Feb 24, 2009
Feb 18, 2009
Getting to Know You by Troy Jeffrey Allen
In an attempt to create content for this little corner of the internet, I got the obvious idea to interview Bamn’s creative team.
Below is the highlights from a pair of interviews I threw from one side of the web to the other. Jay, Ron, and Dave caught them via e-mail and responded with a collection of typos that seem like responses to my questions (I know, I shouldn’t talk about typos).
Up next is…me. (This is gonna be weird. I’m interviewing myself.)
What is Bamn about?
Well, if you ask each of us you’ll get a different answer, but for me Bamn is about men. The rules of manhood and things that men are supposed to respond to. Concepts like mutual respect, courage, honor, discipline…women can get these things too, but these are time-honored themes that REAL men are usually associated with.
What is your role in Bamn?
To write alot of typos. As many as possible.
Now that issue #1 is available (www.comixpress.com), what would you have done different?
I’m slowly getting to the rationalization that it’ll never be perfect. I’m trying really hard to push forward and not look back on problems with each book. I just hope that it makes sense in the end.
Which character in Bamn do you identify with the most?
All of them. There is a little bit of each character I relate to. That’s how I try to write. It sounds obvious in retrospect, but it’s my first time out and I’ve discovered what works for me is to put a little bit of me in each character. Art’s the awkward side of me, Myers is the part of me that is good-natured, Crippler is the perverse side of me, Brent represents the bully in me, Bamn appeals to the side of me that’s all testosterone. Even, Slamn --- who you haven’t seen yet --- but he represents the part of me that’s a bit bizarre. He’s me when I’m blogging.
Bamn made it’s debut at SPX 2009 (www.spxpo.com). What was that like?
Very nice. I have to admit it was a definite highlight. It proved that the distance between you and the industry is not that big. You just gotta do it.
Any good Indy stuff (besides your own) that you got from SPX?
I gave my girlfriend a mini-comic called “Girls Don’t Poop.” She loved it. It’s hilarious. I found it and picked it up instantly. I can’t remember the creator’s name, but it was a perfect gift. I also got this awesome Buddha shirt.
What comics are you reading right now?
I’ve been really cautious since reading “All Star Superman.” It really did reaffirm what I love about comics. You need that every now and then. With so many crossovers and event titles you start picking stuff up out of habit and you forget what the industry is capable of. The closest thing I’ve come across since then is Mark Millar’s run on “Fantastic Four.” I also read “The Alcoholic” and “Sentences: The MF Grimm Story.” Comics are great for slice of life stuff. Oh…and “DMZ!”
Besides eat, poop, and sleep, what do you do when you’re not working on Bamn?
I’m a researcher at the National Archives in D.C. It’s turned out to be very educational. I’m learning stuff about Civil War veterans and it’s surpassed every history class I’ve taken. Also, because of that, I can spell “diarrhea” and “rheumatism” without spellchecking. LOL! I also moonlight at Alliance Comics and Games in Silver Spring, MD.
Why a wrestling comic? Those always suck.
For that exact reason.
Do you remember The WWF comic books from Chaos? They were godawful?
Yeah. When I got back into comics I read the The Undertaker book. I was bigger into wrestling at the time; you realize that nobody really does an honest wrestling comic…like it’s not enough to just tell an honest story in comic form.
Did you ever Backyard wrestle?
Oh, yeah. Big time. I got a chance to join a "fed" because of it. The fed is gone to my knowledge…
What was that like?
It was alot of fun. I made plenty of friends and as ridiculous as it seemed it’s culminated to creating Bamn.
Did you have a gimmick or wrestling name?
Yeah. The owner of the pro fed wanted me to play an Indian “Sheik.” I remember thinking, “That’s kind of racist. I don’t know anything about Indian culture.” My name was T.J.A. Mahal. Get it? Troy Jeffrey Allen Mahal. Man…
Anybody get hurt?
Yeah. In the backyard fed one guy kept getting contusions. Another kid got busted open by a steel chair. Someone tried to hit him in the head while jumping from the top of a tool shed. Poor bastard had to get stitches. I’m sure we will all continue to feel it as we get older. God knows I am.
You remember the first comic you ever read?
I think it was Archie. That or Spider-Man. I think I wanted to read about guys with girl problems ‘cause at the time I sure as hell didn’t have any.
Some general questions…
Favorite color?
Probably gray. I don’t know. It’s a nice neutral color, I guess.
Favorite character?
Spider-Man. Although, with Ultimates rebooting and “Brand New Day” ret-conning, my options are limiting.
Favorite movie(s)?
Easy. “Empire Strikes Back,” “Dazed and Confused,” “Predator,” “Superman: The Movie,” “Fight Club.” Those are the first ones that come to mind.
Favorite penciller?
Frank Quitely. His stuff always looks like its moving. I’m sure Jay is sick of me using him as a reference for Bamn’s art.
Favorite musician(s)?
MF Doom, System of A Down, and Rage Against The Machine. Also, I was really into film. The auteur theory, film language, and film scores…so, I really like composers. Especially, Michael Kamen.
Favorite wrestler?
The Rock. He’s not the most technical, that goes to Bret Hart, but he was a good example of a good industry guy. He jobbed to everyone. Everyone. He flip-flopped from heel to face and stayed a top draw for years. He could come back tomorrow and still be a fan favorite. Again, I know he’s not the finest example of a “wrestler” but I respect what he represents.
What is the meaning of life?
To not punch every D-bag you encounter in life. Slow and steady wins the race.
If you could blow somebody up who would it be?
That’s a list, my friend. I’ll stick to my previous statement of not harming D-bags.
Where can we find you online?
http://www.typographicera.com/. You can find me anywhere on the net from there.
Below is the highlights from a pair of interviews I threw from one side of the web to the other. Jay, Ron, and Dave caught them via e-mail and responded with a collection of typos that seem like responses to my questions (I know, I shouldn’t talk about typos).
Up next is…me. (This is gonna be weird. I’m interviewing myself.)
What is Bamn about?
Well, if you ask each of us you’ll get a different answer, but for me Bamn is about men. The rules of manhood and things that men are supposed to respond to. Concepts like mutual respect, courage, honor, discipline…women can get these things too, but these are time-honored themes that REAL men are usually associated with.
What is your role in Bamn?
To write alot of typos. As many as possible.
Now that issue #1 is available (www.comixpress.com), what would you have done different?
I’m slowly getting to the rationalization that it’ll never be perfect. I’m trying really hard to push forward and not look back on problems with each book. I just hope that it makes sense in the end.
Which character in Bamn do you identify with the most?
All of them. There is a little bit of each character I relate to. That’s how I try to write. It sounds obvious in retrospect, but it’s my first time out and I’ve discovered what works for me is to put a little bit of me in each character. Art’s the awkward side of me, Myers is the part of me that is good-natured, Crippler is the perverse side of me, Brent represents the bully in me, Bamn appeals to the side of me that’s all testosterone. Even, Slamn --- who you haven’t seen yet --- but he represents the part of me that’s a bit bizarre. He’s me when I’m blogging.
Bamn made it’s debut at SPX 2009 (www.spxpo.com). What was that like?
Very nice. I have to admit it was a definite highlight. It proved that the distance between you and the industry is not that big. You just gotta do it.
Any good Indy stuff (besides your own) that you got from SPX?
I gave my girlfriend a mini-comic called “Girls Don’t Poop.” She loved it. It’s hilarious. I found it and picked it up instantly. I can’t remember the creator’s name, but it was a perfect gift. I also got this awesome Buddha shirt.
What comics are you reading right now?
I’ve been really cautious since reading “All Star Superman.” It really did reaffirm what I love about comics. You need that every now and then. With so many crossovers and event titles you start picking stuff up out of habit and you forget what the industry is capable of. The closest thing I’ve come across since then is Mark Millar’s run on “Fantastic Four.” I also read “The Alcoholic” and “Sentences: The MF Grimm Story.” Comics are great for slice of life stuff. Oh…and “DMZ!”
Besides eat, poop, and sleep, what do you do when you’re not working on Bamn?
I’m a researcher at the National Archives in D.C. It’s turned out to be very educational. I’m learning stuff about Civil War veterans and it’s surpassed every history class I’ve taken. Also, because of that, I can spell “diarrhea” and “rheumatism” without spellchecking. LOL! I also moonlight at Alliance Comics and Games in Silver Spring, MD.
Why a wrestling comic? Those always suck.
For that exact reason.
Do you remember The WWF comic books from Chaos? They were godawful?
Yeah. When I got back into comics I read the The Undertaker book. I was bigger into wrestling at the time; you realize that nobody really does an honest wrestling comic…like it’s not enough to just tell an honest story in comic form.
Did you ever Backyard wrestle?
Oh, yeah. Big time. I got a chance to join a "fed" because of it. The fed is gone to my knowledge…
What was that like?
It was alot of fun. I made plenty of friends and as ridiculous as it seemed it’s culminated to creating Bamn.
Did you have a gimmick or wrestling name?
Yeah. The owner of the pro fed wanted me to play an Indian “Sheik.” I remember thinking, “That’s kind of racist. I don’t know anything about Indian culture.” My name was T.J.A. Mahal. Get it? Troy Jeffrey Allen Mahal. Man…
Anybody get hurt?
Yeah. In the backyard fed one guy kept getting contusions. Another kid got busted open by a steel chair. Someone tried to hit him in the head while jumping from the top of a tool shed. Poor bastard had to get stitches. I’m sure we will all continue to feel it as we get older. God knows I am.
You remember the first comic you ever read?
I think it was Archie. That or Spider-Man. I think I wanted to read about guys with girl problems ‘cause at the time I sure as hell didn’t have any.
Some general questions…
Favorite color?
Probably gray. I don’t know. It’s a nice neutral color, I guess.
Favorite character?
Spider-Man. Although, with Ultimates rebooting and “Brand New Day” ret-conning, my options are limiting.
Favorite movie(s)?
Easy. “Empire Strikes Back,” “Dazed and Confused,” “Predator,” “Superman: The Movie,” “Fight Club.” Those are the first ones that come to mind.
Favorite penciller?
Frank Quitely. His stuff always looks like its moving. I’m sure Jay is sick of me using him as a reference for Bamn’s art.
Favorite musician(s)?
MF Doom, System of A Down, and Rage Against The Machine. Also, I was really into film. The auteur theory, film language, and film scores…so, I really like composers. Especially, Michael Kamen.
Favorite wrestler?
The Rock. He’s not the most technical, that goes to Bret Hart, but he was a good example of a good industry guy. He jobbed to everyone. Everyone. He flip-flopped from heel to face and stayed a top draw for years. He could come back tomorrow and still be a fan favorite. Again, I know he’s not the finest example of a “wrestler” but I respect what he represents.
What is the meaning of life?
To not punch every D-bag you encounter in life. Slow and steady wins the race.
If you could blow somebody up who would it be?
That’s a list, my friend. I’ll stick to my previous statement of not harming D-bags.
Where can we find you online?
http://www.typographicera.com/. You can find me anywhere on the net from there.
Feb 10, 2009
Getting to Know You by Troy Jeffrey Allen
In an attempt to create content for this little corner of the internet, I got the obvious idea to interview Bamn’s creative team.
Below is the highlights from a pair of interviews I threw from one side of the web to the other. Jay, Ron, and Dave caught them via e-mail and responded with a collection of typos that seem like responses to my questions (I know, I shouldn’t talk about typos).
Up first is David Dean, the book’s concept artist and co-creator. Dave’s job is to design all the elaborate wrestling costumes that you will see popping up in future issues. He’s currently putting the finishing touches on a short story for DCC’s “Horrors of War” Anthology.
What is Bamn about?
To sum this up real quick,‘cause I'm sure Jay and Troy wrote 200 paragraphs of awesomeness, Bamn is the “Bad News Bears” of wrestling! That's right!
What is your role in Bamn?
Art direction and concept design.
Now that issue #1 is available (http://www.comixpress.com/), what would you have done different?
Provided we had the time and cash…a different cover with color.
Which character in Bamn do you identify with the most?
“Crippler. He’s a bit of a loud mouth…he reminds me of myself when I have too much energy!
Bamn made it’s debut at SPX 2009 (http://www.spxpo.com/). What was that like?
One of the greatest experiences of my life!
Any good Indy stuff (besides your own) that you got from SPX?
I didn't get much...(I) would have liked to get some “Scott Pilgrim” stuff, but (I) never got around to it.
What comics are you reading right now?
“Locke and Key,” “No Hero,” “Wolverine: Old Man Logan,” “Kickass,” “Scott Pilgrim,” and “Astonishing X-men.”
Besides eat, poop, and sleep, what do you do when you’re not working on Bamn?
“Working on another book with (Troy), Play W.O.W., and manage the greatest comic book store in the world! THE GREATEST!
Why a wrestling comic? Those always suck.
‘Cause we can make it work. ‘Cause we are Gs! Yes. Gs!
Do you remember The WWF comic books from Chaos? They were godawful.
What? WWF comics? I have no recollection of that. o0
Did you ever Backyard wrestle?
Yes and no. Does a trampoline count?
What was that like?
Fun…until I threw (my friend) off the side and down a small hill.
Did you have a gimmick or wrestling name?
Nope.
Anybody get hurt?
Not really.
You remember the first comic you ever read?
(I’m) pretty sure it was a Batman comic.
Some general questions…
Favorite color?
Red.
Favorite character?
Snake-eyes.
Favorite movie(s)?
“Halloween,” “Predator,” “Crow,” and “Terminator.”
Favorite penciller?
Alex Maleev.
Favorite musician?
Slipknot.
Favorite wrestler?
Edge.
What is the meaning of life?
That’s…ummm...I...um...seriously, man?!
If you could blow somebody up who would it be?
Dude! Seriously?! WTF!
Where can we find you online?
Facebook. Just search “David Dean.” I'm too lazy to grab a link. I’m sure there's, like, thousands of us, but I’m the best! o0
NOTE FROM TROY: David is a lazy bastard! You can find him on Deviant Art (http://heavensredsun23.deviantart.com/) and the following Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=664370507&ref=ts
Feb 4, 2009
Googling Bamn
It's Wednesday. Time for more Bamn news!
Shamelessly, after the Gazette and Washington Post article dropped, I Googled "Bamn comic book." Surprisingly, I found these links on the series...
DC Comics blog:
DC Comics blog (yeah, I capitalized on the situation. So?!): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2009/01/more-info-on-wrestling-comic.html
For those of you who saw the article in the Gazette, but missed it in the Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/28/AR2009012801828.html
My old wrasslin' buddy, Marcus "King Kong" Dowling, giving us a nod from back in September:
...and "Talkin' about Comics" was nice enough to give us a positive review (I think...):
For those of you wondering, a second printing of "Bamn" #1 (sans typos) will be available at the local level at Alliance Comics and Games in 2 weeks. The Bowie location and the Silver Spring location will be selling it.
We are working to make the book available at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Md. I'll have more details on that as it develops --- but don't forget, Bamn #1 is currently available online at Comixpress (complete with those typos that people love so much).
My eyes are getting tired. I'll cath you all next week.
Troy
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