GVN Talking Comics Interview: Iron Circus Editor/Writer Kel McDonald Talks Iron Circus Games And Indiepocalypse

Anyone familiar with Spike Trotman and Iron Circus Comics is aware that Spike is continually seeking to expand the Iron Circus brand. Beginning with Iron Circus Comics and later branching into Iron Circus Animation with the innovative Lackadaisy project, Spike and Iron Circus are now venturing into the gaming sector with Iron Circus Games. In this new venture, Spike has partnered with Andrew Baillie and his Indiepocalypse brand. Indiepocalypse magazine, spearheaded by Andrew, has highlighted numerous indie game developers, making the collaboration a natural progression for both parties.

Kel McDonald, a seasoned creator and editor for Iron Circus, will be contributing to this project. Kel’s collaborations with Iron Circus Comics include “Cautionary Fables and Fairytales” and the editing of “Failure to Launch,” which is set for a paperback release this July. As part of the Backerkit campaign for this new venture, Kel teams up with Ren to create a game called “Teething,” where players take on the role of a parent to a young werewolf. The objective is to puppy-proof the home before the next full moon to avoid dire consequences. In addition, Kel will also be including their e-book Stars Hide Your Fire by Kel and artist Jose Pimienta.

Recently, we caught up with Kel to ask about their beginnings and the collaboration with Andrew Baillie and Indiepocalypse. So, let’s welcome talented writer, artist, and editor Kel McDonald to GVN Talking Comics.

Beginnings

GVN: Thank you for sharing a bit of your time, Kel. Let’s start with a bit of your background. What motivated you to get into writing and who were the creators who inspired you to pursue that endeavor?

KM: I have always liked telling stories, since before I could remember. I also always wanted to tell those stories with visuals rather than words. Most of my writing influences were from watching too much TV as a kid. So, I don’t think it was one particular creator that pushed me to do it. But once I started writing, I ended up exposed to more and found creators that were doing things I was interested in across all mediums, whether it’s Carla Speed McNiel’s comics, Seanan McGuires’s books, or Guillermo Del Toro’s movies.

Joining the Iron Circus

GVN: As I researched, I found that you and your talents are deeply involved in the Iron Circus world as a contributor, creator, and editor. How did you connect with Spike and Iron Circus and did you approach them or vice versa?

KM: Spike and I first met while we were both working on our respective webcomics back in the early 2000s. We would trade info on what was and wasn’t working about getting the word out or where to get books printed. So, we ran parallel for a long while beforehand. Around the time Iron Circus was getting wider distribution and was looking to pick up some books for younger audiences, my self-published anthology series “Cautionary Fables and Fairytales” needed some of the early volumes reprinted and had hit a growth plateau that it needed library/school distribution to get past. So, it was good timing for both of us.

Combining Games and Art

GVN: The latest venture for Iron Circus is a turn to the gaming side and a collaboration with Andrew Baillie and Indiepocalypse. Have you always been interested in game creation and how different is it from comic creation?

KM: I’m focusing more on the art side of things this time around. I’ve been interested in making games off and on, but never really had the time or opportunity to pursue it. A lot of my favorite pieces of media are pieces that can ONLY be told in that medium. The interactive side of things is something unique to games. So, there is a lot more work to ensure you accounting all the possible directions the player can go. I had a lot of drawing to do.

The BackerKit Campaign

GVN: As is Iron Circus’s norm, they are starting a new Backerkit campaign for this collaboration. What will Iron Circus and Indiepocalypse fans find if they check out this campaign?

KM: All the rewards are digital this time around! No shipping. We got some previous Indiepocalypse games and some Iron Circus ebooks as add-ons. So, our international fans won’t have to break the bank with shipping.

Visiting the BackerKit Campaign

GVN: Thank you again for visiting with us a bit, Kel. Before I let you go, I want to give you the opportunity to remind fans where they can go to support the Iron Circus Games and Indiepocalypse campaign. Also, where they can go to see what else is happening at Iron Circus.

KM: Thank you for your interest. To support the campaign, they can go to this link for BackerKit and to find out what’s happening with Iron Circus they can go to www.ironcircus.com.