So in 2013 I interviewed Cary Kelley the creator of Dynagirl. Here is the interview :).
1: What's your name? What got you started in comics?
Cary Kelley: My name is Cary Kelley. I got started making comics way back in 2004 when I entered a writing contest for Top Cow. I didn't win, but I felt like I had something I could build on, so off I went and jumped head first into making my own comics.
2: Have you met any new friends doing comics?
Cary Kelley: Oh sure! Some of the best people I know I met through making comics. I tend to sift through and find people I want to work with, so it's not by accident that I've become good friends with many of them. That makes it a lot more fun really, doing things we all enjoy with people we like spending time with.
3: Have you met any famous people doing comics?
Cary Kelley: Famous people... I was once approached by an NFL player about possibly publishing his comic, which was pretty cool. I've had brushes with a couple of Hollywood directors on occasion, and of course I've met a number of famous comic professionals.
4: I've read dynagirl and have to say it's amazing I love it! :). What exactly gave you the idea for Dynagirl?
Cary Kelley: Thanks! We have a total blast doing the book, so it's great to hear people responding so well to it.
I got the idea for the character while doing my first limited series, Fallen Justice. I wanted the main character to have a girlfriend who was very near his own power level, because eventually he had to be taken down. He needed an equal, someone he'd respect, and so her power set was very easy to come up with. I first described her as a cross between two of my favorite heroines, Powergirl and Ms. Marvel. She's evolved a bit since those initial descriptions, but there's things from both of those characters that we've kept because they fit so well. The name I hit on while watching The Incredibles. There's a character in that movie that's mentioned called Dyna-Guy, I thought that'd be perfect for a girl call her Dynagirl! Only later did I find out there was another Dyna-girl character on Tv in the 70s. Similar name, vastly different characters.
5: How do you normally come up with ideas for dynagirl?
Cary Kelley: Dynagirl's really easy for me to write because I have a keen sense of how she sees the world. I'm in her head, so it's pretty simple, especially the dialog. Harold and I are both huge fans of comics in general, especially some of the more epic runs of books like X-men, Hulk, and even Avengers. What we set out to do was tell one of those far reaching convoluted sort of stories with multiple plot threads running at the same time, only actually have them all pay off at some point unlike some of the stuff from X-men. (Can you tell I'm still annoyed by that?) Once we decided to give Dynagirl her own book I sat down and plotted out roughly 35-40 issues or so right off the bat. I know what happens to her for YEARS from now! Makes it hard to keep my mouth shut for all the excitement we have coming up, but for me that's part of the fun as well, so it balances out.
6: what is your favorite thing about dynagirl?
Cary Kelley: Her strength. I don't mean the fact that she can bench press a small moon, though that is pretty cool, what I mean is her strength of character. This poor girl has been through enough heartache and pain to break anyone, and yet she keeps moving forward, keeps pushing and fighting. She never gives up. I love that about her. I think it's pretty much the core of what makes her who she is. She doesn't like to lose, and she'll never give up. I think there's heroism in that, no doubt.
7: Is there a certain issue that is your favorite or that you're really proud of?
Cary Kelley: There are so many cool moments in each of the books...it's hard to really pick one single issue that I can say is my absolute favorite, but all in all I have to go with issue #7. We turned a serious corner when we threw her on an island full of dinosaurs without her powers, and that could have easily killed the book if people had rejected badly to it, but instead they really enjoyed it and I think it's brought a lot more people to the book because it is so different. I suppose in a way issues 7-10, and arc we call "Power Struggle" is sort of my homage to not only the Savage Land issues of X-men but also the Silver Age Weird World War books where poor soldiers end up on long lost Pacific islands populated with all manner of dangerous monsters and dinosaurs. I grew up reading those books as kids, so I guess it makes sense that I'd revisit that at some point in my own twisted way.
8: Is there anything you'd really like to do in the future either with dynagirl or whatever?
Cary Kelley: I think when I'm finally done with Dynagirl another opportunity will present itself. When we started Fallen Justice it was just four issues and done, over. Then the series expanded to seven issues, and before we were done with issue two of that series I knew I wanted to continue with Dynagirl. So life, and comics have a way of opening up new avenues when others might be closing. Having said that, I've got an easy 50 or so more issues of Dynagirl yet to put out there, so it'll be awhile.
9: Would you consider yourself famous? If not do u hope to become famous?
Cary Kelley: Ha! Infamous perhaps, but nah, I'm not famous. I enjoy what little notoriety I get these days from making Dynagirl and my other comics, and I suppose a little more word of mouth wouldn't hurt my chances of getting more work out there in the real world, but as to red carpet sort of fame, no thank you. For all their money and nice clothes those folks have no private life to speak of, and that would drive me absolutely crazy.
10: Do u make lots of money off comics?
Cary Kelley: Right now, not all that much. I make enough to cover my web hosting, and I generally do a little better than breaking even at shows, all depending on which one and where it's at, but I would have never gotten into comics for the money. Can you make a living at it? Sure, but that's full time dedication and it's a tight rope walk. I much prefer having a day job and using comic production as my stress outlet, especially from a stability point of view.
11: I'm sort of looking into making comics. Any advice?
Cary Kelley: Read and learn before you do, then do. A lot. I made every mistake in the book when I got started making comics and it cost me a ton of money I could have spent elsewhere to better effect. There are a ton of resources out there for people who want to learn to make comics, so take advantage of them. If you're a writer then read and write. If you're an artist, then draw every day like your life depends on it. As someone not all that talented in the drawing department I taught myself to letter so as to save money and time, and that's been the single best thing I've ever done. There are many skills you can learn, and the more you pick up the less you have to pay someone else to do for you.
Also, when you're all done making the book, you're just getting started. Learn to sell yourself. Marketing is key.
12: I'm thinking of buying the first issue of Dynagirl sometime is there anyway I could get it signed by you whenever I do buy it?
Cary Kelley: That's a tough one as I'm out of the country more than I'm in it these days working and such, but if you pick the book up and ship it to me I'll definitely sign it and send it back to you, how's that?
13: and last question where can people find you on the internet?
Cary Kelley: I'm on the Dynagirl site (www.dynagirlonline.com) pretty much every day, as well as haunting Facebook and the main Red Handed Studios website as well. (www.redhandedstudios.com)
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