Hero Camp Q&A Thread...with Greg Thompson

[Brian Cronin]

Image continues their recent strides into viewing the superhero world through different perspectives (a la Common Grounds, Ultra, Invincible, Noble Causes) with the release this May of Hero Camp.

Hero Camp is, well, just what it sounds like...it is a summer camp where young superpowered teens get trained to be superheroes.

The writer of the title, Greg Thompson, will stop by this thread (along with Kristen Simon, the editor on the book and Russ Lowery, the colorist on the book and Robbi Rodrigues, the artist on the book) to discuss the book, answer questions, and basically just schmooze y'all.

Enjoy!

-Brian

[Greg T]

I'm here! If anyone has any questions regarding the book or any of the creators, just let me know. I'll make sure Robbi, Russ, and Kris stop by here as well to say hi. Will also be posting links to unseen art and a bunch of other stuff. Don't be shy. Step on up!

[Kris S]

Originally Posted by Greg T

I'm here! If anyone has any questions regarding the book or any of the creators, just let me know. I'll make sure Robbi, Russ, and Kris stop by here as well to say hi. Will also be posting links to unseen art and a bunch of other stuff. Don't be shy. Step on up!

Hi!! I'm here too!

[Greg T]

Our lovely editor, ladies and gentlemen!

[Russ L]

Hi, I'm here.

[Brian Cronin]

So...I guess I'll start.

These are going to be brand new stories?

-Brian

[Brian Cronin]

In addition, Kristen...you're the editor on Image's "The Pact," which is a book that puts a bunch of disparate heroes together.

Is Hero Camp going to be in the same shared universe, or will it be like Small Gods, off in its own separate playground?

-Brian

[Greg T]

Originally Posted by Brian Cronin

So...I guess I'll start.

These are going to be brand new stories?

-Brian

Yes, everything will be brand new stories. We have no current plans of reprinting the mini comics. Maybe if we get a trade, but I think we might George Lucas them; Robbi wants to redraw them, and I'd like to reletter them.

[Greg T]

Originally Posted by Russ L

Hi, I'm here.

The rugged colorist for Hero Camp as well as some surprises upcoming.

[Robbi Rodriguez]

greg's cheap mexican labor robbi(damnit i did not direct from
dusk till dawn or any of his crap) rodriguez is here. :D

[Kris S]

Originally Posted by Brian Cronin

In addition, Kristen...you're the editor on Image's "The Pact," which is a book that puts a bunch of disparate heroes together.

Is Hero Camp going to be in the same shared universe, or will it be like Small Gods, off in its own separate playground?

-Brian

I see Hero Camp as being able to fit into the shared Universe. It could very easily house a lot of the same characters with little difficulty, and in terms of teens with super powers and having parents with super powers, The Pact and Hero Camp have some similarities, even though the focus of the two books are vastly different. (Incidentally, as well as being the colorist on Hero Camp, Russ is also the colorist for The Pact.)

Small Gods COULD have been written to fit more into the Universe, but we made a conscious decision NOT to do that. It made the concept more unique, and more real.

[Deathstroke]

Originally Posted by Greg T

Yes, everything will be brand new stories. We have no current plans of reprinting the mini comics. Maybe if we get a trade, but I think we might George Lucas them; Robbi wants to redraw them, and I'd like to reletter them.

Wow, George Lucas has become a verb now? Cool!

[Brian Cronin]

I was discussing the awesome collection by AdHouse of Skyscrapers of the Midwest, which collects Josh Cotter's two mini-comics, and someone asked me if I could describe exactly what is a mini-comic.

I did, but I think it would be cooler, Greg, if you laid out the terminology for the people out there of what exactly is a "mini-comic."

-Brian

[Greg T]

Originally Posted by Brian Cronin

I was discussing the awesome collection by AdHouse of Skyscrapers of the Midwest, which collects Josh Cotter's two mini-comics, and someone asked me if I could describe exactly what is a mini-comic.

I did, but I think it would be cooler, Greg, if you laid out the terminology for the people out there of what exactly is a "mini-comic."

-Brian

Well, I'm sure people have different interpretation's of mini-comics, but to me, and I think to most creating them, it's a reference to their size. The largest ones, like Hero Camp, are usually 1/2 the size of an 8.5 X 11 sheet of paper, 5.5 X 8.5. Made that way because it's just simple to fold the sheet in half and have a comic. Of course, this is just a generality, and minis come in all sizes, from matchbook size to almost comic size, but typically never larger than a standard comic.

Also, they are usually "published" by the creator, meaning that they are copied at a local Kinko's or office supply store and then either handfolded and stapled by the creator or the store.

Price can range from free to around $2 - $3.

Distribution is also usually limited to websites and conventions, although some lucky ones get them in to local shops and beyond. In the case of Skyscrapers of the Midwes (which is indeed an awesome collection) a rare few get enough press to allow them to solicit through Diamond in the monthly Previews catalog.

The best thing about a mini comic is that anyone can create one. It doesn't matter how many you make, all that matters is that you have fun doing it. I would highly suggest doing them for anyone who is thinking about being in the business.

There are some great mini comics out there, and if it wasn't 2:30 in the morning and my wife was asleep, I'd dig a few out right now and share them with all of you guys. As it is, I'll try to find them later this weekend and post up names and links.

[Brian Cronin]

Quick AND detailed.

Nice. :)

-Brian