Oh goodness, friends! We have less than five days until the Summer Bonanza ends. Aaaaaaaah!!!!
Worry not, I have brought you a really fun interview with Jordaan of Arledge Comics to sooth the panic. And also to convince you to back this really cool campaign. I know I think it’s really, really cool.
Who are you and what are you doing here? (Tell me a bit about yourself)
Chokma! (Hello!) My name’s Jordaan, and I’m a Chickasaw writer & artist, and founder of the micropress Arledge Comics. My pronouns are he/they. I know the lyrics to every Bee Gee’s song; I’m a capricorn. I love playing melee characters in D&D, but hate playing spellcasters. I love playing spellcasters in video games, but hate playing melee characters. I get a new tattoo every Friday the 13th. You have my explicit consent to rewrite any part of this form to make me way cooler than I actually am.
Spooky: I โฆ I don’t think that’s possible. You are really cool! When it comes to video games, I tend to love melee characters. As for dnd, I like to do a little mix and match, like half-casters who can do some melee damage. A little magic is great. But a lot is really overwhelming when it comes to choices.
Tell us about your project. Genre? Beginning of a series? Etc
Here’s a link – https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/arledge-comics/alex-priest-vampire-hunter-the-short-story-collection
My novel is titled The Merger. It’s a paranormal adventure romance. Paranormal fantasy means it’s technically “romantasy,” right? Let’s call it that for the SEO. The Merger is set on an alternate Earth where magic is real. Vampires and demons and pixies and you-name-it exist. So I know what you’re thinking “Oh, a vampire hunter story. I loved Van Helsing.” Me, too, but this isn’t Middle Ages Romania. The Merger is set in alternate modern day America. If you have a vampire problem, you’d best be prepared to pay for it. In this world, calling a vampire hunter is as common as calling the plumber.
And that’s where our hero comes in. Alexandria “Alex” Priest is a hunter employed by LC&B (named for their founders, but affectionally called Living Corpses that Bite), and like most other blue collar workers, Alex is subject to… shifts in corporate structure. There’s talks of a merger with the second-oldest pest control company – DEAD LLC. Demon Eradication and Denial (from their early days of magical cover up, before the public was educated about magical pests). And what better way to test a merger, than pairing up LC&B’s best hunter and DEAD’s leading magical analyst? That was the plan on paper. What actually happened was Alex walking into a board room and coming face to face with their exgirlfriend, Janelle Garcia.
Spooky: Okay, wow. This sounds awesome! I love the premise a lot! I guess it could fall under romantasy under a technicality. Give them something really awesome to read!
What inspired you to start this project?
Man, I don’t know. I love paranormal bullshit. Vampires doing business with blood banks? Werewolves whose biggest problem is their periods lining up with the full moon? I can’t get enough of it. I grew up on media like Buffy and Sookie Stackhouse before True Blood was ever a thing. I continue to be obsessed with Laurel K Hamilton’s Anita Blake series. And every bit of vampire media I could get my hands on all kinda share one major theme – sacred duty, chosen one, super special main character syndrome. (And this is hardly a criticism. I literally just listed all my favorite things.)
The Merger follows the story of Alex Priest. They’re a 20-something thembo, slaying vampires by moonlight and going to comic con by daylight. They’re an every day hero. They don’t have to hunt monsters anymore than someone has to clean a movie theater or has to change a tire. And I just think that’s neat. What inspired me for this project in particular – I’ve told this story already. The Merger is a novelization of my comic book: Alex Priest. It started in 2013, and I collected the mini series into a tradepaperback a couple years ago. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not the writer I was ten years ago. So this isn’t just translating a comic book to reach another audience, this is also an opportunity for me to revisit the world of Alex Priest/The Merger and reexplore the characters and themes. I’m telling the same story, but now I’ve got a television series’ worth of time to tell the story of a feature length film. It’s been a really exciting project.
Spooky: I love paranormal bullshit myself. And I gotta say, really excited to see an everyday thembo. There aren’t enough in fiction that I know of.
Any fun facts you’d like to share about your project? Any jokes or memes?
It’s important to me that people know this is a queer book. Very queer. Sexuality queer and gender queer. Alex is genderqueer, using they/them pronouns. They’re also asexual, which is literally addressed in the book. Like in black and white ink. (None of this hinted at bullshit.) Janelle is bi/pan – originally written/labeled years ago as bisexual, but as people and labels evolve, she’s written as a pansexual. The book also features neurodivergent representation – Janelle has big “overachieving, people pleasing, undiagnosed girl with ADHD” energy. I kept my favorite joke from the comic and made it feel right at home in the novel.
For the barest of spoilers, keep reading: During pillow talk (oh, yeah, this book is spicy. the comic did a fade to black, and I won’t be doing that again), Janelle proclaims that not every hero has a tragic backstory. Teasing the genre just a little, but also reminding folks that these are regular people with regular problems, and monsters are just a paycheck. There’s also easter eggs throughout the novel that only fans of the comic would find. For example, over the years we’ve produced mini comics from guest artists and guest writers – and these have ended up being gifts for Kickstarter backers – either as a free digital comic or being included in the trade paperback publication. These aren’t being included as short stories in the novelization; I’m writing them directly into the story.
Spooky: Ahhhhh! I wish I knew about the things before now! I love finding easter eggs! I must read the comic first! Anyways, I’m just loving this more and more. Like, you already sold this to me before the interview, but now, likeโฆ.just take my money.
What can we expect from your campaign? Any fun activities? Special items?
So, in addition to the novel, The Merger, I also have an all-new short story collection that will be available. 7 – 10 (I might finish a couple more) short stories that explore the world of Alex Priest/The Merger. Each of the short stories takes place after the events of The Merger. For longtime comic fans, this is brand new Alex Priest material. For all readers, the short story collection sets us up for the sequel.
Spooky: ooooooo!
Is this your first crowdfunding campaign? If so, what do you hope to get out of the experience? What have you learned so far? If not your first, what drew you back in to do another campaign? What are some things that you’ve learned?
This is my 40-something-st crowdfunding campaign. I’ve learned a lot the past 12? 13 years. My campaigns have become pretty streamlined. (This also should indicate that I have a strong fulfillment history. If you’re reading this and you’re like “Damn, that story sounds fun. But, heck, I don’t trust this BackerKit nonsense. Kickstarter has burned me before.” I get it, but I wouldn’t have 40 campaigns if I didn’t deliver. So take a chance on me. (I also love ABBA.) wink emoji)
Spooky: Yes! Trust them! I know I do. Some people are just way better at keeping their word than others.
What are some of your biggest writing influences? Art influences?
I’m such a heckin nerd. Where do I start? I was two years old, in a comic shop in a mall with my dad. I accidentally stole a copy of Spawn #2 so I could show it to my mom in the food court because I really liked the greens on the cover. Shakespeare informed how I use dramatic irony. I read Kate Chopin’s The Awakening every summer. The Uncanny Xmen was the first comic book series I ever read. The Xmen and Sailor Moon taught me how I like to write found families. And a shoutout to (almost) every vampire story ever written. (“Almost? They must be a Twilight hater.” Nah, I visit La Push once every couple years – because that’s how often Washington has beach weather. It’s Anne Rice that doesn’t make the list. She just never made it onto my bookshelf, and now I’m afraid it’s too late for me.)
Spooky: Yeeeeees! Nerds forever! Again, you are so cool!
How did you learn about The Book Bazaar?
I met Aimee (TBB founder) through Pintopia (another group collab). And I guess she thought I was cool, because here I am. (Joke’s on her.)
Spooky: Jokes on the both of you because now I’m here, and Im holding you hostage until you finish answering my questions!
Share a fun fact about yourself!
You didn’t get enough? Jiminy Christmas
Spooky: No. I need more.ย
Favorite kind of music? Any specific artists and or albums?
I unabashedly love disco. And musicals.
Spooky: Disco is great! There’s some musicals I like, but even the ones I don’t like, I see the appeal.
What meme lives in your head rent free?
The Elmo fire reaction gif is essentially a personality trait of mine.
Spooky: A real fire GIF, honestly. It’s a favorite of mine to use when one of my more chaotic dnd characters do a thing.
If you have to have a last meal, what would it be?
The blood of my enemies. One of two things happen – a) If I’m dying, my enemies are going with me, or b) I never get my last meal and I live forever.
Spooky: Yeeeees! Take ’em all down. This answer is metal AF
Do you have any other art and or writing things you’d like to mention?
I mentioned I’m an artist? My medium is primarily enamel pins. There’s something so swaggy about wearing art. My artstyle is a mosaic style that evolved from a translation of beaded art. I’ve got an autoimmune disease that’s wrecked my hands, so I don’t have the dexterity to bead. I honor that tradition with my use of broken lines representing broken thread, and color blocking which is a common design tool in beadwork. I also designed my first ita bag – it’s a dice bag inspired by a d4. It’s very cool. The campaign just wrapped up (but there’s a preorder store).
Spooky: I saw that bag! I wanted it (still want) it badly. And your pin art is awesome. I really love how you’ve been able to honor traditions with a different medium. It’s seriously beautiful.
Do you have anything else to plug? Websites? Social media accounts?
Did you know that the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV has a free trial, and includes the entirety of A Realm Reborn AND the award-winning expansions Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers, up to level 80 with no restrictions on playtime? Sign up, and enjoy Eorzea today! Oh wait.
Also a website – arledgecomics.com
You can also find me on bsky – itsyaboijordaan (link)
Spooky: I played FFXIV for awhile! It was fun, and was on the verge of starting Heavensward. I do miss it.
Any advice for other creators?
Just do the thing. Some old guy once said something like “Write drunk, edit sober.” Now, you don’t gotta go get drunk before putting pen to paper. Or picking up a crayon or a mouse. But you do gotta get out of your own head. So my advice has always been to do whatever you gotta do to just make the damn thing. Making it exist is most of the battle. Edit and clean it up later. Just do the thing.
Spooky: very, very wise words. In this instance, knowing isn’t even half the battling ha ha
Last words?
I’m really good at nth degrees of Kevin Bacon (my personal number is 3)
Spooky: I don’t know what this means, but I’m sure someone does. Amazing. (Three is the magic number, makes sense. Thanks Schoolhouse Rock)
Leave a Reply