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Scott Ziolko — featured creator
Welcome to the first of many interviews, here at Midmococo, highlighting the work of local creators. Our first interview is with Scott Ziolko, who recently unleashed two self-published comics: Sebastian Climbs a Mountain ($2), and Hamlet ($1), which can be found at Rock Bottom Comics.
What are you working on now comics-wise?
I’m working on my next mini comic called Robot Chocolate which I hope to have finished by early next year and then I am going to be knee deep in my first graphic novel, a comic about a knight who seeks revenge against a dragon who has destroyed his kingdom and his family and literally chases him to the ends of the earth.
How’s your comic output been this year? What’s helped or hindered your output?
It’s been about average for me. I managed to make what I consider my best work so far with Sebastian Climbs a Mountain and fulfilled a personal goal of adapting a piece of Shakespeare into comic book form. I would have liked to have at least one more book done this year but my schedule really hasn’t permitted it. I have had a lot going on this year that has prevented me from devoting a lot of time to my comic books, but at the same time I feel I have remained very motivated in doing the best work possible, and that has helped me produce what I have.
Read any good comics/graphic novels lately?
I just recently read The Boys by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. It’s pretty much the same “anti-super hero” book that Ennis has done in the past but the characters have a little more depth to them and Robertson’s art is fantastic. I also recently read Jeffery Brown’s Every Girl is the End of The World for Me, which I really enjoyed. It’s a slice of life comic but the way Brown presents it is very entertaining. I’ve also really been enjoying Criminal, which is the best comic book Marvel is making right now, DMZ, Buffy, Ex Machina and Casanova.
How about other media… anything good you like lately? (video, music, books, etc.)
Flight of the Conchords! I was introduced to these guys through the Bendis Board and have been watching pretty much all their Youtube videos. I’m getting the first season of their show today, actually. I also really liked the Grindhouse movies and am currently reading A Lion’s Tale, which is a biography by my favorite professional wrestler Chris Jericho. Other than that the majority of my time is devoted to spending time with my daughter, so I’ve been reading kids books and watching Disney movies and Backyardigans.
What’s your biggest challenge as a comic creator?
Finding a balance. When you are at the level where you cannot financially support your family with your work it can be tough at time fitting in comic book work without it becoming a chore as opposed to a labor of love. I used to try to do that until I realized my best work is done when I give myself the time to do it and have the energy as well. I’ve come to accept that I may only be able to produce one comic book every six months, but if those books are of the same quality as my last two, then I feel that I’m making huge progress.
Posted in: Featured creators