C. Brennan Knight Interview - Tyrant Fall

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[00:01:29] Head to 2000AD.com and click on subscribe now or download the 2000AD app and why wait? Start reading today. I'll put links in the show notes for you. Hello and welcome to Comic Book Yeti's Cryptid Creator Corner. I am one of your hosts, Jimmy Gasparo, and I'm very excited for the guests I have on the podcast today. I think it was some time ago that they sat down for a written interview when the comic,

[00:01:56] the third issue of the comic book that they're kickstarting now, I think it was the first issue was out, but he's joining me now to, you know, in person sort of, you know, as in person as these virtual recordings can get. But I'm very excited to talk about Tyronfall 1, 2 and 3, which will be on Kickstarter starting April 1st. Please welcome to the podcast. See Brennan Knight. Brennan, how you doing?

[00:02:24] Brennan Knight. I'm doing just great. This is, it's been a good day. So, and ending it up on a high note. Oh, well, well, thank you. I appreciate you saying that. I'm taking credit for that, for ending on the high note. But, uh, no, uh, so yeah, I really appreciate you, uh, coming on the podcast. And, um, yeah, it feels like it was like so long ago.

[00:02:52] Um, you know, cause when Tyronfall 1 was on, on Kickstarter, now you're, you're on the third issue. It's, it's you. And I should have had the page open up, but it's Max Davenport, right? Yep. He's, uh, the artist co-creator. We've got, uh, Roman Stevens on colors and Rob Jones on lettering, uh, Roman.

[00:03:16] Uh, I get to brag that he colored on Batman for a while. Um, and Rob, if you don't know Rob Jones's name, uh, you're not paying attention to the letter credit on a lot of books.

[00:03:31] Uh, yeah, Rob, I, Rob's been on the podcast before. Um, I've worked with Rob, um, uh, and, uh, yeah, Rob is, is fantastic, fantastic letterer, uh, a fantastic writer in his own right as well. Um, yeah, it's, it's, I just, uh, because I'm going to be, uh, kickstarting an anthology of some short comics that I've done of which I, I think out of the 10 stories,

[00:04:01] I want to say Rob, Rob might've lettered at least three of them, but, uh, yeah, I love, I love working with Rob. Rob's fantastic. So that's, that's awesome. What a great creative team you have for this, uh, this comic. Very fortunate. Uh, it came together so many years ago. Actually what your, it was the original, what was it? What Tyra Falls started as was just an eight page comic that we did in the past.

[00:04:31] In the middle of the pandemic, like just as the pandemic was starting. So 20, was it 2019, 2020, 2020, five, actually. Um, like I, I remember that it was right before my birthday and I was supposed to get, you know, a bunch of people out at a bar and brewery down the street when there were rumors that Delaware was going to shut down.

[00:04:58] And it was, and, um, that was like the night of the 13th. Um, and so I'm, I was like, well, we're not getting together. Like who knows what's going to happen? And yeah, uh, that was, yeah, that was the, that was the, that was, I expect that was like five years ago today as we record this.

[00:05:17] Mm-hmm. So yeah, it was, it was funny cause I literally, it was the, the day before basically like a lot of shutdowns happened. Uh, my work had said like, you guys go home, work from home from now. And I was living in an apartment with my, uh, my wife and I was like, I got to go to the gym cause I'm pretty sure that's a place that's going to shut down today.

[00:05:41] I got there. And as soon as I was done my workout, I checked the email, my email and saw that the apartment complex was closing down all of like the public facilities for the shutdown. I was like, well, at least I got one last run in.

[00:05:56] Yeah. I mean, I still, you know, I, I, I still like remember it. I think, uh, I had left work and I think I stopped at the liquor store and there was like a line, uh, and everyone was talking about it. Do you think the governor is going to shut the state down? Do you think it'll shut the state down? And then. Yeah.

[00:06:15] Yeah. Fairly soon. I, I had canceled my birthday plans and then fairly soon the, uh, we heard the announcement and then that was, uh, yeah, I can't believe that that was, you know, five years ago. Um, but, uh, but yeah, so this, but let's, but on to happier, happier topics. Yes. Happier topics. So Tyronfall started out as, uh, you said an eight page comic.

[00:06:42] And was this like a, a, a pitch for an anthology or what was, what, what was the impetus behind kind of doing this story? So, um, so yeah. Uh, I don't know if you're familiar platform comics was, yeah. Platform comics was running one of their short comic, uh, competitions, you know, they announced it ahead of time. So I was like, well, you know, I always like doing these. I, I liked the last time when I did, I liked doing this to like get familiar with other creators.

[00:07:12] And, you know, just come up with something, you know, explore writing. And I had been kind of circling Max for a while and he's, he's one, he's actually the start of this weird rule I have about artists apparently, which is if they draw a really good Barbara Gordon back girl, then I'm immediately attracted to their art.

[00:07:38] And he's like, and it's happened with so many other artists where I've been like, I really like your stuff. And they'll be flipping through their portfolio and they'll see a redheaded back girl. And I'll be like that, that just sold it for me. So that's a good test. That's not a bad test at all. The, the Barbara Gordon back girl test. All right. Yeah. It's weird. It's the fact that it has happened, like it happened like at least four times. I was like, this is, I don't, I don't understand myself apparently.

[00:08:06] But now, so I've been circling him and I reached out and I said, Hey, there's this contest coming up. I would love to work with you. And one of the first things he said was, I'm surprised anyone is hiring at this moment. And I was like, well, I got nothing else to do. So, uh, yeah. So from there it was a matter of, you know, finding everyone else. Like I kind of pitched him this idea.

[00:08:31] I was like, I'm this short is, you know, the, it's an exercise in world building, condensed world building. I want to have like as much worlds as I can, can have in eight pages. Like whether it's just, you know, visual or it's an offhand comment, just so much stuff I can have in here and still be a readable comic and entertaining comic at bat too. And so he was like, he was game for it.

[00:08:59] Uh, you know, I asked around about colorist and Roman's name came up and he was game for it. And then, uh, I believe Rob had worked on one other, had worked on another short with me. I can't remember, but I, I remember seeing Rob everywhere, at least at that point. So I was like, okay, I'll go for this guy too. And then that's how team Tyrantfall came together. Nice. Yeah.

[00:09:27] You mentioned world building and that is definitely the one thing that, that stands out to me. Um, and yeah, I, I didn't think of it that way, but the idea of like condensed world, world building, you were trying to do it in eight pages. Now, obviously with the first, you know, with issue one, it's, I think you have at least 30 and then you have some back matter when the comic came out, which is, which is great.

[00:09:49] I love the character designs and the, the little, the other little pieces that you kind of add to it to flesh out the world a little bit. But like in the comic itself, um, you really do a good job, uh, because you're dealing with a world and for readers, you know, for listeners who, who haven't read Tyrantfall. Um, it's, you know, when I read it, it's, uh, uh, essentially a world where there, there kind of was magic.

[00:10:18] And then the, I guess, I think they're called the Fae Lords kind of like went away. And, um, the, the folks in charge are called dragons and they kind of ruthlessly rule the land. They're the only ones allowed to use magic. They've kind of like outlawed it for like any of the regular folks to use it.

[00:10:40] And so you're, you're dealing with these themes of, of magic with, uh, of, uh, of oppression, uh, especially with your mate, with the main character from the first one, Myrta. Um, I pronounce it Myrta. Myrta. My apologies. Myrta. She's dealing with, you know, grief and loss and revenge. And, um, and there is so much like packed into it.

[00:11:07] And it, you, it does that thing that it can be kind of tricky when you, you, you have to introduce all these characters. You have to kind of set up the rules of the world and you never want to like, just do like an, an exposition dump. Oh yeah. And bog the comic down. Cause then, you know, you want people to look at the art and you, you, you don't want to slow it down to, it feels like a slog to get through.

[00:11:36] And, you know, it's like, I need like a spreadsheet to follow this thing. And you're, it never feels like that. I think there's really only like one page or two, um, where you kind of talk a little bit about the, the Fae Lords, at least in issue one. And, um, I think it works really nicely. Like Max's art for that. And, and the coloring as well is, is beautiful.

[00:12:04] And it's all, it's, it's almost like you've come to like a museum and you're just reading the display on the wall about this thing that occurred here. Um, and you have like a ton of action. Um, all the character designs are, are fantastic. Um, there's just a lot of great stuff in issue one. And you were kind enough to send over issue two.

[00:12:30] Cause I don't think I had gotten a chance to, to read that yet, but, uh, issue two builds upon it, introduces new characters. And again, it never feels like it gets bogged down. It moves along at a pretty good clip while really like fleshing out this, this world that, that you all have, uh, how have created. Um, I, I, I think it's, I think it's super fun. Um, I love the themes in it.

[00:12:58] Uh, Max's art is, is like absolutely wonderful. So yeah, I mean, I, I, I really enjoy the heck out of it. Oh, well, thank you. Thank you very much. No, it's a, it's a real treat to work on. I, I mean, it's one of those things that when I'm thinking about, you know, thinking about future projects, I'm like, well, how are I top? What is my best idea so far?

[00:13:21] And it's, it's, it's, it's, uh, it really is an honor and a joy to work on it. Every issue, uh, every time we, you know, we're making the issue, you know, I've written the script and Max is checking, uh, you know, checking out, doing preliminary sketches and whatnot. You know, it's just, it's a lot of excitement and it's, it's just that active, like creation is just so much fun. Right.

[00:13:49] Seeing it come to life is so rewarding. Um, no, it's, it's, it's, it's, and it's one of those things that by the end, you know, you pick up, we get the copy, I get the copies in and I pick one up. And then he's just every, each issue so far, I've been like, wow, I made a comic book. And if I'm not toot my own horn, it's a, is it, it's a darn good one. Yeah, you should to toot your horn, go right ahead. Uh, pat yourself on the back.

[00:14:18] Um, I, I, I really, I, I agree. I think it's great. Um, you know, for listeners who haven't had a chance to read it and want to check it out, um, I guess to kind of. Uh, the comic that it reminded me of it to compare it to like another comic.

[00:14:40] Um, uh, it, it reminded me of a comic that, that I really loved, uh, seven to eternity, Rick Remender and Jerome Opeña. Like that, that also is a comic that is, is kind of like in a fantasy setting a bit, you know, and, and dealing with magic, dealing with oppression, um, dealing with themes of like. Loss and, and revenge.

[00:15:04] Um, and it, it definitely had a little, like a bit of that flair. Like those two could exist. Like Tyrant Fall and seven to eternity could like, you know, exist in that like same landscape. Like anyone who read, had read seven to eternity and were like, oh, I could do more with, of this. Tyrant Fall is the book that they should a hundred percent check out and will not be disappointed at all. Um, there's my pool quote.

[00:15:35] Feel free. Yeah. So yeah, I, cause that, I love that comic and this definitely gave me like that kind of, uh, that, that kind of, of feel for it. And, um, I so really just struck by a lot of the character designs, especially. And so I'm excited to see what we get in issue three. Cause especially issue two, like when we finally get to see a look at, um, uh, what do they call him? The sensei. I can't remember.

[00:16:04] Oh, it was the iron Kappa. The iron Kappa. Yeah. Well, especially when we get, you know, and finally get it. Cause he's going to look at the iron Kappa. I thought that was absolutely fantastic. Um, yeah. Yeah. So there's a ton of great stuff, um, in issue two. So I can't wait to see where issue three goes. So what were some of your, you know, influences in terms of creating this? Like, were you basing it off of a fantasy world?

[00:16:34] Was there something that, you know, what, what was kind of like in the DNA of this when you were coming up with the idea? Yeah. And working with Max on it. Yeah. So, well, it definitely has its roots in its primary roots and, um, heavy metal magazine. Like if you read the first, I I've mentioned the eight page short, then we actually use that as the first eight pages of issue one. Right.

[00:17:02] So if you read issue one, you've read this, the short. And so that was like, that was created during the pandemic. And then we made the first issue like a year plus later. It was one of those things where I was like, Hey, if you guys want to do more of this, you know, let me know. And so I kind of sat on it for a bit. Okay. Um, so there's, there's, there's a, like a bit of a narrative gap in its creation, but when it first started, it was definitely inspired by heavy metal magazine.

[00:17:31] And that's kind of the reason, another reason I gravitated towards Max is he had kind of that, the, like a very Mobius, um, oh my God. Jimenez, um, from like Meta Barons and whatnot. Uh, a very heavy metal magazine kind of aesthetic. And, and he actually, you know, he had done some pieces that he had colored and actually had wanted him to color it as well.

[00:17:58] But he was like, uh, unfortunately, you know, I, I don't have the time for the original short. So we went with Roman and Roman did such a great job. I was like, I'm going to keep, we're going to hold onto him or make sure we use him more. Um, yeah, so heavy metal primarily, I wanted to do something, like I said, intent, like compact world building and, uh, want to use, you know, a strong female character.

[00:18:24] Um, we were dealing with, uh, at the time, uh, certain official government, um, powers were, oh, you know, uh, frowned upon. Uh, there was a lot of talk of, you know, strong government over, overpower, uh, overly powerful individuals. And, you know, just a lot of, you know, anxiety about that.

[00:18:50] And so I wanted to write something that kind of dealt with a very tyrannical system of oppression. Um, and, and I wanted to do something fantasy too, cause you know, playing into Max's strengths, uh, whatnot. And so, yeah, that's how it all kind of came together. And so there's, you won't really see too much, like the first eight pages, like they're short, so they don't have, you know, a lot of room to do a lot of things with.

[00:19:20] Um, but there's almost no, like Dragon Ball Z, like influence, cause that was another influence that came later. Like, uh, there was none of that stuff in it originally. And then while I was sitting on it, um, I was rereading Dragon Ball and in its entirety from, you know, Kid Goku all the way until it becomes what we know as Dragon Ball Z. And then onward, I just read the whole thing.

[00:19:48] And as I was reading it, I was like, you know what's, and I had been reading, um, Heavy Metal Magazine, older issues, stuff that had been coming out at the time, at the time. And I was like, you know, kind of interesting that there's a lot of aesthetic and aesthetic themes and literary themes in Dragon Ball that are in stories in Heavy Metal Magazine. It's, uh, it's, you know, it's odd.

[00:20:13] It's like, if you, you know, you aged up Dragon Ball just a little bit, it would fit absolutely perfectly in the pages of Heavy Metal. And then I was just like, it just kind of like, I sat there for a second and I was like, what if Dragon Ball Z was published in Heavy Metal Magazine? And I was like, I have, I have my thing. I know what to do with Tyrant Fall now or what would become Tyrant Fall. So I mean, easily like, I got like started writing, started working on this whole story.

[00:20:41] Um, it's, you know, uh, so much material I had by the time I got to Max, I was like, Hey, look, I have kind of like a 32 issue outline. Um, for this massive world, uh, I have characters and everything. Do you want to, do you want to work on this thing with me? And he was like, absolutely. Let's do it. So. Wait, you have an outline for 32 issues? Yeah. So we have 32. We, yeah. So that was the original.

[00:21:09] Um, we went back and we kind of, we kind of re did the first five issues to like be a solid arc. Uh, so we had to, we had to take some material from like later, mostly like world building stuff to introduce in later to like really solidify those first five issues.

[00:21:29] So that when you get to issue five and you read it, if enough, uh, if another issue of Tyrant Fall never came out, which they will, um, you would have a complete story. You'd be, people would walk away satisfied. And nice. So, so that's like the, that's the, the, the groundwork is a solid five issues. That'll, that'll kind of be like the first, you know, the first arc. And then you have plenty more material.

[00:21:57] It sounds like go on from there. We've got a lot. Yeah. I've got a lot of stuff. Um, and some, so much stuff that sometimes I do have to remind, I, I, I'll bring it up with Max and he'll be like, what? And I'll be like, Oh, that's right. This stuff doesn't live in your head as much as it lives in mine. So I have to like mention stuff from the outline again. Um, which I do not blame before. I mean, like 32 issues is cross like, uh, at least 30 something pages of on Google docs.

[00:22:26] So, so yeah, you know, like I said, it's, you know, it really, it, and I, that's how I always like tell people about them. Like it's Dragon Ball Z. If it was published in heavy metal magazine or, or metal hurdle on. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I love that idea because you, you hear a lot, like in order to do like the elevator pitch or it's, this meets this, you know, I love the kind of the tweak on it.

[00:22:52] It's not like this meets this, it's like, if this thing were published by this, you know, cause it almost feels like you're taking something and then not just smashing it into another thing, but you're taking it through a process, you know, like if it was done by these style of writers or, or this type of editorial, or we just, you know, had a certain like aesthetic look. Um, yeah, I, I, that's, I think that's, that's, uh, that's great.

[00:23:21] I was kind of curious in what the, what the influence was. It makes sense when I, I think about some of the character designs, cause I do recognize that like heavy metal influence. Um, especially with like an issue one, the, the red dragon, um, cause her outfit is, you know, wild.

[00:23:43] It, it, it kind of, it, the first thing it reminded me of was, uh, and flux, the, uh, I don't know if you're familiar with the early nineties cartoon on a kind of anime on, on MTV. But yeah, it also fits in that, that heavy metal type of, uh, type of aesthetic as well. Um, yeah, that's, I mean, I think that's great. All right, everybody. We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back. Let's face it. The comics landscape is a mess right now.

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[00:26:54] I'll drop a link in the show notes for you, and big thanks to Arkenforge for partnering with our show. I think I'm going to make Jimmy play a goblin warlock just to get even. Welcome back. In terms of like your writing process, when you actually start to, you know, get down to the nitty-gritty and scripted, a lot of times when you have like a really, you know, a big world and a big outline, it can be difficult to figure out, you know, where to make the cuts.

[00:27:23] Like, do you find that the, I guess the, the, the revision process of this, or are you not precious about these things because you think you can fit something in down the line? Or is it, do you get too attached to your characters? How, how are you in terms of your process? Yes. Uh, yeah.

[00:27:43] So I, there are a couple of characters I have gotten, I'm precious with that I'm like, kind of planned for you to die, but I think I could write a way around it. So, and then, and you know, it's just, it, it's like so many, and it's not even just like, and within these five issues, the first arc, it's like issue 20. I'm like, do you have to die? I don't know. Or can I, can I kill you? It's, you know, the, the inverse.

[00:28:12] Um, so, you know, it is a bit of a struggle. Some of them, I, you know, I don't want to say I don't care about them, but it's like, I'm sorry, but you're going to have to take one for the team. Um, but as far as like the whole process, uh, yeah, I mean, there's a lot of times when I'm writing, I, uh, I'll have like a page count in mind. Obviously I'll be like, okay, this issue's got to be 24 pages.

[00:28:38] And I'll, I first start just by writing in kind of just feeling out the, the issue. And then if I, if I go over 24, which I have, I'll be like, okay, so I need another page. I'll feel like, so I'll write 25, 26, 27, 28. And then I'll be like, go back and I'll look, okay. Okay. What'd it be like, kind of like, I've gotten kind of done the creative, like explosion, like been like, boom, here, here's all the creativity out.

[00:29:07] Then I have to go back and like, okay, what are like the objectives of this issue? It's like, okay, we need to, we need to introduce this character more. Like this person showed up in issue two. We need to kind of like give motivation, give a little more character to this person. Um, so that way, you know, there's some connection with them, even if it's, you know, just like a look at this sleazeball, you know?

[00:29:36] Um, so then I have to go in like those kinds of objectives. Like, uh, and also I remember I, uh, took part, uh, as like, as part, took part as like a small audience of people to a talk that Rom V did. And one of the things he, he mentioned, which I like kind of hold is like, if you have a cool image in your head of something you want to do in your comic, don't give up on it. Like, like put it in the comic, you know?

[00:30:05] And you just, you kind of have to like, it's, it's, it's not easy, but you can work to that moment. So that way, boom, because if it's cool to you, it'll be cool to someone else. Yeah. And so I do that. I, I do that where I'm like, okay, I want, like, I need, I have these objectives. I had these, these moments I want to hit. And then it's just figuring out how to be a good enough writer to do all of those things. Yeah. I, I think I did that same.

[00:30:35] Uh, I think I sat in on that same Rom V, uh, online talk that he, that he did, which was, I mean, phenomenal. Oh, it was so good. Yeah. I saw, I have my notes somewhere. I do too. I, I know which notebook it is. It's in. I just don't know where that notebook is right now. Um, but no, I, he, and he was like, I was so excited that I got in to that because I was like, I'd been picking up his stuff.

[00:31:06] I kind of just caught him as he was like kind of fresh coming into at least the big two scene. Um, and I was like, like devouring him, his stuff, devouring him. Oops. Sorry, wrong. Um, devouring his stuff. I just couldn't, I just couldn't get enough. And, uh, so then when I, this talk came, I was like, I've, I've got to hear what he has to say about it. Like what, what's this guy like?

[00:31:31] And so, yeah, that was a really fun, um, really fun talk to listen to. Um, and like I said, I walked away with some nice little nuggets of creative guidance. So yeah, that being one of them. So, um, yeah, so objectives, cool, creative moments.

[00:31:49] And then, um, then also writing around, uh, Max's style and, uh, it's those three things together and then just doing it. And then being like, I, I got, I hope the characterization landed. I hope like this, this slower, small moment is, uh, a nice breath of fresh air rather than a drag of stale air.

[00:32:17] Um, and luckily Max has been kind enough to never say anything mean about my writing. Um, but he, he's really, he's really common. He's a lot of his compliments that have helped. I've been like, Oh wow, this, these little character moments are great. And I'm like, thank God someone liked them because those are always the ones I'm most worried about. No, I mean, I think with, with, you know, what you've set up, like you, you need, you need those, you need those like little moments.

[00:32:46] I mean, action is great. And especially when it's, you know, well drawn and colored, you know, that, that stuff is fantastic. But at least for someone like me, you know, I, in terms of the things I like to read, I think those little character moments kind of, you know, kind of make it. And also there's a real like economy of storytelling where you ha you only have so many pages, so many panels and you can kind of fit a little nugget of something here or there that really shines a light on a character.

[00:33:16] And if you can do that with, you know, uh, only a little bit of space, I think, um, it's a real, you know, it's a real skillset to be able to do that. Yeah. Well, ones I hope to master one day, but I think I'm pretty off to a good start. Yeah. So when you have something that, you know, it potentially could be that, you know, fairly big in scope because, you know, not many, you know, I've said, and other creators have

[00:33:43] talked about it on this, on this podcast and on social media, you know, a lot of comics don't get a long run anymore, you know? So when you have something like that, you know, you could potentially be working on for a while, um, or do you, is this like just your focus or are you still kind of like also working and developing, you know, other things or does real life get in the way too much? Oh man.

[00:34:12] Uh, yes. Um, no. So, uh, yeah, this is, this is like one of those. Tire and fall is, is Mike, Mike, I would say my flagship title. I it's, it's what it's my favorite book that I'm working on. Um, my favorite idea I'm working on. So I do occasionally like I am still working on other stuff though.

[00:34:40] So like I will, I'll tip in, I'll work on like the draft first draft of the next issue of tired fall. I'll tip out. I'll go work on some stuff, you know, I, uh, work on pitches and whatnot. Uh, I have a very, my, I don't know if anyone else does this, but the way I work on pitches is I'll write out basically a story summary, like basically a page of notes per issue for a book.

[00:35:09] And then I'll go back, rewrite it by hand again. So that way I'm like repeating it and like really reading what I wrote. And then from there I break down like, okay, so these are kind of like the elements that popped out, like the themes and stuff. Um, and I have a whole process. I'm not going to get into it because it's, it's just as laborious as rewriting something you've already written once. And as soon as you're done the first time you go, great. All right. Time to write it again. Write it again.

[00:35:39] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's what writing is, right? Exactly. Writing is rewriting. Oh yeah, for sure. And, uh, so yeah, but yeah, so I work on projects on the side to, to pitch. Um, and then after a while I'll be like, all right, time to go back to time or fall. And, you know, then we, once, uh, once the funds are there available to, uh, to pay my

[00:36:08] freelancers, uh, my, my team, then I go, all right guys, I'm going to do it. More time or fall time. More time or fall time. So nice. Yeah. And then, uh, on top of that, uh, I do have a 15 month old. So that does take up a bit of time. Oh yeah. I'll do that. It's a little too. That's a little. But, uh, but he's been nice enough to, uh, let me work on Tyrant fall on the side.

[00:36:37] So yeah, I'll, I thank him every day. Oh, good. Good. Yeah. Um, well, uh, well, congrats on, uh, the, that, uh, the, the new addition. I know 15 months probably doesn't feel that, that new yet, but, um, you know, I remember those, my kids are 12 and seven. So I, but I, I still remember, I still remember 15 months.

[00:37:02] Um, uh, what about, do you still have time to, uh, with all that going on in like, read comics? Like, are you, what are you enjoying right now? If anything? Well, um, I'm a, so right now actually, cause I haven't gotten to the store of my, uh, little hot bookstore recently. I've been, I have a, a backlog of, uh, uh, heavy metal magazine surprise from like the

[00:37:31] eighties that I managed to pick up at a con. Like a guy had like a whole short box of them. Um, and I was just like, I, I was like offered him a deal. It's like, I'll just, I'll take the whole box. Like the whole box right now for this price. And he was like, are you, are you going to read them? And I was like, I, I don't collect comics. I read comics. And he was like, deal. And I was like, thank you. Thank you. So I've been, I've been working my way through that and it's, uh, it's been, it's been great. It's been very interesting.

[00:38:01] It's not only just the comics themselves, but like the catalog of books that they advertise, um, for sale. So it's so many, uh, like 48 page hardcover books, like not like graphic nove, nove, novellas. My brain couldn't get that word for a second. And I was like, wow, they were all like, like 48, 48, 64. I'm like, these are all really short books that they're selling in hardcore for format.

[00:38:31] Like, I feel like that's, that's like prime, like Kickstarter area, like, like the kind of like format and size that a Kickstarter just like could, could thrive in if it's not already thriving in. I know I see most of the stuff that I see on Kickstarter is series, like 20, 24 page books that are part of a mini series or whatnot. So, yeah, but, uh, but yeah, so that and, um, I'm a huge Hickman, Hickman,

[00:39:00] Mark. So his ultimate Spider-Man has been there and you, it's funny you mentioned seven to eternity. I love that book. That book's so good. Uh, so basically, um, Rick Remender is one of those guys that when he comes out with a new book, I pick it up. So seasons and oh my gosh, what is the other one he's working on now? Um, Nate Pommelhole. Okay. I, um, I haven't read seasons yet. Is that, how's that just came out?

[00:39:30] It's, it's very, it's, it has a very kind of dark start to it. And then it goes straight into like almost like a studio Ghibli little girl or a young girl. I should say, um, trying to catch a letter that she has like has slipped from her hand and she takes her throughout the entire little town and she's chasing after it for like most of the book, but it's a lot of character. It introduces a lot of the setting.

[00:40:00] It's very interesting. Uh, I enjoyed the heck out of it. Um, but yeah, like the beginning of the book is very ominous and then it just cuts to that. You're like, oh, okay. I guess we're just having a little romp through town. Yeah. I haven't checked that out yet, but I, I typically am the same way. I really like reminder stuff. Um, so yeah, I'll, I'll have to dig into seasons. And then the other one you said, that's the one he's working on with Bengal, right? Uh, Nate Pommelhole. Yeah.

[00:40:28] I think I saw was described as like, um, road warrior meets Superman. So that sounds, yeah, there we go. I remember, God, I remember I had like a, and it's like, what if like, you know how people always like, like power scale Superman's like, oh, he's basically a God. And it's like, well, what if, what if Superman was a God, but all the people that were worshiping him were actually like heretics to his message? You know?

[00:40:57] Um, it's a very, it's a very interesting books. And, uh, I, I love the heck out of it. Um, yeah, those guys, uh, were Hickman reminder. Um, I do like Tom King Rom V as I mentioned. Yeah. I pick up his stuff all the time. Uh, Dawn runner was amazing. Uh, it's good mech story. Never, never fails. So yeah. Um, uh, Gail Simone. I see who else?

[00:41:27] Kelly Thompson. Uh, her black way of run was really great. Um, yeah, all kinds of, yeah, I'm a, I'm a, I love the indie scene, but I am a sucker for big two stuff. Okay. Well, that's, that's, that's all right. We're doing look on the podcast right now. We're my, the, my episodes, you know, we're called Marvel March Madness. So I'm doing, you know, interviewing some Marvel creators. I mean, the creators that also have indie stuff as well, but, um, I've never read a

[00:41:57] lot of Marvel comic for no reason whatsoever. Listeners are probably tired of, of me saying it on the podcast, but, um, like I interviewed Ryan North that it was the first time I ever read a fantastic four. Um, I interviewed Spencer Ackerman. That episode just came out recently. It was the first time I've ever read an Iron Man comic. Oh boy. I know. But like, you know, creators will come on and the idea behind, you know, the, the podcast

[00:42:25] initially with cryptic creator corner, like I like, you know, what, why comment? Like, why, why do you want to write? Why do you want to tell stories? Why? And why do you choose to tell those stories like in comics? And so many creators would be like, Oh, well, when I first read the X-Men and I had to be like, Oh yeah. Like, you know, I feel better about it now, but like initially I'm like, I can't, so sorry listeners. If you were like, you know, thought I had a, a, a huge database of, of comic knowledge.

[00:42:53] I mean, I have, I mean, I have quite a bit, but, um, yeah, there's like a Marvel sized hole in it. So, but I'm working on it. I'm, I'm a work in progress and, uh, happy to say that the, the first, I read the first two volumes of, of, um, Ryan North, uh, Ryan North's run on fantastic four and, uh, yeah, who knew it's, it is, it is fantastic. I'm a big Ben Grimm fan now.

[00:43:21] So, um, how can he not be? Yeah. You're learning. You're learning. That's fine. I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm getting there. I'm, I'm getting there. Um, and so with, with kickstarting comics and especially kind of having written this in the time period and worked on it with, with max and the creative team in which you did, um, what is your experience?

[00:43:50] Like, you know, kickstarting comics like, cause is it, is it odd kind of getting into this and, and writing these comics, promoting them, trying to get them funded when there has been like so much, at least it seems to me so much change in the, in the industry. Has that impacted you at all? Or have you kind of been able to just kind of do your thing?

[00:44:17] Um, I'll say, well, one, I'll say a kickstarting a comic and the whole promotion of it is, is I'm naturally an introvert. And so it is the most exhausting period of my life. The pre man, like it's like the pre kit, pre campaign month that I do. I always do a month of pre campaign. It is like the warmup. And so by the end of it, I'm like, whew, okay. Yeah. Okay.

[00:44:47] Let's do this. And then by the end of the rave of campaign, I'm like, I never want to touch Twitter, blue sky, Instagram. I don't even want to think about social media ever again in my life. And it's, it's, it's just, it, um, because it's like the thing, um, I used to work at a comic book store and, and like I said, natural introvert.

[00:45:10] So I had to kind of like turn on my extra version and this is like turning it on and never turning it off. And then by the end, you're like, we had critical failures socially across the board. Now we it's done, but, but no, it's, it's, it's, um, so for the first time, that part, I, you know, I try to watch what other people do, um, and to push to promote books and whatnot.

[00:45:37] Uh, I try to, I re try to do outreach, break out of introversion and some social anxieties to talk to people like you. Thank you again. Yeah, no problem. My, my wife's a bit of an introvert and like, you know, sometimes I'll come home from work and I've been at the office all day and I get home and I like, you know, I want to, I don't want to talk about work. I want to talk, but she has been dealing with like her own, you know, stuff with her work and the things that she's doing.

[00:46:08] And I'm like ramped up with energy. Cause I am, I am not an introvert. And she's, you'll look at me and she'll just be like, uh, my social battery is depleted. But like, which is code for, Oh, we're just going to sit on the couch and watch something and not talk. And that's, that's okay. But yeah. So I hear, I hear you. I don't, I don't, um, I don't really experience it, but I, I, I live, I live with someone that does.

[00:46:38] So I, I feel for you in the, the, the, the promotional period of, uh, of comic book kickstarting. Right now. Um, yeah. Yeah. So, I mean, that's what kickstarting and promoting it is like for me. Um, I do, I do kind of enjoy it. I do like, you know, talking to people about it, uh, sharing it with people. Like that's one of the, like the best things about making the comic is that I get to share like these stories with other people.

[00:47:05] So I don't want people to walk away from that first part of me complaining about it, being like, why does he do this? It's because I, I, I, I like making this stuff. I like sharing the stuff. Um, yeah. And, but as far as your other part of your question of like the, if the industry at large and its effect on kickstarting, kickstart comics and whatnot.

[00:47:27] I mean, I mean, I do think that the industry is itself is in a weird place. Um, there's in certain, certain parts, that's a lack of innovation and other parts. There's a lack of funds to get these stuff that they're the innovative stuff they are doing out there to more people.

[00:47:52] Um, and so I think Kickstarter is, is a bit of a direct market for it's, it's a direct market in its own weird way for people that are interested in comics. Um, it, so I think, uh, and with so many, uh, smaller presses, you know, shuttering and

[00:48:15] weird distributor issues, a Kickstarter cuts out weird cuts out different middlemen, different, you know, steps to the equation. You know, you go to a Kickstarter, you back it. I'll X amount of time later. There's a comic at your door, you know? Yeah. You know, it, the, the, the thing is though, it, it, it allows you to do that, but, um,

[00:48:41] you know, you, you do have to like build your own audience. You know, if you get like a comic picked up by a publisher and, you know, with diamond declaring bankruptcy and then other, like pub, other distributors like lunar kind of stepping up and, and like you said, things are, are, are kind of in flux. Um, that is the good thing about Kickstarter, but you know, you have, you have to build your audience.

[00:49:09] So, which I think has, it's good and bad. You know, if, if you, uh, not that you were complaining about having to promote it, but if anyone hasn't done it, it, it is, it is exhausting, especially if you're someone who is an introvert or, you know, someone who having to kind of promote yourself or promote your comic doesn't come naturally to you. Like you're, you're trying to talk to people on social media. You're trying to do podcasts like this. And it, it's, it's exhausting.

[00:49:37] It, it like, it absolutely is, but you have to do it because with kickstarting, you know, you have to like build your audience, but the, that's kind of can be the bad of it. The good of it though, is that once you start to do that. And if you're making like a really good comic, like, like Tyrantfall, you're, once you have, you know, that audience word of mouth, I still think is like the best way to promote things. And they're going to keep coming back.

[00:50:06] You know, if you're not making a good comic, nobody's going to, they might show up the first time. They're not going to show up the second, you know? Right. But, um, it, I think that when you have, you know, kind of proven that, you know, and your creative team know what they're doing and you really put a lot of time and, and, and effort and work and created such a rich story. Um, that is the good part of it because then, you know, you're, you, you have those folks

[00:50:33] that they, they want what it is, you know, they, that they want to buy what you're selling, you know, at, I just think, you know, Tyrantfall is really such a, such a wonderful story. So, um, I think, uh, hopefully you're going to continue to have a lot of success on Kickstarter. Fingers crossed. Fingers crossed.

[00:50:56] Um, yeah, it's been, it is interesting because, uh, I've gotten like at comic functions where there's a lot of comic indie comic people and whatnot. It was, uh, I introduced was, you know, walking around and I was like, uh, oh, hi, uh, I'm, I'm Brennan, Brennan Knight. And they were like, oh, wait, Tyrantfall? And I was like, yeah, yeah. I was like looking for a name tag.

[00:51:24] I was like, does there's something on here that says like, I'm the Tyrant. And then at one point, yeah. And again, later that same day, I was like, uh, Brennan Knight. And they were like, wait, you're the Tyrantfall guy. And I was like, what is, what is happening? I think we have like three people in an event. Like right now, I'm like, well, who are you three people? Yeah, but still there's, there's the three people that know. And I actually, unless it's like a sketch where it's just a closeup of your heads and

[00:51:52] then you act totally surprised and then it pans back and you're wearing like a Tyrantfall t-shirt, you know? Well, actually, they mentioned it. Yeah. Nice custom t-shirt that, uh, Max designed for us. Oh, that's awesome. I like the baseball tee. Uh, I, I, I, when Max shared it with me, I was like, it's, I actually wear baseball tees really well. So thank you for making a baseball tee. Um, uh, but yeah. And then I actually had a guy email me asking like, is there going to be more?

[00:52:22] And I was like, yes, let me, but here, let me tell you about that real quick. There's a Kickstarter coming. So it was, it's weird. It's weird having fans. I'll say it's weird having people that are excited for, for more, um, as an introvert. No, I, um, well, I'm happy for you. I, and, and Max, uh, Roman and, and, and Rob, I, I really think it's a wonderful comic. It's a lot of fun.

[00:52:52] It's, and it not, not only, you know, fun in, in, in terms of like the action and excitement and kind of the suspense of it, but it really is, uh, you know, kind of an interesting story. It's kind of a, you know, I don't know if I, if I want to use the word like timely or, or kind of like timeless, because as long as there have been humans around, there have been, you know, one group oppressing another. I don't, you know, I don't think there's been a time period in all of human history where

[00:53:22] that wasn't taking place, you know, including right now. But, um, you know, this idea that there's, uh, uh, folks in, in power, they want to stay in power. And the, the way they do that is by suppressing, you know, another group. Um, and you have these rebels who are trying to fight against them. And like, you could already see the, of characters who disagree amongst the rebels, like the best way to do that.

[00:53:50] And then you meanwhile, still have power struggles going on with the different, you know, dragons who are, I say dragons, but they're like, they're, that's what they're called. They're, they're, they're people. Um, and, uh, yeah, I, I just, I think it's fantastic. So very excited that issue three is going to be on Kickstarter starting April 1st and, uh, 30 day campaign. So you have all month of the whole month of April to, uh, to back it. Right. All right.

[00:54:20] Um, fantastic. Any other like fun things in terms of rewards or surprises or stretch goals that you want to mention? Um, no, uh, I haven't decided on stretch goals yet, but, um, I'm really excited. I have about the, the variant covers we're going to have. Um, I get to the second first, uh, we, we always do a cameo tier.

[00:54:43] Um, we've done it for the past two issues, uh, where you get to get your face, uh, with some like minor accessories of your choosing. Like we, we asked people like, Hey, you'll be in it. You know, what kind of, what do you want to look like? You know, what do you, and, uh, but the only thing is, is that your character dies almost immediately. Yeah. Yeah. I, um, I did that and back, uh, Grant Stoy, uh, side quest and I backed it cause I grant's

[00:55:12] a friend and I love the comic side quest. And I did that for an issue. And I was just like, you know, I just don't want to be, it's don't just, I just don't want my character decapitated. Well, guess what? Allaire, Rosico, the, the wonderful artist did to my character. In any event. Yeah. No. So we had that, like, and we, we, we say it in the description. We're like, you will die brutally. Sorry.

[00:55:40] That just, it's going to be, it's how it's going to be. But, uh, uh, but that's always a fun little tier. Um, but the bearing covers, you know, we have the main cover is going to be by max. Uh, it's the one we've shown so far. We have Alec Morgan, uh, who was the artist on kill a man with, uh, Phil Kennedy Johnson and Steve Orlando. He's doing the variants. Nice. And, uh, Jan rock is doing another variant there.

[00:56:09] Uh, he's a, an artist. You'll, he's all over Twitter, uh, Twitter, blue sky, DVN art, art, uh, art station. He does a lot of muscle, muscle girls, pinup stuff. And so he'll be doing a, uh, a pinup style muscle girl, uh, variants of the red dragon. So very excited about that. That was, uh, very stoked about that one.

[00:56:35] Um, and, uh, the only non comic book related thing will slightly comic book to any indie comic book creators out there listening, drink water, do some physical activity, take care of yourself because it's, it's a marathon, not a sprint. And when you are working late on your Kickstarter, on your projects and stuff, the healthier you

[00:57:02] are when you're not doing that stuff, the better, the more you'll be able to like handle those late nights and those, those bad periods. So just take care of yourself when you can to make yourself strong enough to handle those, those rough nights. That's probably the, the best advice that has been given out in almost 300 episodes of this podcast. Oh boy. Uh, uh, Brendan, um, thank you so much.

[00:57:32] Uh, it's so nice to, I mean, I, I liked when I was doing the written interviews, but it's so nice to actually talk to you. Um, I just, I think Tyron, Tyron Falls is wonderful. Um, and, uh, yeah, I wish you the best of luck with the campaign and hopefully that, you know, you'll keep making them and you can keep coming back and we'll, we'll keep talking about them. All right. All right. Jimmy, thank you so much for having me. Thank you to the comic book yeti guys for hosting this thing. I really much appreciate it. No, no, it's our pleasure.

[00:58:01] We love talking about comics. Um, and you know, whether or not you're writing for the big two or you're, you're kickstarting, you know, your own stories. Um, we just like to talk about comics. So listeners, uh, April 1st, Tyrant Fall, check it out. It, it's like the third issue. If you haven't backed it before or you haven't read it before, don't worry. There's going to be a tier where you can pick up issues one to three. I'm sure whether or not you, you know, want them in print or, or digitally, you know, if

[00:58:31] you're like me and your wife is tired of, uh, Gemini mailers showing up at your door, just get them digitally. She won't, she won't know. Yeah. Um, but, uh, April 1st, check out Tyrant Fall, please. And if you do, uh, find me on blue sky or Tik TOK or, you know, the comic book yeti crypto creator corner website, let me know what it is. You're reading. Let me know what it is. You like, tell me something I should check out. And if you're listening to the Marvel March Madness episodes, and there's a Marvel comic

[00:59:00] that you think I need to read, please, uh, let me know. Be happy to check it out. All right. Uh, for comic book yeti, um, Jimmy Gasparro shout out to my brother, Bobby, the cryptic creator corners, number one, most dedicated fan. Bobby always listens to all my episodes and he likes when I say hi to him. Um, thank you so much to Brennan. And again, uh, check out Tyrant Fall. Good night, everybody. And I will see you next time. Night. This is Byron O'Neill. One of your hosts of the cryptic creator corner brought to you by comic book yeti.

[00:59:28] We hope you've enjoyed this episode of our podcast. Please rate review, subscribe all that good stuff. It lets us know how we're doing and more importantly, how we can improve. Thanks for listening. We'll see you next time. Bye. Bye. Bye.