I'm starting out a new bit here on Schwapp. I'll be asking comic book pros (writers, artists, reviewers, journalists, etc) 10 somewhat random questions; half will be comic book related and half have little-to-nothing to do with it.
The first up? My friend and former colleague, Troy Brownfield. A college professor by day (and sometimes nights, with a room full of cons), he runs the mighty Shotgun Reviews and is one of staples of Newsarama comic coverage (reviews and interviews). He marshals the forces of the BEST SHOTS team that reviews books weekly every Monday over on Newsarama.
1. What would you credit as the biggest single character, creator, or vegetable responsible for you pursuing a career involving comic books? The biggest reason would probably be sheer stupidity. In terms of influence . . . man, that's tough. As a kid, I was really into the various and sundry cartoons and movies that were exploding all around me (Super Friends, Superman the movie, etc.), but if you really nail it down to one specific comic-related influence, then it would probably have to be Claremont/Byrne. I started reading Uncanny with #125 after I picked it up off of the spinner rack at the local grocery. I knew Superman, the JLA, Spidey, etc., but I hadn't seen anything quite like that before. And of course, a year later, they smoked Phoenix! My grade-school mind was officially blown.
2. Which convention have you had your best drinking nights at? Please drop at least one titillating factoid from said nights to pique our readers' curiosity.
You want a city or a year? San Diego '07 was pretty great, mainly due to the ridiculousness that seemed to follow the Fangoria experience. Of course, Chicago '07 had its moments. Still, I'd have to say that Chicago '00 features one of my all time favorite moments. ShotgunReviews.com had a booth that year, and our wrestling columnist Russ Ray had one too many (that would be 24) and passed out. He was then berated by our hip-hop editor Jonthan Birdsong, who at first didn't realize that Russ was asleep. When Birdsong realized that Russ was out, he essentially stood on top of him yelling, "Wake up, White Boy! Come on! Don't they build farm boys better than that?" and the like for roughly 30 minutes. The site of Birdsong, who is maybe 50% Russ's size, standing on him and raining insults had me paralyzed with laughter.
3. What's the most starstruck moment you've had so far, as it pertains to comic books?
On a technicality: Gary Oldman. I think the man is a genius. I was on the set of "The Dark Knight" to do interviews, and he's the only person that's ever given me a moment's pause. Not Bob Mould (my favorite musician), not Mick Foley, not Grant Morrison . . . Gary Oldman. Very nice, but just imposing by the weight of all this tremendous work. Unfortunately, he did not greet us with "You thought it was a white boy day!" (if you don' t know, that goes back to his turn as Drexel the Killer Pimp in "True Romance"; bizarrely, it's my second use of "white boy" in three questions).
4. What's the stupidest thing you did in the year 2007? Use whatever definition of "stupid" you'd like.
That's easy: trying to teach classes on three campuses (campi?) in the same semester. That's like getting up in the morning and hitting yourself in the face with a brick. I had my regular courseload at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, did some adjuncting for Indiana State, and taught a night class at Plainfield correctional. NEVER AGAIN.
5. Ever had an interview go horribly wrong or start off on a really bad foot? Give as much detail as you like (feel free to leave it simple and "blind").
Honestly, not really. But I did get harrassed by the crowd at a RATT show because I was due to interview the band and security took me to the front of the cluster of fans outside of the bus. I had to wait while the security guy called all clear, and the fans were yelling at me. "Why do you get to go up front?" It was really, really strange. Once I got on the bus, Steven Pearcy was in the back arguing with the sound guy, Bobby Blotzer was regaling two bleach-blondes with tales of touring with Quiet Riot, and I was received by Warren DeMartini. He remains one of the nicest men I've ever interviewed, and loved being asked questions about musical content instead of hair. Great night.
6. Many professionals have "fan clubs", but do you have a "hate club" out there?
Ha! I believe I do, but I don't want to give them hits. It's safe to say that I've inspired a few threads. Best hate mail I ever got was from some young kid after I'd given negative reviews to both Avril Lavigne and Good Charlotte about four or five years ago. This young man, trembling with rage apparently, emailed me that I just didn't get it because I was . . . "a prep." I thought that was rather awesome.
7. What's the geekiest thing you've done that has come from your interest in comic books?
I'm sure my wife could give you a top ten list. Even Matt Brady rags on me for some of the things I know without having to look it up. My best friend (Shawn Delaney) thinks it's hilarious that I organize my DVDs by genre rather than alphabetically and my comics by team/family affiliation within universes, so that's probably it.
8. If you could have someone else's career (anyone's at all), who would it be and why? (a celebrity's name and "for the pussy" is completely acceptable; bonus points if it is a female celebrity)
Ann Coulter's. If I had her carrer, I'd lock it safely away where it couldn't get out.
Oh, you mean for myself? Easy. Gene Simmons. What's it like to get up in the morning and say, "You know, I'm the GOD OF THUNDER!" When you get dressed for work, you're putting on Black Bolt's costume and Godzilla boots. You play rock and roll surrounded by fire, explosions, and thousands of fans in every city in the world. You're so rich and famous that networks want to film your life and other celebrities want you on their shows about THEIR lives. And even though people will make fun of you, they're jealous as fuck. Plus, when you die, you can be buried in a KISS casket. Insane.
9. What is the most difficult part of catching on in this industry, even in roles like reviewer, journalist, or editorial?
All of it. Honestly, getting the first person to look at your work is the hardest part. And all the effort that it took to get to THAT moment is just the opening credits. You can't let down. EVER.
10. Please complete this sentence: "Quick: turn off the lights and..."
" . . . hide in the shower!"
The classics, mon; they never die.
As always, I'll be asking participants to drop at least two plugs: one personal and one for a project unrelated to them. I place no restrictions on how many plugs can be given, so anyone who answers is free to plug whore away.
My plugs (no balding jokes, you bastards) . . .
1) Obviously, the mighty ShotgunReviews.com! We've been online since June 1999, and we're presently drawing our biggest audiences ever. It must have something to do with a ridiculous depth of archived content and 55 writers churning out great stuff regularly across the pop culture spectrum. We've also got the Shots in the Dark radio show, and we'll be adding some more media soon. And we update daily. Often. Because we're insane.
2) LOST. Like it needs the help. Still, it's one of the most rewarding viewing experiences that I've ever had. It's pantheon-level TV, and I think that a good bit of the grousing that we hear about it is just old-fashioned lack of patience. I enjoy the show, and I enjoy the journey of the show.
3) Bob Mould has a new album, "District Line", in which he returns to straight-up guitar rock for the first time in years. Well worth a listen. In that vein, I also re-recommend 1993's "Copper Blue" by Mould's then-outfit Sugar. That's an overlooked gem.
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