The Village Gossip has a bag of 64 questions...every visitor who comes past must answer a totally random selection of these, the first twenty pulled from the bag. This week, Graham Pearce stops by – creator of the long-running SGT. MIKE BATTLE: THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO series, issue eleven is out now, available from all good comics shop and online from www.sgtmikebattle.co.uk
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m trying to work on several projects right now but the only one that I seem to have any inspiration for is Sgt Mike Battle: The Greatest American Hero! #12-13. It’s a 2-part storyline set in the 960s and it’s partly a homage to Jim Sternako’s Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD and it’s sort of a James Bond crossover as well. I’ve spent all morning doing page layouts on some small post-it notes. I finished the plot for the second half of #12 but the first half isn’t done. I’ve got dozens of ways to get the story to the point where the second half kicks in and it’s really liberating to sit down, draw some page layout of post-its and see what works. It’s a great method and saves time from drawing it up on A4 before rejecting it. The things that I’m struggling to find inspiration for is writing some gag strips for Viz, writing a Star Wars comedy script about life on the Death Star and remastering Watchblood, which was a Watchmen/Rob Liefeld spoof I did long before Sgt Mike Battle.
What is the best comic you've ever read?
The one that I love to read again and again is GI Joe #34 (from the Marvel series) and it’s the one with the epic dogfight between the GI Joe and Cobra pilot. I love it how a simple fight between 2 planes is told over 22 pages. The whole ‘contest’ is a brilliant game of cat and mouse where the advantage goes from Ace to Wild Weasel and back every few panels. The moment where the two pilots salute each other at the end is a cliché but it’s so damn cool.
Downloading illegal torrents will kill comics, discuss.
It won’t kill it for me because I like to own a physical comic. Some think that it’ll get rid of the rubbish books because people won’t waste their money on crap that they’ve read online for free. With the better comics, I think that people will be more inclined to buy a printed copy once they know how good a story it is. I know that I’d rather spend £10 on a TPB that I know will be really good rather than on an unknown quantity.
On the subject of downloading legal comics, I’ve got nothing against them. The internet is just another tool to deliver stories to anyone in the world. Whilst I hope that it doesn’t replace printed comics and the comic shop, I like the fact that even a simple web comic can potentially reach more readers than the average Marvel/DC comic could reach through the network of comic shops.
Do you have a favourite pair of pants?
No, but I have a lovely pair of original flower-power 70s swimming trunks that my Dad owned when he was 20. They’ve become a family heirloom and I’ll hand them down to my eldest son, whether he wants them or not.
Have we been visited by aliens yet?
Of course we have… but the Predators got lost around the Medusa Cascade.
Have you ever seen a ghost?
No, but I’m sure I saw a giant owl fly past me one night many years ago.
Have you ever woken up not knowing where you are?
No, I’m very boring and don’t drink so I usually have a good idea of where I am when I go to bed.
How clean are your hands?
Right now they are very clean.
If you could swap places with someone for a day, who would it be?
Any Hollywood Movie Producer. I’d buy the film right for Sgt Mike Battle for an extortionate amount of money.
What is your favourite movie?
The Empire Strikes Back (with Dr Strangelove as a close second)
Were you ever bullied at school?
Only by the teachers… and only if you’d describe bullying as telling me to stop drawing cartoons and making me do some proper work.
What’s the best party you’ve ever been to?
The Evening Reception on my Wedding Day, although I still can’t forgive the DJ for starting the first dance whilst I was in the toilet.
What's the most ferocious argument you've ever had?
I’m quite a relaxed, easy-going person and hardly ever get into arguments. I’ve never had one that can be described as "ferocious" but the scariest one that comes to mind was when I stood up to a drunken thug on the bus a few months back. Yes, it was stupid but he could hardly stand up and I was carrying a heavy tin of paint that I could easily have twatted him with.
Which - if any - established comic would you most like to be part of?
From a creative point of view there isn’t any particular comic that I’d want to work on. In the past I’ve been able to fulfil my ambitions thru Sgt Mike Battle by doing my own homage to things like GI Joe/Action Force (in SMB:GAH #6) or the early Image Comics (in SMB:GAH #7). If I did work on an established book, I’d probably only use it to publicise Sgt Mike Battle anyway.
Who was your first crush?
Either Helen Slater in Supergirl or Nicole Kidman in BMX Bandits
Who’s the nicest person you’ve ever worked with?
I’m a lowly smallpress writer/artist and haven’t had the opportunity to collaborate with anyone yet. Ask me again in 30 years.
Would you eat human flesh if your life depended on it?
Of course, but it would have to be burnt and come with chips, barbecue sauce and a side salad.
What is the most exciting thing happening in comics right now?
There are a few things. I’m really excited that Hollywood is turning to comics for new ideas/concepts and I’m even more excited that Marvel’s next few films seem to be crossing over into each others storylines and are establishing a connected universe. I also love the enthusiasm from people publishing UK small press comics at the minute. The diversity and quality of the UK small press comic that were on show at Bristol 2008 was amazing.
What was the last text message/email you received?
It was from one of my best friends from school. She texted to find out when would be best to ring to have a chat. We spoke earlier tonight and she’s pregnant (although my wife had already guessed).
If you weren't answering these silly questions, what would you be doing instead?
I’d probably be trying to stabilise the housing market with the power of my mind so I can move back to Cornwall and become a teacher. Anyone want to buy a 3 bedroom semi-detached house in Preston?
If you'd like to drop by the Village to answer the Gossip's questions, email craigjohnsonesq@aol.com to chat. Similarly email if you have a question you'd like the Gossip to include in his bag.