Exploring The Toxic Avenger, BABS, And The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers With Ahoy Comics EIC Tom Peyer [EXCLUSIVE]

Photo Credit: Richard Pace

In an exclusive interview with Geek Vibes Nation, Tom Peyer, the seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Ahoy Comics, delves into the creative realms of the comic book industry. Peyer’s insights offer a unique perspective on his role in steering Ahoy Comics and his contributions to bringing iconic characters to life, making this conversation a must-read for comic enthusiasts.

On THE TOXIC AVENGER:

Ahoy Comics is known for its diverse range of titles, and now you’re bringing in THE TOXIC AVENGER, a character with a cult following. What prompted the decision to explore this iconic character in a new 5-issue comic book series?

Tom Peyer: Well, you said it. Cult following. We’ve been publishing for several years now, but we’ve always introduced new projects no one’s seen before. We’ve never gone to market with a character people already know and love. So we’ll see how this works. I’m optimistic. Now and then I’d tell someone that we’re doing this and they were uniformly delighted and surprised. And there’s a New Jersey contingent that seems to regard Toxie as family.

Working with Matt Bors and Fred Harper on THE TOXIC AVENGER seems like a unique collaboration. How did this partnership come about, and what can fans of the character expect from this new comic book series?

Tom Peyer: Matt loves the Toxic Avenger; in fact, he’s the one who initially approached Troma Entertainment about licensing the character, then suggested it to us. A criminal mastermind, that Matt. Manipulated us every step of the way. Anyhow, as a kid, he was a big fan of the animated Toxic Crusaders, so we’ll see some of that influence as the stories develop. And, of course, Matt’s a consummate satirist; his success as a political cartoonist demonstrated that a thousand times over. Fred is really gifted. He can do appealing, he can do bizarre and psychedelic. His wild sense of surrealism makes him a perfect fit for this.

Considering your extensive experience in the comic book industry, how do you see THE TOXIC AVENGER fitting into the broader landscape of comic book storytelling, especially in terms of addressing social and environmental issues?

Tom Peyer: It will certainly do that. Many years ago, Denny O’Neill and Neal Adams did a run Green Lantern/Green Arrow issues that were tagged as “relevant.” Each story dealt with a social issue: pollution, racism, overpopulation, etc. It was really something because comic books didn’t do that. Toxic Avenger is not GL/GA, but I’m reminded of it. It won’t be a Toxie story unless Matt and Fred are nailing some awful corporate behavior, somewhere in between the jokes and the violence.

Lastly, for readers who might be new to THE TOXIC AVENGER or AHOY Comics, what makes this series a must-read, and how do you think it will resonate with both existing fans and those discovering the character for the first time?

Tom Peyer: It’s just really entertaining. It’s of-the-moment: The chemical spill that transforms Melvin Junko into the Toxic Avenger is the result of a train derailment, something we’re seeing too much of in the real world. It’s timeless: Teen-aged Melvin’s sustained torment at the hands of bullies would be familiar to anyone who’s ever lived. And it takes a delight in brutality that I can only call Tromatic.

On BABS:

What attracted you to the sword & sorcery genre for the upcoming series BABS, and how does it fit within the broader mission of AHOY Comics?

Tom Peyer: We hadn’t done a sword & sorcery project, and this one fits us like a glove. Like Toxic Avenger and so much else we publish, it’s satirical and very funny.

Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows are a formidable creative team, each with an impressive portfolio. How did the collaboration for BABS come about, and what do you think each artist brings to the table to make this series stand out?

Tom Peyer: Garth wanted to do this with Jacen, and with AHOY. We said yes so fast I think we traveled back in time a second.

As the Editor-in-Chief, how do you see BABS contributing to the overall identity of AHOY Comics, and what do you hope readers will appreciate most about this particular series?

Tom Peyer: We don’t have this great line-wide plan or formula where it’s like, “After the police satire and the cryptids anthology it’ll be time to do a barbarian comedy.” We’re just generally attracted to projects that are entertaining, well-done, and unique, with some level of humor. And Babs certainly fits all of those criteria.

BABS #1 is set to release ahead of Comic Con International on July 17, 2024. Can you provide a teaser or hint about what readers can expect from the debut issue, and how it sets the tone for the rest of the six-part series?

Tom Peyer: It has magic, action, laughs, fighting, some really disgusting bad guys, and a magnetic protagonist who knows exactly who she is.

On THE WRONG EARTH: DEAD RINGERS:

The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers marks another installment in the series that has garnered significant acclaim. What inspired the decision to continue the story, and what can fans expect from this new five-issue run?

Tom Peyer: We never get tired of working on this one. If you worked with Jamal Igle, you’d never get tired of it, either.

The covers of each issue pay tribute to classic band photos from rock and hip-hop history. How did the idea for incorporating these homage covers come about, and how do they tie into the overall theme of The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers?

Tom Peyer: It was Jamal’s idea, and I love it. It has literally nothing to do with the story itself, but it’s clever to mine these indelibly composed group shots as a way to show all of our masked crimefighters.

With six years of storytelling behind the series, how has the dynamic between you and co-creator Jamal Igle evolved, and what do you think has been the key to the series’ enduring success?

Tom Peyer: Jamal and I have been copacetic from the beginning, so I’m happy to say it hasn’t evolved at all. We’re fans of the same geeky comic book tropes, and the energy he brings to this series is positively Perez-like.

In this new installment, Dragonflyman and Stinger find themselves back on Earth-Alpha, while their Earth-Omega counterparts are trapped there with them. Can you provide some insights into the challenges and conflicts that arise as a result?

Tom Peyer: Is Earth-Alpha big enough for Dragonfly and Dragonflyman? For Stinger and Stinger II? It’s looking doubtful.

Without giving away too many spoilers, can you tease some of the key plot points or character developments that readers can look forward to in the upcoming issues of The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers?

Tom Peyer: After all of this Earth-hopping, Dragonfly, grim-and-gritty vigilante from Earth-Omega, is starting to seem checked out. There’s something that’s bothering him more than crime—unprecedented for him—and he won’t talk about it.

The series has been described as a superhero parody, blending elements of humor, action, and commentary on the genre. How do you balance these different elements to create a cohesive and engaging narrative?

Tom Peyer: I hope we do! It’s never a sure thing until the issue is finished. It is a comedy at its root, but there are aspects to the characters that we respect and take seriously. They’re all out there to do good, even if they don’t always agree on what “good” means. And they’re all magnificently skillful, as masked crimefighters should be. And the absurdities are hung on that pretty straight-faced hook.

Finally, with the release of The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers #1 approaching, what message or experience do you hope readers take away from this latest chapter in the series?

Tom Peyer: I hope the readers get to feel for these characters, who all mean well. And I hope they come away knowing that the only authority figures worth trusting are the ones who wear skin-tight costumes and masks.

As we conclude this insightful journey into the world of Ahoy Comics with Editor-in-Chief Tom Peyer, it becomes evident that his passion for storytelling and dedication to innovative projects have left an indelible mark on the industry. From exploring the cult phenomenon of The Toxic Avenger to venturing into the realm of sword and sorcery with BABS and continuing the beloved saga of The Wrong Earth: Dead Ringers, Peyer’s influence is woven into the fabric of these exciting narratives.

We extend our gratitude to Tom Peyer for sharing his perspectives, providing a glimpse into the collaborative efforts behind these compelling projects. As fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding chapters within Ahoy Comics, Peyer’s role as a guiding force continues to shape the landscape of comic book storytelling, promising fresh and entertaining experiences for readers around the world. Stay tuned for more captivating tales and groundbreaking narratives from Ahoy Comics and the visionary leadership of Tom Peyer.