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Skip Harvey — featured creator
Skip Harvey has been riding a surge of popularity on the heels of being one of the stars in Morgan Spurlock’s Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope documentary that played at the 2012 True/False Film Fest. Stories about his involvement with the film have appeared in the Tribune, Vox, Move, and RFT. When Harvey is not drawing, you can find him bar-tending or doing karaoke DJ duties at the local Sci-Fi/Horror themed Eastside Tavern. Harvey recently took some time to answer some questions from us.
What are you working on now comics-wise?
I’m working on a collection of short stories made by Columbia artist/writers about the Midwest Geek perspective. It’s a side of the story that I think is under-represented in media today. We have a lot of talented, energetic people here in Columbia and there’s never been a better time to showcase that fact.
How’s your comic output been the last year? What’s helped or hindered your output?
I’ve frantically tried to put together the fragmented ideas I’ve had about the stories I want to tell, but had a hard time finding that “one ring” to bind them all together. Especially since I work a lot and finding stolen moments to work on my real passions can be frustrating. With the project I’m constructing now I feel like the pieces are finally falling into place.
Read any good comics, webcomics, or graphic novels lately?
I really love Jonathan Hickman’s “The Manhattan Projects” from Image. He’s picking up where he left off storytelling-wise from S.H.I.E.L.D and at the same time channeling Warren Ellis. He’s a fantastic creator.
How about other media anything good you like lately? (video, music, books, etc.)
I watch Downton Abbey when I want something new and re-watching Buck Rogers or Space:1999 when I just want something in the background. Having some noise on often helps me feel comfortable when I’m drawing or painting.
The Comic-Con movie partly explores the transformation of the comic book subculture into a mainstream phenomenon. How do you feel about the transformation? How do you think it’s impacted your life?
I feel blessed to be who I am, when I am. As I’ve grown up I’ve gotten to see Geek subculture go from a marginalized and often reviled faction of existence to the mainstream. We are now trendsetters and taste-makers, guiding the way for all subcultures in our society to “come-out” and embrace their passions. There is now less mocking of and hiding the things that people love to love. For me that transition has been both validating and actualizing. Not only can I say “yes, I am Geek” without hesitation, but now I’m being celebrated for it. How can I not feel giddy about my station in life?
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