Talking with Tim

Writer/artist Terry Moore is on a very short list of successful, long-term self-publishers. Last year, Moore wrapped up Strangers in Paradise, after a 14-year run. This month, he launched a brand new series, Echo, a bimonthly ongoing series about (at its core) “Julie Martin, a photographer taking pictures in the desert [who]… finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time.” As if that is not enough, he is also writing two series for Marvel, Runaways and Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane. The bulk of this email interview focuses on Echo, understandably.

Tim O’Shea: More than a decade and a half ago was that last time you started self-publishing a comic book. On this go-round (in albeit a vastly different market) what are you doing different to make the book a better product (both for retailers and readers)? What logistical challenges are you dodging on this round?

Terry Moore: I’ve found I can’t work faster or slower anymore. Whether it’s a con sketch or a cover for the comic, I only have one speed because every drawing now has to be good. I’ve lived with deadlines so long they no longer scare me, I’m more interested in the final product, so the book will always be the best I can make it. I think that showed in the last couple of years of SiP and it shows in Echo. That’s the best thing I can do for my retailer partners, is make the best book I can and then go out and promote the hell out of it.

O’Shea: How much of a challenge has it been to juggle your Echo and Marvel deadlines and commitments?

Moore: It has been a handful sometimes, but I knew that going in. One of the books is moving right along like a breeze, the other is rewrite city. I’m losing my shirt on that one, but it’s going to be good.

O’Shea: You and Jeff Smith (two highly respected and successful self-publishers) are launching new projects at the same time, which rightly or wrongly lends itself toward comparisons. Consider this recent quote from a Comixology podcast interview with Smith: “The market is … well … I guess it’s the same as it’s always been. It’s up and it’s down. I just got my numbers on the first RASL and they’re like 20,000. … Honestly I cannot tell you if that’s good or bad or normal or anything. That’s one of the reasons why I am just saying what the numbers are, because … I don’t see the point in being secretive about all this stuff. I figure if I just start telling these numbers maybe somebody else will start talking about them, too, and we can kind of figure out together as a community what the hell’s going on. But I imagine 20 [thousand] is decent for a self-published book in this market.”
While I’m not asking for specific numbers, I wonder if you are left wondering what kind of market there is for this new project, and if you are able to guage yet if you would consider the first issue’s sales to be in line with your expectations?

Moore: Orders for Echo 1 were 18,500. Jeff’s numbers are always higher than mine so it all seems in line to me. The book sold out within 24 hours and we’re going to reprint. I’m pleased. My goal with Echo is to do what I do naturally but for a wider readership. So far the reception to Echo has been very good.

O’Shea: How crucial is your wife, Robyn, in the process of getting something like Echo off the ground?

Moore: I couldn’t do it without her. Robyn helps in ways I can’t even quantify. In this case, she suggested the name and the basic idea of a woman on the run. Just prompting me at the right times, that kind of thing. If you have a good life partner, you know what I’m talking about.

O’Shea: Do you hope to gain some new readers (in addition to maintaining your SiP core) with Echo–do you think the story has the potential to attract a new type of Terry Moore fan? And do you hope your Marvel work will make people want to try Echo as well–in other words the ultimate cross-platform marketing (boosting Echo on the foundation of Marvel work buzz)?

Moore: Echo will please my readers and it is a story for those who weren’t interested in SiP. That’s already apparent in the reactions and reviews on the net. I think I have a good reputation but not everybody wanted to read SiP. Hopefully Echo is more accessible to a wider audience.

O’Shea: In an interview with PULSE’s Jen Contino, you described Echo as “a black humor thriller comedy drama”. Can you point to influencing works or projects that share a kindred “black humor” vibe?

Moore: Dr. Strangelove, Rowan Atkinson’s work, South Park, Nichols and May’s satire of America… these are things I love. But what ends up in Echo should have it’s sources pretty well hidden.

O’Shea: How much research did you do, in terms of photography or Yosemite, before launching the book. Or is photography as important to the story as it is for Peter Parker/Spider-Man these days (minimally)?

Moore: Photography comes into play in how Julie handles her situation and how she looks at things. I guess my research on that and Yosemite has been strung out over years really. It’s not something I had to bone up on at the last minute.

O’Shea: I would be remiss in not asking how goes efforts to develop Strangers in Paradise for TV?

Moore: There is an effort being made. There is no news. Think positive thoughts.

O’Shea: Is there anything you’d like to discuss that I failed to broach?

Moore: Just glad to be making comics!

Tags: interview, self-publishing

This entry was posted on Monday, March 17th, 2008 at 10:06 pm and is filed under comics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.