Interview With Guytron creator, Raymond Leonard.
Hello once again comic fans…today we have Raymond Leonard, creator of Guytron. Raymond’s creator owned book is geared towards the younger audience, a topic I feel deserves further represenetation especially in the indy arena…Marketing to younger readers it seems is an endeavour worth its weight in gold, in fact the childrens market is a billion dollar busines, just ask Disney… So when I got the opportunity to interview Raymond about his new youth inspired phenomenon - Guytron, I got a little excited. I was curious to know besides the profit potential what put him on the youth train instead of more adult oriented topics. So ladies and gentlemen without further delay I bring you Raymond Leonard…
Raymond Leonard's Hit new series Guytron.
ComicPrivy: What plans do you have for your Company and the books you are in the process of releasing in 2011?
Raymond Leonard: Ok, you shoot straight from the hip don’t you? Well when i founded Day Dream Productions in 2007, my brother and I wanted to have a company that stood for creating comics that are cool and entertaining for all ages to enjoy …because I feel that’s what’s missing into today’s comics…There is too much sex and violence, this is not what comics is all about…when you pick up a Day Dream book you’re going to get back that 1980′s “Saturday morning cartoon” feeling ; when comics were cool and worth reading. Don’t get me wrong our books will touch on the happenings in today’s society. But, we want our books remebered for their sense of humor and their lighter side of humanity. Our books will engage the audience, it will make readers think outside the current vacum box that has become comics these days. We want our readers going on adventures, solving mysteries and being tuned in, like when watching Smallville or The Justice league.
ComicPrivy: Those are huge obstacled to jump over at least in the long run, as of today…what are or were some of the most challenging obstacles you’ve encountered during the creation of your company and your books?
Ray: The biggest challenge I faced creating the books,was keeping the fire burning in order to get the first 3 issues completed. One of the tragedies plaguing the indy comic business is artist abanonment, artist creating great books only to abaondon them 3 or 4 issues later. Many artist abandon books because of time, money, rivalries or the company closed down…the sadest reason for some is that the book did not recieve a warm welcome initally at cons and other events; neither did the internet at first. I keep this in mind, if I start something, I will finish it.
ComicPrivy: I agree, I see this happening all the time…you see a great book, you’re eager to read the second issue, and poof the company closed down or the artist failed to be consistent in releasing it on time, and another great dream dies. Ray, tell us a little abut how your fascination with comics began, and how you became involved in the comic book industry?
Ray: HAHAHA wow you got me going back to the future LOL..my very very first fascination was this huge jumbo marvel fantastic four and spiderman coloring book my mom brought me when I was kid I was hooked…my uncle was collecting comics I used to sneak in his room and read them(oh snap, I hope he doesn’t read this LOL). DURING THE 80′s-90′s I was hook on Rob Liefeld, I”m talking everything he did I read, I had to have it.. now some people might hate his work but the man is still in the business and making hit books so he’s gotta be doing something right…Rob Liefeld really played a big role in getting me into wanting to draw comic books.
ComicPrivy: I know there are many Liefeld haters out there, but he has opened the door for many great talents in the industry today, a little research and many many be surprised the artist that owe thir careers to Liefeld…that being said, what were some of your first projects?
Ray: Let me say this I had no idea or clue how to really get into comics, at least the right way until I met Michael MCclain (publisher of M-studioscomics). Mr.MClain taught me everything, from drawing the correct way to learning in inside workings of the publishing business; boy was it hell LOL but, it paid off. My first work was Mr.MCclains: Nyssa – a short story for m-studios comics, Circle Unleash - for Epoch Comics, Black Arrow- for Epoch Comics, Nickel Plate & Professor Moon pinups for Sliver Tip Comics.
ComicPrivy: What was the inspiration for Guytron?
Ray: Guytron came from my fascination with growing up on Specter Man & Ultra-Man I’am a 80′s baby LOL…watching the tv series was amazing, from the monsters to the wacky story episodes. If you’re an 80′s lover, when you read Guytron, you are going to say, “Hey, this really does take me back.”
ComicPrivy: What do you enjoy most about creating books?
Ray: What don’t I love about creating books, I love the creative freedom of the medium…you can come up with an idea, flesh out the dynamics of the plot and create a world that is yours to do what you wish…it’s gives an almost god-like feeling.
ComicPrivy: As an independent publisher; I budgets can often be tight, what methods do you use to promote your work?
Ray: I wear custom designer t-shirts, jackets and gym shoes…all these items bear the mark of my characters and creations… my plan is to have my custom gear availabe for purchase on the internet. In addition I make as many conventions as I can, as well as special guest appearances when needed. Direct sales through ka-blam is also in my arsenal of self promotion. Mr. MCclain and I are in talks, negotiating Guytron’s debut through Diamond Distribution…however, that’s somewhere in the future, right now we are focusing on promoting Guytron hard this October. Guytron : The First Encounter issues 4,5 & 6 which is a continuation from Guytron: Homecoming issues 1,2 & 3 which is available at www.ka-blam.com.
ComicPrivy: With so much Guytron on your hands I wonder wether to as the following question; but the fans deserve to know so I will…What other projects do you have coming down the pipe?
Ray: In 2011 I’m kicking things into even higher gear with Agent Solo: The One Man Army, a 3 issue mini series created & pencilled by myself, Shadows, a 3 issue mini series by my co-writer Chris Suarez, Manga a 3 issue mini series, Battle Blood: Only The Strongest by my brother Ryan Leonard, Violent Vulture created by me and pencilled by Hyun Kwang Young which is the first heroine based story of Day Dream and it’s a 1shot; as you can see its going to be a busy year for us.
ComicPrivy: Ray, where do you see this industry headed in the near future especially for independent creators?
Ray: I see Hollywood knocking down the doorof comic creators, as it seems hollywood prefers to make a gamble on concepts that already have a fan base…Comic books seem to be the only original game in town these days. There seems to be applications after application for comic books to cross different media is growing and I see that trend continuing to grow. New fans are born every minute, it’s a sure thing; no wonder movie execs are jumping aboard the hero train, everything is about superheroes and hollywood knows pepole wanna be a part of it in all type of ways from conventions to cosplays, comics and movies are here to stay…
ComicPrivy: Now we’ve spoken about the positive outlook regarding the industry, lets get back to the now…what upsets you most about this industry, is there a way to change it?
Ray: This industry is still up and down due to cover prices and over rated books that aren’t all that good…bad books aren’t only a product of indy publishers, the big boys Marvel and DC are guilty as well. But hey it’s as they say, it’s a book out there for for everyone… On the independent side of things I’m going to say this, during this past Wizard World Chicago Con I noticed there were no Marvel, no DC artist ally stealing the spot light, this con it seemed independents had free reign…However, what upset me most was I could not find enough indy comics why cause even the indy artist were promoting the Marvel and DC, prints of x-men,batman, superman etc ran rampant…what’s the point of claiming to be an independent when you promote Marvel and DC? I did however notice a few creators that had creator owned books, the downside and there was a downdside…the books were either simple concept art or coming soon with no release date or year.
Don’t get me wrong I love drawing the Hulk, Spiderman, Batman and the rest, but if you have a character you created from your mind why put it on the back burner and put all that time into drawing an already established character…invest in what you created, push the books, get t-shirts made, wear your creations from head to toe instead of wearing a superman t-shirt, promote what you are doing..it kills me to see grown men in there 40′s still trying to break in to marvel wasting all those years standing in line just get a big NO while you could have made your own books.
