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Richv1
Jazma V.P.
Canada
1148 Posts |
 Posted - 01/15/2010 : 1:46:33 PM
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Liam Webb
Co-Writer for Hell's Blood
Published by: Guild Works Productions
Interviewed by: Richard Vasseur
Posted: 01/15/2010
Rich: How was the idea for "Hell's Blood" created?
Liam: It was something Hector Rodriguez created. Possibly with another person; he'd be the best to ask for that. He told me previously, but I don't want to risk misinforming you in case I don't remember correctly.
Rich: Is co-writing a comic harder or easier than just one person doing it?
Liam: I hate to say it because it seems like a cliche, but it's both harder and easier at the same time. On one hand, of course you don't have as much control over the pacing as you would when you write alone, and there will always be differences of opinion (to a greater or lesser extent) on how to execute particular scene or how a character would behave in a given instance, but on the other hand you can work with each other's perspectives and bounce ideas off each other for better outcomes overall.
Rich: When writing the main characters dialogue how do you try to make him come across?
Liam: Dialogue depends on the character. You get a sense of who the character is, what he wants, and how he will most likely react in general, then ask yourslf given that, how would he react to the particular situation you are dealing with on that page. All of this I believe is colored by who the writer is, which is what is known as a writer's style or "voice". I am of course not a good judge because I know which lines I wrote and which Chris wrote, but I think that our two voices are similar yet different enough that you can pick out which lines he wrote and which I did.
Rich: How do you make a villian seem like a villian?
Liam: If I know who the villain is as a character I do the above, and then what I'm about to describe. If I don't know or it's a new villain I'm creating, I think of all the worst things in people, and sometimes I'll remember some horrid people I've known in my life (and regretfully I've known my share), and work off of that. And no, I'll never say who I'm thinking of, but it's no one I know now, thank God.
Rich: Exactly what type of creature is the main character?
Liam: Well, he's not an Irish step dancer. But seriously, Hector would be best suited to explain that in full detail.
Rich: Do you have any ideas to create other comics?
Liam: Yes. I have a couple scripts I've written previously that I just don't have artists for. And if anyone has any serious inclination, I never turn down an artist with a good work ethic, even if I have to write something new for them.
Rich: What other comic books have you worked on?
Liam: Iconic (as executive editor and writer), Iconic 2 (as a writer and all ages editor), a story for the forthcoming GWP book Worst Case Scenario, and some as-of-yet unpublished works.
Rich: What do you get out of writing?
Liam: Carpal tunnel. Seriously though, I get to stretch my imagination, a satisfaction and fulfillment that simply cannot come from my day job life, and a relaxation that is at the same time work.
Rich: What else will you be working on in the immediate future?
Liam: I've just finished two prose stories for CAG's upcoming book Worlds Beyond; I will be doing more Hell's Blood issues (Chris and I have already written #3); some science fiction stories outside of comics; I always work, off and on, on my book on the origins of the comic book; and I am looking into doing a script for Peter Wolfe, the artist who is illustrating my Iconic 2 story.
Rich: Do you enjoy going to conventions?
Liam: I absolutely love going to conventions. My only regret is that I don't get to go to many due to time, or more likely, financial constrictions.
Rich: What comics did you read as a child and do you now?
Liam: Mainly Marvel books when I was younger, and mainly DCs and independents now. I have been dipping my toe back into Marvel recently now that all the hyper-mega-500 part crossovers have died down.
Rich: How do you spend your time when your not working on comics?
Liam: Unfortunately, the bulk of it is at my day job at a plastics company. I mean no disrespect to my employment, it's just not writing which is who and what I am. If I didn't get to listen to music at work I'd probably lose my mind. Outside of that, I read, listen to old radio shows, exercise about an hour a day, spend time with my wonderful wife, and practice the violin.
Rich: How can someone contact you?
Liam: Shout down the nearest gopher hole. But if they're serious, my email is charteris43@hotmail.com. If anyone wishes to email me, that is fine, but please understand that I absolutely do not open attachments unless I know the person, so don't bother to attach anything.
Rich: Any final words of wisdom?
Liam: To artists: Please be honest with yourself and your writers. When you commit to a project, honestly know at the beginning that you can in fact see it through to the end. In many ways, your talent means nothing if you cannot complete a job. A courtroom artist will be asked to do more jobs than a DaVinci, if that courtroom artist is known for getting the job done on time and Davinci can't finish anything he commits to.
To writers: don't limit yourself to just one genre or thing. If you can't break into comics this year, don't worry about it, go out, write all you can and explore other forms of writing and see what really fits. What you are doing when you do those other things is building a resume you then market yourself with to get other jobs, and eventually you'll get what you want. Rome wasn't built in a day.
To perfectionist writers and artists: Seriously, it's an old saw but perfectly true, you really ARE your own worst critic. The best thing for you is to get feedback, even the negative feedback you fear or anticipate, because it will give you a better sense of what is good and you'll get to know when someone is being too negative, and ultimately, will stop being so negative about yourself. Nothing stops inner negativity by having to defend your work to a putz.
To everyone: Do the best you can in what you do. What I mean by that is this: satisfy yourself that you have given it your best effort, and you are proud of your work. When that's done, put your ego aside and get critiques. Some will be valuable and some won't be, but a decent person will treat you honestly. And for God's sake don't ever take a critique as a personal attack; your self-worth should not be dictated by the relative value of what's on a page. Be willing to work and willing to work with other people. Don't have a hissy fit when someone edits your writing or asks you to draw it over again the first time. When you're willing to work with others, either by compromising, standing your ground with (key here) rational and even-toned debates (and you can't just say the equivalent of "you're stupid, I don't wanna" rationally instead of yelling it), and yes, once in a while giving others what they want when you still don't like it, you'll find that you'll get on with people better, more work will come, and people will know you as an honest craftsman, which can be more valuable than a raw talent ranking at times.
Richard Vasseur |
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Liam Webb Co-Writer - Hell's Blood
