AGAINST THE GRAIN: A FEAR AGENT SNEAK PEEK

[MattBrady]

by Rick Remender

This summer will see the relaunch of my Sci-Fi series Fear Agent at Dark Horse Comics. The first arc entitled, Fear Agent: The Last Goodbye showcases the origin of Heath Huston and will feature variant covers by comics legend Jack Davis and modern maestro Frank Cho. The series has earned a great deal of critical acclaim from fans, comic professionals and my Mom who all think Fear Agent is one of the best things to happen to planet Earth since coffee killed the dinosaurs. With Dark Horse also releasing trade collections of the first two volumes of Fear Agent in the next few months, for those of you not reading the book, this is a perfect time to jump on board. That’s right. I said it. Perfect. It’ll get no better for you. Ever.

Those of you with the good sense to read Fear Agent know the series is blessed to have the rotating art team of Tony Moore and Jerome Opeña, the two most important artists to ever live. Yes, they are way more important than even Patrick Nagel. Co-creator and artist of Fear Agent: Re-Ignition, Tony Moore returns to pencil up the first Dark Horse arc with inker Ande Parks and colorist Lee Loughridge. We’ll talk to him shortly. I still have some stuff to say here so just hold your shit.

The best problem I ever had started once we began work on the new Fear Agent series at Dark Horse and our new editor Dave Land presented us a task. Put together a wish list of artists we’d like to see on the incentive covers.
Aim for the sky we were told. So we did.

We made a hell of a list. The power and weight of all the names on that one piece of paper almost created a black hole. No shit. Even more amazing, they were all possible candidates we were told. However, one of the names on our lists seemed clearly impossible, Jack Davis. Tony and I had both put it down. We talked about it on the phone late at night like two little schoolgirls waiting for our toenail polish to dry. It was this sweet dream that lifted our spirits and carried our souls, hand in hand, to the land of dreams and shadows where we did battle with horrible giants who took pleasure in wiping out the imaginings of stargazing mortals.

Jack Davis drawing our character…a fun thing to imagine happening.

Until the day Tony stood up to the plate and called Mr. Davis to inquire and low and behold—he was interested. However, he did want to see the book first. We sent it off to him even though we were both sure he would stomp on it and laugh at us for bothering him. So when he called Tony and told him that it was a thing of beauty that he couldn’t put down, we were absolutely floored.

He actually told Tony that he wished Harvey Kurtzman was around to see the book. Do you have any idea how amazing that is? If you don’t…I don’t have the time here to go into it. I’ll do an article about Mr. Davis and Mr. Kurtzman and why you should know them another time.

Back to the subject at hand, Jack Davis is not only doing a Fear Agent cover, but he loves the book. We will never receive a greater compliment. I wanted to drown myself after I heard what he’d said. End things on a high note, and for this comic nerd there is no higher note.

Fueled by this, Tony and I got to work on the new Fear Agent #1. We made love to the paper with words and art. We rocked the beats and made the rhymes that create scientific rap music. I think the new series is going to be the best thing either of us have ever done. I also think it’s all because of one sentence from a brilliant man who inspired each of us to make sequential art with all the sweet love we could muster in the loins of our minds. We’re both pretty eager to show you some of what we’ve been up to so here ya go.
Let’s go chat with Tony a bit about the new series…

Rick Remender: Welcome back, Dingus.

Tony Moore: Thanks, Wang Chung.

RR Recently when you were chatting with Jack Davis about doing a Fear Agent cover he told you he wishes Harvey Kurtzman was still alive to see Fear Agent. When you called me and told me this I nearly teared up. In my eyes we should both just die now, as this is the highest praise either of us will ever receive in our lives. There is no living artist as important to me as Jack Davis and no matter what else happens I can die validated knowing that he feels this strongly about our book. What did you take away from talking with Jack? How did his enthusiasm and willingness to do a cover for our book effect you?



TM Getting the opportunity to contact Mr. Davis was a real shot in the arm for me. As far as I’m concerned, he's the premiere cartoonist of our time. Having him tell me that I was doing something right was the single biggest boost I could receive. It came at a time when I was trying to figure out what I was doing, trying to balance my cartooning and stricter illustration, and in the wake of having really enjoyed cutting loose on the Goon Noir story I did with Brian Posehn, I decided to embrace the cartooning that's ingrained in me. It's what I grew up with, but I realized I'd been fighting it inside for too long. I've been much more productive since I decided to relax and enjoy what I'm doing.

When Mr. Davis said he wished Harvey Kurtzman could see it, I almost broke down on the spot. I teared up and did my best to keep it together, but those words have meant more to me professionally than anything I think anyone may ever say to me. His enthusiasm for the project and eagerness to do a cover really completely validated everything in my mind. Even if we don't sell a single copy of the book, I can rest easy knowing we did right.

RR What do you find most appealing about drawing Heath and his world? What do you find the most challenging?

TM I love drawing rugged rogues and crazy monsters, so this is right up my alley. With this action packed stuff, one big thing I try to keep in mind is showing the impact on the characters' faces. Acting is a big part of the storytelling for me, so I really try to keep the emotions visible on the page. The biggest hurdle for me is always the tech stuff, which has never been my strong suit, but the classic sci-fi methods have really helped me wrap my brain around it in a way I can digest and synthesize a little more easily. This origin is mostly here-and-now kinda stuff, with aliens attacking, so it's not as taxing on my brain as full-on space age stuff. I'm enjoying the challenge all around, though.



RR You're spotting more blacks in this issue. More than I've ever seen you use. What lead to this decision?

TM It wasn't so much really a decision, as it was just how it started coming out. I've always considered spotting blacks as one of my greatest personal weaknesses, so I've always tried to figure out how to do it right. To kick start this issue, I once again re-immersed myself in this great old EC stuff, and broke out Will Eisner and Wallace Wood's Outer Space Spirit: 1952, to do my best to really get into the mode. I guess it worked, because as I started on the pages, I was seeing it a lot better than I ever had.

RR Ande Parks, who is a perfect fit for your work, is your new inker on Fear Agent: The Last Goodbye. How did you and Ande Parks hook up? Have you made love to all of his body?

TM Ande's a Kansas City local. While I was working on Exterminators, I quickly realized that having an inker would save me a lot of time and headaches, and as a friend, I asked Ande if he knew anyone he'd recommend. He said he'd love to do it if I'd be down, which I totally was. Several issues later, Ande had to move on to some other stuff, but had expressed interest in working with me on Fear Agent. The rest, as they say, is history.

RR What do you see in co-artist Jerome Opeña's work that you want to emulate? Does the rotating art team situation on Fear Agent create a healthy competitive spirit?

TM Jerome appears to have embraced his cartooning and the energy on the page is something I’m trying to get. The rotating team, for me, is a great way to keep my competitive spirit up. With a guy like Jerome coming on after me, I know I have to keep my game high, or else all my slacking will be apparent when Jerome comes on and does his dazzling thing.



RR The four issue arc you're working on now is Heath's origin during the alien invasion on Earth. It's a much different story than your last arc with less space adventure and more of a gritty Joe Kubert/Russ Heath war story vibe. Who else are you looking to or thinking of for inspiration on this?

TM Well, you nailed it right there. Kubert and Russ Heath are two huge inspirations for me. I love their old war books. I also keep reprints of Two Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat lying about. Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Davis, and John Severin did amazing stuff in those.

RR What else is going on in comics these days that gets you excited? You and I both fanatically worship Will Eisner and Wally Wood's 1952 Spirit in Space, what is being created now that will have the same long lasting appeal?

TM Hell, I don't know if anything is on par with Wood and Eisner crossing streams. I do think there are some smart books being put together right now, though. Jason Aaron's Scalped and The Other Side are both powerful splashes on the scene, and I think Matt Fractions work on Casanova is pretty stellar. I don't know what'll have any long-lasting appeal, but I'm far more drawn to guys forging their own paths instead of walking around in other people's footsteps.

RR Who do you cast as Heath in the Fear Agent movie?

TM I just watched The Black Dahlia, and I gotta go with Aaron Eckhart. I can easily see him as our Indiana Jones in space. Second choice would be Matthew McConaughey. Doesn't so much look like him, but I can hear him as Heath's voice, and carrying himself right.

RR It’s funny, I’ve heard like a dozen people throw both those names out. I won’t settle for anyone less than Paul Rubens.

Look for Fear Agent: The Last Goodbye from Dark Horse Comics this June.

[alias28]

great interview!! can't wait for the new story.

and for the actor they're good choices, personally i would include peter krause and bruce campbell if he was a few years younger, he has the dramatic chops to do it he's more than just that guy from evil dead.

[ichorskeeter]

This stuff looks awesome.

[John Joshua]

If you're not reading this ... why not? A really refreshing change from the spandex nonsense that litters the shelves, and clearly produced with a love and a reverence for the classic EC material, Al Williamson's work, and - as noted above - the Eisner/Wood "Spirit in Outer Space".

[Scorned1]

Originally Posted by ichorskeeter

This stuff looks awesome.

preach on brother

[Crump's Brother]

Man, do I ever love this series.

[dethmtlmetro]

It's a great series, and I have Hanibal Tabu or whatever his name is from CBR to thank for getting me into this series via his glowing reviews of it on "the Buy Pile." I wonder how long it's going to run?

[Skinshark]

Talk about namedropping...sheesh.

Whose this Jack Davis guy anyway? What's he done?
Sounds like an Xmen artist.

[Luke Cage Jr]

When somebody comes into the store wanting suggestions, Fear Agent is the first title outta my mouth!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see these guys at Heroes Con again this year. Awesome guys, writing an AWESOME book! ......Paul Rubens...LOL!!!!!!

[John Cord]

I bought Fear Agent: Re-Ignition a week ago; the only reason that I even knew anything about the series was because I'd seen something posted about it here on Newsarama. (Image should have done more to promote the series, I'm thinking.) Both I and my brother really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to seeing where Heath's new adventures will be taking us.

And those variant covers will be realllllll purty.

[jonjesper]

Originally Posted by Skinshark

Talk about namedropping...sheesh.

Whose this Jack Davis guy anyway? What's he done?
Sounds like an Xmen artist.

Take a few minutes and google him, get caught up and you will understand the significance of the name! EC artist and Mad Magazine artist also, very well respected and not out and about at conventions anymore. That said, I would have name dropped a few more times, that is how cool having Mr. Davis do a cover is!

[jimdemonakos]

Right on Rick, the book is looking better than ever and quite the score on the Davis cover!

Jim

(quick plug - see Rick and more at the Emerald City ComiCon in three weeks)

[jrp001]

does anybody know what the last Image issue # is?

[remender73]

Originally Posted by jrp001

does anybody know what the last Image issue # is?

Issue #11 came out last week. That is the final Image issue.

Thanks to everyone for the support-

[jrp001]

Originally Posted by remender73

Issue #11 came out last week. That is the final Image issue.

Thanks to everyone for the support-

Sweet & Thanks

actully heading out now to pick it up (with the rest my way too big pull)

[UgoMilani]

Fear Agent is one of my favorite reads, love it, love it love it!
...and a Fear Agent issue with cover art by Frank Cho? Gravy!

[JLAJRC]

I don't know, everytime I see Heath, Bruce Willis (with hair) enters my mind. Or Robert Downy Jr.

[remender73]

Originally Posted by JLAJRC

I don't know, everytime I see Heath, Bruce Willis (with hair) enters my mind. Or Robert Downy Jr.

Yeah, Bruce from ten years ago might work. Downy is a good choice as well. A bit to smarmy?

[JLAJRC]

Originally Posted by remender73

Yeah, Bruce from ten years ago might work. Downy is a good choice as well. A bit to smarmy?

I don't know. I just saw "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang" the other day and Robert he was great in it.

Or, Michael Keaton needs something to do. He's a great actor and has done the comic thing before.

[jrp001]

clive owen

[theWeapon]

I was bummed when I read the last issue, then elated when I realized the series is really just moving onward and upward.

Thanks again for Heath and his story.

[Kolimar]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

This summer will see the relaunch of my Sci-Fi series Fear Agent at Dark Horse Comics. The first arc entitled, Fear Agent: The Last Goodbye showcases the origin of Heath Huston and will feature variant covers by comics legend Jack Davis and modern maestro Frank Cho. The series has earned a great deal of critical acclaim from fans, comic professionals and my Mom who all think Fear Agent is one of the best things to happen to planet Earth since coffee killed the dinosaurs.

Heh...

[Kolimar]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Tony and I had both put it down. We talked about it on the phone late at night like two little schoolgirls waiting for our toenail polish to dry.

Argh... I didn't need that mental image

[Kolimar]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

He actually told Tony that he wished Harvey Kurtzman was around to see the book. Do you have any idea how amazing that is? If you don’t…I don’t have the time here to go into it. I’ll do an article about Mr. Davis and Mr. Kurtzman and why you should know them another time.

Looking forward to it.

[Kolimar]

Originally Posted by ichorskeeter

This stuff looks awesome.

I couldn't agree more.