If you haven’t read part one, by all means read it here. For everyone that read part one, you already know just how insightful, funny and blunt Tom Beland is. The creator of True Story Swear to God, Beland is not a person to shy away from many topics, be it in his work or in discussions with his readership and/or fellow professionals.
In this second part, Beland discusses a variety of matters, including his past political cartoon work, message boards and the evolution of his storytelling ability, as well as what looms on the potential creative horizon.
Tim O’Shea: Is Lily (Garcia, Tom’s wife and the other major “lead” in this series) ever un-nerved by the response to people meeting her after reading the story? Or is she accustomed to such interaction with the public because of her celebrity status from her radio career?
Tom Beland: She wasn't ready for people telling her "wow, you're REAL." lol... that was a surprise to her. The funny thing is, here in Puerto Rico, I'm the guy who's married to Lily Garcia, radio personality... at conventions, SHE's the woman who's married to Tom Beland, cartoonist. So, we have a good laugh over that. She's fascinated by the whole comics scene. In San Diego last year, a group of Klingons came to our table and they all talked about the series with each other in Klingon... and they bought some copies and left. She thought that was so bizarre and cool.
TO: The craft of storytelling is an ever-evolving process. Back when we last spoke you were hoping to improve upon your backgrounds in scenes. Do you feel you have improved?
TB: I think this is evident in the trade paperback. You look at the beginning and you'll see me using a lot of squiggle lines to fill in the background. By the chapter where I arrive in Puerto Rico, you begin to see buildings and there are some very cool shots of the local landmarks. There's a shot of El Morro, a historic fort, that took four days to render, as well as a local restaurant and some of the buildings. I'm now trying to figure out how to draw hurricane scenes for the next issue. I think you should always take something can't do and just try it out. If it doesn't work, you just take it as a learning experience. I mean, my God, take a look at the heads I'm using in the first issue... lol... some of them just balloon outwards... then, by issue four, the heads all are uniform.
TO: Given these times of wars and the typical partisan bickering of politicians (mixed in with a homeland security alert every so often), do you ever get the inclination to do political comic work (or are you doing them)?
TB: I've done political work when I was working for a paper in Napa Valley. I was doing panels on the city council, the mayor, the local news... and I was hitting it all very hard. Some cartoons required the editors to hold a conference to decide whether or not a cartoon would run. I did one cartoon on the Catholic church regarding sexual abuse and the whole town blew a gasket. We had phone calls from 9am to 5pm for two weeks demanding I be fired and that I be burned at the stake. And you know what? The editor just fucking BAILED on me, out of fear that the public would hate him for siding with the first amendment. After two weeks of hate mail, the other side began to write, supporting my viewpoint and demanded more cartoons. And while we lost subscriptions during that time, our rack sales increased dramatically. But the editor leaving me to twist in the wind left a horrible taste in my mouth, so I moved to another paper.
I'm looking into making political cartoons again for a paper here in Puerto Rico.
TO: As a creator who is fairly active on message boards, how satisfying or frustrating is it to discuss/defend your work with folks?
TB: I spend more time defending/discussing opinion more than the work. When you're a fan, it's easy to say "man, JLA SUCKS DICK." without saying WHY it sucks dick. It makes no sense, but that's what they do. As a creator, I don't mind you saying my book sucks, but how about telling me WHY it sucks? I hang out at Sequential Tart's board, as well as Bendis' board and AiT/PLanetLar. Very cool places and the conversations are polite and thought provoking.
It also bugs the hell out of me when they post horrible stuff and hide behind a name like MrSiNistER2003. Why not put your regular name when posting? I used to go by MEGATOONS, until I realized just how lame it was to make a point with such a lameass name behind it. Say what you will about what I might say on a message board, at least you know it's me.
Frankly, I've learned how to avoid message board fights. They're sooooo easy to fall into and they're just plain embarrassing to linked with. I had a doozy of a brawl five years ago with Joe Queseda about the lateness of Daredevil and now it's just embarrassing to look back upon. I was a complete dick and asshole for picking a message board to voice my opinion... if I'd really wanted to be "the man", I'd have called Marvel and talked with him directly about my concerns as a reader. But I just pussed-out behind a goofy name. I'd like to think I'm more mature than that these days. I've apologized to Joe publicly about the situation a hundred times.
TO: What's on the creative horizon in 2003 and beyond?
TB: Working on a story arc about Hurricane Georges, then we'll look at the big move to Puerto Rico, then self publishing.
I'm also working on a piece for the CBLDF book. Too cool to be part of that group!!
Also talking with AiT/PLanetLar (or as I call them.... GOD) about putting together a paperback collection of the TSSTG comic strips. It looks good so far!!
TO: Is there anything you'd like to discuss that I may have not asked?
TB: How's life? Nobody ever asks how YOU'RE doing Tim!!! Tell me how LIFE IS!!
We'll be attending the San Diego Con and SPX in Bethesda! Looking forward to seeing everyone!
