Spinning out of the bestselling novel, The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, author Mario Acevedo brings his Iraq war veteran and vampire detective, Felix Gomez, to comics in this all-new tale of murderous mayhem involving the ruthless heroin merchants, the Han Cobras. But vampiric powers may not be enough to protect Felix or his lover from the vicious gangsters.
We caught up with writer, Mario Acevedo
to talk about his upcoming comic.
Christine Caprilozzi: "Killing the Cobra" is based on your book "The Nymphos of Rocky Flats." What were the differences working on a novel as opposed to a comic? How did the adaptation process work?
 Mario
Acevedo: Great question. In a novel I have to provide
descriptions of the setting and the characters, show choreography, and
rely a lot on exposition and internalizations. A comic is of course a
visual medium and so I had think how to present the story in that format.
I've been studying comics and the best artists in the genre for some time,
so when IDW Publishing offered me this opportunity, I jumped at it.
Actually, "Killing the Cobra" is not an adaptation
of my first book, but a spin off with an all new story. There is a bit
of overlap between the novel and the comic book to give readers the same
background to the main character, Felix Gomez. I wrote the script and
I was fortunate to be partnered with a couple of outstanding artists,
Alberto Dose for the comic and Pintu for the covers, who took my ideas
and made them look amazing.
Christine Caprilozzi: The story centers around "Felix" a Iraq War veteran and Vampire detective. Tell us a bit about the plot?
Mario Acevedo: The plot is based on an aside in "Nymphos" when Felix mentioned an earlier job against Chinese gangsters. Chris Ryall, my editor at IDW, said he wanted that story for the comic. The plot? My detective-vampire Felix undertakes a covert mission to destroy the heroin operation of the Han Cobras in Hong Kong. But Felix underestimates their wily and resourceful leader, the ruthless Jiang Chow--a real bad ass.
Christine Caprilozzi: As it is a Vampire series, what can our readers expect in terms of "blood and guts"?
Mario Acevedo:
Plenty of treachery and bloodshed. Buckets of it. Felix isn't afraid of using his fangs, talons, fists, and guns. The bad guys aren't wimps, either.
Christine Caprilozzi: Tell us about "Felix", who appears to be a complex character?
Mario Acevedo:
Felix Gomez went to Iraq a soldier. He came back a vampire. As a result he's torn between honor and duty and his needs as one of the bloodsucking undead. Plus he's a horn dog.
Christine Caprilozzi: "Killing the Cobra" is based on the first in a series on novels, featuring Felix. Can we expect more comics, based on those novels, or featuring Felix?
Mario Acevedo:
Like any venture in the publishing business, it all depends on sales. I would like many more comics about Felix. I do have a separate Steampunk comic story in the works. Stay tuned.
Christine Caprilozzi: You worked with Alberto
Dose on the artwork. How did you hook up with him? What was the process
like? 
Mario Acevedo:
IDW forwarded samples of Alberto Dose's work and asked, "Whatta think?" You kidding, the guy is a master. So I was lucky that Dose was available and interested. He interprets my script, and I'm impressed with his ability to articulate my concepts. He sends pencils for my comments and there are few tweaks as I don't want to micro-manage him and dilute his contributions.
Christine Caprilozzi: When is the exact release date?
Mario Acevedo:
Issue #1 will be available late April, 2010, that's all I can confirm right now.
Christine Caprilozzi: Is there anything else, you want our readers to know about "Killing the Cobra:Chinatown Trollop"?
Mario Acevedo:
It's very macho, hard-boiled pulp noir with a supernatural twist. I channeled
Frank Miller's "Sin City" but along with the artists, have our different
spin on the art and story presentation.
I also have great book trailers with Lego vampires
and zombies. Check them out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55jUNNPT1eM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NI8E3sIsec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsrz1ZZn80w
Christine Caprilozzi: Thank you for your
time, Mario. Best of luck with Killing the Cobra!
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the Cobra Interview with Mario Acevedo.
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