By: Nicole D'Andria
This week I’m
showcasing the Kickstarter for a comic book mini-series that is also part of a series of novels and is
becoming a film as well. I interviewed Kevin Given, the writer
and an actor, to learn more about Karl
Vincent: Vampire Hunter.
The original
novel series was written by Kevin Given and the comic book adaptation will also
be written by him. The penciler of the project is Edward Stinson III and the
inker/colorist is Kenneth Carolli.
This particular series has
not been completed yet, but Given is currently writing the four issues which
will be compiled into a trade paperback and eight issues in the Karl Vincent: Vampire Hunter series have been completed. He has started work on Foul Blood, and
every page he has been working on can be seen on the Kickstarter page.
Given is trying
to raise $2,500 for his project by November 11, 2015 at 4:40 PM EDT. For $5 or
more you will get a digital copy of Karl
Vincent: Vampire Hunter #1. For $10 or more you’ll get both a digital copy
and a hardcover copy signed by the writer. Other rewards are listed on the Kickstarter.
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| Kevin Given |
Me: Why did you decide to adapt this particular novel series
into a comic book?
Kevin Given: I wrote the novel first, then turned it
into a screenplay. I always had the
intention to turn it into a comic book series.
I've been a big fan of comics since I can remember.
Me: There are a lot of vampire stories which have received
great acclaim. How does your story stand out from others?
Given: Karl is a bumbling oaf of a vampire
hunter, which makes him different than your self-assured Vampire Hunter. He wets his pants every time he sees a
vampire. The original idea came when I
was watching an old Don Knotts movie called The
Ghost and Mr. Chicken. I thought,
"What if Don Knotts were a vampire hunter?" Then I started to create the character.
Inspiration came from the old Night
Stalker TV series with Darren McGavin and the original Fright Night movies with Roddy McDowell. Then I had my artists draw Karl to look like
me.
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| Karl Vincent: Vampire Hunter: "Foul Blood" Page 1 |
Karl was a
detective with a wife and kids. Barbara
was his wife and his kids were Keith, Jeff and Julie. Karl announced to Keith's high school class
one day that he was going to quit his detective job to hunt vampires. After that Barbara filed for divorce and
Keith won't even talk to his father anymore.
He was fired as a detective and now works as a paranormal
investigator. He lost everything in his
life to hunt vampires.
Me: What was your favorite book of the series to write so far
and why?
Given: Foul Blood was my favorite book to write because I
think the story flows a little better and we get to know Karl and see what
motivates him to fight vampires. It
reads like the old noir mystery novels from Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler
or Mickey Spillane. I believe I found
the right mix of horror and noir with this one.
Me: What are some of your favorite vampire stories?
Given: I love Marvel comics Tomb of Dracula. As I mentioned before Night Stalker and Fright Night plus the movies Lost
Boys, Near Dark, John Carpenters Vampires and the old Dark Shadows TV show. In fact, Barnabas
Collins was my first encounter with a vampire as a kid. Those are just a few.
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| Karl Vincent: Vampire Hunter: "Foul Blood" Page 2 |
Me: How did you come to work with Edward Stinson III and
Kenneth Carolli on this project?
Given: I found them through a company on the
internet. My original artist, Scott
Story, wasn't available so I searched the internet until I found them.
I went with
them on this series because they reminded me a little of Gene Colan who did the
original Tomb of Dracula. The prologue to the book has that eerie feel
I wanted.
Me: You also mentioned that Karl will appear in Glaister
Silverback Ormsby's "Hell and Holy Water" and Silverback’s character
of Jayson Helstrom will appear in this issue as well as Issue 2. Could you tell
me more about this other series and character and how it came to be connected
with Karl Vincent: Vampire Hunter?
Given: I found Glaister's fund raiser on
Kickstarter and he had, as a reward, appearing in a Hell and Holy Water issue, so I contacted him and told him about
the Karl Vincent series and we put each other's characters in our issues.
Me: Since Karl Vincent:
Vampire Hunter will be adapted into a movie, can you talk about the people
involved in making this into a film?
Given: Jeffrey Crisp and Crisp film works found
my script for Last Rites on a website
where producers go to find projects and, as luck would have it, I had just
returned to Florida after living in the Pittsburgh area for several years. Production begins on Last Rites November 14. You
can find more information on Facebook's Karl Vincent: Vampire Hunter and Last
Rites - The Return of Sebastian Vasilis pages, please like and follow both for updates on the film. I'm hoping to proceed with Foul Blood once production is done on Last Rites.
Me: How does the story differ in novel, comic book and movie
formats?
Given: In the novel, Lyle isn't with Karl when
they discover Constance Haight's body.
He had just lost his partner, Trevor Jackson, and Captain Fiedler is
with Karl when her body is discovered.
Lyle is introduced later.
Also, more
detail is given to serial killer David Reynolds’ past and crimes. Karl is constantly remembering details from
his former interrogations of Reynolds when he was captured and put away in the
first place. The novel shows how Reynolds
got under Karl's skin and Karl's fear of Reynolds.
Me: How did it feel writing in three different mediums? Which
format do you enjoy working on the most and what would you say are the
advantages and disadvantages of each?
Given: Well, the screenplay and comic book were
the same for me because I sent the script to the artists and they used that as
a guide to draw the comic. Screenplay
writing is easy and doesn't take as long but I enjoy writing the novels
most. Nothing gets my adrenaline pumping
like sitting in front of my lap top and churning out another adventure. I can get into the characters’ thoughts and
give them motivation, attitude and conflict much better than I can when writing
a screenplay. Screenplays are action
only.
Me: How would you describe Edward Stinson III and Kenneth
Carolli’s artwork in the series?
Given: The artists are basically drawing this
comic based on the screenplay.
Edward Stinson
III and Kenneth Carolli’s artwork has a very gritty and realistic look to it
that enhances the whole dark noir atmosphere I was going for in this work. They're very different from any other artist
I have used.
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| Karl Vincent: Vampire Hunter: "Foul Blood" Page 3 |
Me: What are your future plans for the Karl Vincent: Vampire
Hunter series?
Given: We're planning the sequel to Last Rites, working on the script and
the novel for that one. I'm excited
about the direction it's going in. The
working title is Dracula Rising and
will introduce Dracula into the series.
It will also reveal a link between Karl and Sebastian. Every good protagonist/antagonist
relationship has a link between the two.
Batman and the Joker both suffer from the same psychosis, Bruce Banner
is dating the daughter of the man that wants to destroy his alter ego, and this
story will see a link between Karl and Sebastian that will change the way they
see each other. I'm really excited about
this story.
Me: What can backers expect to get the Karl Vincent: Vampire
Hunter: "Foul Blood" mini-series?
Given: Rewards for people who back the Foul Blood campaign include all eight
existing comic books in digital and hard copy. Plus some will be able to cameo
in a Karl Vincent comic book. You can be
a vampire, vampire hunter or any character you want to be.
Me: When can backers expect to get the Karl Vincent: Vampire
Hunter: "Foul Blood" mini-series?
Given: I'm hoping to have it done by March, if
I get the funding I need.
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| Hell & Holy Water #1 Cover |
Me: What inspirational words do you have for aspiring comic
book writers?
Given: The only advice I can give aspiring
comic book people is DON'T GIVE UP!
Me: Thanks for your time Kevin. You can back the Karl Vincent: Vampire Hunter: “Foul Blood” on Kickstarter.
Do you have a
Kickstarter? Want to be interviewed about it and have it showcased on
“Kickstart the Week?” Let me know in the comments below or message me on my
personal website www.comicmaven.com.
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