The Redcoats are coming! But Revere By Ed Lavallee Is Here!
Ed Lavellee, self-publisher and creator of Archeon, debuts an impressive book called Revere by Alias Comics. Taking the Revolutionary War era mythic figure, Ed and artist Grant Bond, create an individual worthy of a time-period when individualism was held in high regard.
KEVIN NOEL OLSON: Hello Ed. How did the concept for Revere develop?
ED LAVALLEE: Well, my first foray into comics as a writer was a small self-published comic, titled Archeon. I had 2 issues printed and the book saw limited success. After thinking long and hard about my next move, I decided I wanted to create a monster hunter style character in the vein of Hellboy. Knowing the market and what was out there I knew I needed something to set my story apart. You see all these movies like Blade and Van Helsing and these guys have all kinds of high-tech weapons, silver nitrate bullets, silver stakes, machine gun-like crossbows. I decided to take a step back to a time where there was less technology. My wife is a teacher and she was always telling me about the Revolutionary War. I thought that would be the perfect setting for the story. Plus it would make for a eerie period piece.
KNO: If I’m not incorrect in this assumption Revere is loosely based on an actual historical figure, regardless of how far afield your particular story leaves strictly biographical genre. What kind of research did you have to do for this project?
EL: When I initially started working on the story I was actually considering Ben Franklin as the main character. He was prolific in his numerous inventions and was quite the Renaissance man, though his image to me didn’t seem very heroic. I did a little more digging and found Paul Revere and the story of his famous ride and the poem by Longfellow. It all seemed to fit. The capper was the fact that Paul Revere and his father before him were both renowned silversmiths. At that point I knew I had the right guy. I didn’t do a whole lot of research, mainly the internet to get some of the basics down.
KNO: Are there any personal attachments to the character of Revere for you?
EL: Yes. Sort of. The project Revere is really my first whole-hearted attempt at submitting to publishers and not self-publishing. So in that regard he is my baby. Revere the character embodies traits I think most of us aspire to have. He's is a family man first and foremost. He will do whatever it takes to protect them from whatever is thrown his way.
KNO: Are there any favorable comparisons you might make for Revere to other material, comic book or otherwise?
EL: I like to describe Revere as a high-concept mingling of Sleepy Hollow meets Brotherhood of the Wolf meets The Patriot with a splash of Hellboy thrown in for good measure.
KNO: How would you rate working under the auspices of Alias Comics?
EL: The folks at Alias Comics have been great to us. They have gone above and beyond to get the word out about Revere and we're all hoping the fans will really respond. If you haven't picked one up, ask your Comic Retailer for a copy of Alias's CBD, there is a 10 page Revere preview in the latest issue.
KNO: Who do you consider your writing influences in or outside of comics?
EL: Tolkien, Salvatore, Eddings, Miller, Mignola, Tarantino, Rodriquez to name a few.
KNO: This genre seems to be a type of ‘Patriopunk’, if the term is forgivable. While a relatively unexplored area of time as far as comic book fiction goes, it offers hugely intriguing possibilities. One mistake often made in dealing with the American Revolution era is to make it so idyllic as to be unrealistic (as many of us remember from our primary school history lessons). Is there a fine line to tread in making it realistic but still respectful; was that a consideration for you?
EL: To a degree, but we're not trying to teach a history lesson with Revere. We want to give the reader just enough historical info to make it realistic and recognizable, and at the same time make it fresh and exciting. It is a comic book after all.
KNO: Are there future plans for Revere?
EL: We would definitely like to tell more stories of Revere and his monster-hunting exploits. I have at least 3 more solid story ideas I would like to get out there. If this first series does well enough I am sure you will be seeing more of our patriotic silversmith. Only time will tell.
KNO: Any future projects you are free and willing to discuss?
EL: I have a few other concepts rattling around in the old brain pan, but they're nothing more then ideas at this point. I do have an Archeon Trade Paperback in the works as we speak. I'm just waiting on a few more pages of art.
KNO: Thank you very much for the interview, Ed. I’ll leave this space left blank for any final thoughts from you.
EL: I just want to say thanks to everyone who has given us a shot. We're doing everything in our power to make Revere the best book we possibly can and we hope that shows. SPREAD THE WORD - REVERE IS COMING. Look for us at the Alias booth in San Diego and
Chicago.
Discuss this interview on the Feature Fiends Forum!