By: Nicole D’Andria
This week
we’re featuring Ryan Burke’s Coronary comic
book on “Kickstart the Week.” Toted as “Romeo
and Juliet meets Black Mirror,” Coronary has something to say about
plastic surgery.
The
creator and writer of Coronary is
Ryan Burke. He is joined by two artists: Joel Saavedra, who did the pencils,
inks and letters; and Damian Panalba, who did the colors. This is the second
chapter of a twelve issue series, which is 28 pages long and fully colored.
It will
be successfully funded if it raises $4,200 by October 6, 2017 at 1:00 PM EDT.
Rewards include a digital copy of Coronary:
Episode Two ($5) as well as a digital copy of episode one ($7), a physical
copy of episode two ($10) as well as a limited edition signed copy ($15), and get
mini prints ($30), among other rewards. Backers can also get an hour long skype
session with writer Ryan Burke ($200). Interested in backing the project? You
can on their official Kickstarter page.
Please enjoy my in-depth interview with writer Ryan Burke and artist Joel Saavedra.
Please enjoy my in-depth interview with writer Ryan Burke and artist Joel Saavedra.
 |
| Ryan Burke |
Me: For those who haven’t read Coronary:
Episode One, what do they need to know about that issue to understand this
one?
Ryan Burke: In short, our two main characters,
Justin and Luna have met for the first time. Justin wants to meet up again, but
is cut short via a SWAT team breaking in on a meeting. His best friend, Oscar,
is arrested with him. That's about all the main events of the first
episode.
Me: What inspired you to write about plastic
surgery in particular?
Burke: I always felt that plastic surgery is at most a
reaction to an image-centric world. One that tells us that we're not thin
enough, or not shaped in the correct way. Plastic surgery is, in essence, an
effort to be accepted by your own insecurities. I really wanted to push that to
the extremes, to exaggerate, and get at the heart of the issue. I want Coronary to show that image isn't
everything.
 |
| Coronary Signed Mini Print #1 |
Me: You say this story is “Romeo and Juliet meets
Black Mirror.” What about it makes you compare it to these works?
Burke: Romeo and
Juliet
is about people from different walks of life, trying to connect. Justin is from
business, Luna from authenticity. Those two rarely intertwine, and I want to
see them go against each other. Black
Mirror is the finest in dystopia, and that too exaggerates elements of
society, and really shows us our own true colours. I want Coronary to do the same.
Me: What can you tell us about the main characters,
Justin and Luna?
Burke: They're very different. One life was gifted and
full of opportunities, the other not so much. And as we're all aware, the
events of our lives have a way of shaping us into very different people. They
won't kiss in the end, let’s put it that way, haha.
Me: Why did you pick London as the setting? Do you
have any plans to explore other countries in the universe of Coronary in
the future?
Burke: If anything happens, it happens in London
first. I feel that the heartbeats of the city match the ultra-fashion dystopia
story of Coronary just fine. We actually branch off into Berlin for Episode Three, but I don't want to give
too much away. And there may or may not be Coronary: True Son in
the works. But that's just a working title for now!
 |
| Coronary: Episode One Page 1 |
Me: You mention Coronary will
ultimately be 12 issues long. How did you decide that was the number of issues
the story called for and have you already completed the scripts for each issue?
Burke: I used the collected comic form of graphic
novel as a format for how I structured the whole story. While other creators
aren't as particular about their story arcs, I am very particular with the
pacing of the story. (Some may call it neurotic!)
Me: How did you meet and come to work with Joel
Saavedra and Damian Panalba on this project?
Burke: I met Joel through an online forum, and Damian
is the new guy on the team, but still appreciated! Initially I approached Joel
for the commission on the first five pages. Damian is under the same mentor as
Joel, so it was a natural transition, taking him on board. And, it's been
working beautifully so far.
 |
| Coronary: Episode One Page 2 |
Me: If you were living in the world of Coronary,
what do you think would be the biggest difference between your life there and
your life here?
Burke: Oooh. I'd feel uglier for a start, and I'm sure
my friends and family would too. Whether I'd take the bait and join the
ultimate party, I don't know... That's a temptation I hope I'm never given the
chance to take!
Me: What is the number one reason people should
pledge money to your project?
Burke: Because this project is going to change things.
We believe that Coronary is the
series that's going to show that body positivity, authenticity and honesty
aren't dead concepts. They stay alive in the work we make.
Me: What inspirational words do you have for
aspiring comic book writers?
Burke: Everyone doubts themselves; seek advice from
those in the same boat. It's through collaboration that we stop it from
sinking. Reach out to me at @ryanburkewriter if you have any
questions, or just want to drop by for a chat.
 |
| Joel Saavedra |
Joel Saavedra: I'd like to give some
credit to Damian's (the colorist's) exceptional work on the series. He's a close
friend of mine, we’ve know each other for almost 15 years, and we grew
professionally together. I've learned down the road that we have to be grateful
in life, and he and Ryan had a big impact on my career. I have the chance to
work with two amazingly talented professionals; it's my pleasure to be on Coronary.
Me: Who are your favorite comic book artists and
does their work influence your art style in Coronary at all?
Joel Saavedra: Well, I can name you a
few of my favorites that I think influenced particularly my art on Coronary, all of them true masters of
the profession: Alex Toth, Mike Mignola and—last but not least, my professor
which I owe him everything—Marcelo Frusin. Despite their amazing work with lighting
and chiaroscuro, which I love, I admire them for their storytelling. And that's
probably what I get influenced by the most during issue #1.
 |
| Coronary: Episode One Page 15 |
Me: Since Coronary takes place in
London, what kind of research did you do when drawing the setting?
Saavedra: Funny that you mentioned. I didn't know
London yet. But I have been blessed to work with Ryan, and his writing is
amazingly descriptive. He's very precise and detailed, you can almost feel the
scene. So this is very helpful on the process. And then, of course I use
references from photos, movies and series.
Me: What was your favorite page/panel to draw
in Coronary?
Saavedra: I
can't give you exactly the page—*ahem* double-page spread—I'm looking forward
to drawing, because as River Song says: "Spoilers." But I'm eager to
do an awesome police interrogation scene that will open the next issue. It serves
as a common thread to know more about the characters' background stories.
Me: Who is your favorite character to draw in Coronary and
why are they your favorite?
Saavedra: Each character has his own beauty and
interest. But if I had to choose, I think that's Justin. On the outside, he's a
very monotonous guy. Always posing, always sharp, a stereotype of a “player.”
But he's a pretty troubled guy, and I know that further on in the story I will
be able to start showing glimpses of that shell coming apart. And there's the
beauty, in the subtlety.
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| Coronary: Episode One Page 16 |
Me: If you were living in the world of Coronary,
what do you think would be the biggest difference between your life there and
your life here?
Saavedra: I'm aware that's a fictional world, but
how far are we from there? Ryan did an exceptional job capturing the mysteries
of our society. That's what struck me from the first time I read the script; I
fell in love with the story because it manages to tell beautifully what most of
us are not ready—or willing—to hear.
So,
regarding your specific question, in Coronary's
world I might still be doing what I currently do, telling stories. Of course,
only in-between my photo shoots/modelling sessions. LOL.
 |
| Coronary: Early concept art for Justin and Luna |
Me: What is the number one reason people should
pledge money to your project?
Saavedra: Because it's always better to read the
original medium before you see the movie! It's a damn good—and ambitious—story
and every issue gets better. I'm sure that you'll enjoy it. We're three professionals
that love what they do and give our best to serve your entertainment.
Me: What inspirational words do you have for aspiring
comic book artists?
Saavedra: That's a tough one. This will
sound like a cookie fortune message, but I mean it. Took me years to get it.
Be true
to yourself. Follow your instinct. This is a career, so study. A LOT, everyday.
If you can, learn from a more skilled artist. Read books, see movies, listen to
music. Cultivate your mind. That's what makes the difference. DO NOT WASTE YOUR
TIME.
As my
teacher says, the beauty of this profession is that it will accompany you until
the end of your days. You'll always have something new to learn, to discover,
to try and to fail too.
Me: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me,
Ryan and Joel! If you’re interested in seeing a society mad about plastic
surgery (and don’t want to look out your window), take a look at their
Kickstarter here.
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| Coronary: Episode One Page 21 |
Do you have
a Kickstarter? Want to be interviewed about it and have the project featured on
"Kickstart the Week?" Let me know in the comments below or message
me on my website.
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the Week” features:
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