Jose Torres and the Hunger

By Mike Storniolo & Craig Johnson

Markosia is an up-and-coming British publishing outfit, keen to learn from the mistakes of other – now defunct – UK Publishers. One of their early actions was to sign up Jose Torres’ The Hunger, formerly of Speakeasy.

SBC’s Mike Storniolo and Craig Johnson caught up with Torres to ask him a few questions about his book, and to see if we could pinch some exclusive art – like the first dozen pages from the as-yet-unseen issue six...

SILVER BULLET COMIC BOOKS: With the move from Speakeasy to Markosia, how are things looking for The Hunger?

JOSE TORRES: So far, so good. Our fans seem to be okay with the move and we're still working hard at getting the work done. The toughest part, I would say, is keeping the word out there about the book during the reorganization period without seeming like we're spamming or blowing smoke.

SBC: Let's do our part right here. What is the intended schedule for The Hunger, what issue are you kicking off with?

JT: Well, in July we'll be releasing the trade paperback containing the first eight issues as well as a load of bonus materials and a five page, psychedelic The Hunger short I wrote that will be illustrated by my good friend, Evan Cranston. Watch that name. You'll be seeing it a lot very soon. Following the trade we will be restarting the monthly series with issue number one.

As you know, the sixth through eighth issues were never released, so people who were buying the single issues will unfortunately be forced to "double dip" for the ending. I felt very guilty about this and for that reason I am personally offering a buy-back for anyone who bought the first five issues. Essentially, how it works is, if you feel the trade, despite it's extended ending and all the extras, was not worth the price, you can send me the first five issues and I'll reimburse you for the trade. That way, you get your money back and still get to have the complete first story arc.


SBC: There's a lot of publishers out there trying to do there thing, what made Markosia stand-out and be the new home for the book?

JT: You probably don't get this very often, but the contract was really well put together. I'm also very happy to be associated with the creators and projects Markosia is working with and they seem to be excited about The Hunger. I feel that everyone at Markosia sees eye to eye with us regarding what we want from our book.

SBC: Have you had the chance to see any of Markosia's other books? If so, do any in particular grab your attention?

JT: I'm familiar with books like Smoke & Mirror and Of Bitter Souls, which I have long thought were unique and innovative looks at super-hero comics. What I've seen and heard about the book Done 2 Death has me very excited, too.

SBC: What's the quick take on The Hunger? A little bit to get people reading this excited and interested in the book?

JT: The Hunger is about a guy named Charlie who, while vacationing in New Orleans, is kidnapped, murdered and brought back to life as a zombie by some Caribbean gangsters. As their zombie slave, Charlie is forced to commit a variety of violent crimes that culminate in the terrible realisation that he is now forced to live as a cannibal. The story really revolves around an average kid having to come to terms with being an unstoppable monster.

SBC: The Hunger mixes a wide variety of style and topics in the book from horror to zombies and magic and more. What were some inspirations or thoughts in creating the book and setting its feel and direction?

JT: Off hand, I would have to say that my biggest influences when it comes to The Hunger are:

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov - A Russian Faustian novel that was banned for 12 years due to it's content. It's a brilliant book with great mood and set-ups.

An American Werewolf in London - I mean, you have the fish out of water turned into a monster right there. I like the youth and vibrance of the film as well as the matter of fact approach to the subject matter.

Deep Red, Suspiria and Phenomena - Most of Argento's films are amazing, but these three really stand out to me as far as setting a unique visual style.

Starman by James Robinson and Tony Harris - The whole run was excellent, but the Tony Harris issues really speak to me. I like how the characters are laid out. I actively try to emulate the foreshadowing in the series.


SBC: Starman's a personal favourite of mine too, possibly because it was, creatively, virtually a creator-owned book - certainly in terms of the DC Universe. Has anything in The Hunger changed due to an editor's or publisher's insistence, either in the past or recently?

JT: Actually, when we were originally shopping the book around, a major publisher offered us a deal under the condition that we had to remove all of the nudity, most of the profanity, lighten up on the violence and change the title. I wish that was a joke, but it's really not. Chris and I obviously bailed on that one. Since then, we've really had the opportunity to work with much more open-minded publishers. The only thing we've really been asked to change with the move to Markosia would be to remove of a few instances of the "N" word from the book. Chris and I can understand why a publisher might want to avoid the trouble that comes with that word, so we conceded.

SBC: What's one thing you feel that makes The Hunger a special read in today's market?

JT: I think our approach to the mix of horror and crime elements is different than what is usually put out there. Also, the main character as a self-aware monster I think is pretty fresh. For anyone who hasn't checked the book out, I think our art team (not to mention Tony Shasteen's covers) give the book a distinctive look.

SBC: How long do you see the book going on for?

JT: We've actually planned out the whole run of the series. We could go as long as (knock on wood, cross your fingers) 50 issues, but knowing the odds in such a rough market we have a few places where we could bring the book to an end if need be without leaving anyone feeling like we hung them out to dry.

SBC: What books are you enjoying these days?

JT: I started reading this book called Melmoth the Wanderer by Charles Maturin. It's a pretty famous gothic novel. I enjoy the elaborate descriptions of all the dark settings. I've also been dabbling in Haruki Murakami. I know that's very hip to say, but his stuff is infectious. Comics-wise, I try to keep up with anything Grant Morrison and Eric Powell do, respectively.

SBC: Creating an independent/small press book, it's definitely not an easy task, what do you feel is essential for a new book to make it in today's market?

JT: I think creative teams need to realise that, at least for the first bit, they will be doing a great deal of work for very little, if not negative, money. If you're going to do a creator owned book, you have to love the story and be absolutely dedicated to telling it because sometimes seeing it in print is all you'll ever get out of it.

SBC: Ultimately if the book isn't going to earn you a living, is there a day job to do as well? If it came to a choice between making money in comics yet having under restricted creative conditions on, say, Superman, or producing your own books yet having to hold down a second job, which way would you jump?

JT: I actually manage the pharmaceutical floor stock for a major Manhattan hospital. The job pays pretty well and I have benefits, so I have the luxury of working on The Hunger more for the love of it than to put food on a table. If I had to choose between making a living writing or writing what I love on the side, it would be a bit of a no brainer for me. I would keep doing The Hunger. As a writer, there is a level of satisfaction in seeing my work go from a spark of inspiration to the printed page in its most honest and true form that work for hire can't compete with.

That's not to say that work for hire is untrue or anything. In fact, given the opportunity I would pour my heart into some mainstream comics work. Still, if it had to be one or the other, I would stand by The Hunger. In many ways it's my baby as well as my most personal work. To sell something like that out would be a shame and a travesty.

SBC: Any other projects you've got on the horizon you can/want to talk about?

JT: For now, I'm just sticking with The Hunger. I am thoroughly pleased with every issue that comes out and I feel that by allowing myself to concentrate all of my energy into it, I will have a better final product in the end. I did do a few pieces for some anthologies, though. I wrote a five-pager for a Ronin Studios Katrina Aid book that Chris DiBari (the artist on The Hunger) drew and I did an eight-page western for an anthology of westerns due out around this summer and the art on that is being handles by Chris Copeland.

SBC: Wrapping up, anything else you'd like to mention?

JT: The trade of the first eight issues of the Hunger will be out in July, so look for it in your April PREVIEWS. April's my birth month, so pre-order it for me.

See more about The Hunger at Markosia.org.uk.

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