ORCUSVILLE INTERVIEWS CHRIS MORENO

Welcome to Orcusville’s first Interview. We are honored to have Chris Moreno with us today. Chris is the fabled artisan of Sidekick, the illustrative evil behind Super Frat, and the guy who drew the Underworld Award-Winning Dracula vs. King Arthur (already required reading at the prestigious Daemonica Academica). He’s also adept at training monkeys, ninjas, platypuses and lemurs.

Click on any of the little images below to see some big examples of Mr. Moreno’s work!

(images, left to right, are: 1-4 are from Dracula vs. King Arthur, 5-6 are Money vs. Lemur, 7 is Sidekick #3)

Chris and I go back a couple years, having met at Dis Con…

Oh, those were good times, eh Moreno? Anyhow, enough of this pre-ramble! On with the show, fools!!

LORD ORCUS: Chris, first of all, how was your trip down here. Did the denizens handle you with care?

CHRIS: Entering through the hollowed-out belly of a sacrificial yak was a little uncomfortable, but once I got past the ribcage, it was smooth sailing. I grew up in Jersey, so the taunts and rotten garbage being thrown at me as I walked down the street didn’t bother me at all. The handle sticks to the door on the way into the building, though. You might want to get that fixed.

LORD ORCUS: Yeah, things do tend to be a bit sticky around here. Alright, why don’t you tell us a little bit about how you got started in comics. Maybe not how so much as why. Maybe not why so much as, seriously, what psychological disorder and/or parasite drove you to be a comics artist?

CHRIS: Well, what makes a man do the things he does? Is it a quest for greater understanding? A search for validation from those around him? A quick glance towards creating a legacy that extends beyond his own life, granting him a sort of immortality? None of these things? All of these things? What was the question?

LORD ORCUS: Nevermind. Let’s get down to brass tacks. Everyone knows that artists are required to sell their souls. Who got yours and how much did they pay?

CHRIS: I think in order to become an artist you have to bare your soul. A great artist will sell his soul. I’m leasing mine with an option to buy.

LORD ORCUS: I always thought it was “bear your teeth”… and speaking of bear teeth, what are some of your favorite things to chew, gnash, or devour with yours?

CHRIS: I’m a gum-chewer, most definitely. I’m also omnivorous, and it’s worked out pretty well for me so far. I draw the line at non-food items, though. But from the looks of you, I can tell you’re not that picky.

LORD ORCUS: Well, I refuse to eat asparagus, if that’s what you mean. So, Chris, if I remember right, Dracula vs. King Arthur was your first published work… or was it Monkey vs. Lemur? Or was it Dracula vs. Lemur? Reminisce, please.

CHRIS: Hmm, it seems information travels slowly and backwards around here. My first published work was actually on a comic called The Travelers, created and written by my Super Frat collaborator Tony DiGerolamo. I had met Tony through my mentor, illustrator Tommy Castillo. Tony took a chance on me and the rest is history. Well, it’s history everywhere but here, apparently.

LORD ORCUS: Ah… well, obviously a few of our research minions will be enjoying a lovely view of the Cosmic Worm’s tonsils this evening. But now I’m curious, tell us a little more about The Travelers.

CHRIS: The Travelers was a fantasy action comedy– kind of a Simpsons meets Lord of the Rings– that centered around a questing group made up of the usual sword-and-sorcery types (knight, bard, barbarian, wizard), but with a comic twist. Take Barbara the Barbarian, for instance– built like a Hawaiian tropic swim wear model, but with the brain and brawn of The Hulk. Originally published by South Jersey Rebellion Prod., then Kenzer & Co., and then finally Wingnut Games. I was the series penciller from issues 12-22. If you want to see the book that started my career, check out the website.

LORD ORCUS: You know, I may be a bit too serious for “fantasy action-comedy”. Orcusville is serious business, Chris. Now for a very important question: If you could roast the flesh off of any celebrity, who would it be and why?

CHRIS: Little Richard, just because I imagine his screams would sound great set against a killer rhythm and blues section. “WoooooOOOOO!”

LORD ORCUS: Oh, yes! That sound would be like honey for my ears. Okay– Image Comics, Sidekick and working with the notorious Paul Jenkins. Discuss.

CHRIS: I met Paul at Mid Ohio Con a few years ago. I was promoting my creator-owned book Monkey in a Wagon Vs. Lemur on a Big Wheel and my co-creator on that book, Ken Lillie-Paetz, showed Paul a copy of the book. During the weekend, he came up to the table and said that he thought my art style would be perfect for a new project he was working on. Suppressing my inner fanboy, I was able maintain my professional demeanor long enough to exchange contact info. Maybe a week or two later, he called me up and gave me the basic plot for all 5 issues of Sidekick within the span of about 10 minutes. He talks very fast. I began working on character sketches, and the rest is history. Well, it’s history everywhere but here, apparently.

LORD ORCUS: Honestly, we don’t really believe in your History down here. It’s very distorted and full of clams. In light of that, why don’t you finish up with a few words about the future. What are you working on these days, and what do you have for us on the Horizon?

CHRIS: Well, the trade paperback of the Kompany X/Top Cow miniseries Johnny Delgado is Dead is in comics shops now, as well as the collection of the first series of Paul Jenkins’ Sidekick from Image Comics. Also out is Teddy Scares Vol. 2, containing a short story illustrated by yours truly, with another appearing in Vol. 4, due out in May. My creator-owned character Sanz Pantz: Ninja Platypus debuted in November’s Popgun Vol. 1 and will be appearing in Vol. 2, coming this summer. I just started a 5-issue miniseries for IDW, along with a 120-page graphic novel called The Minions of Ka. I’m also working with Tony DiGerolamo again on our weekly webcomic Super Frat at http://www.superfrat.com. On the horizon I see some trees, mountains, some clouds in the sky. The gulls float by, silhouetted against the sun– Oh, you’ve got me rambling again. You’re a sneaky one! So, do I just go back out through the yak’s stomach? You guys validate parking?

LORD ORCUS: No. But it’s okay, your car probably won’t be there when you get back anyway. Thanks for visiting us, Chris, and keep up the good work!! Or… Wait for it…
OR ELSE.

Wow, that was fun. Chris Moreno is welcome by Orcusville anytime!

Except when Velia is armed, of course.

It’s possible we may never see Chris again.