The Bomb King: Jimmie Robinson

By Tim O'Shea

As 2007 begins, Jimmie Robinson, a veteran writer/artist behind a variety of independent tales (including Amanda and Gunn, Cyberzone, Avigon, Evil & Malice, and Code Blue), finds his latest tale, Bomb Queen, gaining an elevated profile and greater attention in the industry. SBC’s Tim O’Shea sought to find out the latest news about this villainous creation of his.

Tim O’Shea: Bomb Queen is going to appear in an upcoming issue of Savage Dragon. While this will garner even more exposure for the character, are you afraid that people will be shocked by the typical tone of a Bomb Queen tale (versus the way she'll be portrayed in Savage Dragon)?

Jimmie Robinson: If new readers start with Savage Dragon, then decide to pick up the actual book, yes, they might be a bit surprised. However, keep in mind, Savage Dragon has also seen some risque action in the past. So I'm not afraid, in fact, I believe this is a good fit and hopefully we'll see readers testing the waters in Bomb Queen. Also, the last Bomb Queen mini-series was slanted on her sexuality - due to the nature of the story (romance, sex), but the new story arc in 2007 will tone down the sex and add more emphasis on violence. Savage Dragon readers looking to jump on Bomb Queen due to the crossover will be just in time.

TOS: Bomb Queen is becoming more firmly entrenched in the Image Universe. When you were originally developing the character, did you do it with the Image Universe in mind?

JR: Nope. In fact, I had no idea what publisher in their right mind would print a book about a villain on this level. I even took the creation process to the public arena for feedback. At one point I made a work-in-progress topic on the Sequential Tart message forums. There I received comments and critiques and even encouragement. A few times I wanted to drop the book because DC's Villains United came out and I worried about looking like a copycat. But as it turned out, their story was about reluctant villains, misunderstood, blackmailed and coerced into being... well, villains. In fact, they ended up as the anti-heroes in a plot much larger than themselves. While I loved Gail Simone's series, it wasn't the "villain" book I saw in Bomb Queen, so I continued to forge on. However, I never figured how she'd fit into the Image Universe.

TOS: How important is New Port City to the stories you want to tell with Bomb Queen? Could you ever see Bomb Queen spreading her mayhem to another town, or would the change in scenery weaken your tale?

JR: New Port City is like an open jail and Bomb Queen is the warden. Think of it as HBO's OZ for super villains. Everyone inside is messed up to some degree, and the Queen holds it all together. Those are the world building rules I created. What goes on in her town, stays there. That's the deal she has with congress and government. Crime and mayhem is "legal" within the city limits of her town. Thus, if the Queen steps one foot outside the border she's fair game for law enforcement. This makes New Port City not only important to the story, but also a character in the story.

The main problem for a villain-based comic is that the "normal" environment would not allow it. People expect law and order. The villain would be driven underground - which we already see in regular super hero comics. I simply wanted to reverse all that, and doing so meant the city and environment had to take an active part in the villain's story. Without the city's support Bomb Queen wouldn't rule the town. She can't command other towns as she does New Port City.

TOS: You already are working on the next miniseries, which will start in March 2007. Do you see a finite end to Bomb Queen, or could you see yourself working with the character indefinitely, as long as the fan interest is still there?

JR: I like to look at Bomb Queen like Robert Kirkman looks at Battle Pope. Kirkman is having fun with Marvel characters, and his own creation, Invincible ... yet, despite all that, he still has a soft spot for that crazy lil' Battle Pope. So if reader interest is there, and I have stories to tell then I can see her rolling on for quite some time. But thanks to Shadowline's publishing model even if that interest wore off I'd never leave readers with an unfinished story. That's why I like the mini-series format.

TOS: As a lover and owner of felines, were you more surprised or pleased at the level of interest in Ashe?

JR: Very pleased. I love animals, and especially cats. The side kick cat, Ashe has several roles. At first I just need a target for Bomb Queen to talk aloud. I'm not a fan of characters that talk openly to themselves just to communicate to the reader. I'd rather talk to someone, or something. In Bomb Queen I formed Ashe for that, and her super computer, Occularium. However, Ashe has become a reader favorite and I've always wanted to write a cat for a side kick. So often we see the dog, or the floating computer aide, or whatever. Also, Ashe has been there to save the Queen time after time. This is no ordinary black cat. But I'll have to keep the rest of that story for another time.

TOS: Over the course of the first two miniseries, where do you think you've improved the most as a storyteller-in terms of your writing or in terms of your art? Or do you not separate out your storytelling skills in such a manner?

JR: I can't break them up. Often I'll create new content (story or art) right on the art page. However, if I had to pick one, I'd say my art has improved a bit - which I'm constantly working on. I'm just not satisfied with it. I know folks hear this a lot from artists who lean on self-depreciation and undervaluation, but with me I really mean it. I'm just not punching the wall as hard as I should. Every now and then I get a glimpse of what I'd really like on the page.... and then it would be gone. It drives me nuts. I buy books and look at the art and I just can't fathom how they draw like that, color like that, compose like that. Then I look at my work and it irks me. I've changed styles over time as well, searching for another look, a better way, something, anything to be happy about it. I'm still looking.

TOS: As a work of satire, Bomb Queen seems to be a product in a tough spot. Some people criticize the book for its level of violence and sex, even though you're attempting to in fact comment on the fact society is desensitized to the level of sex and violence. But some of those that understand it to be a work of satire also take issue with the level of violence. In reading some of the negative reaction by consumers, were you frustrated by their inability to appreciate your intended nuances to the story? Or are you enough of an industry veteran to accept that you're never going to please everyone all of the time, particularly when using understandably (and intentionally) disturbing story elements as incest?

JR: I agree with the latter. And I openly admit I'm mixing up the messages. I'm also splitting the hairs so thin it's easy to misread the book. But that's the "performance art" part of it. That the book itself invites response by its own definition - if you follow me. Is it satire? Is it social commentary? Is it T & A exploitation? If you ask me, it's all the above, and more. In fact, some may even think I'm acting clever as a joke in itself. But no matter what the opinion, once the story and content is out of my hands and into the public sphere there's nothing I can do about how people will react to it. As much as I wish, I can't teach anyone how to interpret this, or any, book... especially when I'm using comedy so bleak and black it could be misread as a "serious".

That said, no matter what side the reader falls on, I leave some obvious gags both visual and written. So I hope the understanding of this lil' bizarre world I've created becomes clear to a certain extent. In short, Bomb Queen is not "normal" under the rules of regular superhero genre. As you said, it is indeed a tough spot. But writing a series about a villain and the corrupt society that supports her will invite that predicament, every time. It's not an easy story to write.

TOS: If you had to do it all over again, do you think you would have approached "You Are Not Helping Comics!" differently? Or do you think people would have reacted defensively, no matter how you would have phrased it?

JR: As for the core of the message; let's speak up about comics - however we can? Then nope, nothing would change. Fact is, many good people are already talking about comics in a broad sense. They don't need me to say that. Thus, I'd appear preaching to the choir anyway. As for the delivery of the message; let me stir this up - however I can? Sure, I could have phrased it differently, but what reaction would that bring? Bad enough the core message is an old battle cry we've already heard a gadzillion times, but to deliver that in the same old tired voice doesn't lift all boats. I voted to spice it up. Tough love talk.

I don't mind the reactions at all. I wouldn't take away one comment. Everyone is right in their opinions, because there isn't one way to enjoy, share and contribute to comics. If there were we'd all be doing it. And I agree with some that promotion of comics should come from various sources in and out of the Direct Market. But until we find that perfect paradise, what then? Exactly, we do whatever we can. So no magic bullet, no panacea, just whatever possible in our own little ways. And to be clear, I'm speaking about comics as a whole, not just mainstream, not just independents, not just webcomics, or zines - and obviously not my book.

TOS: Who is the ideal consumer of Bomb Queen?

JR: People who read superhero comics. Bomb Queen is my response to the superhero subset. Readers of that genre should have the understanding of everything I've twisted from "normal" superhero comics. Without that viewpoint it becomes something else altogether. I've also said, on record, that Bomb Queen is not made for everyone. It's an acquired taste and I don't want it in the wrong hands, nor sold in stores where it would cause trouble. I'm all for responsible publishing and proper labeling.

TOS: Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?

JR: Sure. Just that Bomb Queen is not my only work. I've been with Image Comics for a decade and I've covered several genres and styles. So, while some readers are just discovering me, I hope they find I'm capable of more than sex and violence - as seen in my previous comics, and future titles as well. I like to think of this as Rick Remender said, "a ten year overnight success". You work, you plow, and then one day something sticks. Now the best part is yet to come. The future.

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