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AICN COMICS: Q&@ is our new semi-weekly interview column where some of your favorite @$$Holes interview comic bookdom’s biggest, brightest, newest, and oldest stars. Enjoy this latest in-depth interview filled with @$$y goodness and be sure to look for more AICN COMICS as we gaze into the future of comics every week with AICN COMICS: SPINNER RACK PREVIEWS every Monday and then join the rest of your favorite @$$Holes for their opinions on the weekly pull every Wednesday with AICN COMICS REVIEWS!
Q’s by Mr. Pasty!
@’s by Ape Entertainment’s David Hedgecock On the new SHREK PREQUEL Comic!
Hey folks, Mr. Pasty here with an interview with David Hedgecock, one of the creative souls behind the new SHREK comic and co-publisher at Ape Entertainment. Check out the four page preview of the book in this interview! Let’s see what David has to say about the big green ogre’s leap to comics!
MR PASTY (MP): How did the idea of a Shrek comic book series come to fruition?
DAVID HEDGECOCK (DH): It was more of an idea of a whole line of Dreamworks Animation comics that started things off. But Shrek was always going to be the first comic in the line. It’s DWA’s flagship character that sort of launched the animation department so it’s only fitting that the big green lug start off the comic line as well.MP: Talk about the overall tone of the book. Comedy? Camp? Action? All of the above?
DH: Shrek stories are the kinds of stories that your mom reads with you and then, while she’s laughing, says, “Now don’t YOU do that, that’s gross.” Shrek stories are for the kids who are just a little more hip and a little cooler than the other kids their age. The kind of stories that adults read and enjoy on one level and that kids read and enjoy on a different level.I think we’ve done a pretty great job of capturing that feel. Comedy? Check. Camp? Certainly. Action? Well, it IS a comic, how could you not have action? We have to give the artists cool things to draw!
MP: What style of art do you have planned for the series?
DH: We’re using artists who fit the Ape Entertainment and DWA sense of style and attitude. For the Shrek mini-series specifically, our feature artist is Christine Larsen who is assisted by Tim Durning on colors. Christine has a clear storytelling style with certain fantasy-element leanings and a flare for capturing ‘moments’ in faces and gestures. She’s perfect and Tim’s painterly colors couldn’t be more perfectly matched.For the Shrek Prequel, our feature artist is Drew Rausch (with JM Ringuet on colors). Drew is also a great storyteller who has a flare for filling the page with lots of funny little ‘easter egg’ moments. Perfect for a movie prequel. We teamed Drew up with the writing talent of Scott Shaw who is no slouch in the humor comic category and the results were better than I had hoped.
MP: Describe the creative process in choosing which stories from the Shrek universe you’re planning to explore.
DH: We’re creating all new stories for the Shrek Universe. It’s more about exploring the characters (and in some cases creating new ones) and making NEW adventures.MP: What point in time will you start from with Shrek? Are you doing an “origins” type arc in the beginning?
DH: We’re just telling some good, fun Shrek stories in the mini-series. Anyone who is a fan of the movies knows where Shrek has been and anyone coming to the property for the first time will still be able to enjoy the comic as they discover these characters for the first time. There’s no set era for the comics. They could be happening at any point in Shrek’s history.MP: How will you address the many changes in the Shrek universe (spanning four movies)?
DH: Dreamworks Animation has done a great job of making sure all the characters and their histories stay consistent. We do our best to be aware of all the material (there is a play and a couple TV specials and lots of books, etc) but we definitely trust DWA to let us know when we’ve done something that doesn’t make sense or is out of continuity.MP: Will there be a correlation between the comic book storylines and the upcoming movie?
DH: Yes. The SHREK PREQUEL will be a prequel to SHREK: FOREVER AFTER the up-coming movie. If you want more background and history about some of the new characters appearing in the movie, you should DEFINITELY pick up this graphic novel.
The Shrek mini-series will just be the ‘further adventures’ of Shrek and his crew and will not deal with any movie continuity.MP: Is there creative autonomy for this series despite being a licensed brand?
DH: Dreamworks approves everything we do but we’ve had lots of room to play. So, yeah, we’ve had a lot of freedom to do cool stuff.MP: What are some of the challenges you’re facing in creating this book? For instance, Shrek fans are sure to be overly critical since they may already have a set notion as to what the Shrek universe is (or should be).
DH: The challenge is always the same- MAKE A GREAT COMIC. If we do that, and I think we are, then all the rest of the problems take care of themselves. I’m very proud of the work we’ve done so far on SHREK and I feel we’re doing some of the best work anyone has ever seen on a licensed comic book property.MP: Is there a learning curve for non-Shrek fans or does this book have a universal appeal?
DH: The SHREK PREQUEL is definitely for the fans but the mini-series is for everyone who likes good, clean, funny stories told well (and with a sprinkling of bathroom humor).MP: How far ahead have you planned for this project?
DH: The Shrek prequel is done and will be in stores in early May. The Shrek mini-series is already written and we’re done with the first issue and working on #2 and 3 concurrently. We’ve been working on Shrek and the other DWA projects, like Penguins of Madagascar, since August of 2009.
MP: Why will Shrek fans want to buy this comic? What about comic book enthusiasts who haven’t watched the movies?
DH: Well, the Shrek Prequel I explained above. As for the mini-series, Shrek fans get a chance to go on a ton of new adventures with their favorite ogre from a haunted forest to a desert island full of tiny people and a crazed gingerbread man. Along the way they’ll meet new friends and new enemies and generally have a fantastic time.For comic fans who aren’t familiar with Shrek, it’s a chance to dive into a whole new universe of well crafted stories featuring lovable, relatable characters. And, as a big bonus, the comics are just the start of the adventure!
MP: Your favorite Shrek character is…
DH: Gingy with Donkey being a very close second. In issue #2 of the Shrek mini-series, Troy Dye and Tom Kelesides wrote a scene with Donkey that had me laughing so hard milk came out of my nose (and I wasn’t even drinking milk at the time).MP: Thanks, Troy, for taking the time to answer these questions. Look for Ape Entertainment’s SHREK in May!
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