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Richv1
Jazma V.P.
Canada
1133 Posts |
 Posted - 05/01/2010 : 05:01:44 AM
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Jason M. Burns
Writer/Editor In Chief
Published by: Ape Entertainment
Interviewed by: Richard Vasseur/Jazma VP
Posted: 05/01/2010
Rich: How did you get your current position as Editor In Chief at Ape Entertainment?
Burns: It sort of just happened organically. I have been working in comics both creatively and in a business capacity for the last five years or so, starting out with Viper Comics and then with an upstart called Outlaw Entertainment, and when the opportunity came about to work with Ape, I jumped at the chance because not only do I believe that the company is going to be the next big indie that everyone is talking about, but also because the two guys that started/run the company, Brent E. Erwin and David Hedgecock, are two of the best guys you could work for in comics.
Rich: How are you finding the job as Editor In Chief?
Burns: I’m having a lot of fun, learning a lot, and getting to work on the Dreamworks Animation properties, which include Shrek and Penguins of Madagascar, has been a real treat. My nieces and nephews can finally read some of my work now.
Rich: What was the story you wrote in "Shrek Forever After Prequel" about?
Burns: Loosely based on The Lion and the Mouse fable, it tells the story of Cookie, a new ogre character introduced in the latest film, and Gingy, the famous gingerbread man from all of the films, who intersect in a backwards version of you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. It’s silly and fun, and hopefully readers will get a kick out of it, especially the surprise guest appearance at the end.
Rich: Why is Shrek such a popular character?
Burns: I think it comes down to the way the films are written. They’re crafted in such a way that both kids and adults can enjoy them, and that makes it accessible to pretty much everybody. When you’re not restricted to a particular demographic, you’re opening up the doors to a massive commercial success.
Rich: When can we look forward to seeing the comic "Penguins of Madagascar"?
Burns: Expect those penguins to take flight, though not really because penguins can’t fly, this summer. Be on the look out for Rico and the gang in July.
Rich: Will Shrek or Penguins of Madagascar become regular series?
Burns: I’m sure everyone involved would like to see that, but the continuation of the books depend on the comic buying audience’s interest, so if that’s what people want to see, get your butts out to your local shops and buy yourselves some Shrek and Penguins.
Rich: How did Ape Entertainment and Dreamworks Animation get together?
Burns: Well, that deal was already in the works long before I got involved with Ape. It was definitely not a shotgun process, as the guys (Brent and David) had been working on it for a long time before I had come along.
Rich: How is Ape Entertainment different from other comic companies?
Burns: We print our comics on magic paper, which allows our readers three wishes.
Obviously I’m joking about that. (Your wishes won’t be heard, sorry.) But in all honesty, I can say that since I came onboard with the company, the biggest difference I see is the desire by those involved to see the company succeed. Where a lot of independent comic publishers do what they do as more of a hobby that becomes a business, these guys are focused on making things happen and furthering the company’s brand and notoriety. Looking 12 months ahead, I can confidently say that people will be surprised by what Ape Entertainment is capable of.
Rich: What new talented people do you have at Ape Entertainment?
Burns: Aside from the talented crew of people internally, the company also employs some amazing artists and writers on the creative side of things. We just signed an artist named Rolando “Rollo” Mallada to an exclusive contract, and he is going to BLOW UP. This guy is amazing. Every page I see that comes in from him… My jaw drops.
Rich: If you could visit the world of a comic you worked on which one would it be and why?
Burns: I’d have to go with A Dummy’s Guide to Danger, which I released over at Viper Comics. I love those characters, and I’m actually revisiting them shortly… So fans of that series should keep an eye out.
Rich: What is one of your goals in life?
Burns: As much as I love comics, I’m looking forward to some new creative leaps and bounds in the next few years. I have some interesting stuff cooking in both the publishing world and film/TV, so while I’ll never fully walk away from comics, I am looking forward to playing in other sandboxes down the road.
Rich: How can someone contact you?
Burns: Carrier pigeons always work, or: burns.viper@gmail.com
Rich: Any last words for the readers of Ape comics?
Burns: Look out for Pocket God, based on the best-selling iPhone app. It’s a four-issue mini series, written by me, drawn by Rollo, and colored by the amazing Paul Little. It appears digitally on iVerse in May, and then in print (with extra material) in August. It’s so much fun!
Richard Vasseur |
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Jason M. Burns Writer/Editor In Chief Ape Ent.
