of World War 2 and star of countless movies – including his own life story ‘To Hell & Back’.

6) What have you learnt about yourself through this endeavour? And were their any unforeseen obstacles you had to contend with?   Lots. I’ve learnt so much! Most of all, I have an overactive imagination and writing comics is more fun than I expected. There haven’t been any obstacles really. I’m a very positive person; if I find an objection I can usually find three reasons to overcome it.

7) How does ‘Geeky Comics’ fit into the scheme of things? And what format does your book come in?   'Geeky Comics' is my own little publishing company. I want to retain the rights and way things are done with the titles I work on so I set up my own business. There won’t be any spandex or tights because we will be specializing in three things -- War, Horror and Crime. Of course I don’t have the distribution (yet) of the big names or the popularity but that will come in time. Focus is on the creation of great titles that leave you wanting more, rather than trying to impress a larger publisher to take them onboard. I want them to come to me rather than the other way around.

Both in digital and print formats, and if you ask nice at a show, I will sign your edition in ‘GOLD’ limited edition ink, rather than my bog standard ‘Silver’ pen.

8) During your time in this field, what is the one thing that has kept you in good stead?   That’s easy. Danielle my lovely partner. She keeps me motivated, excited, and even comes up with some good ideas now and again (But not the man eating cabbages, darling!). Then there are my kids. They feed me with the energy needed to write for long hours.

9) If your comic had a motto, what would it be?   ‘Ours is to do or die, not question how or why’.

Wow! Very moving stuff, Vic. Plus I'm sure my readers will move their fingers to check out your stuff on twitter, facebook, and www.geekykid.co.uk too. So go head. What are you waiting for, folks? World War 3? Click-Click-Click!!!