Writer/creator Kevin Gunstone has brought some amazing titles into the world with DIS, Future Primitive & Planet of Daemons already leaving an impression.
What was the first title you worked on?
That would be Negative Burn #24. It was a short story called “Corps Creadh”, which I produced with the artist Jon Haward.
I never thought it would be accepted in a million years, but was (obviously) delighted when it was. Even better, that issue had a Mike Kaluta cover – fanboy heaven! It’s been downhill ever since…
How has your work changed since then?
It’s got a lot more complex! Both for the reader and myself. I hope this is a positive thing.
Who are your main influences?
I’m not sure I have a main influence – I’m quite a magpie – but the creators I admire (comics or not) and who do influence me include: Jodorowsky, Grant Morrison, William Blake, Werner Herzog, Jack’s Kirby and Katz. I’m also a big fan of JG Ballard, though you’d struggle to see that in my writing.
What comics are you reading just now?
Too many! I still keep up with some Marvel and DC – after all, some addictions are hard to break – but I prefer Image and other indie publishers these days, especially titles such as The Goddammed and ODY-C. The BPRD “Hell on Earth” storyline was great, as is the current X-O Manowar relaunch. I wish I had more time to read older stuff, but I recently finished the Fantagraphics Eternaut collection and which I enjoyed for a number of reasons. If I were to list them, we’d be here all day!
What’s the best thing about creating comics?
The complete freedom to write stories about ideas and concepts that fascinate me. I’ve never had any interest in writing prose – or film or TV – as I like the combination of words and images. I like my stories to be both highly visual and atmospheric and I enjoy the collaborating with different artists and colourists to achieve that.
What are you working on just now?
Planet of Daemons has almost come to an end, though I’d be only too happy to write more in the future. So presently, I’m developing some new ideas. The first is a dark fantasy with Slobodan Jovanovic, the Future Primitive artist, set in the Greek underworld of Hades; whilst the other is a geopolitical conspiracy (with some ancient Egyptian mysticism thrown in), which I’m producing with the sublimely talented Italian artist Alessandro Scacchia.
Keep up to date with what Kevin is working on over on Twitter and you can catch-up with him at Stoke Con Trent on 15th October.
G-Man
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