Recently, we announced the exciting Kickstarter Campaign for The Deadly Trio: Doomsayer #1 (having already exceeded over $50,000 since its opening). Following that announcement, we had a conversation with Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner, the founders of Paper Films, who are one of the three successful indie publishers involved in this project. Today, we are thrilled to talk to the other creators who have contributed their talents to this unique initiative: Brian Pulido, founder of Coffin Comics and creator of “Lady Death,” and Billy Tucci, founder of Crusade Comics and creator of “Shi.” Let’s welcome them both to GVN Talking Comics!
History – Brian
GVN: Thank you for giving us some of your time, Gentlemen. Since this would be our first opportunity to talk, let me start with both your histories, Starting with you Brian. When did you first take an interest in comics and whose work inspired that passion?
BP: I’ve collected comics for over fifty years. I first became interested in comics visiting flea markets in New Jersey with my family. In the 70’s. I read and collected all kinds of comics from Richie Rich to superheroes, but what really caught my interest were the Marvel monster comics of the 70’s. I gravitated toward everything from Where Monsters Dwell to Werewolf by Night.
History – Billy
GVN: I do relate as I too was a big fan of such titles, especially Werewolf by Night and Gene Colan’s work on Tomb of Dracula. How about you, Billy. When did you first take an interest in comics and whose work inspired that passion?
BT: I became a fan in 7th grade. Of course, I knew all about comics but aside from owning a bunch of Mego Action figures, Green Arrow being my favorite, I never had read them until Jr. High. I was a “monster kid” (still am, lol) and was obsessed with all things Universal Monsters and over all Halloween and horror related. So, I gravitated first to “Werewolf by Night” and a lot of old “Creepy” and “Eerie” comics but then dove full into Kanigher and Kubert’s “Our Army at War” and the war comics genre, and I’m still obsessed with them.
The thing is that as my art improved, I started to get discouraged as I was a huge fan of Joe Kubert, Walter Simonson, George Perez and this new kid, Dave Stevens (my personal comics’ hero), and feeling that I could never come even remotely close to drawing like my heroes, I drifted away from sequential storytelling and comics in general and more towards traditional painting and illustration.
In 1988, when I was an illustration major at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, a professor of mine told me my art style was perfect for drawing comics and that she’d like to show me some books. Again, my insecure memories of “the greats” sort of made me shy to the idea, but then one of my classmates brought in “Amazing Spider-Man” #300. I was nothing short of blown away by Todd McFarlane’s dynamic artwork. Here was a new art style that threw caution to the wind and Todd looked like he was having fun drawing comics. I asked my professor if she wouldn’t mind lending me the books she had wanted to share with me, the Pander Brothers’ incredible Christine Spar, “Grendel” series. From that moment on I became obsessed again. First with Miller’s ‘Daredevil” run, and discovering Mark Schultz, Lee Weeks, Stan Sakai and of course the new breed that included, Jim Lee, Marc Silvestri and Rob Liefeld. All seemed to truly love working in comics.
Publishing and it’s Challenges
GVN: While perusing your web site Brian, you clearly outlined the challenges faced by your first publishing house, Chaos Comics, which operated from 1993 to 2002. Like many others, I love a good comeback story, especially with your current publishing house, Coffin Comics. What lessons did you learn during that transition, and what advice would you give like-minded creators looking to establish their own publishing companies?
BP: I learned a lot from my mistakes and failures. Chiefly, I became knowledgeable about the financial side of business. I review everything from profit and loss statements, sales reports, cash-flow analysis, COGS Reports (costs of goods sold) to keep my fingers on the pulse of our company.
My advice to fellow creators is to understand that the comic book business has many ups and downs, and I encourage everyone to be prepared for the down times with a healthy “rainy day” fund. Also, surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.
The Inspiration of Brian Pulido
GVN: Similar question for you Billy. You founded Crusade Comics (Crusade Fine Arts, LLC) in the early 1990s. What motivated you to create your own publishing company, and did you face a learning curve during the process?
BT: Once again, I was inspired to make a career after comics. I had created my own character, “Ran” (which eventually became “Shi”) and after graduating college, I went into designing children’s wear but in my spare time still dreamed of making comics. Eventually, I tired of drawing bunnies and bears and set off to work for Marvel and DC. Alas, I was turned down by everyone save for Brian Pulido, whom I had met at the 1993 SDCC. Here was this amazing young man who not only treated this nobody like a peer but was creating his own comics.
After that, I too set out to become a self-publisher. To this day I hold him as my biggest inspiration and know that had I not met him, you would not be interviewing me today. I had no idea how a comic was made, where it was printed or even how to get it into comics shops, but nothing was going to stop me. In the following weeks, “Ran” quickly became “Shi” and come hell or high water, I was going to publish a comic book.
And I’m still learning! Comics are very organic, and the challenges seem to always evolve. I love these challenges and find it exciting to make every issue an improvement on its predecessor.
Deadly Trio: Doomsayer, Issue 1
GVN: Excellent. So, your latest project Deadly Trio: Doomsayer #1 is a collaboration with your longtime friends Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Connor at Paper Films. Brian and Billy, how did this partnership come about, and how was the decision made regarding which story to tell?
BP: This new project grew out a three-decade long friendship. Jimmy and Amanda took the lead on creating the world. I was excited to be part of an intergalactic Sci Fi adventure. Like Jimmy, I’m a big fan of Starlin’s Captain Marvel and Warlock. To jump into that arena is new and exciting.
BT: I’m trying to remember but I believe it was at dinner in San Diego two years ago. Jimmy, always being an incredible idea man, came up with the idea and even fashioned the basic premise of the story. I found it just awesome, there was no hesitation at all and he, Amanda, Brian and I all started developing our own characters and worlds. It was very exciting departure from I’ve been working on for three decades. Very refreshing and a lot of fun getting feedback from my partner’s. To be honest it’s the easiest cross-over collaboration I’ve ever experienced.
Working with Jimmy and Amanda
GVN: Billy, you worked previously with Amanda and Jimmy in 1996 on your Tomoe title. Was this the first time you had worked with them and if so, what do you think has helped to maintain that friendship for so long?
BT: I had met Jimmy shortly after Shi came out and he took me and my wife Deborah under his wing by introducing us to literally everyone in mainstream comics, including Amanda. We were looking to start up a new character, Tomoe with her own miniseries and since Jimmy was inking many of the early Shi issues, we approached him about a penciller. He showed us Amanda’s amazing Gargoyle’s art and it was a no brainer to work with her.
I still consider Amanda one of the greatest Shi artists of all time and it’s always been nothing short of a joy to work with her and Jimmy. As for our 30-year friendship, we’re just blessed to have met such great people who become more than friends but really family. That and I think what maintains it most is that we don’t take too much seriously, genuinely love one another and the fact that we’re all crazy.
The Kickstarter Campaign
GVN: The Kickstarter campaign for this exciting project is underway and already funded (myself being one who has taken part). Have you been surprised Brian, by the overwhelming positive reaction to this title?
BP: I’m excited that the project has been embraced! This story is outside of my known wheelhouse, so I appreciate the support.
Further Issues
GVN: With this success, how many issues do you plan to go with when all is said and done? In addition, are there other projects you might combine your talents on?
BP: I could see several more issues to tell this story. The cliffhanger at the end of issue one is wild!
BT: I believe we’ve got three planned, but Jimmy, Amanda and Brian have also laced so much character history crossing with one another that we must go beyond the initial series. So many layers have been added and uncovered and with Adriana’ amazing art, it would be a crime not to share more!
Coming from Coffin Comics and Crusade
GVN: Thanks again for sharing a few minutes of your time, Guys. Before we go, let me give you one last opportunity to talk about other projects that both Coffin Comics and Crusade has coming up.
BP: Thank you for the opportunity. The best way to stay current on Coffin Comics is to sign up to our weekly VIP newsletter here: www.CoffinComics.com
BT: Right now, we have Shi: Gatecrasher up on Indiegogo. It’s our 10th Indiegogo campaign that features Coffin Comics’ Lady Death and the world’s greatest public domain heroes. In Gatecrasher, my character Ana Ishikawa (aka, Shi) gets trapped comic book time and alongside my original inception of Shi, Ran, must battle her way through all of comics history, decades, genres and trends to find her way home. Here’s the link: https://igg.me/at/SHI-GATECRASER/x/20487910#/
Shi: Gatecrasher will also be launching on Kickstarter with its own exclusive campaign on January 9, 2025. We’ll be doing four more crowdfunded campaigns in 2025 (including the debut of an all-new character and universe). I’m also incredibly excited that Crusade Comics is back in comic shops monthly with many new Shi comics, omnibuses, and specials and we’re planning to introduce direct market customers to more Shi, Zombie-Sama and a few other surprises!
This truly is the new Golden Age of creator-owned comics, and I cannot thank our backers and fans enough for literally changing my life and allowing me to make my childhood dream come true!
I can see now that passion Jimmy talked about in our interview with Brian and Billy. It is no wonder their friendship has endured, and they work so well together. If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out their Kickstarter for Deadly Trio: Doomsayer#1. It is a gorgeous book and the many extras being offered will only sweeten the deal. You can find it here.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 60 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove headfirst over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 21-year-old young man with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
