Talking Urban Monsters with Andrew Stroscher
Got an exclusive chat for you guys with Andrew Stroscher, the creator of Image's new series "Urban Monsters!" The second issue hit yesterday, with the third, and final issue coming out on April 30th. Be sure to check it out!
PS: Hey Andrew, how's it going?
AS: Just dandy. Thanks for having me.
PS: Let's kick this off to talk a little bit about your comic book background. Were you/are you a fan?
AS: Very much so. As a kid I was lucky to be within skateboarding range of the local comics shop. The title that got me started was Matt Wagner’s limited series, “Grendel: Warchild”. After that, I have to admit, what kept me coming back were reprints of the EC Comics titles from the early 50’s like, “Tales from the Crypt”, “Vault of Horror”, and “Haunt of Fear”. Since then I’ve been a big fan of the best limited series out there like “Watchmen”, and “Dark Knight Returns”. “Robocop Vs. Terminator” is an older one that’s also surprisingly awesome.
PS: Moving on to Urban Monsters, tell us a little bit about the genesis of the project.
AS: Urban Monsters has been dwelling in my head since I was in college, and, not so coincidentally, the four main monsters in the story are based on myself and three friends of mine who I’ve known since then. The spark happened when I had this image in my head of four monsters cruising across the Midwest in one of those giant, vintage, convertible sedans. I actually still have school notes from back then on which I drew the monsters instead of paying attention in class. The project really got started when I was having lunch with my friend Vin DiBona and told him about the story. He loved it as did another friend I have at his company, Joanne Moore. After that, the ball was rolling.
PS: So what was your involvement in the creation of the book?
AS: I created the story, the characters, and was basically the go to guy on how everything in this alternate world works. Like the fact that Werewolves have devolved into hillbillies, and such. One thing in particular I’ve always loved about Urban Monsters is the sheer amount of lore I’ve been able to create for it.
PS: How's the response been so far?
AS: Stupendous. I couldn’t be happier. The first issue completely sold out. We had a premiere party at “Golden Apple Comics” in Los Angeles and the place was jam-packed. The owner of the store said it was the second largest turn-out he had ever had. The only one bigger was for Stan Lee, and, well, I’m perfectly fine with being second to someone like Mr. Stan Lee.
PS: Looking ahead, do you see Urban Monsters continuing as a comic book, or moving exclusively to the moving pictures?
AS: Ideally, I’d love for it to be both, and I think that’s a definite possibility. There is still so much story that hasn’t been explored. With “Resident Evil/BioHazard” being such a huge hit in Japan, one can only imagine how popular Eddie the zombie would be if he were to fly over there. One part of the story I would love to show is Randy’s family, since in the “Urban Monsters” world there’s no such thing as Fish-Women, only Fish-Men. So whereas Randy’s father looks like him, his mother and sister are both beautiful, blonde, human women. The exact type of girls you’d expect a Fish-Man to drag off if he spotted them on the beach. I’d also love to do a one-off comic that goes back and tells the story of how the monsters integrated into human society. (I won’t say much, but it involves a character named “Kang”.) As far as the movies go, who wouldn’t love to see someone like Bruce Campbell playing Roger Fishman?
PS: What's next for you?
AS: Right now I’m in talks with a couple agencies looking to represent me. Last week, I finished my latest screenplay, which is a present-day swashbuckler. I wrote it to be a fun romp, and who knows? Maybe Vin DiBona Comics and I will have to make that story into a comic book too.
I guess I need to pick up a copy of the new comic book. I saw some of your bvery early stuff, you know in high school and all, it's good to see Andy's still at it!:P