First Comics News: Lloyd, I’ve interviewed you a few times previously for First Comics News. You’ve always got so much good stuff cooking, I thought I’d ask you what’s going on at the moment at Blue Moon Comics?
Llyod Smith: Well, let’s see… we just released our first Unbeatable Brick Special Edition, collecting the first four UB stories in full color. I think you may know a little something about that character, lol. Also, we just released our nineteenth issue of Diversions! That issue also happens to feature one of your creations–The Glass Guardian– along with Dana Black’s debut as writer and artist on a brand-new Night Spider feature. Speaking of Night Spider, I’m putting the finishing touches on the second Night Spider Special Edition, this time showcasing a story by JW Erwin and me that ran in Diversions issues 4, 5, and 7, “Night of the Iguana”-this time in full color. I’m also wrapping up work on the TWENTIETH issue of Diversions, this one will showcase a new Vault of Shadows story with art by Philip Fried, a new supernatural superhero, Bloodmoon with art by Marcello Rosmini, and a brand new story with art by Oniric Comics’ own Chris Malgrain–another character you might know something about who goes by the name of Depthon! We also have a bunch more cool stuff in the works: an exciting new Unbeatable Brick tale with JW Erwin plotting, drawing, and even scripting… Dana Black is working on an awesome new adventure starring Donnie Page’s U.S. Flag… Josh Holley is illustrating a new Kragor adventure…JW and I will be creating new episodes of Ultimus… Dana Black has worked up a cool little ditty featuring the SON OF TOOMBORA… David Johnson Jr. and I are going to finally get Captain Beyond up and running…a color Guns & Rosa Special Edition… whew–I know there’s more, but yeah, we have stuff cooking, and that’s a fact!
1st: You have indeed been publishing a bit of my work and using a few of my characters. From my standpoint, there’s something magical about being published by Blue Moon Comics, and I’m sure other creators would agree with me. You manage to capture a spirit of vintage comics, I’m not sure I’ve seen elsewhere on a small press level. It’s like the marvelous feeling I had as a kid reading Bronze Age Marvel comics, complete with Stan Lee on his soap box. Do you have a soapbox, or do you intend to get one?
Llyod: I appreciate your allowing me to run stories featuring your characters. I love writing them–you’ve come up with some great characters. I have even dropped hints in the new Depthon story about a certain super-group you’ve been teasing me with. I also appreciate your noticing the Bronze Age feel I’m going for. As the Groovy Agent, I made my love for 1970s comics known, and I want Diversions to reflect that (much like Big Bang reflects the creators’ love for Golden and Silver Age DC). While I don’t plan on doing “Greetings From Ol’ Groove”–my version of Stan’s Soapbox–regularly, It will show up when the muse hits. I do, in every issue, run the Blue Moon Madness page, which is the equivalent of Marvel’s classic Bullpen Bulletins pages. I’ve even figured out a way to do a contents page to look like the Mighty Marvel Checklist, which is just a fun finishing touch to me. We also get lucky with some great artists sending us pin-ups from time to time. I love running those! The one thing I’d love to add to Diversions is a letters page. From the very beginning, I’ve offered a free digital copy to anyone who gets an LOC published, but not a single taker in five years, lol. I guess everyone has enough to say on the Internet.
1st: I didn’t see that offer for a free digital copy of an issue that has a fan’s letter published until now. I may have to get on that. It’s exciting to now learn that you’ll be mentioning my superhero group I pitched to you in the past. Before we sign off from this interview, could you remind us of where folks can purchase Blue Moon Comics?
Llyod: Our comics are available through IndyPlanet, DriveThruComics, and GlobalComix. You can use the following link to visit our store, which has links to all our distributors and a link for you to buy Blue Moon Comics merchandise as well! https://www.bluemooncomics.org/p/shop.html As always, thanks for spreading the Blue Moon news, Mark.
1st: That was a fun, off-the-cuff interview. Thanks Lloyd!
Llyod: Always my pleasure, old chum! Thanks for the opportunity!
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