Whore is a new graphic novel from Zenescope Entertainment mixing equal amounts sex, violence, and espionage. What happens when an amoral CIA agent is fired and goes freelance? The answer could be Jacob Mars, a guy that will take any job he can get. In this double-sized interview we talk with writer Jeffrey Kaufman (Big City Comics, Terminal Alice) and in a rare opportunity, we get an exclusive glimpse into the lettering process with LeaguePodcast host and comics professional John Hunt (IDW’s Star Trek, Athena Voltaire).
Thanks for talking with us, Jeffrey. We heard you had a big bash last Wednesday to celebrate Whore!
Jeffrey: Yeah, Aaron, the owner of A Comic Shop, invited me to sign there. A little pizza, a little cake and an undisclosed amount of alcohol always make for a fun signing.
What kind of outrageous acts went down at the signing?
We brought one of the “Whore” cages where the only way you can get a “Whore” t-shirt is to sit in the cages for a certain amount of time. Like usual, I never know what’s going to happen and as the rule states “whatever happens in the cages winds up on Facebook”.
You mention in the foreword that the title of the book was tough for you to arrive at. Here you are at conventions, with the word “Whore” above your head; the lowercase ‘r’ is a handgun. There’s Jacob Mars surrounded by three naked ladies. You’re likely pissing people off.
The responses I get at a convention:
“Get the hell out here”.
“Oh my god that’s awesome”
Some people run very fast and cover their kid’s eyes.
Some women give me the “nasty face” until I tell them it’s about a guy.
Best response was at Dragon*Con where a guy as he was walking by screamed out a five second, “Damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn”
The biggest surprise was that only about three people in total couldn’t get past the name.
Can a man be "slut-shamed'? - Whore Graphic Novel, Art by Marco Turini
The graphic novel isn’t about whatever made up story your brain makes when looking at the cover and logo. This is really a mercenary story than anything to do with pimps or prostitutes. How do you pitch this book when someone walks by your booth?
“It’s about a guy who does anything for money”. Jacob Mars is an ex-CIA guy who owes a hundred thousand in alimony and other debts and now does anything for a price.
You do have some sex scenes in the book. Well, a lot of them actually. Jacob is always getting busy when someone flips the target and points it back at him. You cover sex and violence pretty well. Do these stories come from your day job as a defense attorney?
I always think of this quote from “A League of Their Own” when I get asked this kind of question and that is “I have seen enough to know I have seen too much.“
Whether I like it or not, my writing is affected by my time as a criminal defense attorney. Trying to explain an unrealistic excuse to a jury is what I do in my books. It’s just fun for me making something that is implausible seem plausible.
How did you first get into writing comics and can you tell us a bit about Big City Comics?
I started in comic books by representing artist and writers pro bono with their legal problems. I still do a lot of that. I met an artist who needed help, we became friends and I wrote my first book “Totem”. Since no one would publish it, I created Big City Comics as its own publisher and proceeded to publish 31 single issue books. After taking a beating and going through a ridiculous amount of depression, I changed the company to Big City Comics Studios and produce only graphic novels for other publishers. The first book we did was with Zenescope, called ”Terminal Alice” which was about five female contract killers and then they agreed to do our next book, “Whore”.
Jacob Mars protects pop stars, pulls jobs for the Mafia and even high ranking government. Were you thinking of this as more of a big budget action movie on this book or maybe serialized television like “Law & Order”?
I write what I can see. So yes, I can imagine this character on the big or small screen. It would be a dream to introduce my characters to larger audiences. Both “Terminal Alice” and “Whore” are very fun books.
To that end, was the graphic novel the natural fit for this book? I couldn’t imagine this being broken up into issues.
I was able to write a complete story which I feel is better than single issues. I like writing a “kick you in the face” ending. The ending I feel should be the best part and that’s the feedback I’m getting. It’s great to hand a reader your book and know that it’s complete.
"We want prenup....YEAHHHH". - Whore Graphic Novel - Art By Marco Turini
We tend to ask creators familiar with the #comicmarket hashtag questions about how you market your books. You are working with Zenescope, which is awesome but you have to work hard to get your work noticed as an independent creator. What cool new ways are you getting attention for your book? Do you find other independent creators are supportive on twitter and in general?
I try to take advantage of everything, but there are only so many hours in the day. Face to face sales, social media and anything you can think of that is within your budget are what you should do. As far as other creators, there are some really great supportive people in our industry like Terry Cronin, Billy Tucci, Clayburn Moore and others, but there are others who think of you solely as their competition. I read so many different books, but I do know creators who don’t and will bash your work online just to make themselves feel better.
I’ve had some of those moments of jealousy myself, but I do try to learn from my own stupidity.
When will we get to see your documentary, “How to Fail in Comics“.
Hopefully by Summer 2013.
What’s next from you and Big City Comics? Will you be at New York Comic Con?
I’ll be in New York with two “Whore” t-shirt cages, a special New York Comic Con exclusive cover for Whore. I hope to have just a knock-down good time. The next books we have on the horizon are our Children’s book, “Chip and Gorro”, and two graphic novels. The first is “Angel Falling” and the second is a combined sequel to “Terminal Alice” and “Whore”.
A Very Well Lettered Page by John Hunt (Awesome, LeaguePodcast)
Next up, I interviewed our very own John Hunt about lettering the book. John is a colorist and letterer for many awesome comics. John was nice enough to explain the lettering process and announce his involvement in an Eisner-nominated book as the colorist.
I noticed you lettered the Whore. That means you had to write some dirty words. Were you OK with that?
John: It didn’t bother me at all. I’ve lettered all types of stories from kids stuff with robots that share the virtues of recycling to adolescent, assassins in an incestual relationship (Yeah, really) so I barely noticed the curse words. I’m not offended easily and as long as the dialog helps to convey a good story I don’t generally have any issues with that sort of thing.
Were any of your word balloons used to cover up any naughty bits?
No, the way the script was written any nudity was implied but never shown.
I think it would have hurt the book if I had to cover body parts like in Austin Powers.
How was it working with the other creators on the book? Lettering tends to happen toward the end of the production process, correct?
I mainly just worked with Jeff. The most difficult aspect was that in some of the panels the first character speaking was on the right side instead of the left so it presented a few lettering challenges. That said, Marco is an amazing artist and it was a pleasure to work with such talent.
And to answer the second part of your question—yes, lettering is the last step of the process and we got in a crunch towards the end because this had to be ready for SDCC and, if I remember correctly, the printer moved up the date that we needed to have the files in to them.
So there was a mad dash towards the finish line when it came to proofing the book. Somehow we managed to get it all done in two days.
Have you any advice to people that want to break into comics, either lettering or coloring? We are always looking to encourage creative types to get cracking!
If you love comics and want to break in, then do whatever you can to make it happen. A lot of times just making one good connection can lead to work. Talk to editors at conventions, post your work online, just get it seen and listen to what the pros have to say about your work. I ended up getting this gig based on word of mouth. If you do good work for a publisher in a timely fashion, people notice and will suggest you to others when they are looking for help. Be professional.
Don’t address editors or creators as “pal” or “bro.” You wouldn’t do that at an office job to your boss so there’s no reason to do it in comics. It’s a fun job, but it’s still a job. If you treat it like one, you’ll do okay.
The Usual Scam - Cover by Joe Mulvey, Colors by John Hunt
Thanks, John. And were looking forward to talking to you about your next project from Dark Horse which is very exciting indeed!
Yup, I’m coloring Athena Voltaire for Steve Bryant which I’m stoked about. I’ve also got an issue of Charmed coming out at the end of September that I colored plus the books that I letter for Viz and Yen Press. I’ve got a lot on my plate at the moment but that’s the way I like things!
Thanks John! I am going to put those private lettering tutorials to work one of these days! The CIA doesn’t have any work for me any more!
BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE! CHECK OUT LEAGUEPODCAST.COM — BOSTON’S COMIC BOOK AND POP CULTURE PODCAST — “Thinking about Comics since 2009″!
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