HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT THE TIME WHEN...?

My friend Kristina Krengel interviewed me for an assignment in her graphic novel class. (Pause. How awesome is it that "graphic novel class" exists?) Since you're here and I'm here, I thought I'd share what I shared. Some of these anecdotes have been posted before. Am I turning into that guy who shares the same stories over and over?

When did you begin reading comics/graphic novels and why?  I know I've talked to you about it helping with dyslexia (I've used that as a pro with my reading teachers before.  Thanks.), but was that why you began to read them or just a positive byproduct?

I began reading comics when I was about nine years old. I have dyslexia, but I wasn’t diagnosed until I was an adult. All I knew as a kid was that I had a hard time reading, and I got held back in elementary school because of my grades. Then I discovered comic books, mostly Marvel Comics -- X-MEN, POWER PACK, CLOAK AND DAGGER, X-FACTOR, and NEW MUTANTS. And something clicked. Of course, now I know word balloons group the text in a way that makes it easier for someone with dyslexia. And the illustrations reinforce the words, working in harmony, so that the reading experience is at a more “natural pace” and can be enjoyed. It helped that the stories were wonderfully dramatic, heartbreaking, funny, surprising, and a little crazy. I never missed an issue. It was the fun, expansive universe that I was able to engage in.

What are your favorite types of comics & GN?  Why?  Do you have a favorite artist or author?

It may sound like I'm cheating to say I love all comics, but I really do. I love mainstream, small press, and independent comics. I love a wide variety of genres. I love Japanese comics (manga) and European comics. Wherever there's a good story, I want to read it. I have a few favorite creators. Right now, I'd say my favorite is Naoki Urasawa. He's one of the most talented storytellers we've ever seen. MONSTER, PLUTO, 20THE CENTURY BOYS -- he crafts these amazingly dense, epic heartfelt stories. His comics are as engaging as anything you'd see on HBO, A&E, or Showtime. I also like Rutu Modan. She's an Israeli illustrator and comic book artist. Urasawa tells big, often loud, stories. Modan's work is much softer and more tender, but her stories will just destroy you. From the U.S., Will Eisner, who passed away in 2005, is my Twain, my Hemingway, my Fitzgerald. His work and his name should be right up there with those authors. He created some of the greatest literature I've ever read, and yet you won't see his name spoken with the same veneration.

I know you helped build a larger GN section in Martin's library while you were there.  Why did you want to do this?  Was it easy to get support or not?  How was the circulation of the section?

Librarians are amazing people. I've never met a librarian who wouldn't move heaven and hell to get you a book. And when I gave Martin's librarian a list of comics/graphic novels that the students would enjoy (and it was a long list), she ordered every single one. It's the most popular section of the school library. I know people bemoan that these comic book kids are no longer reading "real novels," but these kids are actually the ones who are more likely to read novels. They're not the problem; they are our future. It's the kids who never set foot in the library that we should worry about. They don't think there's anything in there for them. And I guarantee we could find a comic book they would love.

Why did you decide to start writing GN? 

I always wanted to be a writer. I've dabbled with fiction and non-fiction, essays and short stories. I've written for magazines and websites. And I knew I'd eventually stumble into comics when the opportunity was there. Twelve years ago, I wrote a one-act play for my friend who had a theater troupe. I had about a week to write it. The experience was a trial-by-fire for scriptwriting. The day after opening night, I started writing my first comic. Writing is about momentum, and one experience led me to another.

How did you go about writing (the short version) your graphic novels? How many have you written?

I've written five major works -- KARMA INCORPORATED, EMILY EDISON, ASTRONAUT DAD, WE'VE NEVER MET, and an adaptation of ANTIGONE. I've written twice as many graphic novels (mostly treatments and some full scripts) that have never seen publication. I've had 18 smaller comic book projects published in various formats.

The writing process is different for each comic book/graphic novel. It largely depends on the type of story I write. (Once again, I dabble in different genres. Each story takes a different shape and a different approach.) It also depends on the artist I work with. I try to tailor our collaboration to his or her own preferences and abilities. For instance, Paul Milligan and I largely co-wrote our graphic novel project. With Brock Rizy, our graphic novel was a lot of creative back and forth. On WE'VE NEVER MET, Chad Thomas had ideas that I injected into the work, but it was mostly me passing the finished scripts to him. I wrote ASTRONAUT DAD several years before I found an artist. It all starts with me and a notepad. I brainstorm ideas, jot down a loose outline. I then type a four page synopsis, which I reference when I type the script.

BLAH BLAH BLAH ME ME ME

I like my work, but I also like talking about my work. And the only thing I like more than talking about my work is telling people about instances where I talk about my work. While at the Dallas Comic Con, my friend Kyle interviewed me for the Tech Tards web show. So, go here: [UPDATE: LINK BROKEN. I'LL REPOST IF IT'S FIXED. SORRY.] (I begin talking at around the 24 minute mark, and I don't shut up until about 29:30.)

After you listen to me, I would recommend going back to the beginning of the show and watching the whole thing. It's a fun web program. I particularly like the review of the "fetus chooses own name" app for the iPad. Host Sarah Magee uses it, but since she's fetus-less -- she's just hits the iPad with her head.

YOU + DALLAS VIDEO

I tried embedding the video, but it messed up the right margin. So you have to click this link instead. It's definitely worth watching. A film crew from You + Dallas came to the Dallas Comic Con and made a great video. The triumphant music cracks me up a bit. I wish I had that playing every time I teach my Creative Writing class. Anything sounds profound with music like that.

Also, cool to see Jake Ekiss, Lawrence Reynolds, Jim Mahfood, and a few other friends in the shots.

SPIRITS INTERVIEW

Awhile ago, my friend Kyle Kondas and I met at Uptown Bar to discuss my work in comics. It's part of his SPIRITS video series (click here for more details).


There was a frame/rate issue. The audio is slightly off in a few areas, but all in all, a good interview. I talk a lot and drink my beer.

UPDATE: The audio has been corrected!

HALF HOUR WASTED

Here's the interview with Brent Schoonover and me on the Half Hour Wasted podcast (click here). In this episode, we talk about the completed ASTRONAUT DAD -- all the dirt and details.

Enjoy. We're highly quotable.

INTERVIEW FOR A CLASS

My friend and fellow teacher Lisa McWain retired a few years ago. (I took her room when she left. My previous room had no windows and a flimsy partition dividing my class from the one next door. It was a nice step up.) Last year, Lisa took some college courses, one of which was on comic books. She interviewed me for a project. I stumbled across the interview while organizing my desktop, and thought I'd post it here.

Your blog is really interesting; my favorite part is the Kennedy poop story.

Thanks. I probably spend too much time on my blog. I've been blogging for six years. It's a terrible distraction from actual writing. The Kennedy poop story was hilarious. She’s at an age where she says the funniest stuff without realizing it. A few days ago, she told me I should buy a Toyota Spyder. I told her I didn’t have enough money, so she said April, my girlfriend, could buy it for me.

The comic in D magazine – great!

That's been a good deal for me and the artist, Paul Milligan. I got involved with D Magazine through Trey Garrison who read my Superman essay with the Man from Krypton Smart Pop Book and thought I had some potential. The comic idea was proposed one afternoon, and I made a good impression on their editor Tim Rogers. Our fifth installment of Souvenir of Dallas should be in the August issue. (UPDATE: We're on our 10th installment as of June 2009.)

The Art Conspiracy idea is wonderful.

Sarah Jane Semrad and Jason Roberts are the two people behind Art Conspiracy (http://artconspiracy.org). I’m proud to have been involved with it over the years. Recently, I was asked to contribute a journal to auction for their summer fundraiser. That has taken most of my time recently, working on the journal.

Have you ever done any work in KC?

Not in Kansas City, but Lawrence, Kansas is one of my favorite cities. I’ve been there. I have some friends who live in Lawrence, and I did a store signing at Astrokitty Comics. Great store.

My dad worked as a mechanical engineer for the space program; we lived in Hunstville, AL during the late early sixties, and followed all of "his" launches.

That's really cool. The NASA space program had to be one of the proudest moments in U.S. history. We attempted something great that didn’t involve killing lots of people in another country. However, it was still part of a "war" I guess, the Cold War. I speak through Jimmy in chapter two about that. We’ve been better at bombs than rockets. I was born in 1977. Our last moon landing was in 1973. I hope I live to see us attempt another moon landing. If we wait too long, no one from the original Apollo program will be around to assist. That would be a mistake.

Background Questions: When and how did you start?

About six years ago, my friend Aja invited me to write a stage play for a production opportunity she had at UTA. I thought I’d need a few months. She gave me a few weeks. While writing it, there were many nights that went until four in the morning. In the end, I spit out a semi-decent play. Opening night was a proud and awkward moment. I wore my wedding suit, which felt oddly symbolic. The play itself was a difficult experience to watch. Afterward, I went to my apartment, determined to never write another stage play. However, I had been bitten by an urge to write and comics seemed like a natural fit. It took me awhile to get comfortable with the format and the medium itself. I want to say the more you write the easier it gets, but that's not true. You learn how to be challenged at a higher level than you were before. Hopefully.

Your biggest influences:

I don't know if these influences are all that obvious, but novelist Douglas Coupland and director Wes Anderson have made a huge impact on me. And hey, Wes Anderson and I share a birthday. The influence question is a tough one, because in the end, people are influenced by so much more than the sum of their favorite books, films, and songs. I would love to be called "Coupland-esque," but I never sit down in front of my computer trying to figure out how to write like him. I struggle enough as it is to find my own stories; let alone figure out a way to channel other writers. I like what Alan Moore once said in an interview about being influenced by hundreds of writers, instead of just one.

Advice to future writers:

The best advice isn't all that new. I've heard people say it over and over again: Writers write. They don’t sit around talking about what they want to accomplish some day in the hypothetical future. They do it. Because while you are sitting around thinking about it or attending conferences on how to do it, someone else is out there working harder than you, stealing your dream job. Lots of people want to be writers or say they have a "million dollar idea," but they don't do anything. Start today or don't do it all. People need to stop romanticizing the writing profession, and just put words on paper.

On your site, I see at least 6 different publishers as well as at least 2 works that are self-published. How do you work with the different companies?

All those companies are small operations. Often, you build a professional relationship with those people through mutual friends. I got involved with Viper and Silent Devil via some short stories I contributed to their anthologies. Over the years, I've become good friends with the editors. As their company grows, they stay loyal to the talented peopled they've worked with along the way. That's ideally what happens. Of course, comic book conventions tend to be the place where everyone meets everyone.

I have dipped into the SmartPop books before, the Harry Potter one, the Grey’s Anatomy one, etc. I read the beginning of your essay on Superman – good stuff. How did you get involved with them? Do you like writing essays?

Actually, I hate writing essays. Hate it. It does not come naturally at all. Whereas I've developed a certain pace with script writing, those essays feel like pushing a boulder uphill. I cringe when I re-read what I've written. It’s a skill I need to develop, so I force myself to get better. From a freelance perspective, the pay is much better than comics. I made more money with one 500 word essay for D Magazine than five years worth of comic book publishing. Sad and true. Essay writing can pay a few bills. I got involved with Smart Pop, because I was a friend in high school with one of the editors. We touched base when I lived in Dallas. She gave me a shot at the Superman essay, and her boss gave me the green light.

Do you share your work (and/or its process) with your students? I think they would be fascinated to hear from a real writer.

Rarely, if ever. I like to keep the two areas separate. I’ve never wanted to be "that teacher" who is continually trying to impress the students. I mean, just because you play guitar does not mean you should perform camp songs for your students. If the students discover my work on their own, that's cool. Otherwise, my writing wasn't intended to cross over into my teacher career. Although in my Creative Writing class, I will talk more openly about my process, because there is a logical application.

Why is your site named as it is?

www.davidhopkins.com was taken. I like the term "antihero." It does tend to fit the majority of my characters, especially in Karma Incorporated.

How did you become associated with the Zeus Comics Store? (and its prestigious Eisner Award)

When I lived in Dallas, Zeus was the comic book shop I frequented. It's a really well run, indie-friendly store. I wrote the nomination letter for Zeus. Lo and behold, they won the Eisner Award for best retailer. It was a proud moment -- and well earned.

When did Amazon begin selling your books?

Amazon sold my books whenever Emily Edison first came out. Viper Comics manages all that. The book has its ISBN number, which makes it easier to distribute to regular bookstores. Without much promotion, the bookstore orders were almost as high as with the comic book stores.

Which book is your favorite so far?

I like them each for different reasons. That's the diplomatic parent response, and it's true. I most enjoy writing Karma Incorporated. If the audience were there to support the series, I could keep writing about those characters indefinitely. When book two of Astronaut Dad comes out, collectively, I think that's my best written story.

How well do you draw? Do you ever send sketches with your story ideas? Do you “see” the story as you write your idea?

I used to be a good artist in junior high, but not anymore. No, I never send sketches. If I can’t use my words to describe a scene, then I've done something wrong. Plus, it’s the artist's task to create the visuals. I don't want to micromanage his or her process. I always see the story in my head as I'm writing, but it doesn't always look the way I thought it would, whenever it's all finished. And that's part of the fun.

Antigone -- You are right that I probably would not be able to use it for school. You said your illustrator took some liberties with your script. Could you tell me more about that?

The artist should take some liberties with the script. That's not a bad thing. It's part of the collaborative process. In the Antigone script, I never mentioned Eurydice being topless in her death scene. Tom Kurzanski added that, and it's chilling in its own way. However, that along with some other things made it not appropriate for a younger audience. Personally, the violence is more objectionable than partial nudity, but I'll admit I asked for Tom to make it brutal. And he did.

How do you resolve disputes like that? Do you ever have to completely change your ideas?

We were under such a tight deadline with Antigone I couldn't ask Tom to make those changes. And even if we had more time, I still probably wouldn't say anything. The artist has a right to his own vision too, and sometimes the best writers step out of the way. Very rarely is a dispute so extreme that it means completely changing or compromising your ultimate vision. There's always some wiggle room for disagreements, you just have to pick your battles. A good artist will honor your story as best they can. In the end, the goal is to have the best story possible.

I loved the opening page and the final quotes last. I thought you did a great job of using Sophocles' words. You skillfully employed all the important lines and really did justice to the work, one of my favorites.

Thanks. I tried. It was a tricky copyright issue. Antigone is public domain, but the translation itself is not. Even then, I wasn't using the entire Dudley Fitts and Robert Fitzgerald translation, only excerpts – sometimes out of order and sometimes tweaked slightly. We concluded that comic book constituted as an adapted "performance" of the text.

Where did you get your idea for opening 4 panels?

I wanted a contemporary parallel to big mythic events in a culture, just as the Oedipus story was part of the cultural consciousness of Greek society.

As far as the dialogue goes, who makes the decisions as to how to punctuate and which words to bold in the speech bubbles?

I make the decisions on punctuation. Very rarely do I use bold or italics to emphasize a particular word in the dialogue. I try to leave the emphasis to the reader. Occasionally, the artist will take that liberty and that's okay.

The epilogue was interesting. Who is that writer?

The epilogue was written by my friend Aaron Thomas Nelson. I needed a Greek scholar to double check my adaptation, make sure it would stand up to any academic scrutiny. Aaron's notes were helpful. I asked him to write an epilogue to give an opportunity for a deeper look into the story.

Astronaut Dad What a great idea! The story is wonderful. I think your characterization is especially strong here. Having lived in the times (albeit barely!), you captured them well.

I'm happy with how the story came together. With both volumes one and two, I think it's the best comic I’ve written.

When in 2007 did it come out?

It came out in November 2007.

When did you start it?

I wrote the first draft in the summer of 2003. This is one of those scripts that gathered dust for a while, because I couldn't find the right artist until Brent Schoonover was available. He was exactly what I wanted. The script went through two complete re-writes. Nunzio DeFilippis and Christina Weir came onboard as story editors. In exchange, I helped design their website. Nunzio and Christina are very talented career writers. Their feedback has made me a better writer.

How many volumes do you anticipate?

It's a two-part series.

Do you already know the ending? (a la J.K. Rowling and the Lost creators)

Yep, it's already written and everything. I love the ending.

Which character is your favorite?

I love writing the mom characters, especially Faye. She goes through a lot in this story and it's interesting to watch as a reader. The voices for the mothers came easily, so dry and cynical.

Did the illustrator do the lettering as well as the art work?

Justin Stewart lettered Astronaut Dad.

Do you plan to keep the same illustrator throughout the series?

Definitely. He's finishing it right now.

What does Miss Kennedy think of your work?

I don't know if she really cares one way or the other. Once she realizes I dedicated Emily Edison to her, someday, she'll read it a little more closely.

BOOK MEME

I'm borrowing this questionaire from Stephanie Mangold.

1. What author do you own the most books by?
Douglas Coupland

2. What book do you own the most copies of?
MISS WYOMING (U.S. hardcover, U.S. paperback, and U.K. hardcover)

3. What fictional character are you secretly in love with?
Professor Grady Tripp from WONDER BOYS by Michael Chabon

4. What book have you read more than any other?
I don't normally re-read books, even the ones I like. Since I teach high school English, I read A SEPARATE PEACE once a year.

5. What was your favorite book when you were ten years old?
I read a lot of Sherlock Holmes when I was ten.

6. What is the worst book you’ve read in the past year?
I don't know. I've read some crappy comic books this year, but I don't want to be mean.

7. What is the best book you’ve read in the past year?
EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE by Jonathan Safran Foer

8. If you could tell everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be?
ANGELA'S ASHES by Frank McCourt

9. What is the most difficult book you’ve ever read?
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF KAVALIER & CLAY by Michael Chabon. I loved that book, but the South Pole scene dragged on forever.

10. Do you prefer the French or the Russians?
French

11. Shakespeare, Milton or Chaucer?
Shakespeare!

12. Austen or Eliot?
Austen

13. What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading?
I tried to read THE SOUND AND THE FURY by Faulkner, and quit after the first chapter.

14. What is your favorite novel?
GIRLFRIEND IN A COMA by Douglas Coupland

15. Plays?
RAISED IN CAPTIVITY by Nicky Silver (modern) or OTHELLO by Shakespeare (classic)

16. Poem?
I like Langston Hughes.

17. Essay?
HOW TO BE CREATIVE by Hugh MacLeod

18. Non Fiction?
ON WRITING by Stephen King

19. Graphic Novel?
Possibly too many to name, but if I had to pick one: FROM HELL by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell

20. Science Fiction?
THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY by Douglas Adams

21. Horror?
Stephen King. I was obsessed with King as a young teenager. I devoured everything he wrote.

22. Fantasy?
Does AMERICAN GODS by Neil Gaiman count?

23. Who is your favorite writer?
Douglas Coupland

24. What are you reading right now?
THE SPORTSWRITER by Richard Ford, MONSTER by Naoki Urasawa, OF MICE AND MEN by John Steinbeck

25. Favorite Genre:
Quirky family drama. Is that a genre?

OAK CLIFF PEOPLE AND WATCHMEN

If you're not tired of WATCHMEN or me talking about Alan Moore, here's a discussion Josh Rose, the fellows at Boomstick Comics, and I participated in for Oak Cliff People newspaper: What is it About Watchmen?


It was a good conversation. Although, at times, I wish they didn't transcribe it word for word. Then you'd avoid quotable gems like this:

"There’s a weird sort of, like, power, like sexual power over the predator type of thing."

Really? Did I say that?

SOME QUICK LOVE

I was featured in this week's Quick, Dallas magazine-format newspaper, on page 9 (pdf). You can see the online version of the interview here.


In addition, Quick's blog asked for my opinion on comic book film adaptations. It's particularly topical considering today's Oscar snubbing of Dark Knight (in case you didn't hear).

MAKE SPACE FOR ART... INCLUDING COMICS

KERA's Art & Seek is creating an online gallery of art spaces, a virtual studio crawl. Inspiration came from a contest called "Make Space for Artists - Design-a-Studio," sponsored by La Reunion TX and The Dallas Museum of Art.

To encourage the project along, they approached several local artists (including me) to talk about their work area. Click here for the full tour.

David Hopkins

Media: comics/graphic novels

Number of years in this space: 5

What do you enjoy most about working here? When my girlfriend, the product designer, moved in, we had the office divided in two — one side for her desk and one side for mine. It took us an hour pushing furniture around to finally come to an arrangement we could tolerate. I like sharing the room. As a necessity, I junked my funky amoeba-shaped Ikea desk, opting for a more efficient Container Store table. The self-important amoeba took too much space. How much square footage does a comic book writer need? Smaller desk, less mess, and while some might feel cramped, it's actually rather cozy.

What would you improve if you could? A rug might be nice to make the space a tad more friendly. Also, a rug would prevent me from wearing a hole through the wood floors when I scoot around in my roller chair. Most of my wants are computer oriented. All the cool-kid scriptwriters use Final Draft; I'm stuck with Microsoft Word. It's hard to justify the cost. I have an external hard drive, but a back-up to the back-up would help me sleep better.

COMICS CREATOR SURVEY QUESTIONS

I saw this survey on Wes Molebash's site. He found it on Bryan Lee O'Malley's journal -- who found it on Brian Evinou's journal. Questions by Jake Hopper.

PART ONE: COMICS PERSONALITY TYPE

Name: David Hopkins

Age: Thirty-One

Sign: TAURUS

Introverted or extroverted?
Fairly extroverted

What are your top 5 procrastination tools?
1. Checking email
2. Re-organizing my book shelf
3. Snacking
4. Playing Age of Empires III
5. Watching DVD extras

What gets your juices flowing?
Going for a walk or driving in the car

PART TWO: COMICS CONSUMER

What kind of comics do you like to read?
I read a lot of different titles -- mostly independent/small press and European comics. Although, I've started reading more manga.

What kind of comics do you dislike?
I've never been a big fan of the stuff published by Top Cow or Zenescope. Sorry guys.

When were you first introduced to comics?
When I was 10 years old, I was terrible at soccer and spent most of the time on the bench. My friend Tony Hawkins also sat on the bench, and we'd read comics. It's funny to think that my mom and dad would show up to games on Saturday morning just to watch me read comics.

What were some of your first comics?
Cloak & Dagger, Power Pack, X-Factor, New Mutants, and X-Men. Pretty much anything written by Bill Mantlo, Louise Simonson, or Chris Claremont. The Fall of the Mutants storyline made a huge impression.

What is your favorite animated movie?
Everything by Hayao Miyazaki, it's hard to pick a favorite. Seriously.

What is your favorite anime series?
Cowboy Bebop, FLCL, Serial Experiments: Lain, or Gunslinger Girl

PART THREE: COMICS CREATOR

What kind of comics do you make?
All sorts. I am bound by no single genre! Most of my stories are like a broken-down RV: they usually involve families and the trip never goes as expected.

When did you first start making comics?
About six years ago.

What are your favorite comic artists right now?
Andi Watson, Kazu Kibuishi, Darwyn Cooke, Fabio Moon, Gabriel Ba, Nick Derington, Dan Hipp, Dave Crosland, Paul Maybury, Christine Norrie, Kristian Donaldson, Scott Wegener, Chad Thomas, Jim Mahfood, Dan Warner, Chris Mitten, Tom Kurzanski, Brock Rizy, Brent Schoonover, Diana Nock, Cal Slayton, Paul Milligan, ZeeS

20 QUESTIONS


Jim Lujan and I started this tradition of each year asking each other 20 random questions. Here is this year's:

20 Questions for Jim Lujan
1) If you could "fight the power," who would you bring down?
I would bring down FM radio. I would reprogram it with a variety of music and talk that you don’t hear now. Right now its terrible…all the same stuff.

2) Your favorite curse word:
I’m gonna go with “pussy”. I cannot say that without smiling.

3) Worst meal you've ever had:
Western Bacon Cheeseburger in 1982. I threw up because of the stomach flu. Yum.

4) Can you change a tire? If so, proof?
I can and the proof is on my car right now.

5) Have you ever been in a fight?
I’m a peaceful guy. Haven’t been in a real fight since grade school.

6) Pitch an idea for a made-for-television movie.
Old men bounty hunters…the odd couple meets Dog.

7) Your favorite cartoon as a child:
UnderDog.

8) What movie makes you cry?
The ending of the Shawshank Redemption….and the Lion King father’s death scene.

9) What was the first cartoon you ever made?
Mayhem News (1996)

10) Worst hair cut:
Anytime I get it cut too short on the sides. My head looks like a friggin’ handball court…totally Frankenstein.

11) If you could ask John Waters one question, what would it be?
I’d ask him what he is embarrassed to admit he likes in pop culture.

12) Fame or money? You must choose.
Fame…because fame gets you perks.

13) Favorite Beatle:
Paul.

14) Who's the baddest bad ass celebrity (living or dead)?
Mohammed Ali

15) If you had $1000, where would you spend it?
I’d print up Jim Lujan Cartoon DVDs for sale and make my money back tenfold.

16) How much time do you spend drawing every day?
5 mins- hour. I skip days a lot. I need to draw more.

17) Most important political issue for you:
Quality affordable healthcare.

18) Worst year in public school:
Senior year. Most of my friends dropped out. Yes, I hung with some losers, for the most part.

19) Where will Jim be in five years?
Working on art FULL TIME.

20) How far is too far?
Picking on the defenseless. Now that’s just lame.

20 Questions for David Hopkins
1) Are you happy with your middle name...what is it?
Yep. Gregory. I'm named after my uncle. The name means "Watchman," which is freakin' cool.

2) Favorite sugared breakfast cereal.
Mellow Matties. It's a generic version of Lucky Charms.

3) Are you an early bird or night owl?
I'm a night owl, but I have to wake up early for work, so I'm kinda both.

4) Favorite candy bar:
Snickers.

5) Japan or France? Just answer the question.
Dang. That is a difficult question. I'd happily visit Japan, but I would live in France. Also, I'm a much bigger fan of French comics over manga.

6) Do you believe in ghosts?
I would like to say that I don't, but I kinda do.

7) Make up a name for a sitcom:
Doing It Right.

8) Song that makes you cry:
"Daughter" by Loudon Wainwright

9) Who is your favorite old guy?
Will Eisner. He's no longer with us, but I met him when he was old.

10) What was the very first comic you ever made?
In junior high, my friend Wim and I worked on a comic that was basically crappy fan fiction. We made our own sequel to a graphic novel by Jim Starlin and Jackson Guice called "X-Factor Special: Prisoner of Love." It was pretty cheesy. We took turns drawing each page.

11) Ever have a a ponytail?
Nope, but I had a mullet once.

12) Ever walk out of a movie you paid for?
There are some movies I've rented, which I couldn't finish. My Super Ex-Girlfriend. However, I've never walked out of a movie at the theater. Even though, I've been tempted. For the most part, I skip the movies that look like they are going to suck.

13) If you were having coffee with Prince, what would you ask him?
I could care less about Prince. Never really listened to his music. Maybe I'd ask him when he plans to retire.

14) Your latest obsession:
Battlestar Galactica. I'm watching season three on DVD.

15) Is there anything redneck about you?
Not really. I'm sort of the antithesis of a redneck. I live in Texas, proud to be a Texan, but I never understood the humor behind Blue Collar Comedy. Also, I once referred to it as a "NASCAR game." I think that disqualifies me from redneck status.

16) What does it take to make you dance?
Music. That's all. I'm always looking for an excuse to dance.

17) Favorite bookstore:
Too many to choose. Half-Price Books in Dallas.

18) Sexiest body part on a woman:
The personality. It's not a body part, but anyone can look sexy with the right attitude and a bit of confidence. I'm a sucker for the bookish indie girl -- a hoodie, some Converse, and a geek-out obsession with music, movies, and books, I'm done for.

19) How was your attendance in high school?
Decent. I would only miss one or two days a year.

20) Last time you yelled at a stranger:
Last year, in St. Louis, a car nearly ran me over while I was crossing the street. I started yelling at the driver. My friends were rather embarrassed. "Uh, David, we don't do that here..."

NOT A GIRL, STILL ON GIRL TALK

My friend Leah Shafer hosts a weekly podcast Girl Talk for Quick DFW (part of the Dallas Morning News). April and I were interviewed on the most recent episode: 4/16/08 Tales of a successful couple. We're probably more of a case study or a social anomaly than the model for success. But hey, it works for us. If you're curious, feel free to listen.

Randomness. I've enabling the web forwarding function. The domains karmaincorporated.com and sidvankid.com now forward to Antihero Comics. However, emilyedison.com is still its own site.

SPAMBOTS, PODCASTS, AND YOU

My forum has been more active recently. If you want to participate, let me know (post comment or e-mail) and give me your screen name, that way Jamar can authorize your account. The JNN forums have had trouble with spambots in the past.

I was interviewed again for the podcast Half Hour Wasted. And actually, I talk a bit about Bolivar. Check it out. You can also subscribe to the podcast via iTunes.

INTERVIEW ON FANBOY VIDEO

ASTRONAUT DAD, VOL.1 is available in comic book stores today. Go pick up your copy. Here's an interview Brent and I did for Fanboy Video --

Also, the infamous sword fight from Wizard World Texas, click here and see me get my ass kicked. Quote: "Next time, we're using guns."