Interview with Jazan Wild
Interviewer: Eric
Eric: When did you know you wanted to get into the comic book
industry?
Jazan: I became involved officially around 2001 / 2002. I was a huge fan
of Kevin Conrad, Angel Medina and Clayton Crain's artwork on the Spawn and Kiss
series for Todd Mcfarlane's company. I loved the 70's stuff at Marvel and Topp's
work with the X-files series. But art-wise you can't beat Mcfarlane's company in
the 90's! Just the best stuff on earth in my opinion.
So I wanted a cover done for my debut CD. I contacted Kevin Conrad and we became
good friends. He took forever to get me the CD cover, but in the end everything
is for a reason if you look at life in a higher way, (which I struggle to do on
a daily basis). After the cover I told Kevin about a story I had floating around
in my head. He loved it! So we did an 8 page story to be put into the CD jacket.
Then that turned into 24 pages! Then Markosia came along and 24 pages turned
into 3 books! Higher way! In the end it was well worth the wait. (Now if I can
remember that on the things that stress me out today. he he.)
Eric: How many years have you been writing comic books?
Jazan: Well the first story I wrote was stolen by a mighty powerful
franchise. As a new writer I didn't have a clue about the business, so I sent in
a comic book script in the 90's to a series that was hugely popular at the time.
In the back of their comic book, it asked for reader's stories. The next year I
saw my stories on the T.V. and even on the shelves of Toy's R Us. I learned the
hard way real quick. I copyright everything I do through the Writer's Guild Of
America, the minute I finish it.
But my first published work was in 2005. It was the square 6 7/8 inch edition of
Carnival Of Souls for SDCC Exclusively. Markosia released this and man, what a
great time it was! Magical.
Eric: What process did you go through when you created Funhouse of
Horrors?
Jazan: While I was at Markosia, I received a call from Gene Simmons
Representative. I introduced Simmons to Markosia (and later Arcana) and during
this time he wanted to do a Twilight Zone / Horror series. I had this story in
my mind for a while. When I was a kid, my grandparents, my brother and I always
took these trips to N.Y. for the Holidays. The big thing was stopping off at
Antiques Stores and fruit markets. My Grandmother's relatives all lived in the
Hampton's and we would bring up sweet corn and tomatoes.
Well, I crossed this story from my past with Gene Simmons growing up in N.Y. Add
in some Kolchak, X-files and a little Stephen King, put it all in the blender
between my ears and one cool F*cking story came out. I pitched this story and it
was listed in Diamond's Previews in July of 2006 under Arcana/Simmons Comics.
That didn't happen (Again Higher Way... even though I wish I could have
everything in my timing, it doesn't work that way), so here we are two years
later and Funhouse Of Horrors is released and Kicking ASS!!!!!!!!!
Eric: Tell us, what can we expect from Funhouse of Horrors?
Jazan: Well, expect to be scared! But also it's a fun ride. I hate
slasher and gore for the sake of shock. Not my thing. I love the X-files,
Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Poe and C.S. Lewis. I want to have my people think
and feel fear so that they can face it, not just run from it! Jacob Stone has to
face his fear. You will see in the next issue (A whole frigging year from now,
wow I suck) that Jacob takes what life throws at him and embraces it. I can't
give away any more without ruining the story.
Now, just in case you haven't heard the rumors. I almost didn't release the book
because I feared this might occur. But some who have read early promotion copies
have reported seeing and hearing... let's say the living impaired! Don't worry
though, just do as they say and tell their story. Maybe if you do that they will
let you rest in peace.
Eric: When will fans be able to buy Funhouse of Horrors at their local
comic book shops?
Jazan: This Halloween of course! We are listed in the July Issue of
Previews under Carnival Comics on page 229. For retailers, there is a signed
incentive poster for every 10 issues ordered.
Order it today, if you dare!
Eric: When did you come up with the idea of releasing a new Funhouse
of Horrors every Halloween season? Is this something you would like to do every
year?
Jazan: It just felt right. Halloween books should be at Halloween. Plus,
I think comics can be rushed out, which hurts the story. Comics are often
dismissed as being not as legit as a "book" or "novel". I don't want to be
rushed to put out something that hasn't had time to gel. I only want to release
books and music that I feel are done. No shortcuts or assembly line stuff at
Carnival Comics. This is all art to me. I want to look at all of this someday
and smile, and be happy at how I spent my time. I hope others can enjoy my work
as well and know I cared a lot about what I do.
Eric: What influenced you when you were writing Funhouse of Horrors?
Jazan: I would not be 100 percent truthful if I didn't mention that
working with Gene Simmons had an influence. It did. Also, just that wonder of
being a kid on a trip. Me with my grandparents stopping to buy fruit. But also,
where I grew up in the South there were always huge fields or woods that had old
abandoned houses. As kids running wild, we would often discover these places
just goofing around, playing war or whatever. Mystery and wonder oozed from
their floorboards!
Eric: You have another project called Carnival of Souls. Tell us a
little about this one.
Jazan: Carnival is the force! It has become bigger than me. It has a life
of it's own. I am just a Carney living in it's gates. The story begins with a
boy and his mother going to an old make-shift carnival. Soon after leaving the
grounds, the two board a plane that crashes into the jungle. Young Jazan is the
only survivor, but he is not alone. He begins to see the garish characters from
the carnival. The whole world becomes one crazy roller coaster ride and Jazan is
holding on for dear life!
Carnival Comics will release Issue #1 of Jazan Wild's Carnival Of Souls this
Christmas! Have yourself a scary, scary Christmas and a Haunted New Year!
Eric: On your website you can view the first four issues in digital
format. Do you think digital comic books are the future in the industry?
Jazan: I think they are part of the future. Nothing is better than
holding a comic book, book and graphic novel in your hands and turning the
pages. J.K. Rowling proved that with the Harry Potter series. The story is
always the most important part. Without it, you have nothing. That being said, I
feel digital comics and using the net is just a natural progression. We have
such an opportunity with the Internet to reach countries and people all over the
world. I'm thrilled to do it with my music and digital comics. Which is great
because I can use my music in the different chapters. The music industry is
crippled right now, but Rock and Roll will never die. I am not going to be held
back because I'm not the right fit for American Idol. I am me and damn proud of
it. I love what I do. Digital Comics and the Internet allows me to share my
stories and my music with the entire Globe! (Higher Ways, we all need to stop
whining and get doing.)
Eric: Some people may not know this, but you also released an album
called Carnival of Souls. Was the music on this album inspired by the comic book
you wrote?
Jazan: 100 Percent. It is a soundtrack to issue #1. Funny thing is, is
that as I was making the CD, I had a lot of personal conflicts and issues that
would influence me. They would relate to what I was writing about in the
Carnival Of Souls comic. Songs like Broken and The Rain were born of heartbreak.
While songs like The Snake and Your Love's An X-file were born of happiness. I
feel connected to the comics in that way. I give a bit of who I am and what I
feel to make the pages more real.
Eric: What kind of music influenced you during the production of your
album?
Jazan: I love Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Kiss, Journey, Motley Crue - basically
what they are using for Guitar Hero these days. Good Music is Good Music. I
doubt you ever see American Idol songs on Guitar Hero. I wonder why? You figure
it out.
Eric: What sort of music do you listen to whenever you are just
lounging around or creating your comic book stories?
Jazan: Same stuff as above. I am Rock and Roll through and through.
Eric: How did it feel to break the Amazon Top 300 with your album?
Jazan: F*CKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will be releasing my second CD "JAZAN WILD'S HOUSE OF HORRORS" this Halloween
on i-tunes and Amazon. I want to do even better! Always!
Eric: Two of the tracks on the album bear the X-Files name, tracks 14
and 15. Give us a little information about these tracks.
Jazan: I was always a huge X-files fan. Track 14 is the intro to the
X-files series done up in a rocked out way. Track 15 is the original demo
version of Your Love's An X-file. I loved these tracks because they had such
history. Your Love's An X-file was the first song I ever wrote.
I recently did a track entitled "I Want To Believe" which I submitted to be used
to help promote the new X-files Movie. The film's co-writer and producer Frank
Spotnitz posted the songs on his official site.
You can
check them out here.
Eric: Do you have any other projects in the works for Carnival Comics?
Jazan: Two that are huge! One is titled "Dandy" with Andreas Carlsson.
Andreas has sold over 120 million Cd's with several well known artists. He wrote
"Bye Bye Bye" with Nysnc, "I want it that way" with Back Street Boys, "Everyday"
with Bon Jovi, just to list a few. This project has yet to be officially
announced.
The second is "Prayer Cycle" with world renowned composer, Jonathan Elias. The
names on this project even shock me. I feel like I'm going to be asked to leave
the club or something. This project has yet to be officially announced.
Stay Tuned.
Eric: What is your favorite horror movie of all time?
Jazan: No one favorite. But love a lot of the Stephen King stuff like,
"The Stand", "Langoliers", "It" and "Storm of the Century". I love the original
"Carnival Of Souls" movie. Totally underrated movie. It obviously had a huge
impact on me. he he.
Eric: Which comic books have you been reading lately? Are you keeping
up with either the Secret Invasion or the Final Crisis?
Jazan: I have been so busy writing lately that I really don't have much
time for reading other stuff. But when I do, I really am more of a novel guy. I
really dug "Water for Elephants". What an awesome book.
Eric: Tell our readers why they should go out and buy Funhouse of
Horrors when it comes out in September?
Jazan: If you love good fun horror stories like the Kolchak/ Vincent
Price / Twilight Zone stuff, then this is for you. But remember I warned you
all... the rumor has it that you will never see the world in the same way again!
Ask poor ole Jacob Stone. He will never be the same!
Eric: Finally, do you have any final words for the Review Busters
readers?
Jazan: Believe in yourself. Be good to others. Love life. Love
Living!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jazan Wild Links:
