Talking with Tim

Mike Allred is an artist with a narrative approach quite unlike most comic book storytellers. Last week saw the release of Madman Atomic Comics 8, which we discuss in this email interview (and is being touted as a “fantastic jumping-on point for new readers”), as well as discussing other Madman matters. Just to give you a heads up (and not to sugarcoat things), I misidentify a Paul Pope cover as being an Allred piece in this interview. Just to show what a nice fellow that Allred is, I left my mistake and his kind correction in the interview. My thanks to Allred for the interview and Image’s Joe Keatinge for facilitating it.

Tim O’Shea: Other than not having to handle a great deal of the business minutiae of self-publishing, what have been some of the best benefits of shifting from self-publishing to Image Comics?

Mike Allred: Simple. A well oiled machine. Top notch crew. Ace printing and marketing costs. Smooth.

O’Shea: In Madman Atomic Comics #3, you mimic/homage a dynamic number of art styles. What was the toughest style to mimic or most challenging in some manner?

Allred: It was Alex Ross. Hands down. He has a very specific technique that is incredibly difficult to mimic. If I gave myself more time and pulled from Laura’s color sense in mixing paints, instead of going with flat colors, I think I might have nailed it down.

O’Shea: Issue 9 is slated to be one long action sequence—which aspect was harder to execute–the complex layout of issue 9 and or the “No Dialogue” issue 7?

Allred: The unbroken action scene for sure. At least technically. No. 7 carried a heavier responsibility in that I wanted to convey so much without dialog, while giving readers room, with proper clues and direction, as to what was happening and what it meant. Ultimately, I think number nine is for more successful in reaching my final goals.

O’Shea: Issue 8 is being touted as a good jumping-on point for new readers, for those of you have not tried Madman in the past, what can they expect to find with this issue?

Allred: A simple construction of who Frank Einstein is, was, and where he’s headed. I think also that there is a clear vibe expressing the spectrum of what’s possible in the series.

O’Shea: When the new series was launched at Image, the advance word on it led me to believe the series would not always focus on Frank–what other characters or dynamics would you like to try in this series in the near to long-term?

Allred: Well, I hope to showcase various supporting characters, bringing them to the front and exploring them more. I also have ideas for other concepts and stories that work better outside of the world of Madman. I can always run any story or concept I want in Atomic Comics like a pilot episode and determine whether to keep it there or give it a spin-off–like when I spun off some of The Atomics into one-shots with other artists. Skies the limit! But so far, I’m just way to darned excited about playing with Frank, Joe, and friends.

O’Shea: Image has clearly embraced your joining its fold. Popgun 1 and 2 have sported covers by you.

Allred: Well, Popgun Vol. One. My pal, Paul Pope, has done the cover for Vol. Two.

O’Shea: Oops, right you are, of course. Sorry (to both you and Mr. Pope for my mistake). Do you think the exposure with projects like that (Popgun) has helped attract new readers to Madman Atomic Comics?

Allred: I’m sure it has. I always seem to bring at lest one or two people into the fold with any and every side project.

O’Shea: On another Image front, you recently worked with Joe Keatinge on a Fletcher Hanks character in The Next Issue Project. Is there any chance you’d like to do more stories with the character, Stardust?

Allred: Oh yeah! That was a blast! Especially if I’m working with Joe again. Joe’s script really opened me up to new possibilities I hadn’t pushed as much as I’ve been wanting. Time is my only obstacle.

O’Shea: In hearing an interview with you on Comixology back in November, it became clear to me that you have an enormous amount of patience, what with your long-term view of waiting for the right time and situation to make a Madman film. How frustrating has it been to remain patient?

Allred: I was frustrated when the project was at Universal. I’ve become much more zen since then. This July will be my ten year anniversary with Robert Rodriguez optioning the property. So, I would have gone insane a long time ago if I hadn’t simply made the comic book the main force and just let it ride. RR has put in way too much time, money, and most importantly, his friendship, for me to every be anything but grateful. No matter what happens with the project. It’s been an amazing ten years.

O’Shea: You recently were featured in TwoMorrows Publishing’s Modern Masters series–how surprised were you to contacted for the book, given that you’re fairly young (compared to other industry veterans) and clearly have a great many years of storytelling left in you.

Allred: I’m in awe with the artists in all the other volumes. When invited to join the Legend imprint at Dark Horse lo those many years ago, I did not feel worthy. I’ve just pushed to not embarrass those fellas for giving me that break ever since. And now I feel similarly to be part of this series and was extremely happy to see the final product and take a drive down memory lane. I guess I should just say, it’s a huge thrill! And Darwyn Cooke’s intro made me tear up a bit. Very moving. And I’m killer encouraged to continue on with my best work in front of me.

O’Shea: Given that you can only work on certain projects in your (albeit limited) spare time, how soon before you can do additional work on your Book of Mormon project?

Allred: Not soon, I’m afraid. I’m hoping that money from a potential Madman movie could afford me the time to finish it up in one clean shot. Otherwise I’m left to keep slowly chipping away with any nonexistent extra time.

O’Shea: Have you been pleased/surprised with the attention that particular project has received?

Allred: Very pleased. Just disappointed in the disappointment I’m causing with my lack of progress. I’ll get there.

O’Shea: Is there anything creatively you’d like to discuss that I may have not asked you about?

Allred: Right now I’m completely focussed on MADMAN Atomic Comics. Getting and keeping it on schedule for the foreseeable future is my main goal and creative passion at least until a movie sidles up to it or I reach the end of the story. I’m crackling with the creative sparks of the process and want to absorb every bit of it.

Tags: Allred, Image, Madman

This entry was posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 9:16 pm and is filed under comics, sequential art. 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.