1. What initially drew you to comics?
That started at a really young age for me. I was around 5 when I picked up my first comic from the spinner rack at the local 7-11. I was in there for a Slurpee and the spinner rack just caught my eye. It was love at first sight for me. There was just something magically about the way comic books married words and pictures. As I grew older, it started to grow into something more than action and jokes. I started reading stories that really mattered to me. I’d say around 14 they became my obsession. In hindsight, I can now see I was writing stories for myself as long as my memory goes back. Because I tend to come up with realizations about myself rather slowly, it didn’t really occur to me that I wanted to be a writer until I was 17. I decided I had to be a comic book writer no matter what it took. It’s been my sole passion ever since.
2. What do comics allow you to do creatively?
Everything and anything. I can craft a story in any genre, any location, with any type of characters. You don’t have to worry about the limits of film budget or how to make the special effects look “real” on film. You can bend all the laws of physics and science if you want. It all comes down to what story you want to tell and you have almost no limits. I’m not saying every book will be successful, but you can try out just about any idea and see if it has legs.
3. Please tell us about Vinyl and any other titles/work you'd like to share about. VINYL follows Walter. He’s a serial killer that believes the FBI agent trying to put him away is his best friend. You know, because it’s the only person that wants to continually have lunch with him. When the FBI agent disappears, Walter discovers he’s been taken by some bizarre Sunflower death cult. Walter is outmanned, so he goes to find some “like-minded” serial killer friends to help him get his best friend back. He basically forms the Justice League of serial killers.
Currently, I’m working on Image Comics’ BEWARE THE EYE OF ODIN. Don’t worry, it’s not about serial killers this time. In this oversized 4-issue mini-series, Tim Odland and I are having fun playing with Vikings, Trolls, Earthen Smiths, Frost Giant, and Valkyries. It’s kinda our version of Ray Harryhausen meets Norse mythology.
4. Where can we learn more about your work? I’ve done most of my creator-owned work for Image so you can easily find my works at www.imagecomics.com or you can head over to my personal website for a comprehensive list at www.shocknoggin.com. I’m always posting about new and old works on all the social medias, so you could follow me any of those as well. FB: Doug.Wagner13
Twitter: @Doug_Wagner
LinkedIn: DougWagner13
Instagram: @Doug.Wagner13
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