Those who are familiar with Dungeons and Dragons are well versed in the hero’s quest. Where a group of complementary adventurers get together to foil evil doers and perhaps, get a little coin in their purse for the pleasure. So what happens when a group of such heroes have a need to fill their ranks. But, the only person who applies is a self-important local Prince? One who’s main talent seems to be making at least one member of their number wanting to kill him. At least part of the time. As a Prince, All Eugene wants is the opportunity to possibly do some good and “some real hero shit!” That is the premise for Kendra Wells delightful new book from Iron Circus Comics entitled, appropriately enough, Real Hero Shit. Which is coming to Kickstarter on October 18th.
Recently I had the pleasure of talking to the whimsical artist and writer about their beginnings and the new book. So let’s welcome Kendra Wells to GVN’s Talking Comics Interview.
Beginnings
GVN: Thanks for sharing a bit of your time Kendra. Let us start where most old writers start, in the beginning. When did you take an interest in art and comics in particular, and whose work inspired you?
KW: I was lucky enough to grow up in the anime and manga boom of the 90s and early 2000s. I read everything I could get my hands on in the aisles of Borders and my local library: Sailor Moon, Ranma ½, Dragon Ball, Tenchi Muyo, Hana Kimi, and Paradise Kiss were standouts from the time. Latching onto these beautiful comics, I sat at home making my own on printer paper (and wholesale ripping off all the storylines, but that’s a part of growing up and learning too). I didn’t realize until much later that this was a viable career path, and despite getting my BFA in Comics and Cartooning, it has taken me many years to finally publish my work and I am so excited to finally be here.
Developing an Artistic Style
GVN: And from what I’ve read, you have started with a BANG! Your art has an almost animated quality that is very appealing. I first noticed this in your book with Sam Maggs, Tell No Tales. Was this a style that developed as you worked or has it always been the look of your drawings?
KW: Thank you so much! Highly emotive, energetic drawing is very important to me in my comics—I feel my art and storytelling is at its strongest when I’m really pushing out of reality and into true cartooning and exaggeration. The journey to get to this point was a tumultuous one though, as I and many of my peers were told growing up to get away from that “Japanese anime” drawing style and focus more on realistic work if we wanted to be taken seriously.
I don’t disagree that you have to learn the fundamentals and rules before you can effectively break them, but for years I was terrified and convinced that in order to be successful I had to be more realistic and precise which only led me to freeze up and not create. Tell No Tales was my first full-length book and I could feel those fears crack and crumble, and I am very happy with how I’ve continued to grow with “Real Hero Shit.”
The Title Says it All
GVN: Your latest work is Real Hero Shit for Iron Circus Comics that will be coming to Kickstarter on the 18th. Number one, I LOVE the title and the interactions of the characters (especially Eugene and Ani). What was the inspiration for the book and the great title?
KW: As a rule, you should never give something a joke name, because it will always, always become the real name and then you have to explain to your grandma why your new book has a cuss in the title. “Real Hero Shit” was such a title and unfortunately for me and my grandma, it’s kind of a perfect name for this story. I wanted to make a medieval fantasy story with a chaotic, modern sense of humor that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s less Lord of the Rings, and more your friends’ Dungeons and Dragons campaign complete with bad decisions and inappropriate jokes about the hot NPCs.
Kickstarter Campaign
GVN: That’s a great description and it encapsulates it nicely. As aforementioned, you are bringing Real Hero Shit to Kickstarter. What can fans expect to find when they check out your campaign?
KW: Hopefully something they like! As Real Hero Shit is an incredibly self-indulgent book for me, so too is the Kickstarter campaign. I am incredibly lucky that RHS is in the very capable hands of Iron Circus Comics, one of my favorite publishers and a force to be reckoned with on the Kickstarter circuit. We will have a couple campaign-exclusive pieces of merchandise available as stretch goals, as well as a very exciting campaign video that was animated by the incredibly hard-working Amanda Lafrenais (who was also my coloring assistant on the book)! This is my first Kickstarter campaign for a solo project and I am very anxious and very, very excited to watch it all happen.
A Continuing Adventure?
GVN: It IS a great way to connect with fans while get your work funded. It’s generally a win-win. If I were to judge by the ending, there is more of this story to tell. Will readers be blessed with more of this tale?
KS: If I have any say in the matter, absolutely! I have an extensive Google Doc and at least two or three more books of material kicking around in my head. I wanted to make sure the first book could stand on its own as a standalone comic in case I didn’t have the opportunity to make more. But I would love nothing more than to continue this series and tell the stories of these characters who really feel like my own kids at this point. There are mysteries to uncover, confessions to make, and vengeance to seek. Ani, Hocus, Michel, and Eugene have a lot more to say and I really hope with all my heart I can help them say it.
Following Kendra Wells
GVN: I would certainly hope so. I certainly would enjoy a follow-up to RHS. Thank you so much for spending some time with us, Kendra. Before I let you go, do you have any other projects you would like our followers to know about? Also, where can they follow you on social media?
KW: My aforementioned all-ages historical magical pseudo-nonfiction graphic novel “Tell No Tales: Pirates of the Southern Seas” (written by Sam Maggs) is available everywhere books are sold! You can support my work and get behind the scenes sneak peeks on Patreon at http://patreon.com/kendrawcandraw. I am also on basically all other social media with the handle @kendrawcandraw. Thanks so much for your support!
Iron Circus Comics Real Hero Shit by Kendra Wells opens its Kickstarter Campaign on October 18th. Be sure to check out their campaign and support this delightful take on its Dungeons and Dragons style adventure.
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Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first 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 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.