Scott Christian Sava: Q&A

Posted: Monday, October 18, 2004
Posted By: Tim O'Shea

Scott Christian Sava is a storyteller (and one of the major forces behind The Astonish Factory) who always seems to be on the move. At present, he’s got two projects that warrant readers’ attention: The collected trade paperback for The Lab: Hey … Test THIS! and the ongoing Dreamland Chronicles. The latter work appeals to me personally, as a kid (about the same age as Sava) who sharpened his reading skills enjoying C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. I recently caught up with Sava to discuss his current work and what lies ahead for him. And, trust us, the minute Sava's ready to announce his new project with Marv Wolfman, SBC will get the details.

O’Shea: You recently released a trade collection of your Lab tales. Did you that the opportunity to tweak any story elements? What bonus material do buyers get with the trade?

Sava: Yes... The Lab: Hey … Test THIS! came out a few weeks ago. It's great seeing the whole thing put together. I loved making the comics and I think the trade has become more of an Activity Book than just a mere trade. I've added puzzles, jokes, real life Lab Experiments, and even a staring contest between the reader and Esteban. There's 120 pages of fun stuff and new storylines. I did think about redoing the first issue since it's SO different in look and feel to the second issue...but now I almost look at it as a nostalgic kind of thing. Hopefully it won't scare young kids being so different...ha ha.

O’Shea: C.S. Lewis is a writer that clearly influences your storytelling in the Dreamland Chronicles. What appeals to you more about Lewis' writing...the sense of adventure, the spiritual undertone to the tales or a combination of both?

Sava: I think one of my favorite things is that same magical wonderment of being a kid who magically is transported to an incredible fantasy world. The spiritual elements are merely a fortunate byproduct in my mind. Since I also love the Hobbit and John Carter of Mars...for me...it's more about someone being taken to a new world and how they cope. This doesn't mean that Lewis' spirituality isn't a factor...just a secondary one. As a Christian...I felt I related more to stories like Prince Caspian than I did the Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe because Caspian wasn't as "heavy handed" in Christianity as the first book. But talking to others who read Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe who WEREN'T Christian...they never even picked up on the whole Aslan/Jesus thing. So it's kind of weird...as a Christian I connected less to that book mainly because I thought it was too "obvious" what Lewis was trying to get at...whereas his other stories in the series had more of the Christian elements as part of the mythology. Yet other who were less educated in Christian theology never saw it coming...ha ha.

O’Shea: You quote Genesis in the front page of the first issue. Will each issue contain that quote, or do you envision using different biblical quotes in each issue? I almost hesitate discussing the spiritual influences/impact on this work, not because I'm not interested, but rather I fear alienating less informed consumers who automatically (for whatever reason) dismiss stories with some connection to spirituality/religion. I hesitate in particular in this case, as religion/spirituality does not fuel this story (rather I presume it fuels the storyteller, though).

Sava: Ah...the Genesis quote...ha ha.

As I said earlier...it's no secret I'm a Christian. I've never been heavy handed with it...and I don't go around preaching to anyone. It's just who I am...my personal beliefs.

Putting the bible verses (and yes there will most likely be a different verse to coincide with each issue's story) is simply part of the overall mythology or feel of the books. I think it adds to the stories...and tells people a bit about who I am and where I'm coming from.

I don't expect people to pick up the bible and start reading because of it...ha ha...but if someone was Islamic...and put a quote from the Koran to show where they were coming from...I'd personally welcome it. It's the same to me if a gay writer quoted something that inspired them...or a Buddhist...or even… gasp...a woman...ha ha.

Anything that helps the reader connect to the story I feel is worthy.

On a side note...I'd like to say that the story is an Epic Fantasy. Yes it may have some Christian Elements in it...but probably a lot less than you'd see in Vertigo's Preacher ... ha ha. It's not like that to try to convert anyone ... it's like that because this story is close to me ... and therefore will have elements that I connect with.

Hopefully readers are enlightened enough to see it as a good story first and foremost.

O’Shea: I fear we are entering a generation of new readers that don't even know who Marv Wolfman is. So I was pleased to see his name come up in the dedications/thanks to Dreamland. In what ways do you try to emulate Wolfman's style in your stories?

Sava: Well ... I have to say ... I am NOT a writer. So I can't even say I'd know WHAT to emulate even if I TRIED! Ha ha. Marv has been giving me pointers here and there. Almost like the basics of writing...it's so great. He's helping me get my thoughts organized so I can plot out the character's journeys from beginning to end.

It's sad that people like Marv Wolfman and Len Wein and others from that era aren't being given the respect they deserve from the industry. I mean ... people respect them ... they truly do ... But for everything they've given to the industry ... they should be given carte blanche to do whatever they want.

Either way...I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that doesn't happen. My 20 month old twins can already say Teen Titans ... ha ha. Marv and I are working on a new project already...and you'll be the first to know once we can announce it.

O’Shea: Have you ever tried to do a cost/time spent comparison of the way you create a render a comic book versus the time and effort etc. spent by a (for a lack of a better term) "traditional" artist?

Sava: Oh of course. The cost? No comparison...what does a pencil and paper cost? Now multiply that times 1000...then add a few zeroes to it. Ok...now you've got 1 issue for me....ha ha.

The Dreamland Chronicles is a movie. Plain and simple. I could have done it cheap...but why? So I saved up my money...and essentially I'm making a movie. I have a team of artists who help design the characters, who model them, texture them, put bones in them, create facial expressions for them, Do environments....it's a team...a production.

I'm the writer, director, actor, lighting guy, camera man, all in one. There are over 200 characters in The Dreamland Chronicles and over 100 environments. I can't tell you how much I pay per model...but I CAN tell you that whatever I DO pay...is A LOT less than I should be paying. My team of artists are the nicest and most talented bunch of guys and girls I could ever work with. An International Dream Team...and the book is as good as it is because of the talent they bring to the table every day.

Now...as for the TIME factor...I have traditional artists beat (except for Sergio Aragones...ha ha...he's just scary). Once everything is modelled and lit and set up. I can actually do a page every hour. That's a FINISHED page. The computers are getting so fast nowadays...and I have a great renderfarm of computers helping out with rendering....that once I get going...I can really crank out the pages.

O’Shea: Do you cringe at the Paddington Rumblebottom/Thing [Ben Grimm] comparison when folks like myself make it?

Sava: Cringe? NO WAY! I LOVE the thing! I mean … COME ON! I'd be lying if I said he wasn't an inspiration in some ways to Paddington. But so is the Iron Giant a little bit ... and any other gentle giant in fantasy stories. Seriously ... I'm not worried about people comparing Kiwi to Tinkerbell, Nastajia to Arwen ... or even my whole story to Little Nemo in Slumberland. Heck...I WELCOME it. I'd love to talk about how much I love the Thing...or any of the other dozens of stories and characters that inspire my imagination.

Anyone who tells you they have an ORIGINAL idea is just deluding themselves. We amalgamate everything we watch, read, hear about, whatever ... and we take what we like...and create something new from that. So Dreamland is a little bit of the Narnia Chronicles with John Carter of Mars and some Little Nemo thrown in. I love those stories...and I wanted to tell my OWN story of course ... but there's NO way I'm going to somehow magically wipe out EVERY influence in my head that made me love the genre in the FIRST place. Why would I want to? There's stealing ... you know ... just plain unimaginative ripping off. Then there's inspirations, homages, and carrying on with a tradition. I like to think I'm doing the latter.

I do what I do because I love comics. I'm doing Dreamland because I love Fantasy stories. I'm inspired by my childhood stories ... and yes ... that included characters like Ben Grimm ... and I'm proud to say that.

O’Shea: Brothers Dan and Alex are the leads in Dreamland. Did you consider doing a brother and sister combo instead in earlier drafts?

Sava: Well ... earlier it was just about Alexander ... and he had a friend. Then ... my wife gave birth to Twin Boys ... and suddenly ... it made sense to make them brothers. Had one been a girl ... who knows ...? Ha ha.

As a new dad...I wonder how it's going to affect the boys when they get older. Will they relate to one character or another? Will they think that's my vision for their lives? You know...typical neurotic dad thoughts. But I really just hope they like reading it and hope they love fantasy stories and comics as much as I do.

O’Shea: What's the production plan for Dreamland at present?

Sava: Well I'm about halfway done with issue 2...and will try to get issue 3 done before the end of the year...then I'll start solicitations for it. I am going to go bi-monthly if possible...as I'm tired of waiting to see the books come out every 8 months or so.

God willing ... within 3-4 years ... the 24-issue arc will be complete. That will be 48 pages every 2 months...and most likely at least one trade a year and a total of over 1,000 pages when it's all done. Whew.

O’Shea: What's on the horizon for you and the gang at Astonish?

Sava: We have a lot of animation work. We just sold a TV series...and we have some movie projects going as well. I hope and pray that I will still be able to keep an aggressive schedule on Dreamland while also writing, directing, and producing these animated films and television series...but we'll just have to see.

My number one goal and focus believe it or not IS Dreamland ... but I also have to feed my family ... ha ha.

O’Shea: Anything else we need to tell folks about?

Sava: I'd like to thank you Tim for always making fun interviews and making me feel welcome.

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