Welcome to “Noteworthy”. I’m Will Scott and it’s my job to highlight projects, publications, and artists that, we at Sequential Highway believe, due to the quality of their work or the creative message they’re sending, warrant more attention from the comic book market. This installment: Matthew Petz
Matthew Petz is the imagineer behind War of the Woods, a sci-fi fantasy epic currently delighting fans from all corners of the World Wide Web. Check out his digital series and see for yourself what everyone is talking about.
Image may be NSFW.
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Will Scott: Correct me if I’m wrong, in saying that War of the Woods started as part of DC’s Zuda imprint and, if I’m not mistaken, DC rather abruptly shut down Zuda shortly after War of the Woods launched. This left many creators high and dry. Would you mind telling our readers how you picked up the pieces and kept War of The Woods alive?
Matthew Petz: You’re absolutely right that Zuda was closed—I think, like, three or four months after the comic won. I was pretty freaked out at the time but, in hindsight, I was actually in a really great position. I hadn’t yet started working on the comic for DC, but I had a signed a DC contract. DC was super cool and gave me the rights back and a portion of the money that I would have made under that contract. Pretty soon after that I talked with the team at comiXology and moved it there to get it out digitally. It all pretty much worked out.
WS: For the readers who are being introduced to you and War of the Woods for the first time, tell us what’s your strip about. How frequently is War of the Woods published?
MP: WOTW is the classic alien invasion story, but from an entirely unique point of view—that of the animal kingdom. It follows a young otter and other animals as they fight back against an invading alien army.
The first season is available now through comiXology. It’s just about 100 pages long and really sets up the world and sends our heroes off to save the planet. I’m finishing the second season now. It’s another big chunk of comic…probably another 100 pages.
Getting them out takes longer than I’d like it to. Each season is essentially a graphic novel—I’m writing, penciling, inking, coloring, and lettering the whole thing. Ideally I’ll have something out every six to eight months or so.
As for me, I’m a lifelong comics fan and a freelance illustrator.
WS: Releasing a comic in North America that doesn’t feature a man in tights is, at the best of times, risky business. A cast comprised mainly of animals is just plain ballsy. Why use animals for your central cast? What is your affinity with these creatures?
MP: When I originally came up with the idea it was simply going to be about a father and son witnessing and surviving this huge alien invasion. I told my girlfriend all about and she just was, like, “That’s boring, no way that’ll win the competition.” So I started rethinking it, wondering what would make her (a non-comics fan) excited. She’s in love with otters. So it hit me instantly. Change the cast to animals and make the lead a cute otter. Done. All of a sudden it was way more original and way more interesting.
WS: Who would you say is your target audience? What has the response to War of the Woods been?
MP: Not sure I have a target per se. It’s a real all-ages book. I wanted kids and adults to love the story and concept. The response so far has been fantastic! I’m really happy that the audience seems to be evenly split between men and women, young and old.
Image may be NSFW.
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WS: What drives you to create comics? Where does your passion come from?
MP: I’ve loved monsters and superheroes from the minute I knew what they were. I grew up on Godzilla movies, reruns of 1966 Batman TV show, Super Powers toys, the original Star Wars, G.I. Joe, etc. I think if you’re a fan of that stuff sooner or later you want to make your stories up. For me, drawing was the fastest way to do that.
WS: Have you enjoyed the works of C.S. Lewis, Brian Jacques or Kenneth Grahame? Would you say that some of these artists have inspired you or inform your work? Who in the comics field has inspired you?
MP: The Wind in the Willows was a favorite of mine growing up, for sure. I also loved stuff like The Hobbit and The Secret of Nimh. World-building always gets me excited. Comics-wise there’s just so many influences. I love guys like Arthur Adams, Kirby, Alex Toth, Neal Adams, Mike Mignola…there’s so many! I also love stuff like Stephen Gamell’s illustrations for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series. They were terrifying! Ernest Howard Shepard is a favorite as well. He did illustrations from Winnie the Pooh and The Wind in the Willows.
WS: Do you see digital comics as the wave of the future?
MP: I do. I think the access is growing and soon it won’t even be thought of as “digital” comics, it’ll just be comics. I don’t think print is dying though…just morphing. I love what Archaia is doing with print. Really beautiful hardcovers with great printing and extras. I think that’ll be what print is. Reserved for nice collections of long form storytelling.
WS: Do you feel that digital comics and the internet are—or, are soon to be—the only places for new comics creators to distribute their work and build a loyal audience?
MP: I tend to think that’s the case. Digital and the internet have really democratized content consumption and creation. Especially with social media nowadays. If you want to make comics there’s no excuse. There are ways to find collaborators online, free hosting, YouTube tutorials on everything from drawing, to website design, to coloring. It’s the Wild West in the best possible way!
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WS: Have you collected War of the Worlds into a print edition? Is it available for retailers to stock in their stores?
MP: I’ve printed books myself for conventions of the first season of the book. People really want a book they can hold. My hope is to find a publisher at some point for print editions.
WS: You have worked for DC, Archaia and Random House. Given a choice, do you prefer to follow the independent route for making comics or would you welcome more work from established juggernauts?
MP: The way WOTW has gone so far has been fantastic. I think doing it independently has given me the chance to grow the story in exciting ways. It’s also taught me an insane amount about work ethic, publishing, and promotion. That said, you want the biggest audience you can get. If a juggernaut wants WOTW. I’m all ears.
WS: Do you have any advice for aspiring creators, or comments about the future of the market that you would care to share with everyone? Is there something you would like to say to the comics community—given the platform—that we have not touched upon in the interview?
MP: To any aspiring creators, I would encourage them to keep at it. Comics should be—and can be—fun. Having some perspective and not taking yourself too seriously helps a lot.
Try not to measure yourself against others. Just be better then you were yesterday. Yes, it’s hard work, and yes, you will be bummed at times and even feel defeated. But the quickest way to combat that is to simply keep at it. Be bold and don’t hold back. Don’t try to outdo Batman…you wont. Create something new and original. Don’t be afraid. Go with the crazy. It will always lead you to someplace exciting!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.