A page from Requiem.
Introducing a new occasional feature, the shotgun interview. I don't actually use a gun, I just pepper a web comic creator with questions and ask them to answer as many as they like.
Today: James Roden of Requiem
A: Gunnerkrig Court. It's got a cool story, with a great setting, and I love the look and feel of it.
Q: Is there a web comic you are always excited to read, the minute it updates?
A: Metanoia
Q: What web comic by someone you know would you recommend?
A: Dragon Girl Noriko
Q: What blogs do you read?
A: Not many really, I do hit Pharyngula and Aetiology. I mainly hit science stuff off of RSS feeds. Oh, and I always catch Your Webcomic is Bad, and You Should Feel Bad whenever it updates. It may pack a lot of vitriol, but it's right at least 90% of the time.
Q: Introduce your work to new readers in a few sentences.
A: I do a 3d rendered Dark SciFi/Fantasy webcomic called Requiem. Requiem is an end of the world story with an archealogical bent to it, and has been described as reminiscent of the works of Peter F Hamilton and Julian May.
Q: What promotional tools have helped you find new readers?
A: Entrecard has been a help, so has Project Wonderful. Mainly though, we get a lot of our traffic through word of mouth.
Q: What's the best thing you've recently heard from a fan?
A: "...your comments are similar to those made by Warren Ellis regarding his Planetary series. Your story is much more complex and, quite frankly, more fun."
Q: What's the worst thing about the state of web comics today?
A: That the concept of a "webcomics community" is simply lip service.
Q: What tip would you offer someone launching their first web comic?
A: Try not to follow in someone elses footsteps. Do your own thing, we don't need any more video game comics 'cause you read Penny Arcade and thought to yourself "Hey, I can do that, too!!!"
Q: What merchandise item would you love to offer if the economics allow?
A: I've been putting together a set of Tarot cards based on the comic, and I would love to actually be able to release them some day.
Q: What's new in your life that has nothing to do with comics?
A: After 6 months of unemployment hell in a rotten job market, I am working as a designer once again :)
