DAWN BROWN: CREATOR OF 'LITTLE RED HOT'
An interview with the original 'Little Red Hot" herself, Dawn Brown by Scott Grunewald.

Dawn Brown came out of nowhere and blew just about anyone who read her creation, Little Red Hot, away. She won 1998s Xeric Foundation Grant and published it through Image Comics, an act that caused a bit of controversy. Like most fits of controversy however, it was unfounded. Dawn was nice enough to take some of her free time to address those concerns and answer all my questions, and heres what she had to say.

Before you produced Little Red Hot, you had a seemingly successful career in the film industry. What on Earth motivated you to get into comics?

Actually, I'm still working in the film industry. Hopefully there will come a day when the comics will provide a full time income, but until then, I will continue to work in the movies. Actually, I love working in the film industry. Ive been fortunate enough to work on some really great projects. Right now Im working on the Charlies Angels movie with Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu. Girls Kick Ass! As for my motivation to get into comics, its simple. I love comics. Ive always wanted to do one myself. I guess it was when I was working on Batman and Robin, and I was literally standing in Gotham City. I mean, those sets were so unbelievable, the film did not do them justice (or Batman for that matter), and I had a great conversation with Bob Kane. It was at that moment when I was inspired to create my own book.

Did Bob Kane give you an advice?

Bob Kane didnt share any advice, he was just there to visit the set. I asked him to sign my copy of Dark Knight Returns (the only Batman comic I had in my desk at the time). He made a comment Ill never forget. He was very upset that Frank Miller made Robin a girl. He didnt care for that at all, although I dont know why. Anyway, he appeared to be quite taken by the scale of the movie production. It all started as something he scribbled as a young man some sixty years earlier. It was very clear how the efforts of one person can grow into something so timeless. Another person that comes to mind is the late Charles Schulz. Heres another man who created something that was completely honest, he put it out there, and now its grown into something thats been shared by just about everyone in the world. I guess thats what I found inspiring.

One of the major themes running through Little Red Hot seems to be the main character, Chane, looking for something that she didnt know she was missing. Was this something that came from your personal life, or was it just a theme that you wanted to explore?

I think its a theme I just wanted to explore. Of course the book reflects a lot of my feelings about God, organized religion, faith, etc, but it is not literally based on any real life experiences. And no, Im not married to Satan. There is a theme that runs through the entire story, everyone is looking for something. Mr.Ball wants forgiveness, Chane wants Peace, General James wants power, Panama wants respect and the Devil wants Chane. It's all about finding your passion or inner strength to do whatever is necessary to get what you want. I think thats something everyone can relate to.

Have comics become your passion? I mean youre talking about leaving the film industry for them

I'm sure I'll always be involved in the film industry in one capacity or another. Hopefully some day well see Little Red Hot: The Movie. Ive recently finished the screenplay and we are searching for the right studio. I'll keep you posted!

When I met you at the 1999 San Diego Comic Convention, I asked if you based Chanes look after yourself and you said no. But you cant deny that strong resemblance between you and her. Do you think more of you slipped into that character than you intended?

Maybe, but it wasnt intentional. I swear!

Savvy comic readers will notice that you won the coveted Xeric Foundation grant in 1998 for your comic, but it was published through Image Comics, something thats, seemingly, prohibited under the terms of the grant. How did that happen?

The Xeric grant and Image came together at about the same time. I have an agreement with Image Central that still leaves me with the same responsibilities of any other self-publisher. I have to pay for printing, shipping, advertising, etc. (See, this is why I still need to work in the movies!) The book is actually published by my company, Rumble City Graphics in conjunction with Image. In this case, Image performs much like a distributors role in the film industry. This doesnt conflict with the terms of the Xeric grant. My association with Image has definitely resulted in a wider audience, and to that, I am grateful. When I finished issue #1, I had planned to just make photocopies of the book and hand them out to my friends. End of project. At the 1997 San Diego Comicon I heard about the Xeric Foundation Grant and that inspired me to finish the three issue mini-series and apply for some cash to help publish the book for real. Summer of 1998 I applied for the grant. In San Diego that summer I handed out photocopies of the book to anyone and everyone. A copy made it to the desk of Larry Marder, former executive director of Image. He called a few months later, extending an invitation to put the book out through Image. Ive been fortunate enough to have the best of both worlds. Image has been great for providing exposure, and Xeric is extremely important for providing support for new artists, like myself, to launch our creations.

So without the Xeric Grant, you wouldnt have been able to publish your comic?

Thats true. Without that grant, Little Red Hot probably would not have grown beyond a few dozen photocopies circulating among my friends. I am so grateful for the opportunities the Xeric Grant has provided.

Do you have any other comic projects planned in the near future?

A two-part Little Red Hot holiday special is in the works! Look for it this November and December! I know thats a way down the road, but youre just going to have to live with it.

Do you plan any non-Little Red Hot projects, or do you have a lot of Chane stories to tell?

I have one or two more Chane stories, then perhaps develop something else.

Who or what are your influences when it comes to your art and writing?

Frank Miller is my largest influence. He is the master of modern graphic storytelling. His stories are so layered. I can still pick up Dark Knight and find something new. Ive studied his composition and drawing technique, and Im still trying to develop what Im learning into more of my own style. Travis Charest and Alex Ross also deserve mention. They rock!

What about influences outside of comics?

Three master storytellers: Jim Cameron, Tim Burton, Ridley Scott. Music to bang your head against the drawing board: Soundgarden & Metallica A couple guys who really know how to draw: Alphonse Mucha & J.C. Leyendecker

PopImage would like to thank Dawn Brown for taking the time to share a few words with us, and if you haven't already picked up her series, do so now. And if you have already picked up the series, do so again.

All characters, titles, images mentioned or shown are copyright and trademark their respective creators.

Scott J Grunewald is Publisher of PopImage.

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