INTERVIEW: MOD TALES 2

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. 

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School, Ian Fleming Memorial, Portmeirion Photos, Doctor Who Exhibit, Farewell Steed, Pussy Galore Returns, Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, John Buss interview, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Tokyo Beat 1964, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

DESIGN VERTIGO

Exhibit: Design Vertigo. An interesting photograph appeared on the Spy Vibe radar screen today via Katharine Boyd (Mod Tales). Taken in 2010, the image illustrates how classic 1960s Op Art aesthetics are alive and well in the contemporary art scene. A special collaboration in Milan resulted in installations at Spazio Fendi and featured this incredible black and white Op Art room by Beta Tank Berlin. Large inflatable (and reflective!) balls were included to create a more dynamic vertigo-inspiring effect. Spy Vibers may be aware that I've been working on a spy novel that includes a climactic scene in a similar environment. The book is called Elevator Girl and features a young Japanese female spy in 1965. Early drafts received high praise from Raymond Benson (James Bond, Black Stiletto) and Jeremy Duns (Paul Dark series). The manuscript is being sent around to literary agents now and I hope to share it with readers soon. In the meantime, just imagine spies fighting it out in Design Vertigo. Photo by Simona Ghizzon. Related posts: Victor Vasarely Op Maestro, Set Countdown: the 10th Victim, Striped Light Nude. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe posts: Diana Rigg birthday, Sherlock at 221B, Invisible Agent, Saint Interview: Ian Dickerson, Saint Doppelgänger, Fleming's Typewriter, Rare Fleming, Fleming's Music, Ian Fleming's Japan, Jim Wilson Corgi Interview, Fantomas Design, Jeremy Duns on Bond, John Buss interview, Diana Rigg eBook, Avengers Season 5 Titles, Saint Volvo, Mod Tales Interview, Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Bond vs Modernism, Popular Skullture, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Feraud Mod Fashion, Green Hornet Manga, No 6 Festival, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.

MOD TALES

Comic Week on Spy Vibe concludes with national Free Comic Book Day. Visit your local shops today to pick up free books. Be a detective and check out some new stories and artists. Hermes Press is celebrating Free Comic Book Day with The Phantom! My friend and fellow agent, Katharine Boyd, is celebrating by launching a new website dedicated to her Mod Tales series. Spy Vibers can order issue #1 through the site. If you are a fan mid-1960s Mod culture, Op Art,  EuroSpy, The 10th Victim, and Gainsbourg, this is for you! Details at Mod Tales. See below for a cool promo video and a re-posting of my interview with Katharine. And stay tuned for Mod Tales #2 coming this fall. Enjoy!

My friend Katharine Boyd (Our Agent K), Mod and fellow art teacher, has recently published a comic called Mod Tales. Steeped in international spy conventions from the 1960s, this 34-page book follows the trail of K's comic alter-ego as she hunts down a secret 45 record in Paris. The adventure takes her over Parisian rooftops and into evil lairs, where she faces a rogue's gallery of characters inspired by Serge Gainsbourg, Heino, and her real-life partner, Jhalal Drut. I've been watching Mod Tales take shape over the last couple of years and it's exciting to see it out at last. K and I sat down this week to talk about the project and about her life as an artist and Mod. Images below from Mod Tales and from K's own photo album.

Tell me a bit about your experiences in Art School. Where did you study and what kind of visual projects were you doing?

I got my MFA at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I was involved in a variety of projects, including large painted backdrops for my performance art work, installation art, video art, graphic design, drawing, and painting. I loved SAIC because they were so flexible in the different majors. For example, if you were in the Performance/Interdisciplinary art program you could still take a painting class, a film class, fiber class, etc. Chicago is a great place to be an artist. The Chicago art community is very welcoming, flexible and diverse.

You got into performance art. How did you discover that? Did you have performance art heroes?

In 1989, my painting teacher in undergraduate school at University of Nevada Reno introduced me to Performance Art. I remember I was doing these large Op Art paintings. I was a mod then, and came to class in Op Art dresses, and she said, “You should do performance art!” I went to the library and started reading the periodical Drama Review, where I was introduced to Karen Finley, the Kipper Kids, Chris Burden, and Linda Montano. There was always a narrative or figurative element to my paintings, and these early works were usually autobiographical. My favorite performance artist at that time was Ann Magnunson. She was a well-known artist from the 1980s East Village performance scene in NYC. Her work involved different personas and monologues. 

Do you remember your first introduction to Mod Culture? Was it during the 1980s Mod revival?

My first introduction to Mod Culture was twofold. I loved watching The Avengers when I was young. They would show reruns on TV, and I just loved Emma Peel! When I was in high school, I was first introduced to Mod through Ska music. I remember seeing the movie Dance Craze at a local independent movie theater in Reno. That same year, roughly 1983, a Mod guy showed up at my high school. He was from Orange County, CA and he rode a Vespa. He dressed so cool! We went thrift-shopping together, and since we were basically the only Mods in Reno, we found 1960s clothing easily and cheaply. I already knew the Jam, the Who, and Ska music, but he introduced me to revival bands like The Secret Affair, Squire, the Lambrettas, and the Three O'clock.

For the uninitiated, can you give us your definition of Mod?

What is Mod? It was a modern stylistic movement that surfaced in France and Italy in the early 1960s. British youth adopted the style of the Vespa, smart clothing and it merged together with Mod bands like the Who and the Creation. That's the basic history, although it's a bit more complicated and lengthy. I believe the Mod aesthetic has continued because the look is classic, smart, and stylish. Of course, it morphed into psychedelia in the later 1960s, and then into the skinhead movement (not the Nazi skin heads, but with an interest in Jamaican Ska and Rock Steady). In the late 1970s and early 1980s, it made a comeback in London and later in the US. It's still going strong, especially in the UK and Europe.  

What were some of the things that excited you most when you first started to explore the Mod world? Do you remember favorite artwork, fashion, music, films?

Favorite things that were the start of my quest: For Art it was 1960s comics, graphics, and Brigit Riley's Op Art paintings. Courreges and Mary Quant have always been my favorite fashion designers. In cinema Quadrophenia was the classic "Mod" film, but I think it didn’t really reflect the larger cultural styles. The 10th Victim, Qui etes Vous Polly Magoo?, and Bedazzled were all early introductions to Mod for me. Musically, my tastes have evolved. I started with the Jam and Mod revival bands, but then I had my "cave teen" period in the later 1980s with bands like the Fuzztones, the Creeple Peeple, the Primates, and Gravedigger 5. Now I like a broad variety of soundtracks, French singers, Freakbeat, and Psychedelic. The great thing about Ebay, YouTube, and Facebook is that it's fun to discover new/old sounds through friends.

Your initiation was before the Internet. How did you learn about rare records, cool fashion, and scooter rallies?

Before the internet, there were a few zines! My favorite was Hippy Hippy Shake, written and created by my friends Carrie Swing and Stephen Bissinger. My boyfriend at the time and I would take our Vespa down for the rallies in SF. There was a scene in the Bay Area. I started writing to Hippy Hippy Shake and Carrie and I became pen pals. Bands usually played at the Purple Onion or at the Mabuhay Gardens. I remember seeing the Loved Ones, the Creeple Peeple, the Pandoras (a garage band from LA later turned Heavy Metal), the Fuzztones, and the Primates. 

Are there major musicians and artists from the past that are still tending the Mod flame?

I suppose Paul Weller of the Jam still tends the mod flame. 
 

Tell us a bit about Euro YeYe and other international events that interest you? What would my readers see if they attended one of these gatherings?

There is a fun Mod scene in the UK called the New Untouchables. And Euro YeYe is an event that is held on the northern coast of Spain. Jhalal and I went to our first YeYe three years ago, and I was literally blown away by the number of people, the style, the movies, fashion, records! It was very impressionable. We are happy to be going again in 2014 for their 20th anniversary. Your readers should attend Euro YeYe if they want to enjoy movie nights, art shows, vintage clothing and record shopping, and a three day all-nighter of dancing to real records (not mp3s) spun by some of great DJs. Usually, there is a psychedelic night, a northern soul night, and a garage band.  Some great 1960s bands and musicians have played there. We were lucky to see the Bongolian and July (UK psych band from the 60s) perform. Also on the world scene, there are LP comps like LeBespoke. I have to thank my partner in comics and love, Jhalal, for introducing me to some of the best heavy hammond organ grooves.

I love how Mod Tales looks! We talked a few years ago at the early genesis of the project. Can you tell our readers a bit about how the comic progressed from a collection of drawings into a cohesive comic book?

I had completed a few earlier drawings of Serge Gainsbourg before I met Jhalal in Paris. When he saw the drawings he inspired me to make a comic, so we started talking about the story, which Jhalal Drut wrote and storyboarded for me.  He has been a comic book lover for years and introduced me to a variety of genres and rekindled my love for them.

It seemed like the book really picked up steam when you decided to fund part of the digital process through a Kickstarter campaign. Can you talk a bit about the working rhythm you established with Jhalal Drut to take the project to the next level?

In the early stages, Jhalal and I were talking about the drawings and the story, and then I had heard that Kickstarter was a good place to propel some interest in the work. Thanks to my friends, family and kind strangers, the Kickstarter campaign took off rapidly. It was very exciting to see the support come in from all over the world. After we were funded, Jhalal and I knew we had to get more serious to complete the project. I showed the concepts to my anatomy-drawing professor, Rob Anderson in San Francisco, and he had many ideas about composition and design.  I went home and Jhalal and I worked on crafting a few more storyboards. 

You and I had a funny afternoon when I was helping you smooth out the narrative (I had K act out the scenes with me to test continuity and logical flow of action and character). Were there things you learned regarding story or character development in issue #1 that will shape or inform the next issue?

The next issue will feature a different feeling. The one we are working on now may be a bit more psychedelic. The wonderful thing about the 1960s period is that there is so much material to consider and include. Our rhythm for the comic was also like a collage, Jhalal would find some groovy images and he would do a rough sketch, and then I would refine and revise the drawings. We would talk about the story and see if things were fluid. I do remember that day you visited and we acted things out, Jason!  That was tremendously helpful especially for me. I have written non-traditional narratives and monologues, but this was new territory. I felt completely lost at times. Thankfully, I also had a team of computer support staff who helped me colorize the black and white drawings. I'm not skilled in Photoshop yet, and that was fun to learn how to do, but it was so time consuming (even more so than drawing). I was very fortunate to have help. I have learned so many things, including story boarding, formatting, layout, and Photoshop from this process. As most working artists who hold down two jobs (one the bread and butter and the other the creative job), finding time is the most challenging aspect.

One of the fun things about reading Mod Tales is spotting some references from 1960s culture, which you sprinkle in carefully without becoming pastiche. I love seeing the Elsa Martinelli fashion and space-age phones from The 10th Victim. Readers are also treated to subtle nods to Sterenko's Op Art-era S.H.I.E.L.D., Serge Gainsbourg and Schlager-king Heino. Faced with the grooviest period in history to mine for inspiration, how did you choose what to include or leave out?

The material evolved like the moods of the day. The 10th Vicitm, Serge Gainsbourg, and 10^th Victim fashion all seemed like old favorites and ones that our audience could easily relate to. Jhalal also introduced me to Jim Steranko. Wow! I remember looking at Marvel comics, but not since the mid 1980s. I must have seen his art in Marvel, but when I saw it again, I was taken aback. The line, the flow! The compositions are fluid and ecstatic.

Heino has such a distinctive look and makes a great villain. We brainstormed forever to give him a name and I love that you arrived at “Vermes”. Where did that come from?

Heino just looked perfect for the role of the bad guy. It's the combo of the hair and glasses (his music is not Mod or groovy).  Jhalal arrived at “Vermes” for the pseudonym for Heino. I don't remember his process, but it stuck and I liked it.

What would recommend from Gainsbourg’s music and film output?

Gainsbourg is so popular now in the US and it's wonderful. He was a talented and prolific artist. I love Serge because he just did what he wanted to do. Some of his work is very controversial, but he was more “agent provocateur”. I'm not going to pretend that I was listening to Gainsbourg before "everybody else", but I do remember how I picked up my first record. I was at Amoeba Records in 2006. I was studying French on the side, and went through their international LP section. I found a copy of Comic Strip and loved it! As a portrait artist, he was compelling to draw. I've also done a classical drawing of Serge, which was featured on the blog Draw Serge.

For Gainsbourg Music and Film Recommendations: I would start with Couleur Cafe and Comic Strip.  He's an enchanting entertainer. My fave film with Serge is an obscure Swiss film, L'inconnue du Shandigor. Serge as a master-mind criminal! How cool is that! Anna is also a great movie!

You and Jhalal have explored a lot of European comics. Do you have stand-out favorites? And what about US comics besides SHIELD?

Stand out titles of European comics: Guy Peellaert Pravda, La Survireuse and the Adventures of Jodelle. I love the fluidity of the line and movement of shapes and colors. Yes, I can only hope to draw as well as Guy Peelaert someday! US comics: I'm a big fan of Dan Clowes, Chris Ware, and Heather McAdams.

Which printing service did you use for Mod Tales? Did you learn any tips that might help Spy Vibers looking to self-publish a comic?

For printing, we used Litho Ninja. What a great service. Affordable and excellent proofing. They are so helpful!

I'm a big fan of the BBC interview show, Desert Island Discs. Katharine, if I had to strand you on an island, what eight recordings (not albums) would you take with you? And which would you save from the waves if you could only have one?

Which 8 tracks? The Creation/Making Time, Pink Floyd/Astronome Domine, Serge Gainsbourg/Chatterton, Chopin/Prelude in E minor, The Sorrows/No, No, No, Los Bravos/Bring a little Lovin, Ennio Morricone/Matto, Caldo, Soldi, Morto, Girotondo, Alan Bown Set/Jeu de Massacre. Ennio Morricone I would save for myself.

And what one book would you want to take to the island?

One book: S.H.I.E.L.D. by Jim Steranko: The Complete Collection.

What if you could have one luxury item, what would it be?

One luxury Item: 1968 E type Jaguar.

Thanks again to Katharine for visiting the Spy Vibe lair and sharing her Mod Tales! 

Selected Spy Vibe posts: Agente Secreto Comics, Danger Man Comics 2, Danger Man Comics, John Drake Comics, Der Mann Von UNCLE, Golden Margaret Nolan, Man From UNCLE Rocksteady, Pussy Galore Calypso, Cynthia Lennon R.I.P., Edward Mann Fashion, Leonard Nimoy Tribute, Shatner at 84, Bob Morane series, New Saint Publications, The Saint Complete box set, Gerry Anderson Box Sets, Music For Spies, Thai Bond Design, Brian Clemens RIP, Bond vs Modernism, Imitation Game, New Avengers Books, Ringo Does Goldfinger, Sixties Beat Wear, Popular Skullture, Art of Modesty, Avengers Blu-ray update, Tokyo Beat 1964, Polaroid Spy, Feraud Mod Fashion, Flint Scores!, Bond Danish, New Richard Sala Book, New 007 Comics, Designing Bond Books, Green Hornet Manga, Margaret Nolan Art, No 6 Festival, Barbarella Returns, Designer: Gene Winfield, Avengers Interview: Michael Richardson, Ian Fleming: Wicked Grin, Jane Bond Hong Kong Records, Ryan Heshka Interview, Comics Week: Man From R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E., Comics Week: Archie, Comics Week: Robots, Comics Week: Cold War Atomic, Comics Week: SPYMAN, Comics Week: Jimmy Olsen, Rare Avengers Scripts, Man From Uncle UK Comics, Thunderbirds Comics, Shakespeare Spies: Diana Rigg, Shakespeare Spies I, Rodney Marshall Avengers Interview, Avengers Book: Bowler Hats & Kinky Boots, George Lois Design & Mad Men, Richard Sala: Super-Enigmatix, Cold War Archie, Playboy Bunny Interview, The 10th Victim Japanese and Kindle, U.N.C.L.E. Japanese Books, The Saint books return, Trina Robbins Interview, Catsuits, Batman '66 Green Hornet Interview: Ralph Garman Ty Templeton.