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CREATORS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Our CREATORS YOU SHOULD KNOW  series continues with an exclusive interview with ASSASSIN AND SON creator Marc Copani.

Let’s start by getting to know you a little better. Can you tell us a little bit about
yourself? You’re accomplishments and goals?

I played the character Muhammed Hassan in the WWE from 2004 until 2005,
when we were forced to take the character off the air. Since then I have gone
back to school, where I am finishing my bachelors degree in Adolescent
Education Social Studies with a minor in History, and afterwards I plan to receive
my doctorate in History from Syracuse University.

What was it that drew you to this medium? Were you interested in comic books
when you were growing up?

Growing up I collected comic books. Some of my favorites were the X-men
series and Spiderman. Since then I have become interested in
this genre mainly from the work done by guys like Frank Miller, bringing graphic
novels to the screen. I think that films like Sin city and 300 have added a fresh
take on action films and I think graphic novels are becoming an increasingly
relevant medium for artistic expression. I also am a huge fan of the graphic novel
series Preacher, 100 bullets, and Y-The last Man.

Were you a fan of wrestling growing up?

Yes, like most young boys I was a huge Hulk Hogan fan, as well as Macho Man
Randy Savage.

What was your inspiration for the Assassin and Son Graphic Novel series?

Shad and I were heavily inspired by films like Kill Bill, 300, as well as older
Kung fu flicks. I think a lot of it for us, is that we are huge movie people, who
wanted to see some stuff that hadn't been done before. To write a story that
doesn't necessarily fit into any single mold.

Can you tell us about how these ideas originally came to you and how they
developed into what they are now?

Assassin and Son started out as shad's vision, after which I took and spent over
a year rewriting it with his help. Much of my influence can be found in the
religious interplay between Father Carlos, Jasmine, and Braddock, and much of
that inspiration came from my studies of religion and how it affects our actions in
society.

For those not familiar with the mini-series can you give us a little insight into the
plot for the first mini-series?

The first story is about how Donovan Braddock came to be the person he is in the
present. We tell the origin story of The Horsemen (an infamous street gang that
took over all of New York city) and how Donovan fit into this group, how he was
like them, but mainly how he was different. After he leaves the Horsemen, they
take from him the one thing that made him feel human, and for the next decade
he plans his revenge, while having to raise a son alone. He finds that it is his son
that makes him human, and on his road to redemption, he kicks a lot of ass in
the process. I have to be careful about what I say because much of the story is
revealed throughout the series and I wouldn't want to give anything away.

In telling this story why did you choose this medium and format?

A graphic novel allows us to tell the story with the added dimension of visual
aids. the original screenplay is very long and detailed, and this seemed like a
natural progression for the story to manifest.


 What makes this project unique and different within the scope of the comic book
medium?

I think what makes this unique is that we are more concerned with staying true
to the story we both created, and originally that story was not designed for a
comic book. Therefore the reader will feel as if they are involved in an entire
experience, as opposed to the standard issue entertainment they have been used to.

Tell us a little bit about why the casual comic book fan should be reading this
series? Why should someone pick up a copy?

I think anyone who enjoys a gritty, three dimensional story, whether that be a
novel, film, or comic book, will enjoy this series. the characters are well drawn,
have real depth, and become relatable to the reader, drawing them inside our
world.

How fun has it been creating these characters, this property and telling this story?

Its been a blast and all of these characters have taken on some sort of significance
in my everyday life. they become a part of you, and you start to acknowledge
them as if they were real people. you know their past, plan their futures, etc...

What was it like working with Shad Gaspard on this project?

Shad and I have developed our own methods of working together, and we both
respect each other's opinions, so we had a blast putting this together. It wasn't
always easy, but in the end it proved to be very rewarding.

How important is it to you to explore and flesh out the characters origins to create
a fully realized story?

Very very important. We spent a great deal of time on all of their backgrounds,
mainly because if you do not know who your character is, then you won't know
what their honest reaction to a given situation will be, and they will not seem
genuine. therefore, it is extremely important that each character lives and
breathes on their own.

Any chance that we’ll see another extended storyline in an ongoing series,
or will you continue to do mini-series or is this a one and done story?

We wrote this story almost as an "origins" story, and we plan on writing more
in the future. I can't say for certain when that'll be, but I do know we have more
story to tell.

 Is there anything else that you would like to say to all the fans and readers out
there?

I think that they will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of story found in our
book. I think it has a little something for everyone, and I know it will leave the
reader wanting more.

Finally, three words that best describe you and your personality?

Intelligent. Composed. Clever.

News

COLONEL  E-BOOK HITS 15000 VIEWS!

Yes you read that right! The digital 5 page preview of our future release COLONEL, a one shot Graphic Novel created by Manoel Magalhães and Osmarco Valladão has just reached 15000 views. Actually it has surpassed that and is nearing 17000 views as of today. We would like to thank all of those who support Blackline Comics and the titles we are producing for your enjoyment. Let us not forget the amazing amount of work and dedication that is displayed by Manoel Magalhães and Osmarco Valladão in creating this very different book. COLONEL the one shot Graphic Novel is soon to be solicited to Diamond Distributors for inclusion in the Previews catalog.

In the far-flung future, a lone soldier hunts his enemies on a desolate planet while searching for his missing regiment. His fate rests in his own hands--the high-powered rifle he carries, and it is the weapon that gives the orders...

You can take a look at the five page preview here.