First Comics News: Elijah, I just finished reading your new anthology comic (from the PDF you sent me) entitled ‘Print Is Not Dead!’ which features several new colour (as well as) black and white comics features. I enjoyed it! For our readers, this is a welcome break from superheroes, and it is mostly about several different (for the most part) ordinary people, plainclothed individuals. However, some of them are not entirely human. Still, since superheroes predominantly dominate the comics scene and comics stores, this is a nice change! I mean, I like superheroes in comics as much as the next guy or gal, but there are so many different genres in comics, it’s fun to read something different! How did you get the idea for this comic?
Elijah Joseph: I’m very glad you enjoyed it! This idea mainly came from attempting to re-create that feeling of digging through back issues at my local comic shop and finding something I haven’t read before. The books I picked up weren’t always superheroes, but also horror, fantasy, action, anthologies, and even romance. And, I think the stories that stuck with me the most have been about people. I mean, the reason I fell in love with Spider-Man wasn’t because of his powers – though I wish I had them – but because he was relatable, and going through life. So ‘Print Is Not Dead’ tries to recreate that experience of discovery and explore humanity through different characters and genres.
1st: Is this comic a one-shot, or will there be further issues of this in the future?
Elijah: Hopefully, there will be further volumes of Print Is Not Dead in the future; it all depends on the reception and success of this project. We must walk before we run, but I will say I’ve got notebooks full of stories to tell and a lot of artists in my rolodex.
1st: Now, there is an English word I have not heard in literally decades — rolodex. Do you actually have one?
Elijah: I don’t, but I do have a drawer with a lot of business cards thrown in it from about a decade of going to cons and events. Which reminds me, I should clean that out soon!
1st: When will your anthology comic book entitled ‘Print Is Not Dead’ be published?
Elijah: The book is currently live and funding on Kickstarter until Aug 27th, and I’m aiming to get it into the hands of people before the holidays! Then, the second print will be widely available the following month.
1st: Once your comic ‘Print Is Not Dead’ IS published, how does one order/ procure a print copy of it? Because, after all, you know, print is not dead. Snicker. See what I did there?
Elijah: HA! I see what you did there, though if I weren’t wearing my glasses, I may have missed it. Well, I will say you should back it on Kickstarter, because you’ll not only get the chance to own the book, but also to be IN the book. Though if you miss the Kickstarter first edition, you’ll be able to get it on my website, HeyyComics.com, and hopefully in comic book stores near you.
1st: So, you are saying that, not only will your comic entitled ‘Print Is Not Dead’ be printable online, when it is either backed financially by backers, but also that print versions will be available to comics stores, when ordered by them?
Elijah: So yes, it will come out on my website a few months after it lands in the hands of the Kickstarter backers, then yes, you’ll be able to purchase it digitally or physically through my site. I acknowledge the irony of a comic titled Print Is Not Dead will be available online, but every dollar made will get to go towards making printing books to keep it alive. I just did my first convention and got to put some of my books in the hands of real people, and that was a great feeling, so I’d like to be able to do that more often. And hopefully I’ll get them in comic stores, emphasis on hope. I have a few stores interested, and I hope to have more hop on board! Kickstarter, for me, has been a way to fund the project so I can get it into the hands of more people, tell more stories, and support the community (as a portion of the profits from Print Is Not Dead will be used to back more indie comics on Kickstarter).
1st: I liked the art in all of the stories in this anthology comic, but the art in the very first story in this volume particularly thrilled me, in terms of the high quality of the art. What can you tell our readers and me about the background of this artist? What do you know of this highly skilled artist? Has this person done other comic stories before? And, what comics titles were those, if you happen to know, by title? This said, there are a lot of skilled artists in this collection!
Elijah: The artist for Stake In The Heart is by Hugo Argujo. He’s an independent illustrator, based in Brazil. He is currently working on a title for Sumerian Comics, and he published the Osaka Mime graphic novel in 202. He was a fantastic collaborator, and I was so happy to have him join the team.
1st: You had a small typo there, above. Was that 2002 or 2022?
Elijah: 2022! Sorry, this is why I have an editor
1st: That’s quite all right. For the benefit and knowledge of our readers, all comic stories in this anthology comic are written by Elijah Joseph, our interviewee, with art chores on each comic story in this issue illustrated by a different artist, for the most part. Except that Vini Moreira drew three of the comic victories, ‘Dimotmighty’ drew two of them, Carlos Angelia drew two of them, and ‘Mistervpr’ drew two of them, as well. These artists, in the credits on the first page are, in stories order: Hugo Arujo, Vini Moreira, Sky Hawkins, Vini Moreira, ‘Dimotmighty’, Jack Van Thomme, Gabriel Barros, Rhiannon Kagoe, Jaylynn Claudio, Carlos Angeli, ‘Mistervpr’, Francis Francis (although in the actual story, it is spelled Francis Francia — (which is correct?) Carlos Angeli, Mistervpr, Francis Francis, Jjkrokdoil, Wein, Vini Moreira, and ‘Dimotmighty’.
Elijah: A note, here: I still have to properly attribute some artists who have contributed, like Hannah Lee. The book is still being perfected and edited. The correct order of appearance is Hugo Argujo, Vini Moreira, Sky Hawkins, Vini Moreira, Dimotmighty, Jack Van Thomme, Gabriel Barros, Rhiannon Kagoe, Jaylynn Claudio, Carlos Angeli, MisterVPR, Francis Francias, JJrokodil, WEIN, Francis Francias, DrupyArt, Hannah Lee, and Jack Van Thomme.
1st: Okay, thanks. That is interesting. What story or stories did the not-yet-credited Hannah Lee work on, and is she primarily a penciller, an inker, or both?
Elijah: She illustrated the Statue story, end to end. She’s actually a local traditional artist, so we got to work together to create her first comic! That’s what I loved most about this project: not only did I get to work with some great up-and-coming talents in comics, but I also got to bring new artists into the medium of comics.
1st: Yeah, that would be fun! I am guessing that Ms. Lee helped with the art chores on some of the comics stories in this volume, but that she is not yet credited (as yet), in the PDF version that you shared with me, as you said. I realize that you will be correcting that.
Elijah: Updated and already corrected! I’ll have to send you a small editor fee!
1st: By the way, you did say that “I have to properly attribute some artists (plural) who have contributed, like Hannah Lee.
I don’t mean to take you too literally, if you didn’t mean it that way, but are there other artists that did work on that comic volume, aside from Hannah Lee, who have not been credited as yet, before publication? And if so, what are their names?
Elijah: The only missing contributor in the PDF document I sent is Kate T. She did all of the illustrations introducing the stories! Even though there were some minor credit edits to be had, the rest of the book is in tip-top shape, and just to be sure, I will also be using the funds of the Kickstarter to hire an extra, extra set of eyes to help make sure it is the most polished book that it can be.
1st: What is Kate T’s last name/ surname?
Elijah: Not sure, she preferred to keep it just ‘KateT’.
1st: Fair enough. Elijah Joseph, where do you hail from, and is this your first comic? If not, please tell us which other comics you have done.
Elijah: I hail from New London, Connecticut! This is not my first comic; I have a handful out currently, by title: Wand For Hire, Z-List Hero, Death Won’t Let Me Go, and Kiss Marry Murder Podcast! I like to say my style is Eastern meets Western storytelling. They are varying genres, and hopefully always a good time.
1st: That’s interesting. I have a sister, Carol, who also lives in Connecticut.
She is a print journalist. I have a brother, James, who is also a journalist, but he lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, close to me. And, I’ve been writing articles and conducting comics professionals for roughly twenty-five years, or somewhere around there. And so, I guess you could say that I am a comics journalist. I am also a published artist, in numerous magazines, and some books, myself also having my art in two Zorro books of new short fiction stories, (titles Zorro: The Daring Escapades, and Zorro’s Exploits, both from U.S. pulp type book company Bold Venture Press, about that early 1820’s mysterious hero dressed all in black, with a hat, cape, mask and sword. Rik Offenberger, the owner of First Comics News, and I have been working for this site and previous comics news sites for about the same length of time. He is my “Brother from another Mother!” He himself has co-written a book about comics, entitled The MLJ Companion: The Complete History of the Archie Super Heroes. This book came out in 2016. Rik also created and owns the very largest Mighty Crusaders comics website in the world, entitled The Mighty Crusaders Network, at https://www.mightycrusaders.net/author/rik/
Elijah: Oh, know, Carol! (just kidding)! Wow, seems like journalism is in your family DNA. Was anyone in your family a journalist before you three? Or, is it just a weird freak coincidence that you all became journalists?
1st: A shared passion, I guess you could say. For how many years have you been writing your own comics, Elijah?
Elijah: I’ve been writing comics since I was about age ten. None of them were masterpieces, but they were always fun. I’m actually working on a video where I go through an old comic I found. It is terribly cringey, and I can’t wait to look back at it. I do want to give a shout-out to my inner circle, as I’m extremely lucky to be surrounded by family and friends, who have been encouraging me the whole time. And, anything I tried to do without them, I’m sure I would’ve given up on writing by now.
1st: Can you tell us more about this video, and are you eventually going to put it up on YouTube, perhaps?
Elijah: The video is just reacting to my first comic. It was a really bad comic about a player who ruined Christmas by hooking up with Santa’s daughter, and Santa ends up killing him, or something. It was really bad, but our first ones usually are.
1st: Well, it sounds hilarious! I’d love to read that! “Daddy, please don’t be mad; I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a little elf!”
Elijah: My YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/@elijahjosephbooks! I’m currently editing a video about tabling at my first Comics Convention!
1st: Elijah, you mentioned above that you have since attended that first convention wherein you had a seller’s table, presumably selling some of your own-produced comic book wares. How did that go?
Elijah: I’m glad you asked! In short, it went better than expected. I sold my comics along with a few extras like custom D&D dice and art prints. Not only did I make some sales, but I got to talk with some amazing people, gather feedback, and swap stories with fellow creators and fans. One of my favorite moments was when I got to trade one of my comics for a locally brewed beer that was hidden inside a secret speakeasy-style comic storage box. Ya know, that kind of weird, wonderful stuff only happens at Comic Cons.
1st: That’s hilarious! Sounds like you really got a ‘buzz’ out of that Comic Con, if you follow my reasoning!
Elijah: I also previewed Print Is Not Dead, and got to watch people flip through the pages. And I watched their faces light up when they saw the art; that was priceless! It made the whole thing feel real. I’m already planning to do more conventions in the future.
1st: You sound like a proud daddy, and you should be! I am also wondering if you could send me some covers and pages from those previous comics you wrote, for the interview, and tell us how many issues of each there were, with (hopefully) a story synopsis of them as well, to go with your interview? I think our readers would be interested in hearing about those as well, in addition to some info on how they can order all of the above.
Elijah: I don’t want to take away attention from ‘Print Is Not Dead’… so I will say you can find out more about all those stories through the Kickstarter add-on page, or on my website www.heyycomics.com!
1st: Okay, that is more than fair. Can you tell us how old you are and how long you have been interested in comics? How did you first come to be acquainted with the comics medium? Basically, how did that happen for you? What were the first comics you recall reading and or collecting, and who introduced those to you initially?
Elijah: According to my high school fake ID, I’m 42, but in reality, I am only 29 years old. I first became acquainted with comics after I found my uncle‘s comics when I was around eleven or twelve years old. I believe the first one I read was a random Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles issue, and then I got obsessed with the comics medium. Then, I was obsessed with comics, and I turned to my local comic book store, “Sarges Comics” (in New London, Connecticut). That’s where I got to dive into comics culture and stories, reading everything from Marvel & DC Comics, Archie Comics, horror anthologies, strange indie titles, and even classic comics from Will Eisner.
1st: Since you did mention Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, let me tell you a vintage little story. Several decades ago, Elijah, when I worked in Toronto at the Dragon Lady Comics Shop, also then known as Dragon Lady Nostalgia, at the time located at 200 Queen Street West, Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, creators of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, came in to our store one day (early to mid 1980’s) and offered to sell us cheap, for resale, the very first issue or issues of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles, hot off the press, first printings.
Neither Dave Darrigo nor I had heard about this title nor of these characters previously, of course, pretty much nobody had, because the comics with their very first appearances were not yet in stores then, way back when. These were, as I mentioned above, the very first comics, first printings, that featured those characters. If I recall correctly, they were magazine-sized and in black and white. I recall these gents, probably teenagers at the time, saying they were having trouble getting other comic stores to agree to stock their comics. We bought all they had, and later, asked them to bring in more, because we kept selling out of them. And so, in a sense, we helped them, in a minor way, to help give them their start, one of the best-known Canadian comics series of all time! I wish I’d bought a couple of copies for myself. But, oh well. What a multi-movie and merchandising bonanza phenomenon it became, much too late! I made the same mistake with Fantasy Quarterly, the very first appearance of Elfquest. Our store carried it, but I didn’t buy that one, either.
Elijah: WOW! Was there any reason that you bought all they had? A gut feeling? Wanting to help comics stay alive? Do you think that same feeling is what led to your career or possibly even our interview today?
1st: I think it was just that they were having trouble getting other comics stores to stock their comics, even on consignment, all those many decades ago, and myself and Dave Darrigo (the store manager and a later lifetime personal friend, who later became a Canadian comics writer, creator and publisher himself), just wanted to help them out, since they had told us at the time, that they were having no luck elsewhere in having other stores carry their comics. We might have felt sorry for them, but it was so long ago, so many decades ago, that I can’t say for certain. But since Dave Darrigo and I were both Canadians, and so Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, the creators of the Turtles, we probably thought it would be cool to have a Canadian comics title on our store’s comics racks, even though these first issues, production quality-wise, were pretty crude. But hey, everyone has got to start somewhere, right? Dave Darrigo’s Canadian comic book publishing company, by the way, was called Special Studio Comics, or just Special Studio. No one knew these two teenagers would eventually make the big time and end up likely filthy rich! I love success stories like that! At the same time, based on their huge success, this is what I feel directly created the later so-called ‘Black and White Glut’ that was reported on in the comics fan press for years afterwards, with titles like Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters, and hordes of others, everyone wanting to try to make lightning in a bottle, a second time! And, almost all of them did not succeed.
Elijah: Ah, so you’re banking on the fact that I might make it big time, and you’ll be able to say you were one of the first to ever interview me. LOL Just kidding, of course, but that’s awesome!!
1st: Yes, you’re right. This way, I’ll get to say, “Hey, I knew him when he was a nobody.” ALSO Just Kidding!
Elijah: I got to shake hands with Mr. Eastman this weekend, at Terrificon! It was an absolute pleasure.
1st: That’s also assuming, on your part, of course, that I am not already a billionaire international jet-setting playboy, with a huge cave under my house filled with banks of computers and trophies, and having a thing about dressing like a flying rodent. Oops. And now, the bat is out of the bag…
Elijah: HA! Good point. May I see the Batmobile?
1st: Sure, but, like Robin, you’re not driving it, either. But, to answer your other question, I got my start writing in the Dragonady Comics Shop’s store fanzine, The Dragon Lady Dispatch. It was a rather crude fanzine, and they were just stapled together by hand, but they were fun working on, nonetheless! After that, I worked on a lot of different fanzines, over the decades, both in writing nd in art. I even wrote an article that appeared in Roy Thomas’s Alter Ego. I think it may have been in issue # 52, but at any rate, I do recall that the issue had a Gene Colan Dracula cover.
Elijah: Very cool! You’ll have to send over some if you still have them.
1st: What are your favourite genres of comics?
Elijah: This is a tough question, but, ray gun to my head, I’d say fantasy, but I really enjoy all genres. At my core, I’m just a lover of stories, no matter if it’s romance or horror. If you can tell a compelling story, I’m in! That’s why I love indie comics so much; we’re allowed to explore stories outside of capes and powers!
1st: Like you, Elijah, I love most genres of fiction, including comics, but also books, novels, movies, animated features, and series. And, I love western comics and movies, and even war comics and movies. But I also read a lot of non-fiction, including history.
Elijah: I think there is something to be taken away in every story. I really love giving new ones chances, which is why I love Kickstarter; there are so many really cool stories out there, waiting to be found. The indie comic scene has blossomed in ways that I would never have imagined. I truly believe giving the power to creators to go direct to consumers will go down as the greatest advancement in modern comic day history. ALSO, I’ve actually found a new love for western movies; I would forever be grateful for some recommendations!
1st: The other greatest advancement in comics, in my view, was the launching of wide-scale across North America and a lot of the rest of the world, specialty comics stores, that I think Phil Seuling envisioned! Well, now you are talking my language! I love Indie comics myself, and pretty much always have. Cerebus the Aardvark was a title I got in on early, probably at about issue # 17 or so, and then I bought all the back issues that I had missed before that issue. It was the longest-ever Canadian comics title, and I have all three hundred issues of it.
Elijah: WOW. A true collector. That is impressive. The only full run I have is Manga collections and the title Invincible. But that’s because they’ve made it so easy to grab the full set.
1st: Okay, and now, let me recommend to you some Western movies, since you asked. Pretty much ANY western movie with Clint Eastwood in it; Google them! Most of the early ones are usually referred to as ‘Spaghetti Westerns’. Most of them were made in Italy, but they are in English. And don’t let the fact that they were made in Italy deter you; Clint Eastwood westerns are some of the best western movies ever made! Like, for example, Hang ‘Em High! The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Two Mules for Sister Sarah, and many others. But my favourite Clint Eastwood western movie of all time would be High Plains Drifter! And, after you watch it, get back to me, and let me know if you have figured out the ENDING of that film! Pale Rider is another good one!
Elijah: I respect Italy not only because I’m part Italian but also because I love pasta, so I’ll have to check them out. I’ll add High Plains Drifter to the top of my list!!
1st: Audie Murphy: ANY of his western films! Google them! He was not only a (later) movie star, but back in World War Two, he was the single most decorated (medals, ribbons) soldier in WW Two. The Magnificent Seven, and its many sequels. Now, I am biased, because Zorro is my favourite fictional character in ANY genre, and in any media, but Zorro movies are great! You might want to start with two of the most recent, The Mask of Zorro and The Legend of Zorro.
Elijah: Ah, Zorro was such a fantastic series. I dressed up as him for Halloween for a year or two. I tried finding the pictures, but I didn’t find any, sadly.
1st: This next film I’m going to recommend to you is NOT a western, but you should watch it, anyway. It’s called Bad Day at Black Rock.
Elijah: Well, now I have a mighty list to go through! I appreciate you, and can’t wait to dive into them. Who knows, maybe my next story might be a western!
1st: Well, I’d definately support it; as I said, I love westerns! Okay, so let’s now segue back to your comic ‘Print Is Not Dead.’ How did you happen to meet all of the artists who later ended up illustrating your ‘Print Is Not Dead’ comic book?
Elijah: Dang! I wanted to talk about westerns, more! Fine, I guess we’ll talk more about my Print Is Not Dead comic. So, a majority of artists came through a subreddit called r/comicbookcollabs; I put out a few calls for contributions, and I got around 1,000 submissions, coming from the post and DMs. I went through all the portfolios and reached out to the ones I thought would fit the story best. Even so, I still had a few stories that didn’t have an artist — I’m picky– I filled the rest with artists who I found through twitter, discord servers, collaborators from “comic jam” (a weekly comic jam where you get a theme for a one page comic), then the writers write it, and the artists draw it. It’s a really fun experience! I also talked to some local artists whom I randomly met. So, in short, a little bit of work, a little bit of luck, and a whole lot of emails!
1st: I also take it that this comics project is a Kickstarter?
Elijah: What gave you that idea? Ha, ha! Yes, it is currently funding on Kickstarter, ending on Aug 27th. You can get there by going to www.printisnotdead.art. After the Kickstarter is over, you’ll still be able to click that link if I remember to update it to grab Print Is Not Dead.
1st: Well, to be fair, I had asked that question early on, before you’d explained that it IS a Kickstarter. Smile.
Elijah: Smile!
1st: Elijah, I feel like I have made a new friend! It’s been a pleasure to chat with you during this wide-ranging interview; to me, those types are the most fun! Good luck and success with your ‘Print Is Not Dead’ titled anthology comic book, and do stay in touch! Especially, make sure you find and watch those movies I mentioned, especially High Plains Drifter and the non-western movie I mentioned, as well, entitled Bad Day At Black Rock! And finally, here is one last movie I want you to check out and watch, as well. It is called Citizen Kane, and it is said to be the # 1 best movie ever made! I think I agree! Let me know, after you watch High Plains Drifter, if you have figured out the ending of that film! I watched it with my wife, Sharon, some time ago. She enjoyed the film, but she didn’t get the significance of the ending, even though all the clues were there all along! The ending you have to watch very closely! Cheers!
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