Questions for Creators #4 - Metaphase (Chip Reece, writer, and Kelly Williams, artist)
By Kevin Muzzell
*Metaphase is an upcoming Graphic Novel written by Chip Reece and illustrations by Kelly Williams, described as a Graphic Novel inspired by little heroes with down syndrome.
Question #1
Chip Reece, writer for Metaphase, you've created such an inspiring and influential concept for Metaphase that I believe will reach not only the minds of comic book readers, but will also capture their hearts. Though 'created' is only the start, you've stated that your son, who has down syndrome, was the main inspiration for the book. What is the most powerful message you hope to carry out through Metaphase?
Wow, thank you for the kind words! Yes, my almost 3 year old son Ollie is the inspiration! While he has Down syndrome, the real inspiration comes from his strength and attitude after a total of seven months in the hospital, three open heart surgeries, and various other surgeries. Heart defects are common in approximately 50% of all individual’s born with Down syndrome, unfortunately Ollie falls under this statistic.
Individual’s with Down syndrome can do things just like or better than you and me. They’re actors, athletes, singers, managers, mountain climbers and more! There’s no reason why they shouldn’t star as the main character in a comic book. People who have Down syndrome have compelling stories to tell. I hope this book helps to empower others to tell more stories with these amazing characters!
Question #2
I had the absolute privilege of reading the Metaphase preview which had such an expressive impact just within those few pages. During the writing process, what are your most comfortable surroundings?If you’re talking where I’m physically writing the story, it’s wherever I happen to be when I have the time! I work a 40 hour a week job on top of our busy home life, which includes running to various appointments for my son. Often times I’m writing it in my head and working it out in conversation with my wife Amy. When I get a free moment, I put it down on the page!
The early surroundings in the book have a base in reality. We went through months in the hospital, had basically set up a home hospital room in Ollie's room while he recovered, and I used my fists to stop a man with cybernetic face tentacles over the ocean (Okay, I’m stretching the last one).
Question #3
Although dealing with real-life issues such as down syndrome, which plays a very important role in Metaphase, it has a strong super-hero involvement. Can you tell the nature of your wanting to bring these two subjects together in comic book format?
Actually, Down syndrome itself isn’t the issue. I don’t wish my son was any different in that regard. We feel like we are the luckiest parents in the world to have a child with Down syndrome. The real issue is the stigma that people with Down syndrome are limited in what they are able to do.
I’m bringing this to the super-hero genre for a few reasons. 1. I’ve grown up on super-heroes and really it’s a dream to be able to play around with characters who will have super abilities! 2. My son is seriously a real-life superhero. Despite being close to death on several occasions, he pulled through. He’s had three open heart surgeries and several other minor ones, but you can’t get the kiddo down. Just like the heroes you see in comic books, Ollie has shown abnormal strength and ability, and keeps fighting back regardless of the odds.
Question #4
When searching for an artist for Metaphase, what did you look for in terms of talent?
I wanted someone with a unique and versatile style that had a knack for expressions. I came across Kelly’s style for the first time when I featured a book (The Cabinet) he Kickstarted with writer Christian Sager back in July 2012. When I began thinking seriously about looking for an artist on the book, his name kept swirling around in my head. He definitely made an impression, and when I began to dig around his other works through his website, I knew I had to have him!
It was important to me that the person who drew the book could make the character really look like he had Down syndrome. The first doodle Kelly sent me seriously brought tears to my eyes… it was perfect.
Something else that sort of solidified my wanting Kelly on the book was that shortly after he agreed to work on Metaphase, he had a medical emergency of his own. He experienced a fairly long term hospital stay that had it’s share of scary moments. I by no means like that he went through any of that, but I feel like he probably understands a bit more than most of what it’s like to go through a major medical event. Kelly really is a super hero in his own right, bouncing back and working harder than ever to get this book done. He’s been an amazing guy to work with.
Question #5
For Chip Reece (writer) and Kelly Williams (artist); Were you always interested in the comic book medium? What were/are your favorite comic book titles?
Chip- My interest in comic books really came along when I was in middle school (early 90’s). After the initial Image Comics boom I took a break and came back in full force at the end of college. In 2008 I found out about StashMyComics.com, which gave me a bigger outlet for enjoying what I considered a hobby at the time. While I never imagined I’d be writing a comic book, SMC definitely contributed to my development as a writer and deepened my appreciation for the medium. When Image came about, I was all about Spawn. After college I jumped into traditional Marvel and DC books. I really dug what Bendis did with the Avengers and DC got my attention with Identity Crisis, which involved the Justice League characters. Since then I’ve been into more independent work, especially titles that are launched via crowd funding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo! In fact, I hope to use Kickstarter to fund and launch the finished Metaphase graphic novel!
Kelly- I got into comics as a wee lad. First comic I got that made a lasting impression on me was Swamp Thing #1 by Bernie Wrightson. Probably the first time as a kid I took notice of the people behind making the comics and not just the comic itself. In the long run I became more of a Marvel guy, X-men and Daredevil were huge for me. I think I knew I wanted to make comics at a really young age, but the type of comics I wanted to make changed greatly. I put out my first mini-comic when I was 16 or so. Around that time I was starting to get burned out on the Superhero comics and the things Marvel and DC were putting out and Image was just starting up. I eventually stopped picking up superhero books all together. For a lot of years I was only reading things from indie publishers and focusing more on creator owned comics. I worked at a comic shop for decent amount of time in the 90's and just got burned out on all of the "mainstream" gimmicks and too big to fail attitude.
Eventually, and luckily, I got over myself and started picking up some superhero books again and found that things were enjoyable again. Granted I still don't pick up a ton of Marvel or DC. Actually lately the only comics I've been picking up regularly are Hellboy in Hell and the Walking Dead. I'm really looking forward to the new Percy Gloom book by Cathy Malkasian. There are so many good books out there right now and the list is constantly growing as more and more creators focus on their own creations. It's pretty exciting.
Question #6
For Kelly Williams; Aside from Chip Reece's inspiring story, what influenced your art style for Metaphase?
Once I read a bit of the script and saw that it was something with a pretty solid footing in a superhero world, that was it. When we made the decision to go full color I decided to go 100% digital.
I wanted to go with bright colors and play with lighting and effects a little more than I normally do. It's a great chance to learn about some stuff I don't use very often in color. This is actually the first full color comic I've done that is intended to be anywhere other than my site or something.
Chip gave me a basic idea of what he had in mind, but mostly, he left the visual directions to me. Though I give him pretty constant updates so he can give whatever input he may have.
Question #7
For Kelly Williams; I had the delight of checking out your site, treebeerdstuff.com, and I couldn't help but notice the variety of styles of work you put out. Tell me, what are some major influences that have helped you do what you do?
Well, Thanks! You are FAR too kind! I'm horrible with these questions. Umm… there are a lot of artists and styles of art that I love, there are just too many to name! I like to think that when something makes an impression on you, it stays with you, you know? You never stop learning and you never stop being influenced by the people whose work you enjoy. You just never stop growing.
I'm influenced by comics, literature, films, music, video games and on and on. I think some of the variety in the work I put out comes from the tools as well. I think my digital work and my traditional work each have their own feel to them, but look similar. Does that make sense? Am I rambling? I feel like I'm rambling. Rodney Dangerfield. I owe everything to Rodney Dangerfield.
Question #8
For Chip Reece and Kelly Williams; What do you enjoy doing in your off hours? During the
process of a graphic novel do you even have off hours? [Laughs]
Kelly - Off hours? I don't have too much of those right now personally. Now that the preview for METAPHASE is wrapped up I'm back to working on THE CABINET, a historical horror graphic novel I'm doing with writer Christian Sager and some other short stories for various Grayhaven comics as well as drawing a story written by C.E.L. Welsh for an upcoming anthology. I'm also working on a couple non comic projects like doing the posters for the upcoming movie "the Biker Warrior Babe vs. the Zombie Babies from Hell"… not to mention getting ready for Heroes con. So loads to keep me busy. When I do get a chance, I love them video games and playing music though!
Chip - I mentioned this a bit above, but writing Metaphase and everything else that comes along with it is really what I’ve been doing with my off hours. I work a full time job, and try to give my wife a little break with all the Ollie duties when I can. I’m also the editor, admin coordinator and a writer for StashMyComics.com. When my wife and I get a little "us time" we really dig watching classic (like black and white) movies, and hanging with friends and family. We haven’t ventured out much since having Ollie because we’ve had to protect him from illness. Thankfully, that concern is starting to lift, so I’m sure we’ll begin to get more social as the months go by!
Question #9
It was fun and a great honor to personally speak to you, Chip Reece and Kelly Williams. When can readers and comic book fans get a glimpse of Metaphase and where can readers keep up to date with news on Metaphase?
Kelly- I defer to you here, Chip. It was a pleasure, thanks!Chip -The Metaphase preview issue will be free to all on May 4th, 2013 on ComiXology with help from Alterna Comics. Both Kelly and I will be signing and selling a limited print version of the preview at our respective local comic shops on the same date, which also happens to be Free Comic Book Day! Kelly will be at Arkham Comics in Blytheville, AR and I’ll be at Prairie Dog Comics in Wichita, KS.If you’re looking for updates and other news about the book, please direct people to our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/metaphasegraphicnovel. Eventually we will be making announcements about the Kickstarter project, once I’ve finished writing the entire graphic novel!
Thanks for taking the time to interview us and supporting the book!
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Chip Reece
Editor, Writer, Admin
StashMyComics.com
