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

My money's on the cockroach, hands down.

Favorite drug-addled author?

Off the top of my head, Philip K. Dick or William S. Burroughs. Both of whom are dirt-addled now. I'm sure James Ellroy did something other than glue at some point.

Which sales gimmicks really turn your stomach?

NYC electronics shops that have been "going out of business" for decades now to lure in tourist suckers, movie ads with miniscule reviews from radio stations no one's ever heard of, movie ads that feature ‘regular folk’ talking about how much they loved the film, any ad that basically tells you you'll get laid if you buy/drink/use some piece of shit product.

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

Oh god...I can't think of a really, truly good one. The ‘60s BATMAN movie works better than the godawful Tim Burton ones which only proved how ridiculous superheroes look and work when they try to translate it realistically. The PHANTOM movie isn't a great movie, but it captures the comic strip/book feel pretty nicely at times. The ROCKETEER is a pretty dead-on adaptation, but it's a little bland and dull and formula-ridden, which is pretty much just like the comic. I think the films that most closely remind me of action-oriented comics are the Hong Kong martial arts films, especially ones like HEROIC TRIO. They're over the top, imaginative, unrealistic and unpretentious, which is all I ask from a superhero movie. I'm trying to think of a non-superhero adaptation...but I can't.

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

Cross-country ranting.

Who's your favourite giant monkey?

King Kong, and the Toho mechanical Kong rip-off. And Titano the super-ape. I can't answer anything succinctly, sorry.

Hangover remedy of choice?

Advil and coca cola.

When was the last time drugs excited you?

Probably 1988 or so

Most underrated comic creator?

How can you pick one? Marc Hempel. Jay Stephens. Paul Grist. Carol Lay. Andi Watson. Etc etc etc...the overrated list would be even longer than a complete underrated one.

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

It makes a few more piles in the back room of a few comic shops. You'd have to ask my readers for a more serious answer, I honestly don't feel I'm the person who can answer that. I just try to do good comics and be vocal about the validity of the medium.

Favorite background music you use when you work.

I listen to a lot of music, from punk to standards, electronic to opera - it honestly depends on the work I'm doing.

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

If he's not aware of his behavior I'd tolerate him or find a way to get away from him, if he's an asshole I'll let him know it.

Least favored place on earth?

Los Angeles, not because of the geography but the people.

What is your favorite food?

I like Japanese food and sushi a lot, but I can't think of anything that's my favorite. I like food. Food is good.

Will we ever see a Milk & Cheese cartoon?

Probably not, and only unless it's completely faithful to the strips and I call all or most of the shots. So, probably not.

Arni Gunnarsson is co-interviews editor of PopImage.

Back

Attitude | ProFile | Industrial
Interviews | Reviews | Pi Comics
Talkback | Archives | Gallery