Phil Hester: I'm Phil Hester and I've been drawing and writing comics for over twenty years now. I've drawn books like Green Arrow, Swamp Thing, Ant-Man and Nightwing, and I've written The Darkness, The Coffin, Black Terror, and lots more.
Brian Churilla: I'm a creator, writer and cartoonist, though a make my living doing the latter. I am chained to a drafting table most of the day and night.
Decapitated Dan: How did you find yourself getting into making comics?
Phil Hester: I've loved it since I was a kid and set about making mini comics for my friends in high school with the notion that would train me for a professional career. In a way it did, but I still had a lot to learn. During art school I began to get professional gigs. It was a time of huge expansion for comics, so it actually wasn't that tough to just mail a cold submission to a small publisher and land work. I've been climbing that ladder ever since.
Brian Churilla: After many years of freelancing in a few different industries and not quite finding the proverbial "niche", I made a deliberate decision to work in comics, are at least make a valid attempt at it. I've always loved the medium and have collected comics, and am really happy to being doing it full time. Storytelling is fulfilling work.
Decapitated Dan: So what can you tell me about THE ANCHOR?
Phil Hester: The Anchor is about a seemingly immortal monk who has the heart of Gandhi but the body of the Hulk. During deep prayer and meditation around 800 years ago his soul was separated from his body and sent to hell to kick demon ass. His body remained on earth to do the same and it bears all the damage his soul suffers in hell, hence his appearance as a seven foot tall walking bruise. He's a kind, gentle soul, but likes nothing better than splitting the skulls of demonic monsters loose on the earth.
Decapitated Dan: What's it all about?
Phil Hester: The Anchor is a hulking anchorite monk (the guy's who so rejected the world that they walled themselves up in the foundations of churches for solitude) who's been tasked with defending earth from the invading armies of hell. Problem is, he's got a wicked case of amnesia and doesn't know exactly why he feels compelled to smash all the wicked critters. However, every time he does it he regains a little bit of his memory.
Decapitated Dan: Who are the main characters?
Phil Hester: The Anchor, as described above. Hofi Eriksdotter, a history student from Iceland who is pulled into The Anchor's struggle. Increase McBride, a shadowy U.S. government agent who believes The Anchor's powers can be harnessed for the military/industrial complex. Edesa Kiyanpur, a brilliant Iranian scientist studying The Anchor's powers. General Leung, a demon prince who leads the hordes of hell in eternal combat with The Anchor. Satan, the big bad guy.
Decapitated Dan: Where did this idea come from?
Phil Hester: I was reading about anchorite monks and since I'm such a super hero nerd I look at every interesting human situation as the possible springboard for an origin story. Brian Churilla had told me he really wanted to tackle an iconic action character and the rest just fell into place.
Decapitated Dan: If you were to give this book a movie style rating (G, PG, PG-13, R, X) what would it get, and why would you say that?
Phil Hester: Probably a PG-13. No cursing or sex to speak of, but plenty of violence and gore.
Decapitated Dan: What are you hoping readers can take away from this story?
Phil Hester: A good time. A book you can read with your favorite metal band playing full bore in the background. Action heavy, but thoughtful and still fun.
Brian Churilla: I hope they find it entertaining and engaging. I certainly think we accomplish that in every issue, but as it is in all art forms, the experience is entirely subjective.
Decapitated Dan: Is this a series that we can expect more from in the future?
Phil Hester: I sure hope so. That, as always, is in the hands of readers.
Brian Churilla: It's an ongoing book, so I certainly hope so.
Decapitated Dan: So Phil how did you come up with the idea for this book?
Phil Hester: I had been looking for something to collaborate on with Brian Churilla, and he brazenly shot down every idea I sent him, asking instead for a more iconic figure. I mulled it over for a few weeks, saw a special about the abbey at Lindisfarne and that set off my creative instincts.
Decapitated Dan: Brian how did you come up with the idea for the look of the characters?
Brian Churilla: Phil dreamed this one up to cater to my strengths as a cartoonist: giant monsters, Kirby-esque fisticuffs and epic drama etc.
Decapitated Dan: Can we expect more from you guys on the horror comic scene in the future?
Phil Hester: Working on an untitled horror/sci-fi book with Mike Huddleston (The Coffin, Deep Sleeper). Still cranking on The Darkness. Still working on Golly at Image, although it ships pretty much annually now. We're trying to fix that.
Brian Churilla: Well, it's my favorite genre, so I'd assume so.
Decapitated Dan: Can you talk a bit about your experiences so far with working in comics?
Phil Hester: Really, it's been a joy. It's like growing up a baseball fan and getting to play and coach in the big leagues for a living. It's the one entertainment medium where no one sitting on your shoulder talking about budgets or sales. You just do what you want to do and if it clicks with people you get to keep doing it. Also, meeting fans has been great. It's a pretty solitary workday, so getting out and actually seeing people who appreciate your work face to face is gratifying.
Brian Churilla: I love creating comics. It's an amazing medium. The politics, personalities, and constant hustle can be a definite challenge, but it beats picking up and delivering corpses (my last day job).
Decapitated Dan: Were you into any horror titles growing up that lead you to want to work on a book like this?
Phil Hester: Oh, yeah. I was always drawn to darker stuff, even by way of super heroes. I was and am a huge fan of Swamp Thing, so getting to draw that book was a dream come true. I loved the all the EC reprints I could get my hands on and loved all the EC homages Pacific did in the '80s.
Brian Churilla: Well, I was always interested in horror films. I wasn't exposed to horror comics until much later. The Shining is my favorite film, and I'm a huge Bava/Fulci/Argento fan.
Decapitated Dan: What comics are you currently reading?
Phil Hester: Too many to list here. Really, I'm very indiscriminate. I'll read and find something to enjoy about almost any comic. I just love comics.
Brian Churilla: Invincible, Creepy, anything Hellboy related, any Toth, Wendling, Eisner I can get my hands on.
Decapitated Dan: So where can readers find out more about this book?
Phil Hester: They can visit BOOM's website or just go straight to: www.theanchorcomic.com I can be followed on twitter, too: http://twitter.com/philhester.
Brian Churilla: The Boom! website, and there's a lot of process stuff on my blog and website.
Decapitated Dan: So in summary give me a quick recap on The Anchor and why fans should give it a try.
Phil Hester: It's an all out action book, but populated by three dimensional characters who are striving for some deeper meaning to their existence. So, you'll get some stuff to chew on intellectually, but never more than a breather before the next monster ass-kicking rolls in. Also, it's flat out gorgeous. Brian Churilla is going to be huge and this is your chance to get in on the ground floor.
Decapitated Dan: Thanks so much for your time guys.
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