First before we get to todays interview with local creator Richard Clark a quick reminder:

This weekend is the Albany Toy Show so be sure to check it out…I plan to stop in and check it out myself.



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As many readers of the blog may know one of my goals for the blog is to showcase and help promote projects by local creators. I was contacted by Richard Clark, who is currently running a campahgian for his creator owned work. STAR 72. I had seen that he was a guest on the FanboysInc IncCast and been meaning to check out the show and his Kickstarter page before I received his email.

He took some time to talk about comics, his influences and his current project Star 72 which you can find more about and the Kickstarter rewards he is offering at the STAR 72 Kickstarter page

Check out the interview below then go to the page and check out the great rewards he is offering for your support. I know I am planning to drop some sheckles his way to help out,especially since I get a strong Transmetropolitan (one of my favorite Vertigo series) vibe from what I have seen.

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Richard begans his carrer in the illustrative arts back in 1993 while still an undergraduate at The Columbus College of Art and Design (BFA cum laude, 1994). Since then, he has worked for a variety of clients in the editorial, book, advertising, institutional and comic industries.

Additionally, he has co-authored a non-fiction research book for Facts on File, Inc. entitled Career Opportunities in Visual Arts (with Pamela Fehl). He also served for two years on the Board of Directors at The Society of Illustrators.

How did you get into comics (Do you remember your first one or the one that hooked you?)

My first comic–Amazing Spider-Man #176–hooked me immediately. I’d been aware of superheroes before then (The Superfriends on Saturday morning, Spider-Man cartoons), but having this book in my hands to read over-and-over again was the greatest thing on earth. I was 6.

From there The Incredible Hulk was my jam for a number of years. Numerous titles followed–it seemed every time my tastes grew, there was something waiting that fit the bill.

When did you start drawing and writing?

I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil, so probably about the same age most kids do, say age 3. For me, though, I just could not get enough. I really started to take writing seriously in high school–honors courses in Literature and Composition sparking that interest.

Which creators influence your art and writing?

Goodness, it’s very difficult to narrow down–I genuinely love so many artists’ and writers’ work. My current Mount Rushmore would be: Bill Sienkiewicz; John Singer Sargent; Stephen King (particularly his non-fiction); and Ian McEwan. It is ever-changing, though.

What would your elevator pitch of Star 72-page series debut?

She’s fit. She’s fun. She’s a super-genius adventurer and the world’s most-watched media personality. She is Star–and Star is putting the POP back into culture.

Both a future-set action/adventure story and a social commentary/dark satire look at pop & political cultures, the story follows Star as she eliminates old legends while building her own.

Could you talk a bit about the Kickstarter and why people should check it out and support it?

I am certainly biased when I say this: Star’s Kickstarter is very cool and people who dig cool stuff will get a kick out of it. I’m offering a variety of unique rewards and have made a video that has, fortunately, resonated with an audience in the way I had hoped. (That is to say people are entertained by it.)

Since the story centers around popular culture, I’ve dug some items out of my archive that are pop culture related. I painted an illustration of George Carlin for his 2001 HBO show and have a counter card autographed by Carlin that’s on offer. I have several items that bridge the gap between comics and pop culture as well–currently, a page from Felicia Day’s The Guild comic is up and The Walking Dead sketch covers go up this weekend.

Another great reason to check out Star’s campaign: I have aimed to give excellent comparable value for each reward level. I’ve kept the margins razor thin so a 72-page trade paperback accompanied by some fun swag delivers anywhere in the US for only $20. A book of this size usually retails for between $13–$17, so including the shipping and adding the swag makes it competitive with the market.

Finally, I believe people like to support an underdog. In a field dominated by two huge corporate publishers, it’s always a good story when a creator striking out on his own succeeds. Maybe I’m naive, but I still believe in the Mom & Pop Shop spirit.

Is this your first Kickstarter?

This is my very first Kickstarter campaign, though I have participated in campaigns run by other creators–JD Oliva, Lela Gwenn, Rachel Deering and contributed a commission to one of Amy Chu’s campaigns.

What challenges have you come across with Star: 72 during the campaign?

The campaign has run very smoothly by and large–I’ve listened to a lot of advice from people who have done it before and had success. The single challenge is getting enough eyes on the project and growing an audience which is common to independent creators. There is so much content available on so many platforms that it can be difficult to get attention.

From looking at your page it looks like the main character looks like everyones favorite Alaskan Sarah Palin ? Am i reading tok much into that (probably an odd question now that I think about it but going to roll with it)

It’s not an odd question at all, actually. Given that a variety of women who look NOTHING like Sarah Palin have pulled off convincing impressions (Tina Fey bears exactly zero resemblance with her usual hair style), I can see the connection.

An updo hairstyle and glasses of any shape will ping the Sarah Palin radar. I created this character’s look in 2007-2008 which was before Palin arrived on the national scene.

I was initially mortified when some people–about 5%–made that connection. I’ve grown to accept it, though, as there are elements of dark satire involved. If someone initially thinks I’m lampooning the circus that national politics have become, I’m striking the proper chord.

What are you currently reading and recommend?

Amy Chu’s Poison Ivy was fantastic. Ron Marz & Dave Rodriguez have a wonderful run going on in Skylanders. Transmetropolitan is always great for a re-read. I’ll read anything the ComixTribe gang are doing–they’re a fun group of creators. And John Carpenter’s Tales for a Halloween Night is a total gas.

What would be your dream project (aside from Star 72-page series debut), that you would like to pitch? Feel free to include any other creators you would like to work with etc

Another huge list that’s difficult to narrow down! Ron Marz & I have a pair of projects we’d like to work on–one’s an original monster story and the other is a long-form Solomon Kane story. I’d love to write and paint a Wolverine story set in the late 19th century that I’ve had rattling around between my ears for over a decade. A military mystery with Mitch Geradts. An over-the-top zombie story with Mike McKone. A viking warrior story with Tom Raney…. The list just goes on and on!

To see more by Richard check out the following websites:

Zippy Studio

Follow on Twitter

Star 72 Kickstarter Page

Richard’s comic book work

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So check it out …