KM: Tell us about some of your upcoming projects.
CES: We've got several in various stages of development. The main two I want to focus on here is our two main series which are key and easy properties to do an indie film based on.
First, we have a creator owned series called Headlocked, which may very well be comic's first prime-time dramatic series. Headlocked actually tells the story of a college age, former thespian and creative artist, who becomes obsessed with making it in what he sees as the highest performance art form: Professional Wrestling. The series will follow his trials and travails as he makes his journey to winning the belt. This series has already generated so much interest and so many fans…it's just crazy!
Second, we have a studio series called Monarch of Manhattan which borrows a bit from Tarzan, and a bit from Eddie Murphy's Coming to America. Shakalla is the young prince of an ancient African like kingdom in a world very much like our own, but also very different. He is exiled as a child by an evil wizard, Daemonn Thorne, but he leads a rebellion against the wizard as a young man. At the brink of victory, Thorne escapes through a mystic portal, and Shakalla leaps after him, ending up in modern day New York. The series is a high-octane adventure with lots of comedy thrown in.
Both of these series have scripts done and Monarch has line art for the entire first issue, so either one is primed and ready to be made into film!
BA: Actually, I'm sure that everything Visionary is doing would make a great film.
KM: What do you want to achieve with Visionary?
CES: It may sound corny, but I would like to really make a difference in the comics industry. I would like to see VCS become 
the proving ground for young, talented creators where they get encouragement, the chance to work on their own properties, be paid up front for most work, and get solid opportunities put in front of them, so the charlatans out there who exploit them will dry up faster.
I'd also like to see VCS become a banner studio for new and exciting ideas to the industry by way of its actual books; to push the envelope of what can make good comics, etc.
Finally, I would also like to see VCS help cement a lasting relationship between filmmakers and comic makers that brings a true sense of synergy beyond a producer or director 'reading the comic' to do the screenplay.
BA: Chuck's already sold me on this, and as I say, I feel the same. We want to bring creative folks to the audience they deserve-and to the professional network we can all share, and benefit from, through the studio.
KM: What advice would you give to aspiring comic book writers/illustrators?
CES: Keep at it! Never give up on the dream, but be prepared to work hard to get it. Be hungry, but also be smart. Think about what is put in front of you, find out about people offering you work. Yeah, you want to break into the industry, slaving over pages never seeing print, or working your butt off for someone who will not respect you as a creator is not necessary to accomplish that goal! Show your portfolio to pros every chance you get, and then…listen to what they say. Grow, strive, and see yourself not as an accomplished writer or artist, but a lucky, struggling one…that means you'll always push yourself to be better.
Then, once you get that going for you…get in touch with us. ;)
BA: I've always said that talent plus determination equals success, but that may be too facile. You do need both the ability to do what you do-and at a professional level. You also do need the drive and perseverance to doggedly chase the dream. But we can't rule out the role that luck, timing and other intangibles play. So, polish your craft to gleaming, push yourself to get out to make those pitches to the right people, but develop friendships with other creative folks, read the trade magazines, find places (web sites, small publishers, et al) to do little bits of work to get your name and work out there, and don't, ever give up.
KM: Now for some fun questions. If you could turn any literary work/movie into a comic, what would it be?
CES: Hmmm, TV Series? Star Trek. Novel series? Star Trek. Movie Series? Star Trek. Animated Series? Hmmm, Star Trek.
BA: C.S. Lewis' Narnia series, Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe, Law & Order, Ray Bradbury's science-fiction.
KM: What is your favorite comic and why?
CES: Wow, too many to name, hmmm, maybe…Star Trek? Oh yeah. But seriously, the why for all these is that no other series of fiction has had more impact on me as a person. Yeah, I've enjoyed a LOT of comics, movies, series, books, etc. But Star Trek shaped me as a young man to be someone who believed in the possibility of our future as human beings, that we would figure out what life is about and not only survive, but thrive.
BA: Hmm, what day is it? There really are so many. I still love the originals, Superman and Batman. I mean they helped raise me and teach me the difference between right and wrong. I really like Captain America, Daredevil, Powers currently, and pretty much everything Grant Morrison or Mark Waid work on. I love comics for all the fun reasons I started to read 'em at seven-and I love them for still delivering to the not-so-seven-year-old me today.
CES: Thanks again for all your time and effort to bring us into the Microfilmmaker fold!
BA: Yes, thanks and best wishes!
Thanks, guys. For filmmakers who wish to find out more about Visionary Comics, you can check out their webpage at: http://www.visionarycomics.com.
