Marooned on Mars with a sarcastic robot! Tom Dell'Aringa talks about creating the adventures of his astral abandoned heroes in his webcomic Marooned!
1. For the poor souls not already reading, please give a brief synopsis of your comic.
The hapless Captain John and his robot sidekick Asimov land on Mars, where they quickly realize they are stranded. They find a thriving settlement of Martians underground and have all sorts of adventures, as John makes his journey from hapless to hero.
2. What materials and/or software do you use?
I work exclusively digitally, drawing and coloring directly in Photoshop CS3 with a Wacom Intuos 4 tablet.
3. Are there any books, movies, toys, artists, or authors that have inspired or continue to inspire your comic?
I am inspired by everything that I consume, from cartoons to books to movies and more. Generally when I read a really well written book or watch a great movie or TV show, it always lights a fire under me.
4. Are any of your characters based on real people in your life?
Not specifically, no. However the Martian girl Ril shares many traits with my two daughters, and Lian Fisher has a bit of my wife in her. Captain John shares many of my own faults. Good stories draw from life.
5. Are there any actors you know you would want to play or voice certain characters in a movie of your comic?
I've honestly never thought about this. Luke Wilson would probably be great as Captain John.
6. What songs would you like in a soundtrack of your comic?
Space Oddity by David Bowie has been tossed around the comic in the past, it only makes sense. I suppose Rocket Man by Elton John would fit, too. Other than that, I'd rather have a movie score composed by Howard Shore or Patrick Doyle.
7. What is your overall goal for your comic?
To tell great stories.
8. How has managing a comic impacted your life?
It has given me the creative outlet that I was lacking. It also has been a vehicle for meeting some excellent friends.
9. What do you do to advertise your work?
Right now, practically nothing. I post comics to Twitter/Facebook when they come out. I used to advertise using Project Wonderful, but I don't really have time to manage that right now. I used to try and network with other artists and do lots of stuff along those social lines (fan art, etc). But again, those things take time I don't generally have available.
10. Web comics can be very time consuming and sometimes expensive to keep up. Often there is little reward in regards to money and sometimes public attention. Why do you do it?
I do it first and foremost for myself, because I love doing it, and I love telling stories. Certainly the fact that people are reading and responding well to the comic is something that drives me as well.
11. Got any other projects we should know about?
I have a couple of ideas for the next project that will follow Marooned (which ends in early 2013), but nothing I can talk about as of yet.
12. What advice would you give to aspiring creators?
If you do it for money or notoriety, you will fail, and you will be unhappy.
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Thanks a lot Tom! If your overall goal is to tell great stories then mission accomplished. Can't wait to see what follows Marooned.
If you dig Marooned you can show your love by up-voting the submission for this interview at Reddit Webcomics. Up-voting keeps Marooned on the front page of the webcomic category longer which means more people get to see it!
Thanks for reading! Let us know whatchya' think in the comments section below. Then get stranded with Captain John at Marooned!
-Mat
If you would like to be interviewed about your web-comic send an email to evanyeti@yahoo.com titled "interview" with a link to your comic.
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