Lea Hernandez

Women in comics are few and far between though things seem to be changing at last and more women are entering the industry today than ever before. Lea Hernandez is one of those women and from her Texas den she plans and plots..not world domination but rather how to show folks what manga is.

Which animal do you think will be the dominant species once humans are killed off in ritual mass suicide?

When? You mean if, right?

Favorite drug-addled author?

Myself.

Which sales gimmicks really turn your stomach?

Dynamic Forces "specials," and repackaging two issues of a comic as a collection and releasing it when a fourth issue should have been out already. And showing the 'strong' female character flashing her ass and crotch. And the wholesale hijacking and rape of character designs and stories from anime and manga, then defending it as bringing awareness of Japanese art to America. It's still stealing, assholes! Learn how to draw and write instead of doing the artistic equivalent of robbing a 7-Eleven! You think people can't see through the stocking over your head? Get real!

Which is the best comic-inspired movie, by your standards?

THE FIFTH ELEMENT. Very Frawnch. Very Metal Hurlant.

If there were Comic Olympics, what event would you be in?

The Raise a Family, Give Husband Nookie, House Cleaning, Mop Up Kitchen Flood, Wash the Dog Who Rolled in the Mud, Finish a graphic novel in One Week Lung-Bursting, Ass-Busting Decathalon. Also known as the "Have a Life, But Meet Your Deadlines" challenge.

Who's your favourite giant monkey?

My husband. Runners-up: Kurt Busiek and Warren Ellis.

Hangover remedy of choice?

Throwing up on the person I was mad at when I started drinking, then a big breakfast.

When was the last time drugs excited you?

I've never actually 'done' a controlled substance, so I'd have to say when I found these packets of straight caffeine, sugar and ginseng in a convenience store when I was finishing CATHEDRAL CHILD.

Most underrated comic creator?

I can't think of just one. In general, women are grossly underrated and under-reported unless they have implants or an already-famous boyfriend. Even in so-called magazines that purport or promise to cover 'all aspects' there's still a bias towards men. And I'll fucking scream if I see another articles on 'women in comics' that is about fucking Lara Croft.

How do you feel your current work adds to the comics industry?

By showing books created, written, drawn and finished by a woman can be commercial and critical successes. And that smart writing will too sell.

Favorite background music you use when you work.

Depends on my mood. As I write this, I am getting over a broken heart, so it's been the first Melissa Etheridge album, Jars of Clay, and Annie Lennox's DIVA, especially 'Why' and 'Walking on Broken Glass' - anything really angry, hurt, monomanical, and that says, "I can fucking live without you, asshole." Any other time, I make a mix tape or put in CDs of music appropriate for the job.

What would you do to a fanboy who gets on your nerves?

Depends on what he's/she's doing. If it's the usual hang-around-and-drone, I just begin speaking in grunts and take care of my other customers. I have to add something important: I get maybe one of these out of a convention attended by 2,000 to 30,000 people. They're hardly worth asking about.

Least favored place on earth?

Alameda, California. My hometown. Full of bigots and gossips, dead whales and manta rays, people who value dogs over other humans, and people too stupidstitious to allow a crematorium.

Do you prefer manga to Western comics?

No. I just like good comics, period. In general, I favor the styles I find in Japanese comics; but, like here, many of them are drawn gorgeously and are too fucking stupid to read. In short, it just really depends.

Do you see the manga publishing style making its way into the West?

If you mean fat anthologies out of which the hits are collected - it's a misunderstood model. They exist as a testing ground to see what can be re-published in the profitable form of the tankoubon. They also exist to give creators regular deadlines. Japanese creators are just as susceptible to the lure of drugs, parties, and PlayStation as Americans are. Now that I've explained what that model is not, the answer is "I don't know." I do know Studio Proteus is doing a manga anthology for Dark Horse, which means the North American continent will be treated to its first anthology with retouch that doesn't suck shit. I hope it'll fly!