Ben McCool

If you haven’t heard of his latest book Choker, you must not be a true comic book fan. This month I sit down with writer Ben McCool! From how to break into to comics to his U.S. Choker tour, one of comics rising stars tells all.

Mark – Growing up in England what comics did you read and had an impact on you?

Ben – Well, my interest in comics started off with British kids books like the BEANO and the DANDY, and by the time I was 8 or 9 I started picking up B&W war comics like COMMANDO. These were action-packed, fun and gritty war stories, and I was captivated.

I was 10 years old when I picked up my first American comic book, and stumbled upon it by complete surprise. It was UNCANNY X-MEN 271, and I spotted it in my local newsagent while out with my mum. I pleaded with her to buy it for me — I HAD to have this book! The flamboyant art style, the exciting approach to storytelling; it was all just amazing to me. Soon after this I discovered a store in Birmingham (the nearest big town to where I grew up) called NOSTALGIA & COMICS which was full of American titles and I was immediately hooked.

I was a huge fan of anything X-MEN-related, but I also picked up as many BATMAN, DAREDEVIL and SPIDER-MAN books as I could afford.

(Heh, and the artist on UNCANNY 271 was Jim Lee, who I’m now good pals with. It’s always fun to remind him of this!)

Mark – What made you go from journalism to creative writing?

Ben – I’d always wanted to write creatively, and I identified comic books as a wonderful vehicle for storytelling. For me, comics borrow the best elements from both film and prose, and thrust them together into a vibrant, exciting medium with near limitless potential.

Mark – How did you break into comics and what advice can you give to people trying to break in?

Ben – Get something into print. Anything. Or even up on the Internet; web comics are a very easy way for people to check out your work. Once you’ve got something physical and ready to read to highlight your skills you’re far more likely to attract an editor’s attention.

Also, NETWORK: attend conventions, make friends with like-minded people. Accumulate contacts. If you’re a writer and have artist pals who’re interested in working with you, GREAT — you’re ready to start creating. And that’s what it’s all about.

Mark – Are there any artists and titles that you would really love to work with/on?

Ben – Too many to mention! If I was to cherry pick, I’d say that Batman, Iron Man, Lobo and The Punisher are amongst my dream titles. And artists? Sheesh. There’s so many that I admire. Eduardo Risso, Steve Dillon, R.M. Guera and Frank Quitely are all sensational, methinks.

Mark – With Choker selling out issues 1 & 2 what can you tell the few people who haven’t read it about the book?

Ben – Ha, that it’s mental! A crazy-ass noir fable set on something of an unconventional backdrop. As I’ve said before, it’s what might’ve happened if Raymond Chandler went out on a 10-day bender with Philip K. Dick.

It’s also very unlike most of the upcoming projects I have festering away… Give it a few months and you’ll see what I mean!

Mark – How has it been working with fan favorite artist Ben Templesmith and how did you meet?

Ben – It’s been AMAZING. Ben is a joy to work with, and I’m beyond delight with how CHOKER has turned out. He’s a talented guy, that’s for sure.

We met at San Diego Comic-Con a few years back, hanging out at a pre-Con party. Completely by chance, really. (SEE? It’s all about the networking.) We got on like a house on fire, suggested that we shoudl work together, and hey, the next thing you know CHOKER hit the stands.

Mark – Whose idea was the Choker tour?

Ben – A bit of both. We decided that we’d push the book’s promo as much as we could, and that included getting out there and thanking the people kind enough to buy the book. It was great fun!

Mark – Finish the sentence – Ben McCool is

Ben – Ben McCool is… in possession of a really silly name. And believe it or not, it’s real. Kinda like McLOVIN, only with a first name, too!