Craig Maloof: Saving The World
Craig Maloof is the creative mind behind the small press comic book, Tyr in association with Ronin Studios, along with a slew of upcoming books in the future months. Craig was kind enough to take some time from his schedule to chat with SBC about his career, Tyr and more.
MIKE STORNIOLO: What is the premise of Tyr?
CRAIG MALOOF: The premise of Tyr is a teenager living in Los Angeles having to basically save the world. However, it goes much deeper then that with the prophecies wrapped up into the character, his background, the title of the book, and who he is overall that will be revealed over due time. But if you had to give it a one liner then it would have to be a teenager being told he has to basically save the world. The cool part though is how would you react if you were a teenager placed in the same situation? I know I would freak out, and you get to watch it unravel before your eyes.
STORNIOLO: What can you tell fans that will make them want to spend their $2.99 on Tyr, instead of X-Men, or the likes?
MALOOF: Well… that’s not an easy question to answer at all. Tyr is my first book and the reviews have come back really strong for the book, which has made me so happy. But what makes it better then X-Men? Well, first off you don’t have someone like Chris Claremont butchering the final story of the X-Men. I respect him, but X-Men: The End has to be the worst thing I have ever read. Not saying Tyr is better, but if you don’t like something Marvel or DC is publishing, then support a creator who has poured hours upon hours into this book.
STORNIOLO: How has the experience of self-publishing been so far?
MALOOF: Self-publishing hasn’t been too bad if you ask me. Being part of Ronin Studios has been so easy and fulfilling. From the great people to the awesome artists, and Noble looking after everything like it’s his own child has just made the past nine months that much easier. I got my artist for Tyr nine months ago and we are already going to the printer, and getting ready for the future of the title. Is it stressful? Yeah. You have to do everything without the help of a publisher there to help you with the post-production, etc. But it’s a learning experience, and if I ever break into the business it will help me understand it that much better.
STORNIOLO: What advice would you give to someone considering self-publishing?
MALOOF: Be patient. It doesn’t happen overnight, or even the following month. I have had it extremely lucky in that I have found artists dedicated and motivated by the story I am telling that they are ready to work immediately. I found Alex Lancaster so quickly, and he is about to wrap up the first arc pretty soon here. I have another artist lined up after him to get moving on the second arc. Then I have Antonio Alvarez come along when I started on my first mini-series, and he has just been phenomenal, pumping out sketches and the first seven pages in a month. And in that month we had discussions and planning as well so for him to keep working like he has, it has just been phenomenal. But unfortunately not everyone is that lucky, but you will eventually find someone wanting to pencil your story as long as it’s a good one.
STORNIOLO: Has Tyr been submitted to any potential publishers? If so, how has that experience been for you?
MALOOF: Tyr has been submitted to Image Comics, and it is one of only a few books from Ronin still being looked at. Whether or not it will be published I don’t know yet. It was looked at during Wizard World Chicago, and they were impressed and asked to see it. We sent it in and they periodically contact Noble to let him know that they are still looking at it. The experience for me was kind of dreadful at first because you don’t know how it’s going to go down. But I haven’t talked to Erik or anyone from Image so I don’t have much of an experience.
STORNIOLO: How far along is Tyr creatively, and how many issues is it planned?
MALOOF: Tyr is pretty far along. As we talk now, the first issue has been released, and the second issue is still sitting at the printer, waiting to be printed, and will be out in the next week or so. Issue Three is already finished and is going to the printers in the next week or so, and issue 4 is coming up right after that. Writing wise, I am done with the first arc, and halfway through the second arc. I just started work on issue 9. Art just finished with issue four and is moving on to issue five. Antonio Alvarez is the artist for issues 7-10, a nice, small 4 issue arc that has major repercussions. He’s already started on issue 7. The book is a finite series, with an ending in mind, but no issue number assigned. The book has three acts to it, and depending on how the story unfolds, that will tell me how long the story needs to be. The first act is the introduction to it all, but there is something greater lying behind it. The second act is the meat of the story, and will start defining who Typhi truly is. The final act will probably be my favorite as I have really planned it well.
STORNIOLO: How did you come to create Tyr?
MALOOF: I started work on Tyr roughly three-four years ago now. I had just started reading comics, and I wanted to write, so I just started writing. The next thing I knew, I had created these characters, and they were so lifelike to me that I wanted to move forward. So I just started to think of stories to write, etc. The next thing I knew I was on the Bendis Board last year, and Noble Larimer was telling me about Ronin Studios. I was really astounded by this, and I had kind of stop writing for a while. Well, he told me he was interested in getting my book into the studio, and going to town on it.
STORNIOLO: Have you always known that you wanted to work in comics? If so, how did it come about?
MALOOF: Honestly, I never thought I would work in comics. It was never a dream of mine so to say. I’ve been working in the actual industry for the past nine months, and that’s it. Noble came to me, wanting me to work on a book of mine, and I just went to town on it. If it wasn’t for Noble, I wouldn’t be doing this interview at all. He lit a fire up under my ass, and I just wanted to do this.
STORNIOLO: Who has been an inspiration in your work and how so?
MALOOF: Who has been an inspiration to my work? Everyone. Everyone has had an impact on my life and how I write stories. I write characters that somehow connect with me, I write stories that I find intriguing, and because of the people in my life, they’ve made them interesting. Writer wise, I read so much. Bendis, Millar, Ellis, Ennis, they’re all great writers, and just reading their stuff has helped me realize what I’m trying to do when I write.
STORNIOLO: What one mainstream comic title would you love to work on in the future and why?
MALOOF: If I could write any book, it would probably be X-Men. But I would want it to be under the MAX line. The reason being is that I feel that these characters, they’re adults. But they don’t like adults would. To me, they’re not realistic, and I think that some of these characters could benefit from that kind of atmosphere.
The first issue is available for purchase from www.comixpress.com
Click HERE to purchase Tyr #1
For more information on Tyr and Ronin Studios, visit their web-site at http://ronin-studios.com.
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