Greg Robinson (Editor/Creator of "Underlords" from Eidolon Studios)

Get Your Issue Of Underlords here!

 

Mr. A: Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions with The Comic Avalanche. We have had some quality time together lately with the Indy Installation combined with this interview and it has been quite enjoyable.
 

1. Underlords looked great at issue one and has moved on to issue #2 with the same fan fair. Is Underlords to be an ongoing series with or a mini-series?

GR: That depends on fans. At present, the idea is to offer a complete story in a four-issue mini series format. If there is substantial support that allows the studio to continue the story immediately then we will pick up with issue 5.

2. If folks check out your spot in "Independent Installation" they will see a large cast of characters. For those who have not as of yet can you please give us a rundown?

 

GR: These are the characters from the first four-issue story arc.

Romus is the most powerful and High Lawmaster of the Underlord nation. He is their unquestioned leader. He is the last of the first generation and is nearly two thousand years old. His is a native of the planet Tiben, the home world of the Underlords and the demigods that spawned the Underlord race.

 

Coda (an Earthling) is the leader of the main “hero group”. He was Romus’s favorite student and remains his closest friend.

 

 

Magi, Coda’s current understudy is the youngest Underlord (also an Earthling). Magi is a very promising prospect with a power level potential that, to this point, has been unheard of.

 

 

Survo is Coda’s younger brother and life long pain in the neck. He is the best tracker the galaxy has ever seen…when he is sober.

 

 

Teaa is the female free spirit of the group. Very friendly…Veeeeery friendly. Sometime a little too friendly for the good of a group dynamic.

Fiera is newcomer whose Eidolon’s presence is sure shake things up. Her transformation from humanoid to Underlord is chronicled in the first story arc.

 

 

 

Strom. A guy we would all like on our side in a back alley rumble.

 

Shaden is the villain they are all after. He is as slippery as his personal forcefield and twice as ruthless.

 

Predican is his bit too creepy for words general who leads a unit of Underlords whose sole purpose is to protect Shaden until his work is done.
But these are only the tip of iceberg. I have fifty characters created for this book that will, with the support of a fan base, supply storied exploits for years to come.

 

3. You created and are acting Editor on Underlords, which falls under your Eidolon Studios and have really landed a great team. Writing Rick Beckley, Art Abdul Rashid, Colorist Bill Keeter, Letterist Michael Thomas. How did putting together such a great team come about?

GR: Mind control. But seriously, I found Rick, Abdul and Michael on a very useful talent engine site called Digital Webbing. All three answered ads I placed there and after the weeding process completed those guys were left standing in their respected discipline. Bill was originally going to pencil the comic but as things sometimes go it didn’t work out. I later went back to him after I received some first issue art from Abdul and asked him to look into coloring them. He was a web designer at the time and had never colored comics before. He dove in and self taught himself the trade to the very capable level that he is at now. He should do an instructional video.

And thank you for the compliment. I am lucky to have such a talented crew to work with who are all great guys too.

4. Was there a certain inspiration that brought Underlords to you?

GR: I have always loved science fiction and mythology. The structure of Underlords is derived mainly from a combination of these two elements. The theme is sort of a mythological space opera. The character’s look is influenced by comic book superhero characters most notably the Silver Surfer. Special thanks to Jack Kirby for that character by the way.

 

5. What other projects are you and Eidolon Studios gravitating towards if any?

GR: Rick Beckley has his own project called Amandara that he is pitching to a publisher at the moment. You can see it on his site ComicsDigital.com
 

Beside Underlord, which I am always tinkering with, I have written a 4 issue miniseries and a graphic novel. The mini is titled The Syndicate. It looks at a group of super powered Mafia types in a small city. That book is being penciled right now with the first two issue completed. The graphic novel is titled Prodigal. It is a story of a young boy trying to find himself in a city full of retired heroes when things take sudden dramatic turn. It is a twist on the “city of superheroes” premise that has become a popular story basis lately. I have not hooked up with an artist yet on this book.

6. Were you a comic fan in general before Underlords came about?

GR: Oh yeah. I have been collecting since I was 15. I am now 35 so that’s 20 big ones.

7. What is your favorite comic book ever and on the market today?

GR: Ever would be the Watchmen series. My love of that series is rivaled only by the Miracle Man series written by the incomparable Alan Moore.
Today it is the Ultimates. I am a big Avengers fan and discovering the Ultimate series, an Avengers comic written for my generation, was a huge find.

8. What comic writer could you just not live without (not literally!)?

GR: Mark Millar is my favorite right now. And they are killing me making me wait for the next Ultimates series.

9. Who is your dream artist to work with?

GR: I would love to work [with] Travis Charest. He is on a level few comic artists reach. If you have seen his work that says it all.

10. What bit of advice do you have for those folks who are in the beginning stages of putting a book out there or are thinking about it?

GR: First off, send a copy of your creations to the copyright office in Washington D.C. Visit their site for the filing procedure. Furthermore protect yourself with contracts. Beyond that be patient, focused and do your research. You have a question, go on line or get yourself to a library and find the answer. Knowledge is power.

 

 

Mr. A: Anything else stoic, inspirational or just a rant you want to add to the folks and fans out there?

GR: The first issue will sport a get published contest that will see an amateur writer and artist work published in future issues of Underlords as a back up story. The first issue is currently listed in Diamond’s November Previews and will be in stores January 2005. I would welcome your support.
Speaking of, thank you very much Mr. Avalanche, for having me chat a little about the dream and your support of Independent comics in general. I enjoyed the experience.

 

 

Thanks, Mr. Avalanche