Spy Vibers will probably remember when we spoke with artist Katharine Boyd about her comic book Mod Tales 1. Inspired by her experiences as a Mod and by films like The 10th Victim, Agent K set out to create comic world that pays homage to all things Spy Vibe. I recently worked as the editor for Mod Tales 2 and Katherine and I are now collaborating to create an adult Mod coloring book! She recently visited the Spy Vibe lair to talk about the new Mod Tales, as well as a new series of mini comics. Agent K, welcome back to Spy Vibe!
Let’s start with the
mini comics. Tell us a bit about the length and the stories you’ve
featured in that format.
I'm keeping the format short no more than two-three
pages. I like this because it forces me to get to the point and the
atmosphere of each scenario. The first mini-comic story shows a
mannequin who witnesses a crime and the second is an uncanny meeting with Death
at a pinball arcade.
In terms of imagery or
situations, were you inspired by any particular references from the 1960s?
I seem to keep coming back to the art of Guido Crepax and
Jim Steranko. As for situations, these are from various movies I've seen and
particular photographs or ads from the 1960's. I just imagine what would
the story be behind this image.
The most recent mini
sports some really beautiful colors. Do you think you’re getting bolder with
color?
I hope so, I'm trying not to hold back as much and just have
fun with different pop colors.
Because I was your
editor for Mod Tales #2, I know what a task it is to build a cohesive world and
narrative in a full comic. How do find the mini format in regards to those
pressures?
I love the mini format just because of my experience with
the first two mod-tales. Making a shorter piece makes me work quickly. I
think of them as warm up stories. Creating a longer comic takes much
longer and because making comics isn't my full-time job, I can lose interest in
the overall completion of the work.
Can you introduce
readers to Mod Tales #2? How do you describe the story and set pieces?
The story of Mod Tales
2- Night of the Masks, Features Agent K and The Eye from Mod Tales 1. It's a more complicated narrative about time traveling
between two major cities: New York City and Paris. Basically, the
cliffhanger from Mod Tales 1 is resolved and Agent K moves to a new mission
that takes her to the seedy underworld of New York City in the 1960's. It
was complicated because of different characters and trying to get the idea of
psychedelic time travel.
You worked more
closely with Jhalal Drut and me on this issue. Describe the process of
collaboration from your perspective.
As usual, J gives me a scenario or some images to think
about. I really rely on his rough sketches as they help me understand the
story that he has written. Then I redid a rough draft of the story scene
by scene. I then started drawing the pages large scale 18 X 24" and inked
them. When I compiled it and showed it to you Jason, and you saw all the gaps
of the story and plot lines that needed tidying up. I believe that
many writers and artists can't see or don't want to see gaps or confusions when
they're in the middle of the messy process of creativity. I recall being on
a mission one day to finish all the drawings and did a three-day drawing
marathon to finish and you were really pushing me to make the narrative more
cohesive. Galine Tumasyan did the cover of Mod Tales
2. She's an amazing artist!
I think you explored
some new visual styles, as well as format. Can you talk about some of the
challenges and fun discoveries while making this issue?
I just kept pushing myself to do what didn't feel
comfortable and easy. J had suggested that we do a European Comic format
(landscape) and then I wanted to find a way to differentiate the Paris scenes
from the New York scenes and decided to draw these fancy Art Nouveau borders by
hand, which now seems a bit ridiculous because they took forever to draw. I also wanted to be better at using some digital coloring formats. It's
still very basic, but I wanted a flat Pop Art look and my Photoshop skills did
improve a little. I need to learn Illustrator.
Does the comic pull
from any specific pop-culture references?
The fabulous movie The
10th Victim, There is a bit of 60's European comics feel too and a bit of
Marvel style.
You’ve been able to
promote the comic at a few events and we’ve been able to be at some together.
Tell Spy Vibers a bit about some of the special appearances and convention
experiences.
I was very honored to be asked to be at Luma Con in
Petaluma, California, and as a guest artist at the Charles Schultz Museum
in Santa Rosa, California. It was fun to meet fellow artists and young artists
and children and to hear their stories and see their art.
What’s next for Mod
Tales?
Mod Tales 3, more mini comics, and the coloring
book!
Thanks, Katherine. Looking forward to making some more groovy spy projects together! Spy Vibers, please stay tuned for updates. More info at the Mod Tales Facebook page here.
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